Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Kayaking in Bacalar: Sunrise paddle with breakfastKayak the Lagoon of 7 Colors in Bacalar at sunrise, paddling toward the Pirate Canal through mangroves as dawn breaks across the water. The experience includes a bilingual guide, safety instruction, light breakfast with local coffee and fruit, GoPro photos and videos, and a stop in a protected natural zone where the guide shares the lagoon's history and ecology. Minimum age is 10 years; infants sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are welcome, and you can bring a pet to join you on the water.Is it for me?Three hours on the water means you're back by mid-morning with the rest of your day open—ideal if you want the sunrise without sacrificing the beach or other plans. The minimum age is 10 years, and infants can sit on an adult's lap, so families with younger children can join if an adult paddles with the child aboard.
Snorkeling with turtles in Akumal: Cenote swimming includedSnorkel with sea turtles and stingrays at Akumal, then swim and snorkel in a cenote with rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. The activity runs 6 to 7 hours and includes a live guide in English, Spanish or French; hotel pickup; lunch and drinks; and all entrance fees. Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.Is it for me?You do the snorkeling yourself with your own mask and fins, so this suits anyone comfortable in the water who wants to move at their own pace between the turtles and the cenote. The guide stays with the group but doesn't choreograph the experience — you choose where to look and how long to linger, which is what makes the wildlife encounters feel unhurried instead of rushed.
Puerto Chiquila to Cancun Airport: Private TransferYou get picked up at Puerto Chiquila port in a private vehicle and driven directly to Cancun Airport with a certified driver. Bottled water is included, and specialized infant seats are available on request. The fixed route and pre-agreed price mean no haggling at the dock and no surprises when you arrive at the terminal.Is it for me?Book this if you're flying out of Cancun the same day you arrive at Puerto Chiquila port and want to skip the taxi stand—the direct route and fixed price mean one less thing to figure out after disembarking.
Isla Contoy & Mujeres Snorkeling Tour: Reef, Lunch, Open BarThis full-day tour from Playa del Carmen takes you by boat to Isla Contoy National Marine Park for snorkeling in the Mesoamerican Reef, then to Isla Mujeres for beach time and exploring the town. The tour includes round-trip hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, buffet lunch with barbecue, and an open bar on board. The national park limits daily visitors, so the reef stays uncrowded.Is it for me?Book this if you're snorkeling for the first time or want to see coral and fish clearly—the daily visitor cap at Isla Contoy keeps the reef uncrowded, unlike busier sites.
2 Tank Wreck & Drift Reef Dives: Isla MujeresA two-tank dive off Isla Mujeres pairs wreck exploration at 80 feet with a drift reef dive, suitable for Advanced Open Water divers or Open Water divers doing an Adventure Dive. The first tank takes you inside one of two penetrable wrecks — the C55 or C58, both Admirable-class minesweepers — where you navigate passages and chambers. The second tank drifts a vibrant reef where you encounter eels, turtles, nurse sharks, eagle rays and schools of reef fish. Dives depart at 7:30 a.m. or 1 p.m., and the guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?The guide leads in English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary comfortably — this works for divers who want to understand the wreck's history and the reef's ecology without a language barrier.
Cozumel: Clear Boat, Buggy Drive & Mayan Rituals with LunchYou’ll float above Cozumel’s reefs on a transparent boat, drive buggies along wild roads to San Martin Beach, and join locals for Mayan rituals plus honey and tequila tastings. With lunch included and a friendly guide throughout, expect moments that surprise you — and maybe even linger after you’ve left.
Cancun - Puerto Morelos: Private Airport Transfer, AC VansYou’ll step off your flight into Cancun’s heat and find your private van waiting—no crowds or confusion. Enjoy air conditioning, space for strollers or baby seats if needed, and a quick ride straight to Puerto Morelos with a local driver who knows every shortcut. It’s simple comfort that lets you start relaxing right away.
Cozumel Mayan Ruins & Snorkeling Tour: San Gervasio with LunchA five-hour Cozumel tour pairs a guided walk through San Gervasio Mayan ruins with snorkeling and beach time at Tortugas Snorkel Center, led by a guide accredited by Mexico's Secretary of Tourism. Private air-conditioned transport, a full Mexican lunch with rice horchata, snorkel gear and life vest, and a tequila tasting are included; if ocean conditions turn rough, the afternoon shifts to shopping in Downtown instead of the beach.Is it for me?This tour is shared, not private, with a certified guide leading the ruins and your own pace at the snorkel site—it suits travelers who want the history explained and the underwater time flexible, without the cost of a private group. If you're on a cruise ship, the five-hour window and fixed timing mean you can commit to the full day without worrying about getting back late.
Cozumel: Punta Sur National Park Private Tour & Beach LunchYou’ll circle Cozumel with a local guide, spotting wildlife at Punta Sur National Park and climbing the lighthouse for sweeping views before relaxing on wild beaches with lunch included. Explore downtown’s historic corners and markets at your own pace — all without big groups or rushed stops.
Tulum Cenotes Casa Tortuga: Guided Swim & Pickup, Food OptionYou’ll swim through four distinct cenotes at Casa Tortuga Tulum with a local guide who shares stories as you go. Expect cool cave air, sunlit water, and small moments with locals along the way. Includes pickup from your hotel and an option to add lunch — it’s an easygoing day you’ll remember long after the trip.
Cenote Maya Park Ticket: Swim, Rappel & Mayan Ceremony YucatanYou’ll swim in crystal-clear waters beneath Yucatan’s largest cenote dome, try rappelling or slacklining if you want some thrills, take part in an authentic Mayan blessing ceremony with a local shaman, and finish with a traditional buffet lunch—all surrounded by real jungle atmosphere.
