Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Cozumel shore scuba diving: Jacques Cousteau museumA beginner scuba diving lesson in Cozumel at Tikila Beach, where you learn basic diving skills in a classroom setting, then descend to an underwater museum honoring Jacques Cousteau and a working coral restoration site. The dive reaches a maximum depth of 12 meters with an instructor at your side the entire time; all equipment, instruction, water and snacks are included. Children from age 10 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if you're diving with a small group and want an instructor who stays at your side the entire time — the shallow depth and calm shore entry are built for people trying diving for the first time, not for experienced divers looking for a challenge.
Snorkeling in Costa Maya: Private reef lagoon, 2 stopsPrivate snorkeling in Costa Maya on a 21-foot boat takes you to two different reef areas beyond Mahahual, with a guide who points out marine life and handles the camera. The boat holds a maximum of six people, so you control the pace and the stops. Snorkel gear, water, fruit, sodas and snacks are included; the guide speaks English or Spanish and carries a safety hoop for anyone who needs to rest between dives.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel without crowds and control your own pace—your group stays together on less-visited reefs while larger boats queue at popular spots.
Isla Mujeres Catamaran: Snorkel, Lunch & Open Bar Day TripYou board a catamaran at Albatros marina and spend seven hours island-hopping: snorkeling the El Farito reef with gear provided, eating a buffet lunch at a beach club, exploring Isla Mujeres town on your own (golf carts available), and parasailing over North Beach. Drinks flow all day, and the boat returns you by 5pm.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day on the water without arranging transport, snorkeling spots, or meals yourself—the fixed 10am to 5pm schedule and all-inclusive format mean you show up and the crew handles everything else.
Cancun Airport to Akumal: Private Van Round-Trip TransferYou get a private van with a named driver waiting at arrivals, flight tracking so pickups adjust to delays, and a flat rate that doesn't change whether you're traveling solo or with a group. The round-trip includes both directions between Cancun airport and your Akumal hotel, with an air-conditioned vehicle and bilingual support throughout.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the airport taxi queue and arrive at your Akumal hotel without arranging transport twice — the flat rate and flight tracking mean one confirmed price and no waiting around wondering when the van will show.
Private Half-Day Sport Fishing Charter in CancunA private half-day sport fishing charter in Cancun puts you on a fully equipped yacht with a professional crew of more than 10 years' experience, fishing the best nearby spots for groupers, snappers, yellow-fin tunas and barracudas. All rods, reels, tackle and bait come with you; so do beer, water, soft drinks and coffee. You can release your catch or take it back for a fresh meal. The crew speaks English and Spanish, and pickup is included.Is it for me?Book the 6-hour charter if you want a full morning or afternoon on the water without committing to a full day; choose the 8-hour option if you're serious about landing multiple fish and don't mind the longer commitment. The crew handles the boat and the technique, so you focus on the fight—which is what makes this work for both beginners picking up their first rod and experienced anglers chasing trophy fish.
Cozumel Scuba Diving Class: Learn & Dive ReefsAn introductory scuba diving class in Cozumel's reefs for divers without certification, led by a professional instructor in groups of no more than two per guide. You spend the first part of the class learning equipment and basic skills in shallow water, then make two dives to a maximum depth of 12 meters on different reefs. Hotel pickup is included, and all diving gear is provided.Is it for me?Book this class if you want to try scuba with a small group and a guide who stays focused on you—the 1-to-2 ratio means real instruction, not a crowded cattle call. It suits first-timers who'd rather learn in shallow water first and then move to the reef, rather than jumping straight into deep diving.
Uxmal & Merida Day Trip from Cancun: Climb Maya pyramidsThis private full-day tour from Cancun takes you to Uxmal, one of the most important Maya archaeological sites in the world, where you climb the pyramid and explore the temple of the turtle with a guide. The itinerary continues to Merida, the colonial capital of the Yucatan, where you walk the historic center, visit a cacao museum to see how the ancient Maya prepared cacao beans, and stop at a traditional hacienda before returning to your hotel. Hotel pickup, transport, entrance fees, a guide in your chosen language, bottled water and refreshments are included.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private guide to pace three stops (pyramid, colonial town, cacao factory) by your own interests rather than a fixed schedule, and you need hotel pickup from Cancun.
