Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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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.
Xel-Há Snorkeling Tour: Eco-Park with Zip-Lines & CenotesXel-Há is an all-inclusive eco-park near Cancún where you snorkel in a natural inlet filled with tropical fish, zip-line across water, jump from a 5-meter cliff, float down scenic rivers on tubes, and explore cenotes—all with unlimited meals, drinks, snorkel gear and round-trip transport included. You'll need to submit a photo of your ID after booking so your official boarding pass can be issued before arrival; children over 4.5 feet tall must show ID to verify age. The park is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular issues, or pregnancy.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Cancún or Playa del Carmen without a rental car—transport is included both ways, so you don't arrange pickups or navigate to the park yourself. The all-inclusive meals and drinks mean you eat when you're hungry and never hunt for a restaurant or ATM between activities, which matters when you're spending a full day in the water and the sun.
Xcaret Park Cancun: 50+ Attractions & Underground Rivers with TransportYou get picked up from your Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel and spend the day at Xcaret Park, swimming in underground rivers and cenotes, snorkeling in natural pools, relaxing on the beach, and watching cultural performances. One buffet meal with drinks is included, plus access to over 50 attractions and exclusive facilities like private changing areas and equipment. The driver returns you to your hotel in the evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day of water activities, cultural experiences, and meals without arranging separate transport, tickets, or restaurant reservations — the included pickup means you start relaxed instead of stressed about getting there.
Cozumel Catamaran Snorkel Tour: Palancar Reef & Beach ClubThis 5.5-hour catamaran tour from Cozumel departs the downtown ferry dock, sails to Palancar Reef and El Cielo for snorkeling, and finishes at Fury Private Beach Club with food, drinks and water activities included. The boat carries up to 65 feet of deck space with shade, a freshwater shower and two bathrooms; snorkel equipment, guides in English or Spanish, and all meals and beverages are part of the price.Is it for me?The pace moves between snorkeling and relaxation—two reef stops with water time, then a full afternoon at the beach club—so it suits people who want both activity and downtime without a rushed schedule. The catamaran handles the transport and timing, which means the day holds together without anyone planning the route or coordinating pickups.
Cozumel diving: Two dives, no experience neededCozumel diving for beginners: two dives in the National Park with a live instructor, full equipment, lunch and boat transport. You'll start with a classroom lesson and three basic skills in shallow water, then dive two different reefs to a maximum depth of 12 meters, spotting turtles, eagle rays and reef fish. Small groups and safety are the priority.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the classroom lesson and the in-water instruction in whichever language you're comfortable with. Small groups mean the instructor adjusts the pace to your level, making it manageable whether you're nervous about your first time underwater or simply new to diving.
Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling Tour: Cozumel ReefA guided glass bottom boat tour and snorkeling excursion in Cozumel that departs from the northern shore, glides over sunken ships and coral formations visible through the transparent hull, then moves to Legos Reef for a 15-minute snorkeling session. The tour runs 90 minutes total, includes a certified guide in English or Spanish, snorkeling gear, lifejackets, and a complimentary drink per person.Is it for me?The guide leads in English or Spanish, so choose the departure that matches your language—both versions follow the same route and reef stops. The tour works for families with children from age 1 onward and for anyone who wants to see the reef without committing to a full dive certification or spending hours in the water.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Beach, Buggy Tour & Mayan CultureThis five-hour shore excursion in Cozumel pairs 30 minutes of guided snorkeling from Playa Uvas beach with a shared buggy tour along the island's coast, a stop at the Aldea Maya cultural site for chocolate and tequila tasting, and access to the beach club with a welcome drink. The guide speaks English and Spanish. Drinks and food at the club beyond the welcome beverage are not included.Is it for me?Book this if you want snorkeling, a buggy ride, and a Mayan site visit in one outing—all three activities happen back-to-back with one guide and shared transport, so you move through them without gaps between stops.
