Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres Ferry: Private Roundtrip VanYou're picked up at Cancun airport arrivals by a driver holding a Happy Shuttle sign, driven to the Isla Mujeres ferry terminal in an air-conditioned van, and your return trip is confirmed with a ticket on arrival. The service runs around the clock, includes luggage handling, and works for groups traveling together. Book the roundtrip and skip the logistics.Is it for me?Book this if you're traveling with a group and want both airport transfers handled without arranging two separate rides — the roundtrip locks in both directions and removes the uncertainty of ferry timing.
Chichen Itza Tour with Cenote Swim and Certified GuidesA 13-hour guided tour of Chichen Itza with certified archaeologist guides covers the pyramid, ball court and other ruins, followed by a swim in the Saamal Cenote and a stop in the colonial city of Valladolid. The tour includes hotel pickup, a regional buffet lunch, tasting of homemade bread, and free time to photograph the site. Guides speak English and Spanish; children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want the archaeology explained by someone trained in it rather than walking the site alone, and if you want the cenote swim and Valladolid stop bundled in so the day holds together without building an itinerary yourself. The 13-hour length means a full day commitment, but it covers three distinct experiences—ruins, water and colonial town—in one route.
Cancun: Speedboat & Snorkel Tour in Nichupte LagoonYou’ll steer your own speedboat through Cancun’s lush Nichupte lagoon with a local guide leading the way, then snorkel at Punta Nizuc’s coral reef—maybe catch a glimpse of underwater sculptures if you’re lucky. Expect salty air, laughter, and a few surprises both above and below water.
Cancun Airport Transfer: Private Round Trip & Flight TrackingYou get picked up at your terminal by name, driven directly to your hotel in an air-conditioned van with water and sodas included, and the company tracks your flight so delays don't throw off the timing. The return transfer is scheduled around your flight departure, and the price is fixed before you arrive.Is it for me?Worth booking if you land with luggage and want to skip the taxi line and negotiation—the driver waits at your terminal, the price is locked in before you arrive, and flight tracking means you're never stranded if you touch down late.
Chichen Itza & Cenote Nool-Ha Day Trip from CancunYou start at Chichen Itza with a bilingual guide who walks you through the Pyramid of Kukulcan and other major structures, then move to a regional buffet lunch and a local stone workshop in Kaua. After that, you swim in the clear waters of Cenote Nool-Ha, surrounded by natural rock formations, and finish with a 30-minute walk through the colonial town of Valladolid. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with two water bottles and a life vest for the cenote.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Chichen Itza, swim in a cenote, and explore a colonial town without arranging transport, entry fees, or timing between sites yourself — the guide and driver handle all of it, and the fixed itinerary fits four destinations into one day.
Playa del Carmen: Cenote Swim & Akumal Sea Turtle SnorkelingYou get picked up from your hotel, swim in a cenote with crystal-clear water and rock formations, snorkel in Akumal where sea turtles swim nearby, and finish with lunch at a beach club. Transport, guide, snorkeling gear, life jacket, and snacks are all included. The whole day is about five to six hours out, depending on your hotel location.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Cancun or the Riviera Maya who want both cenote swimming and snorkeling in one morning without arranging transport or gear. Expect a full day out with a drive each way — that's what fits two distinct water experiences and lunch into a single excursion.
Puerto Morelos tacos & tequila tour from Cancun: Includes tequila tastingA half-day tour from Cancun to Puerto Morelos combines a guided walk through the coastal town with tacos at three separate spots, a tequila tasting, and a paleta (flavored ice popsicle). Hotel pickup is available on morning and afternoon departures, or you can meet the group at a set point. The tour includes bottled water and free time to explore the main square and flea market at your own pace.Is it for me?Book the morning departure if you want to explore the village and beach before the afternoon heat sets in, or choose the afternoon tour if you prefer a later start from your hotel. Either way, the four-hour window keeps the day relaxed instead of rushed, so you're tasting tacos and tequila without feeling like you're racing through a checklist.
Playa del Carmen: Walking Food Tour & Street TacosYou walk through downtown Playa del Carmen with a bilingual local guide, stopping at a family market, a handmade quesadilla counter, a taqueria, and street food stalls for tacos al pastor and mole. The three-hour tour includes all food tastings, fresh juices, and finishes with local ice cream. Vegetarian options are available, and the guide handles the route so you just show up and taste.Is it for me?Book this if you want to eat where locals eat without arranging the stops yourself or worrying about which markets are worth your time — the guide handles the route and the introductions, so you just walk and taste.
Tulum Ruins, Cenote & Sea Turtles Tour: Snorkel with turtlesA full-day guided tour from Tulum or Playa del Carmen that visits the clifftop Tulum Ruins, a cenote swim in the jungle, and snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal Bay. The tour includes round-trip transport, an archaeological guide at the ruins, aquatic guides at both water stops, lunch, bottled water and snorkeling gear; live guides speak English, Spanish, French or German depending on your departure point. Tulum Reserve Tax and a turtle protection program are optional add-ons paid on the day.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Tulum's three most-visited attractions in a single day without renting a car or coordinating separate guides—the route, timing and transport are locked in, so you show up and the day unfolds. Children from age 4 can join if they're comfortable swimming. If you prefer a smaller group or a different pace, look for private options or cenote-only tours instead.