Snorkeling in Costa Maya: Beach Club Day with Open BarSnorkeling in Costa Maya combines a guided reef dive with a full day at a private beach club: you explore colorful corals and tropical fish in clear Caribbean water, then return to reserved lounge chairs, an open bar and lunch. The experience runs seven hours and suits all swimming levels; guides speak English and Spanish, and children from age one are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if you want snorkeling and beach time in one outing without splitting your day between two locations — the guide handles the reef part, the beach club handles the rest, and you don't have to choose between them.
Akumal Beach Snorkeling Tour with Turtles - Half-DaySnorkel with sea turtles at Akumal Beach on a half-day activity from Playa del Carmen or Tulum, with hotel pickup, all snorkeling equipment, an aquatic guide fluent in English or Spanish, and 2 hours of free time on the beach afterward. The marine tax for turtle protection (MXN 400 per person) is paid on the day of travel.Is it for me?You'll stay in the shallows where turtles naturally feed rather than heading to deeper reef areas, and the 2-hour beach time afterward lets you decide how to spend the rest of your day.
Chichén Itzá Day Trip from Cancun with Cenote SwimYou visit Chichén Itzá with a guide, then swim in two underground cenotes — Xkekén and Samulá — with time to explore both. Lunch is included as a regional buffet, and the tour finishes with a thirty-minute stop in the colonial town of Valladolid. The whole day runs about ten to eleven hours from Cancun, with hotel pickup included.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to see Chichén Itzá and swim in cenotes without arranging transport, tickets, or timing themselves — the fixed schedule fits all three into one day, and the bilingual guide handles the history so you don't have to read plaques.
Cenote Dos Ojos Diving: Barbie Line & Bat CaveScuba dive Cenote Dos Ojos, the world's largest underwater cave system near Tulum, on two separate cavern dives suited to certified beginners and above. Hotel pickup starts at 8:30 am, the drive takes 20–30 minutes, and you complete both dives with a break between them; all gear, the entrance fee, snacks and water are included. Your guide is a trained cave diver and biologist who briefs you on safety and explains the cenote's geology and bat colony.Is it for me?The early 8:30 am start and 20–30 minute drive mean you're in the water by mid-morning, which is when the cenote light is clearest and the cave passages are easiest to navigate. The two 45-minute dives with a break between them suit divers who want depth and time underwater without the physical toll of a full-day expedition.
1 Tank Guided Shore Dive Cozumel: Moray Eels & Coral ReefsA one-tank guided shore dive in Cozumel led by a PADI Divemaster, departing directly from the beach to a maximum depth of 35 feet. The dive takes 90 minutes and includes all scuba equipment. You'll explore shallow coral formations and spot moray eels, Caribbean squid, lobsters and tropical fish in a single dive. Children from age 10 are welcome; guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?The beach entry means you don't need a car or a ride to a dock — you walk into the water from our shore and back out the same way, which makes this dive work for anyone staying nearby or without transportation. The 90-minute window fits between other activities or lets you squeeze in a second dive on a day when a full boat trip isn't practical.
Akumal: Cenote Swimming & Sea Turtle Snorkeling from CancunYou swim inside a cenote cave with stalactites overhead, then snorkel at Akumal where sea turtles graze in shallow water nearby. Lunch and all gear are included at Punta Venado Beach Club before hotel return. The guide is bilingual and stays with the group, so you're never figuring out logistics or missing the details that make the experience stick.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see cenotes and sea turtles without arranging transport, entry fees, or timing yourself — the guide handles the logistics and the small-group format means you're not herded through either stop.
