Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Cancun: Speed Boat & Snorkel El Angel Reef with PickupYou drive a speedboat through mangrove channels in Nichupte Lagoon, then snorkel for 35 minutes at El Angel Reef among coral and tropical fish. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, a bilingual guide, bottled water, and round-trip hotel pickup from the Cancun Hotel Zone, with a safety briefing before departure.Is it for me?Book this if you want to pilot a boat and snorkel a reef in one outing without arranging transport, gear rental, or timing separately — the pickup from your hotel and the included guide handle all three, leaving you free to focus on the water.
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.
Snorkeling in Tulum: Akumal, 4 Cenotes & RuinsSnorkel in Akumal's reef for an hour, visit four cenotes, and walk the Tulum archaeological site perched on the Caribbean coast—all in one morning with a certified guide, full equipment, and hotel pickup. Small groups keep the pace manageable, and the itinerary moves between water and land without backtracking.Is it for me?Book this if you want to combine Tulum ruins, cenotes, and reef snorkeling in one trip—the guide leads you through all three rather than focusing on just one for hours.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Palancar Reef & El CieloA 4-hour private snorkeling trip in Cozumel takes you to Palancar Reef in the Cozumel Marine Park and then to El Cielo, where starfish gather in shallow water. A bilingual guide leads both stops, snorkel equipment is provided, and the boat includes fresh fruit, snacks and a beer or soda. Not suitable for children under 4, pregnant travelers, or those with spinal or cardiovascular concerns.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel both the deep reef and the shallow starfish grounds in one morning, leaving your afternoon free.
Merida: Uxmal & Yaxcopoil tour with cenote swim + lunchYou’ll travel from Merida with a local guide to explore Hacienda Yaxcopoil’s faded grandeur, wander through Uxmal’s ancient Mayan temples, enjoy a traditional Yucatecan lunch at Cananah restaurant, then cool off swimming in Cenote Peba’s clear waters — moments you’ll remember long after returning home.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Private Boat to Passion IslandA private 4-hour snorkeling boat tour in Cozumel takes you north to Passion Island with stops at Paradise Reef and a sunken ferry where coral and fish have colonized the wreck. You snorkel both sites with a bilingual guide and full equipment; the boat carries snacks, fresh fruit and beer. The tour adapts to wind and weather, and you spend time on the island's untouched beaches between water stops.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel two different sites—a living reef and a colonized wreck—without the crowds of a shared boat. The private format means the guide can move at your pace and the boat adjusts to your group's interests and the day's conditions.
Cozumel Airport Shuttle: Shared Roundtrip & Hotel PickupYou book your flight and hotel details online, receive confirmation within a day, and get picked up at the airport by a uniformed representative holding a sign. The shared shuttle waits 20 to 30 minutes to coordinate with other passengers in your zone, then drives you to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a certified driver. The return trip is just as straightforward—same driver quality, same pickup from your hotel at your chosen time, no surprises on either end.Is it for me?Best for travelers arriving with standard luggage who want a reliable, affordable ride without arranging a private car or negotiating with taxis—the fixed price and 24/7 availability mean your transfer is confirmed before you land.
Tulum Ruins & 4 Cenotes Tour: Swim Casa TortugaThis 12-hour guided tour from your hotel covers the Tulum Ruins archaeological zone, four cenotes (two open-air and two cave) at Casa Tortuga natural park, the Mother Nature sculpture, and free time on Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen. A local guide leads you through Casa Tortuga's cenotes and explains the site; lunch at a regional restaurant and park entry are included. The tour runs in English or Spanish, and shared transportation picks you up from your hotel.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to visit both open and cave cenotes in a single day with bilingual guidance in English or Spanish, plus a stop in Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue.
Surf Lessons Playa del Carmen: Learn to ride wavesYou show up, get fitted with a board and rash guard, learn paddling and pop-up technique on the beach, then practice in small waves with an instructor watching your form. The lesson wraps with a recap and next steps. You leave with shower access, sunscreen, and a discount at the beach bar.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting to learn surfing without guessing at technique or getting lost in a crowd. You'll need moderate physical fitness and comfort in the ocean, since the lesson moves from land instruction straight into small waves.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Palancar Reef and El CieloSnorkel Cozumel's Palancar Reef—the second-largest coral barrier in the world—and the shallow turquoise waters of El Cielo on a guided catamaran trip that includes equipment, lunch and four hours at The Money Bar Beach Club. The boat holds a maximum of 20 to 30 participants; guides speak English and Spanish. Check in 30 minutes before departure at The Money Bar, where you can arrive by taxi or meet the crew directly.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to stay at The Money Bar Beach Club afterward—the boat departs from there, so you skip the hotel transfer back.
Cancun Airport to Tulum: Private Transfer with AC & PickupYou’ll step off your flight in Cancun and head straight to your private transfer—no waiting in lines or figuring out buses. Your driver meets you right outside arrivals and whisks you off in an air-conditioned van all the way to Tulum. There’s room for strollers or baby seats if you need them. It’s simple comfort that lets you actually notice Mexico waking up around you.