Playa del Carmen: Jungle Buggy & Cenote Swim TourYou drive a two-seater buggy through Riviera Maya jungle with a guide who speaks English, French or Spanish, stop to spot local wildlife and flora, then swim and snorkel in a natural cenote cave. The tour includes hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen, snorkeling gear, a snack and fresh water, and runs three hours with small groups. Minimum two people per booking; drivers need a valid license and must be 18 or older.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drive yourself through jungle terrain and swim in a cenote without arranging your own transport or figuring out the route — the small group size and fixed schedule mean you show up and go, rather than coordinating logistics.
Cozumel: All-Inclusive Beach Club with Paddle Boards & TransportYou get eight hours of food, drinks, water sports and beach lounging without stopping to pay or order. Paddle boards and an inflatable park are included. Round-trip transport from your cruise port means you don't have to arrange a taxi or worry about getting back on time. Plan to be wet and fed and moving the whole day.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers who want a full beach day without arranging transport or stopping to pay for food and drinks. The eight-hour window is built around typical port time, so you're back before your ship leaves.
Cancun & Riviera Maya: Horseback, ATV, Cenote, Ziplines & LunchYou’ll start with ziplining above jungle trees near Cancun before tearing down muddy trails on an ATV (bring old clothes!). Ride horseback through shady paths, then cool off in a crystal-clear Mayan cenote before sharing a simple lunch with new friends. It’s sweaty, loud fun — and surprisingly peaceful too.
Bacalar Lagoon: Boat Tour & Cenotes with Fruit & BeersYou’ll float through Bacalar’s shifting blue lagoon with a small group, swim in cenotes like La Bruja, taste fresh fruit and cold drinks right on the boat, and hear stories from your local guide. Jump in where pirates once sailed or just listen to birds as you drift past ancient stromatolites — it’s easygoing but leaves its mark.
Isla Mujeres Catamaran: Snorkel, Open Bar & SunsetYou board at Playa Tortugas at 10am, snorkel the reef with guides and gear provided, spend an hour in Isla Mujeres downtown, then sail back to Cancun with lunch, unlimited drinks and sunset views included. Hotel pickup and drop-off from the Cancun zone means you don't arrange transport yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full Caribbean day without arranging your own transport, snorkel gear or meals — the catamaran handles all three, plus the open bar and sunset, so you just show up at your hotel pickup time.
Tulum & Coba: Cenote Cave Swim, Ruins & Lunch Day TripYou’ll wander Tulum’s cliffside ruins with a local guide, climb ancient pyramids at Coba, swim inside a cool Yucatan cenote cave, and share laughs over chocolate and tequila tastings. Between bites of homemade lunch and stories from your guide, you’ll feel the pulse of Mayan history—and maybe get a little lost in it too.
Cancun & Riviera Maya: Whale Shark Swim, Isla Mujeres LunchYou’ll start early from Cancun or Riviera Maya, heading out by boat to swim alongside gentle whale sharks in open water with an expert guide. After snorkeling, unwind at Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte with fresh ceviche lunch before wading into turquoise shallows or just soaking up the sun — memories that stick long after salt dries on your skin.
Bacalar: Lagoon Sailing & 7 Colors Cenotes with KayakYou sail Bacalar's lagoon with a small group and bilingual guide, stopping at three cenotes for swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear water. The route includes the pirate channel and bird island, with Caribbean snacks and drinks served on board—three beers per adult included. You can kayak after returning to port or rest in the crew's facilities before heading back.Is it for me?Book this if you want to sail Bacalar's lagoon without arranging your own boat or managing the stops yourself—the small group size and fixed route mean you get the cenotes, the history, and the water without the logistics.
Sian Ka'an boat tour from Tulum: Snorkel the barrier reefA full-day boat tour of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve departing from Tulum, with snorkeling on the barrier reef, a visit to a natural sandbank, and lunch in the fishing village of Punta Allen. The tour includes hotel pickup, a local guide, snorkeling equipment and a 10-hour itinerary that covers the reserve's coastal lagoons and marine ecosystems. Sea conditions determine whether snorkeling happens on any given day, and the tour may be cancelled in bad weather.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Sian Ka'an's wildlife and reef without renting a car or navigating the bumpy road yourself—the pickup, boat, guide and lunch are all arranged, so you show up at your hotel and the day unfolds without you building it.
Costa Maya: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Day Trip with Port PickupYou’ll step straight from your cruise into a small-group day trip to Chacchoben’s Mayan ruins, led by a local guide who brings old stones and jungle paths to life. Expect cool drinks in hand, stories you’ll remember later, and enough time to really look — or just listen to the quiet — before heading back to Costa Maya port.
Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour with Starfish StopsThis snorkel tour in Cozumel takes you to 3 or 4 different reef sites over four hours, including a green turtle sanctuary where you swim alongside them in their natural habitat, the famous El Cielo starfish beds, and Cielito sandbank. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the group, and the boat provides all snorkeling gear, two alcoholic drinks per adult, fresh fruit, ceviche and soft drinks; you arrive 30 minutes early and return by sunset.Is it for me?The four stops — turtle sanctuary, starfish beds, sandbank and sunset return — are arranged so you see three different reef habitats in one morning without the planning. The guide, boat, gear and food are all there, which means you show up and the day unfolds without you building it.
