Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Cancun: Sea Turtle Snorkeling & Cenote with Hotel PickupYou're picked up from your hotel and driven to Akumal to snorkel with sea turtles in a protected bay, then transferred inland to a cenote where you snorkel through limestone formations and crystalline water. The guide handles all the talking; you handle the swimming. Hotel drop-off happens by early afternoon.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see sea turtles in their natural habitat without arranging transport or worrying about timing — the fixed schedule and included pickup handle all the logistics, leaving you to focus on the water.
Las Coloradas & Rio Lagartos: Pink Lakes & Flamingo Boat TourYou swim in the pink-hued waters of Las Coloradas, float in the mineral-rich salt pools, then spend two hours on a boat tour through Rio Lagartos spotting flamingos and crocodiles in the nature reserve. Lunch, water, bilingual guide, and hotel pickup are included, so you only show up and get in the vehicle.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Las Coloradas and the Rio Lagartos reserve in one day without arranging transport or timing the boat tour yourself — the fixed schedule and included pickup handle the logistics, leaving you to float in pink water and watch birds hunt.
Bacalar: Full Day Kayak Rental & Lagoon ExplorationYou rent a kayak for the full day and explore Bacalar's lagoon on your own terms, swimming where you choose and paddling at your own rhythm. The marina's central location means the best spots are close, and the lifejacket is included. Plan for a full day out — that's what lets you cover the water without rushing.Is it for me?Right for independent paddlers who want to explore Bacalar without a guide or a schedule. You'll be out on the water for the full day — that's what makes reaching the quieter corners of the lagoon possible without a motorboat crowd.
Private Plane Rental Cancun to Cozumel – Fast Direct FlightIf you want to skip hours on ferries or buses and actually enjoy more time in Cozumel, this direct Cessna flight is worth it. You’ll get unbeatable views over turquoise water and arrive relaxed—not frazzled. It’s fast, personal, and way more memorable than any transfer I’ve done before.
Cozumel: Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling with Sunken ShipsYou board a fully transparent boat and spend 90 minutes watching the reef approach from inside the hull, then snorkel two separate sites — sunken ships and a live coral reef — with snorkeling gear, life jacket and a certified guide included. Two beers and water come with it. The boat's 360-degree visibility is what makes the contrast work: you see the world above and below without the usual gap between them.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the reef from two angles — above the water and in it — without arranging your own boat, gear or guide. The transparent hull is what makes the contrast possible; it's also what keeps the pace relaxed instead of rushed.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve private tour: Float the Lazy RiversA private guided tour of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve near Tulum combines a float down the Lazy Rivers through mangrove channels with a walk through the ancient Muyil ruins, ending with lunch in Tulum. The guide speaks English, Spanish, French or German, pickup is included from your hotel, and the trip runs five hours with life jackets and snorkeling gear provided. Children from age one are welcome, and all areas are wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Choose this if you want archaeology and water in one outing with a guide managing the full sequence—you float first, then explore Muyil's ruins, rather than piecing together separate activities.
Cozumel snorkeling and Mayan ruins tour with beach clubA five-hour guided tour of Cozumel combines the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins, a scenic island drive, snorkeling at coral reefs, and afternoon time at a private beach club with complimentary drinks. The tour includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel, a professional local guide in English or Spanish, and access to all sites; you choose between a private tour for your group or a shared departure. Cruise passengers must provide their ship name, and the operator guarantees a full refund if your vessel doesn't call Costa Maya port.Is it for me?Choose the private tour if your group wants the flexibility to move at your own pace and skip the shared-departure schedule; choose the shared tour if you're traveling solo or with one or two others and prefer to split the cost with other travelers. Either way, the five-hour window means you're back at your hotel or ship by early afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free.
