Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
Sort
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.
Playa del Carmen: Frida Kahlo Museum Entry & Guided TourYou get a guided walkthrough of Frida Kahlo's life and artistic vision through 45 minutes of audiovisual storytelling, with a guide who contextualizes the key events and conceptual approaches behind her work. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible with level surfaces throughout, and public transport runs nearby so you don't need a car. Workshops may be available depending on the day you visit.Is it for me?Right for anyone spending time in Playa del Carmen who wants to understand Frida Kahlo's work and life without arranging transport or navigating the exhibits alone — the guided format and fixed 45-minute duration mean you get context and pacing built in.
Cancun Airport - Tulum: Private transfer with ACSkip the stress of arrival with a private transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum center. You’ll meet your local driver right at arrivals, ride in cool comfort with AC, and get there without any confusion or crowds — just a smooth start you’ll remember long after touchdown.
Tulum: Mayan ruins express tour with guide & pickupYou’ll walk Tulum’s ancient seaside ruins with a local guide who brings Mayan history alive through stories and small details you might miss alone. Includes hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport so you can relax between stops — plus time to soak up those cliffside views you’ll remember long after the trip.
Chichen Itza Private Tour: Early Access, Cenote & ValladolidA private guided tour of Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil and Valladolid with a certified federal guide who speaks English, Spanish or Russian. The tour runs 9 to 12 hours and includes air-conditioned transportation, all entry fees, a buffet meal with one drink, and travel insurance. You set the pace and skip the fixed itinerary — the guide adapts to what interests you most.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to explore Chichen Itza without the pressure of a fixed schedule or a large group — the early arrival and private guide mean you control the pace and focus on what matters to you. The 5 to 6 hours of driving is built into the 9 to 12 hour day, so plan accordingly if you prefer shorter travel time or have limited stamina for a full day out.
Snorkeling in Tulum: Ruins, Reef & CenoteA guided day trip in Tulum combines the Tulum Archaeological Zone, snorkeling on a protected reef, and a swim inside a cenote cave, with a bilingual guide, all snorkeling gear, round-trip transportation and local refreshments included. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and departs from either Cancun or Riviera Maya hotels. You'll walk the ruins on ocean cliffs, then experience the same site from underwater before finishing in the forest at a sacred Mayan freshwater cave.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to experience Tulum's ruins, reef snorkeling, and cenote in one day with a bilingual guide steering the route and timing.
Speedboat & snorkel Cancun Nichupte lagoon: 1 hour at the controlsYou drive a speedboat solo through Nichupte lagoon for an hour, passing mangroves and crocodile habitat, then anchor at Punta Nizuc to snorkel among coral and fish unique to where freshwater meets sea. The day includes snorkel gear, entry to the natural area, a shower and locker access, with return to the marina by mid-afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drive a boat yourself rather than sit as a passenger, and you're comfortable with the speed and motion of a speedboat. The three-hour timeframe fits easily into a half-day schedule, leaving your afternoon free.
Nichupte Lagoon speedboat crocodile tour: Nocturnal adventureA nocturnal speedboat tour through Nichupte Lagoon's mangrove channels near Cancun where you spot crocodiles in their natural habitat with a bilingual guide. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure; the boat holds 2 or 4 people and lifevests are provided. The tour runs 2 hours and requires at least moderate physical fitness.Is it for me?The speedboat moves fast through open water and the tour runs at night in narrow mangrove channels, so this suits travelers comfortable with speed and darkness and looking for active wildlife watching rather than a leisurely cruise. The small group size means no waiting for others to spot the crocodiles.
Cancun: Coco Bongo New Year’s Eve ticket with drinksYou’ll dive straight into Cancun’s wildest New Year’s Eve party at Coco Bongo—expect flying acrobats overhead, confetti storms, premium drinks flowing nonstop, and a crowd that feels like instant friends. With your entry ticket (and a special T-shirt), you’ll be right in the middle of it all—dancing, laughing, maybe even singing along—making memories you’ll carry long after midnight.
Cancun to Akumal: Private Airport Transfer with PickupYou’ll step off your flight into warm Cancun air and find your name waiting at the exit — no guessing games or lines. Ride south in an air-conditioned van with plenty of space (even for strollers), guided by someone who knows every turn. There’s comfort in those small details, especially when you’re tired or traveling with kids.
Valladolid: Car & Scooter Rental with Cenote DiscountsYou’ll pick up your car or scooter right in Valladolid and get local tips for visiting Chichén Itzá, EK-Balam, and hidden cenotes nearby. Enjoy discounts at several cenotes (trust me, you’ll want to swim), plus 24/7 rescue service if you need help along the way. Expect moments of laughter, unexpected detours, and plenty of sunlight on your face.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Transparent boat and reefSnorkel Cozumel aboard a transparent boat with a licensed guide in English or Spanish, starting from the pier and visiting Punta Norte, Punta Sur and Legos Reef. The boat's glass floor lets you see sunken ships and fish before you enter the water; a 15-minute snorkeling session at Legos Reef follows. Lifejackets, snorkel gear and one drink are included; the tour runs 90 minutes total. Children from age 1 are welcome; pregnant travelers and those with cardiovascular concerns should not participate.Is it for me?If you're staying without a car or away from the waterfront, the pier is reachable by public transportation nearby—the tour starts and ends at the same dock, so you don't need to arrange your own way to the boat. The transparent boat means you see the reef twice: once from above the water and once from inside it, which is what sets this tour apart from standard snorkeling trips that skip the glass-floor viewing.