Cozumel Cruise: Private Island Transport & Custom ItineraryYou meet your private driver at the Cozumel cruise port and plan your day together—no fixed route, no group schedule. The air-conditioned vehicle holds up to 14 people and includes a certified guide, bottled water, and ice chests. Your guide times the return to your ship's departure, so you explore without watching the clock.Is it for me?Book this if you want to explore Cozumel on your own terms during a cruise stop without arranging a rental car or joining a fixed group tour—the private vehicle and flexible route mean you spend your port time where you actually want to be, not where a schedule says you should.
Xcaret Park Full Day from Cancun: 50+ attractions & buffetA full-day tour of Xcaret park from Cancun or Playa del Carmen with hotel pickup and drop-off, including park entry, buffet lunch with soft drink, and access to underground rivers, cenotes, beach, and the Xcaret México Espectacular show. The 13-hour day covers over 50 attractions across Mayan archaeological sites, natural pools, and cultural performances, with exclusive Plus Area amenities like private bathrooms and lockers.Is it for me?The tour runs in English or Spanish with a live guide, so you follow the day in your language. It's built for families and mixed fitness levels, though it's not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns—check those details before booking if they apply to you.
Playa del Carmen Airport Transfer: Private Van & Flight TrackingYou get picked up at whichever terminal you land, driven directly to your Playa del Carmen hotel in a private air-conditioned van, and charged one fixed price per vehicle instead of haggling at the curb. The driver tracks your flight and waits if you're delayed, holds a sign with your name, and handles all fees upfront so nothing surprises you on arrival.Is it for me?Book this if you're landing at Cancun and want to skip the taxi line and fixed-price haggling — the driver waits at arrivals with your name, the van is already cool, and you know the cost before you step off the plane.
Cancun: Isla Mujeres Catamaran & Snorkeling with LunchYou sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a catamaran, snorkel at El Meco reef with provided equipment and a guide, spend an hour exploring the island's downtown, then relax at a private beach club with a buffet lunch and open bar before sailing back. The trip takes seven hours total and runs daily with two departure times to choose from.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a full day on the water without arranging your own boat, snorkeling spot, or lunch — the fixed schedule and included meals mean you show up and the rest is handled.
Cozumel Reef Diving: Two Guided Dives for Certified DiversCozumel Reef Diving is a half-day scuba activity for certified divers featuring two guided dives at Cozumel's reefs, led by PADI instructors in small groups. You depart early from Marina Fonatour, dive two sites with time to rest and eat between them, and return by early afternoon. The boat is comfortable with shade; breakfast and lunch are included. English and Spanish guides available; minimum age 12.Is it for me?Book this if you're a certified diver and prefer a guided group dive with two reef sites in one morning, leaving early to maximize visibility and returning by early afternoon.
Xcaret Park Private Tour from Cancun: 12-Hour Day TripA private 12-hour day trip from Cancun to Xcaret Aquatic Park includes minivan pickup and drop-off, professional driver, and 15-minute meet-and-greet at your hotel. You choose between a Toyota Hiace (up to 13 passengers) or Volkswagen Transporter (up to 8 passengers) and spend the full day exploring over 50 attractions — underground rivers, natural pools, archaeological ruins, jungle trails and beaches — at your own pace. A private guide is available as an add-on option at checkout.Is it for me?Book this tour if your group wants to move through Xcaret without a fixed schedule or guide directing the day — the private van and 12-hour window let you spend as long as you want at underground rivers, ruins or beaches, and return to Cancun on your timeline instead of the park's closing time.
Snorkeling in Mahahual with lunch and open barSnorkeling at the reef off Mahahual includes a one-hour guided dive to three points where turtles, stingrays, fish and coral formations live, followed by lunch from the restaurant menu and an open bar with national beers and mixed drinks at the beach club. The boat ride to the reef takes about ten minutes; guides speak English and Spanish and know the reef as locals. Children are welcome from age 19.Is it for me?The guides speak English and Spanish, so you follow the reef commentary in whichever language you're comfortable with—useful if you're traveling with a mix of speakers or want the details explained clearly while you're in the water.