Cenote and Mayan Ruins Tour in Cozumel: Tequila tasting includedThis tour of Cozumel visits four stops—a tequila tasting house, Aerolito Cenote, Plaza del Mestizaje, and San Gervasio Ruins—with a certified bilingual guide, entrance fees, and round-trip transport included. The route moves from Mexico's spirit traditions through the island's natural water systems and cultural landmarks to its most important Mayan archaeological site, dedicated to the goddess Ixchel. A 25-minute grace period applies at the meeting point; pickup is included.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guided narrative connecting three distinct stops—cenote ecology, cultural plaza, and Mayan ruins—rather than piecing together separate visits on your own.
Cancun Airport to Chiquila: Private Shuttle up to 3 PassengersYou get picked up at Cancun airport or your hotel with a name sign, ride directly to Chiquila ferry port in a private vehicle with up to two other passengers, and arrive in roughly 2.5 hours. The toll road is optional and costs 220 pesos cash if you want to save fifteen minutes. No shared stops, no hidden fees beyond the toll.Is it for me?Right choice if you're traveling solo or with one other person and want to skip the shared shuttle queues — the private vehicle and fixed pickup time mean no waiting for a van to fill or negotiating the fare at the curb. Plan for 2.5 hours of driving, which is what gets you from Cancun to Chiquila without stops or detours.
Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport: Private Transfer with WiFiYou get picked up at your Playa del Carmen hotel by a professional bilingual driver in a luxury vehicle, with WiFi and bottled water on board. The driver takes you straight to your airline's departure terminal at Cancun International Airport, handling the route and timing so you don't have to. If you're arriving instead, the driver waits two hours after your flight lands.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Playa del Carmen who want a fixed price and a driver who knows the route, so the journey to Cancun airport stops being a negotiation and starts being a detail that's handled. The one-highway route means no surprises about timing or cost.
Xcaret Park Cancun: 50+ Attractions & Underground Rivers with TransportYou get picked up from your Cancun or Playa del Carmen hotel and spend the day moving between underground rivers, cenotes, beach areas and cultural attractions across Xcaret's 50+ activities. Lunch and snorkeling gear are included, plus access to the evening show. Transport back to your hotel is arranged, so you only have to show up with your swimsuit and ID photo.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day of water activities, cultural experiences and natural scenery without arranging separate transport, park tickets or meal reservations — the pickup and all-in pricing mean you show up at your hotel and everything else is handled.
Private Sunset Cruise Cancun Bay: 2-hour Yacht ExperienceA 2-hour private sunset cruise on a 38ft luxury catamaran in Cancun Bay, with captain and crew on board. You sail the Caribbean waters as the sun sets along the Cancun coastline, taking in views of the turquoise bay and the Yucatan Peninsula. Water and ice are included; a Bluetooth speaker lets you set the mood.Is it for me?Book this if you want the sunset to yourself and a small group — the boat is private, so it's just you, whoever you bring, and the crew. The two-hour window is long enough to feel unhurried but short enough to fit into an evening without the whole day disappearing into travel.
Xcaret Park Tour from Cancun: All-Day Access with TransportXcaret is an eco-archaeological park south of Cancun combining Mayan ruins, natural cenotes, underground rivers and Caribbean beach access with over 50 attractions spread across jungle and water. The tour runs 12 hours from hotel pickup, includes park entry, a buffet lunch with one beer, snorkeling equipment, and transport both ways. You swim in the underground rivers, watch live folk performances and Pre-Hispanic dances at Villa Maya, then finish with the Mexico Espectacular show—a stage production with more than 300 artists performing Mexican history and folklore. The tour operates with a live guide in English or Spanish.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying in Cancun without a rental car—hotel pickup and return transport mean you don't arrange the drive to Xcaret or back. The 12-hour day packs the park's main attractions (underground rivers, cenotes, Mayan sites, beach and the night show) into one outing, so you see the full range of what Xcaret offers without splitting the experience across multiple days.