Cozumel catamaran snorkel tour: El Cielo starfish & open barA five-hour catamaran snorkel tour in Cozumel that departs at 1 PM and visits a pristine reef, El Cielo (Mexico's largest starfish sanctuary), and El Cielito's shallow turquoise shallows. The boat carries a certified bilingual guide, unlimited beer and margaritas for adults, snorkeling gear, and a grilled lunch—all included. Children from age 2 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want the starfish sanctuary El Cielo as the centerpiece of your snorkel day—it's the largest in Mexico and the reason this boat fills up. The shallow turquoise waters of El Cielito suit swimmers of all levels, and the open bar and onboard meal mean you're not hunting for food or drinks between stops.
Try Scuba Diving in Cozumel: No experience neededTry scuba diving in Cozumel with no previous experience required. You start in a private pool to get comfortable with the equipment and breathing underwater, then move to the boat for two dives in the Cozumel Marine Park. The session runs about four hours and includes all gear, pickup, a live guide in English or Spanish, and refreshments; children from age 8 are welcome.Is it for me?This is a shared group experience with a live guide, so you're learning alongside others and the guide manages the pacing and safety. Pick this if you want instruction from someone who knows the reef and you're comfortable in a small group; if you prefer one-on-one attention or a private boat, look for a private diving option instead.
Xcaret Plus Full Day Tour Cancun: 50+ Activities & Night ShowXcaret Plus is a full-day tour from Cancun that combines water activities, wildlife viewing and live cultural performances at a single park. You arrive with a guide, skip the entry line with a pre-issued bracelet, and move through more than 50 attractions at your own pace—underground rivers, cenote pools, a coral reef aquarium, butterfly garden, aviary, traditional dance performances and the México Espectacular night show. Hotel pickup and a buffet meal with beer and drinks are included.Is it for me?Hotel pickup from Cancun means you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to the park—the guide meets you at your accommodation and handles the drive both ways, which settles the logistics for anyone staying in the hotel zone without a rental.
Xcaret Park Plus Tour from Cancun: 40+ attractions with nightshowXcaret Park Plus is a full-day eco-archaeological park tour from Cancun featuring over 40 attractions across water activities, cultural exhibits and natural scenery. The tour includes round-trip hotel pickup, entry to the Butterfly Pavilion and Coral Reef, access to underground rivers and cenotes, one meal with unlimited soft drinks, and an evening performance of Xcaret México Espectacular. A guide in English or Spanish leads the experience, and the day runs 13 hours.Is it for me?Xcaret picks you up from your Cancun hotel and handles the full day without a car, which works whether you're staying downtown or in a resort zone and want to see Mayan history, water activities and a nighttime show without organizing transport or meals yourself.
Temazcal Ceremony Tulum: Mayan sweat lodge ritualYou enter a stone chamber heated by volcanic rocks, breathe in copal and herbs guided by a shaman, listen to live singing in the dark, then plunge into a cold bath and eat fresh fruit. Hotel pickup is included if you choose the private option. The whole ritual takes four hours, and you leave feeling the physical and mental reset the Mayan people have used this ceremony for.Is it for me?Right for travelers in Tulum seeking an authentic Mayan ritual beyond typical tours, with a shaman guiding the experience. Plan for four hours and moderate physical fitness — the heat and intensity are what make the purification work.
Coco Bongo Cancun: Acrobats, Live Music & Open BarYou arrive at Coco Bongo after sunset, skip the entry line (if Gold Member), and spend the night watching live acrobats and cover bands while drinking from an open domestic bar. Snacks are included. The Gold upgrade adds VIP floor access and premium spirits. You leave when you're ready, with nothing left to pay.Is it for me?Right for anyone spending an evening in Cancun who wants live entertainment and drinks without managing a bar tab or worrying about entry lines — the open bar and included snacks mean you show up and the night is already paid for.
Chichén Itzá Day Trip: Cenote Oxman & ValladolidA 12-hour guided day trip from the Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Oxman and Valladolid with hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, a certified English or Spanish-speaking guide, and a Mayan buffet lunch. The ruins entry fee (1050 Mexican Pesos) is paid separately at the site. You get an hour of guided exploration at Chichén Itzá followed by free time to wander the plaza and sculptures, then swim in the cenote's freshwater pool, and finish in the colonial city's cobblestone streets and main square.Is it for me?This is a shared group tour with a fixed itinerary and schedule, so it suits travelers who want the logistics arranged and don't mind a full day of driving and stops. If you prefer to linger longer at one site or set your own pace throughout the day, a private tour or self-guided visit would work better.
Ziplining in Cozumel: Zip Line Course & Beach Park DayZip line through the jungle canopy at KUZÁ Beach & Adventure Park in Cozumel, then spend the rest of the day on a private sargassum-free beach with buffet lunch and unlimited drinks included. The full course takes eight hours and moves at your own rhythm—some people run the zip lines multiple times, others settle into a lounge chair and let the live music happen around them. Public transportation reaches the park, so you don't need a rental car or a guide driving you there.Is it for me?Choose this if you're staying in Cozumel without a car—public transport gets you here, and the eight-hour window lets you zip line in the morning and beach in the afternoon, or flip the order to match your energy.