Tulum Cenote Adventure Day Trip with Local LunchGet ready for a real adventure near Tulum: swim and zipline across five unique cenotes, paddle through jungle canals, and share a homemade Mayan lunch in a local village. With hotel pickup and an expert guide included, this is one of those days you’ll remember long after you’re back home.
Dune Buggy & Snorkel in Cozumel: Drive, Dive, EatA five-hour activity in Cozumel where you drive a manual dune buggy through jungle and coastal paths, then snorkel the Dzul-ha reef with a bilingual guide, full snorkel gear, and a Mexican lunch of tacos or fajitas. Pickup is included; specialized infant seats are available for young children.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full afternoon that mixes driving, water, and food without arranging each piece separately—the guide handles the route and the stops, and everything from buggy to snorkel gear to lunch is ready when you arrive.
Snorkeling in Tulum: Ruins, Cenote & TurtlesA private snorkeling tour in Tulum combines the seaside Mayan ruins with a cenote swim and optional turtle snorkeling, depending on which package you choose at checkout. The guide speaks English or Spanish, transport picks you up from your hotel, and the day runs five to six hours. Bottled water and all fees are included; food and drinks are separate.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Tulum ruins and a cenote swim in one private day—the guide and transport mean you're not coordinating stops or driving yourself, and you pick which second attraction matters most when you choose your package.
ATV, Ziplines & Cenote from Playa del Carmen: Jungle adventureAn ATV and zipline activity in the Yucatán jungle near Playa del Carmen where you ride muddy trails, fly across three ziplines, test your balance on a skyboard, and swim in cenote Verde Lucero. Hotel pickup is included; the guide speaks English or Spanish; children from age 4 can join with a paid adult.Is it for me?Choose the solo ATV option if you want to control the ride yourself and have a full license; pick the shared ATV if you want a companion or prefer not to drive, or if you're traveling with a teenager aged 16 or 17. Morning departures fill faster, so book early if you want to avoid the afternoon heat on the trails.
Tulum cenotes and ruins tour: 4 Casa Tortuga poolsThis 12-hour tour from Tulum combines a guided swim through 4 cenotes at Casa Tortuga—two semi-open and two closed—with a walk through the Tulum archaeological site overlooking the Caribbean, a stop at the "Come to Light" sculpture, and a buffet lunch at Nohoch Muul restaurant. Round transport, a certified guide in English or Spanish, and vests are included; children from age 4 are welcome, and the tour stops in Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue for guests staying between Cancun and there.Is it for me?Book this if you want cenotes, Mayan ruins, and contemporary art in one full day with included transport; choose a half-day cenote tour if you prefer a shorter outing or want to focus on just one element.
Open Water Diver PADI Certification in Mexico: 3-Day CourseThe Open Water Diver course is a three-day PADI certification program in Mexico combining classroom theory, pool training, and four open water dives in the sea or cenotes. You receive a digital manual in advance, hotel pickup and drop-off, all equipment, a professional multilingual instructor, and an underwater video of your dives. Upon completion, you hold a worldwide certification valid to 18 meters depth.Is it for me?Choose your departure city—Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Riviera Maya—at checkout, and the pickup will match your hotel location. The three-day structure means you can fit certification into a long weekend or a mid-week break without sacrificing the full training sequence; everything from theory to four ocean dives to your card happens in one continuous course.
Cozumel Ziplining: Water Park and Beach in One DayKUZÁ Beach & Adventure Park in Cozumel combines ziplining, water slides, a lazy river and over 1 km of white sand beach in a single all-inclusive day. The zipline circuit runs from towers up to 24 meters high; the water park holds slides, a kids' splash pad and a swim-up bar. Buffet meals and domestic drinks are included, along with kayaking and paddleboarding (subject to availability). Weight limits for ziplining are 99–242 lbs; the activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.Is it for me?If you're staying in Cozumel without a car or based at a resort away from the beach, the all-day pass at KUZÁ settles the transport and the itinerary at once—everything you need is inside the park, and the electric tram moves you between zones. Book the private transportation add-on if you need pickup from your hotel; otherwise, the park is reachable by public transit or taxi.
Cancun speedboat tour to Isla Blanca: The last virgin beachA speedboat tour from Cancun to Isla Blanca, the last virgin beach in the area, with a daily visitor cap that keeps it uncrowded. You pilot the boat yourself through the Chacmuchuc Lagoon while spotting eagles, herons and iguanas in the mangrove habitat, then anchor for 30 minutes of swimming and beach time. The full outing takes three hours including hotel pickup and return; life jackets, water and a certified guide in English or Spanish are included.Is it for me?The three-hour commitment—including an hour of round-trip pickup—leaves your morning or afternoon open for another activity, but rules out a full-day beach day. Book this if you want the speedboat and mangrove wildlife as the centerpiece, with beach time as the cool-down, not the main event.
Diving in Barrie with Full Face Masks: No Experience NeededThis diving activity in Barrie uses Ocean Reef full face masks so you breathe naturally through your nose, water never enters, and they never fog up—designed for people with no experience or fear of water. The dive reaches a maximum depth of 8 meters in calm water; you start with a safety class, get fitted to your mask, practice buoyancy and equalization in the shallows, then navigate the site while the guide photographs you. The activity runs 2.5 hours and includes all scuba equipment and digital photos from the dive.Is it for me?The activity asks you to enter the water and stay underwater for the navigation portion, but the full face mask and shallow 8-meter depth remove the usual barriers—you're not fighting equipment or suppressing panic, just breathing and looking around. Pick this one if you've never dived and want to try it without the typical learning curve, or if you're nervous about water and need a setup that feels natural instead of foreign.