ATV Tour Cozumel: El Cedral & Cenote Jade swimAn ATV tour in Cozumel that starts with a ride through El Cedral's rural roads and colorful streets, passes small archaeological remains, and ends with a swim in Cenote Jade. The experience includes fuel, bottled water, a live guide in English or Spanish, and return transportation from your meeting point. Entrance taxes for El Cedral and the cenote are 20 USD per person and paid separately at check-in.Is it for me?Choose the shared ATV if you're riding with a partner and want to split the cost; book a single ATV if you prefer to ride alone or your group has an odd number of people. Either way, the three-hour route keeps the pace steady enough for all fitness levels while still delivering the village scenery and cenote swim that make Cozumel's interior worth seeing.
Cozumel: 2-Tank Scuba Dive & GoPro Video, Small GroupsYou meet at Marina Fonatur and boat out to Cozumel's main reefs with a maximum of five divers and one guide. After your first dive exploring sharks, rays, and turtles, you surface for brunch and rest. An hour later, you descend to a second, different reef to continue exploring. The dive includes all scuba equipment, bottled water, and GoPro video of your dive.Is it for me?Right for certified divers who want to see Cozumel's main reefs without the crowds of larger tour groups—the five-person limit is what makes it possible to explore two separate sites and actually see what the guide is pointing out.
Snorkeling in Sian Ka'an Biosphere: Dolphins, reef & lunchA full-day boat tour of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere near Tulum combines a 2-hour lagoon ride to Punta Allen, dolphin and turtle spotting, a 45-minute snorkeling session on the reef, beach time, and lunch at a restaurant. Hotel pickup is included, and a live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French. The tour runs 9 hours and suits small groups; minimum age is 16.Is it for me?Book this if you have a full day free and want snorkeling, wildlife spotting, and a meal all in one outing—the guide structures the entire day so you're not coordinating multiple stops yourself.
Cancun fishing charter on 46ft yacht: Catch marlin, tuna, doradoA 4-hour fishing charter on a 46-foot Defender yacht in the waters around Isla Mujeres targets white and blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, wahoo, shark and barracuda. The captain and two mates handle the boat and the fishing gear; you choose between 4 and 6 hours at checkout. Fishing licenses cost $10 per person, paid at the marina. The charter runs year-round in the Caribbean off Cancun.Is it for me?Book the 4-hour charter if you want a half-day on the water and a morning or afternoon free; pick 6 hours to spend most of the day fishing and increase your chances of a catch. The "pay only if you land something" rule means you're not betting on luck—you're betting on the crew's skill at finding fish.
Ek Balam Ruins Tour with Cenote & Valladolid: Climb the AcropolisA private guided tour of the Ek Balam archaeological site with a certified bilingual guide, followed by a swim at Cenote Saamal in Hacienda Selva Maya and a stop in the colonial city of Valladolid. You climb the main pyramid, walk the Ball Court and Mayan Arch, eat a traditional Yucatan lunch, and spend eight to ten hours with your own guide and transportation included. The tour suits travelers who want to move at their own pace through three distinct stops without arranging logistics themselves.Is it for me?Book this if you want one guide devoted to you alone for the full day, moving between three sites (archaeological site, Valladolid, cenote) on your own schedule rather than waiting for a group to keep pace.
Riviera Maya Secret River Tour with Guide & LunchYou’ll wade through ancient caverns on this secret river tour in Riviera Maya, swim in clear underground waters with your guide explaining every detail, then bike and rappel through jungle trails before sharing a regional buffet lunch. End with quiet time in the peace room — an experience you’ll remember long after you’ve left Mexico.
Cozumel Adventure Park: Snorkeling, Zip Lines & Water ParkKuzá Beach & Adventure Park in Cozumel combines snorkeling, zip-lining, water park rides and beach relaxation in a single 8-hour day. A guided trip takes you to El Cielo, one of Cozumel's signature snorkel sites, departing from the park's private pier; back at the park, you move between the zip-line course, four water slides, a lazy river, and lounge chairs on a sargassum-free beach. Buffet lunch, an open bar, cultural performances, and electric tram transport within the park are included; kayaking and paddleboarding are available subject to conditions.Is it for me?Book this if you want snorkeling, zip-lining, and water park rides all in one day—everything runs from a single location, so you move between activities on an internal tram rather than traveling across the island.