ATV Riding in Buena Vista: Caverns and Mayan RuinsA 3-hour ATV tour in Buena Vista takes you off-road through jungle to Mayan ruins and caverns, where a guide in English or Spanish recounts the mythology and culture. You operate the ATV yourself, see Mayan sculptures of gods inside the caves, and return to the meeting point with helmets and water bottles provided. Children from age 7 are welcome; moderate fitness is needed for the riding and terrain.Is it for me?The three-hour commitment leaves room for other activities in your day, but the riding and terrain demand moderate fitness and comfort on an ATV—this suits someone who wants to move through the landscape under their own power rather than watch it pass from a vehicle.
Swim with Turtles in Akumal from Playa del CarmenThis snorkeling activity from Playa del Carmen takes you to Akumal Bay, where you swim alongside sea turtles in their natural habitat, then to Yal-Kú lagoon where freshwater cenotes meet the Caribbean. A certified guide accompanies you throughout, and the outing lasts four hours with all transport, entrance fees and snorkeling gear included.Is it for me?The four-hour window means you can fit this into a morning or afternoon without losing the rest of your day—the guide handles the route and timing, so you're back in Playa del Carmen by early afternoon or early evening depending on your departure time.
Cancun & Tulum Airport Transfer: Fixed Price & Flight TrackingYou're picked up at arrivals by an English-speaking driver who tracks your flight, then driven directly to your Riviera Maya hotel in a cool, spacious vehicle with room for luggage. On departure, the same driver collects you from your accommodation and gets you to the airport on time. The price is fixed and agreed before you travel, so there's no negotiation at the curb.Is it for me?Book this if you're landing with luggage and want to skip the taxi negotiation at the curb — the fixed price and flight tracking mean you arrive at your hotel without surprises or delays.
Scuba Diving in Cozumel: Reef Class & Guided DiveA scuba diving class in Cozumel combines pool or beach instruction with a single-tank guided dive on the reef to 40 feet, led by a certified instructor. The operator has taught divers since 1966 and keeps groups small. All equipment, the boat ride out, a towel and water are included; reef tax is $16 USD. Children are welcome from age 10, and guides speak English or Spanish.Is it for me?Book this if you have a free afternoon in Cozumel and want to learn to dive without spending days in a classroom first. The class and the reef dive happen in one session, so you move from the basics to the water in the same day—the small group size means the instructor can watch you the whole way and adjust the pace to where you are.
Snorkeling & Fishing in Cabo Catoche, Isla HolboxThis five-hour snorkeling and fishing activity departs Isla Holbox for Cabo Catoche, where you fish using traditional Mexican methods, then snorkel the same waters to see turtles, octopuses, lobsters and sharks. The boat picks you up, a guide in English or Spanish teaches the fishing, and the captain prepares ceviche from your catch for lunch. Weather can affect snorkel visibility, and the activity is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or serious cardiovascular conditions.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying on Isla Holbox without a car—pickup is included, and the boat does the transport. The five-hour window fits a half-day plan without eating your whole day, and you're fishing and snorkeling the same waters rather than watching someone else do it.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Tour from Cancun: 3-hour boat rideA ten-hour guided tour from Cancun to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve includes round transport, a 3-hour boat ride through lagoons and mangrove channels, a swim in a natural pool, and lunch at a waterfront restaurant in Punta Allen. The bilingual guide leads small groups through wildlife habitat away from mass tourism. A biosphere access fee of $12 USD per person applies at checkout.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see the reserve's wildlife and mangrove system from the water rather than from land—the boat ride is where the landscape opens up. Moderate fitness and comfort swimming in open water are what make the natural pool stop possible; the pace is set by the group, not by any strenuous activity.
Tulum Private Day Tour: Choose Your Four StopsA private customizable day tour in Tulum where you pick up to four stops from cenotes, archaeological sites, and art venues, with 8 to 10 hours of dedicated service, hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and a professional guide. You choose the stops and the pace; the driver, vehicle, tolls, parking, water and umbrellas come with it. Entrance fees to individual sites are paid on arrival.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to build your own itinerary instead of following a fixed schedule—the 8 to 10 hour window and private transport mean you can linger at a cenote, skip a stop that doesn't interest you, or add a second one without waiting for a group to move on. It works best if you know roughly what you want to see before you book, though the operator can help you decide when you confirm.