Sunrise Kayak Tour Sian Ka'an: Mangroves & WildlifeA three-hour sunrise kayak tour through the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve near Tulum, paddling lagoons and mangrove channels in a small group with a local guide. You'll observe birds and wildlife as the wetlands come to life, learn about the mangrove ecosystem and receive basic paddling instruction; no prior kayaking experience is required. The Sian Ka'an entrance fee (MXN $225 per person) is payable separately before the tour.Is it for me?You paddle the kayak yourself in a small group, which means you set the pace and stay close to the wildlife without the noise of a motorboat—ideal if you want to move quietly through the reserve and actually feel the mangroves instead of watching them pass.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Private 47ft Catamaran with El CieloA private 6-hour snorkeling charter in Cozumel for up to 30 guests aboard Nemo, a 47ft catamaran equipped with paddleboards, kayaks and a floating mat. The boat includes guided snorkeling at Palancar Reef, Colombia Reef or both depending on conditions and group preference, plus time at El Cielo and El Cielito—shallow turquoise bays known for starfish and white sand. Fresh lunch, an open bar, snorkel gear and flotation vests are included; the charter departs from Marina ASIPONA/FONATUR, a 5–10 minute taxi ride from Cozumel's cruise terminals and downtown ferry.Is it for me?Book this charter if your group is between 10 and 30 people and wants a private boat where the captain adjusts the reefs and timing to match your interests—no fixed itinerary, no other groups, no compromise on where you stop or how long you stay.
Xcaret Park Plus: Cenotes, Beach & Mexico Show from CancunYou spend a full day moving through Xcaret's 50+ attractions — underground rivers, cenotes, beach, coral reef aquarium, butterfly garden — with snorkeling gear, a buffet meal and unlimited drinks included. The Plus area gives you private facilities and lockers so you can move between water and dry activities without managing your belongings. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cancun or Riviera Maya hotels means transport is already arranged, and the evening show is built into your admission.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day of water activities, cultural shows and natural attractions without arranging separate transport or paying for each attraction — the round-trip pickup and 50+ inclusions mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is already planned.
Tulum E-Bike Tour: 3 Cenotes Swim & Local Mayan LunchYou’ll ride through Tulum by e-bike with a local guide, swim and snorkel in three unique cenotes—including famous Gran Cenote—and enjoy an authentic Mayan lunch. It’s an easygoing way to see hidden spots and learn about local culture without feeling rushed.
Scuba Diving in Cozumel: Discover Scuba, No CertificationDiscover Scuba Diving in Cozumel is a single-dive introduction for beginners with no prior experience—you meet your PADI instructor at Tikila Beach Bar, practice safety skills in shallow water, then dive to 20 feet for 40–50 minutes. Children from age 10 are welcome; guides speak English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. Transportation to the beach is not included.Is it for me?If you speak English, Spanish, Portuguese or French, you can follow the instructor's briefing and signals without translation. Book this if you have a free afternoon in Cozumel and want to know what diving feels like before deciding whether to get certified—no prior experience needed, and the shallow practice means you're never in over your head.
Costa Maya Fishing and Snorkeling: 3.5 Hours in MahahualA 3.5-hour fishing and snorkeling activity in Mahahual, Costa Maya, where you board a 25-foot panga at Hotel 40 Cañones to fish coastal and deeper waters, then snorkel the Great Mesoamerican Reef. The operator has 50 years of experience in the area and provides Penn fishing equipment, semi-professional snorkeling gear, water, beer, sodas, fresh fruit and homemade guacamole on the boat. Guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?The booth is at Hotel 40 Cañones in Mahahual, so you don't need a car or a ride from your hotel — walk there or arrange a short taxi if you're staying elsewhere in town. After the activity, the beach and the Barba Negra club are right there, which means the half-day doesn't require planning a second location or waiting for transport back.
Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil & Valladolid: Small Group TourA guided small group tour of Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil and Valladolid from Riviera Maya hotels, with no more than 15 people per group. You spend over 3 hours at the archaeological site with a guide, swim in a 60-meter-deep cenote, and walk the downtown landmarks of the colonial city. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, continental breakfast, buffet lunch with one drink, and skip-the-line entry to Chichen Itza are included; the Chichen Itza entrance fee is paid in cash on the day of the tour.Is it for me?The 12-hour day and the swim at Cenote Ik Kil mean you are moving between three sites and entering the water, so this tour suits travelers who are comfortable with a full schedule and want to see the major Yucatan landmarks without arranging separate transport to each one. If you prefer a slower pace or want to spend the whole day at Chichen Itza alone, a single-site tour is a better fit.
ATV Jungle Tour Cozumel: Ride, Swim & CenoteAn ATV jungle tour in Cozumel where you ride through El Cedral village and rural paths, swim in Cenote Jade, and finish with a tequila tasting. The experience lasts three hours and includes fuel, water, safety gear, and a live guide in English or Spanish. Riders must be at least 18 years old. You choose between a shared ATV (up to two riders per vehicle) or a single ATV for the ride.Is it for me?Choose the shared ATV if you're riding with a partner and want to split the cost; pick the single ATV if you prefer to ride alone and set your own pace through the jungle. Either way, the three-hour window keeps the ride active without wearing you out, and the cenote swim breaks up the ride so the day doesn't feel like just sitting on a vehicle.
Cozumel snorkeling tour: Three reefs and El Cielo sandbarA 5-hour catamaran snorkeling tour in Cozumel for cruise passengers, visiting Colombia Reef, Bolones Reef, and the shallow El Cielo sandbar where starfish gather. The boat holds a maximum of 22 guests, includes sanitized snorkel gear, fresh ceviche, unlimited drinks, and a bilingual guide in the water with you; the Back to Ship Guarantee ensures you return before your ship's all-aboard time. The Marine Park fee ($11 USD, cash only) is paid separately at check-in.Is it for me?Book this if your ship docks in Cozumel and you want to hit three reefs in one trip—the catamaran departs on a fixed schedule timed for cruise passengers, and the 22-person group keeps it more intimate than larger boat tours.