Snorkeling with Turtles at Akumal and Tulum RuinsThis full-day snorkeling and archaeological tour from Riviera Maya, Tulum or Cancun combines two stops: a guided snorkel at Akumal beach where you'll see turtles, colorful fish and corals, then skip-the-line access to Tulum's ruins with a local guide explaining the Mayan civilization. The tour includes snorkeling gear, a safety briefing, buffet lunch, and hotel pickup from most hotels (Tulum hotel guests meet at a designated point). You'll arrange your exact departure time with the operator, and a mandatory government fee of 750 MXN per person is payable in cash on the day.Is it for me?Choose the morning departure if you're staying in Riviera Maya or Cancun and want the best light and turtle activity at Akumal—the fixed schedule keeps both snorkeling and ruins inside one full day without you arranging transport between them. If you're based in Tulum, the meeting point option works the same way, just without the hotel pickup leg.
Full-Day Xcaret Tour from Playa del Carmen with Night ShowA full-day tour from Playa del Carmen to Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park combining natural attractions, cultural sites and water activities, ending with the México Espectacular nighttime performance. The tour includes roundtrip transport, lunch buffet with one beer and unlimited beverages, snorkeling gear for three underground rivers, and access to over 50 park experiences. The show runs 7 to 9 PM; arrival back at your hotel depends on traffic and location.Is it for me?This tour takes 11 to 12 hours from pickup to drop-off, which rules out a half-day elsewhere but works if your day is already free or you're arriving early enough to leave by mid-morning. The fixed schedule—show starts at 7 PM, transport back after 9 PM—means you can't extend the park time or cut the show short; book it when you're ready to commit the full evening to the performance.
Beginner Scuba Diving Cozumel: Chankanaab Park DiscoveryDiscover Scuba Diving at Chankanaab Marine Park in Cozumel is a 90-minute beginner dive experience with a live guide, all gear provided, and park admission included. You descend on one air tank to explore the second-largest reef barrier in the world, guided by an instructor who keeps the pace easy for first-timers. The activity starts near the cruise ports, and beach access with loungers comes with your ticket.Is it for me?The activity starts within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the cruise ports, which means you don't need to arrange transport or spend time getting there—you can book a morning slot and be back to your ship with time to spare. If you're staying in a hotel without a rental car, the same proximity makes it easy to join without coordinating a separate pickup.
Cozumel catamaran tour: Snorkeling, beach club, unlimited drinksA catamaran tour in Cozumel departs from downtown, sails to Palancar Reef for snorkeling with certified guides, stops at the shallow turquoise waters of El Cielo, and finishes at Fury Private Beach Club with lunch, unlimited drinks, and non-motorized water activities. The 65-foot catamaran carries all equipment and entertainment; dock tax is included.Is it for me?Book this if you want snorkeling at multiple reefs plus beach club amenities in one trip—the catamaran stops at Palancar and El Cielo, then anchors at Fury where you can use the slides, trampolines, and kayaks.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Catamaran with El Cielo & Beach ClubA six-hour catamaran snorkeling tour in Cozumel combines three snorkeling stops—the Cozumel Reefs, El Cielo, and El Cielito—with lunch and beach club access at Kuzá Park. The boat carries a certified captain and crew; snorkel gear, life jackets, and the marine park entrance fee are included. An open bar with rum punch and margaritas runs the whole day. Lunch at Kuzá is your choice of fish, chicken, beef, or vegetarian tacos with hibiscus water. The tour ends at the beach club, where you can use the aquatic park facilities before heading back.Is it for me?Choose this catamaran if you want multiple snorkeling stops—Cozumel Reefs, El Cielo, and El Cielito—visited in sequence on one boat rather than booking separate excursions.
Snorkeling and fishing in Costa Maya: 4 hours with gearFishing and snorkeling on Costa Maya combines three hours of sport fishing followed by one hour of reef snorkeling in the same half-day trip. You fish in the style you prefer, then move to a reef section to observe tropical fish and coral formations in clear water. The boat supplies all masks, fins, life jackets and fishing equipment; water, soda and beer come aboard, along with ice and a cooler to keep everything cold.Is it for me?Pick this if you're staying in Costa Maya without a rental car—the boat departs from the dock and handles all your transport for the day.
