Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Xcaret Plus Tour from Tulum: Swim the Underground RiverXcaret Plus is a full-day tour from Tulum that combines park exploration, underground river swimming, and evening cultural shows at Xcaret Park. You arrive by air-conditioned bus, spend the day moving between the jungle, cenotes, beach and archaeological sites, and stay through the nighttime México Espectacular performance. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours and includes buffet lunch with beer and unlimited beverages, life jackets and inner tubes for the river, and all park access; transportation is round-trip from your Tulum hotel or meeting point.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you're traveling as a family or small group and want a full day of activity without managing multiple bookings—the bus, park entry, lunch and evening show are all arranged, so the day holds together without anyone building it separately. The 11-hour commitment works best for travelers who can stay through the nighttime performance and don't need to be back in town early.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Xcaret Park Cancun: Underground Rivers & Night Show with BuffetYou spend the day moving between underground rivers, cenotes, and Caribbean-facing pools, with snorkeling gear and a buffet meal included; the park's 50+ attractions let you choose your own pace; the evening culminates in México Espectacular, a cultural night show; hotel pickup and return are handled, so you just show up ready to swim.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want a full day of water activities and Mexican culture without arranging transport or park logistics — the pickup, meal, and show timing are all handled, leaving you free to move through the park at your own pace.
Cozumel Private Jeep Tour: San Gervasio Mayan RuinsA 5-hour private Jeep tour of Cozumel combines a guided 1-hour walk through San Gervasio, the island's largest Mayan archaeological site, with a scenic drive around the coast where you choose the stops. Admission to the ruins is included; a local guide speaks English or Spanish and customizes the route to your interests. Children from age 4 are welcome; the vehicle is air-conditioned and bottled water is provided.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're traveling as a small group or family and want to explore Mayan history and Cozumel's coast without the pace and crowds of a shared bus—the private Jeep and customizable route let you linger where you want and skip what doesn't interest you.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Three reefs, starfish sanctuarySnorkel three reefs off Cozumel on a catamaran tour with certified English and Spanish-speaking guides. The boat takes you to Palancar Reef at seven meters deep where turtles and manta rays move through coral formations, then Columbia Reef at five meters for colorful fish and coral, then finishes at Playa El Cielo — a two-meter sanctuary of starfish in white sand where the water reaches your waist. The full outing runs five to six hours and includes snorkel gear, unlimited soft drinks and beer.Is it for me?Book this if you want shallow water and starfish in the same day as deeper reef snorkeling — Playa El Cielo's two-meter wading depth means you see the starfish without needing to descend, and the two deeper reefs give you coral and larger marine life in the same outing.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Double-Deck Catamaran to Four ReefsA catamaran snorkeling tour in Cozumel departs from Playa Tortugas Beach Club and visits Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, El Cielo and El Cielito, with certified guides leading the water time at each stop. The tour runs seven hours and includes snorkeling equipment, an open bar, fish ceviche and a hot dog, plus music and entertainment aboard a two-level vessel. Transportation from downtown Cozumel to the beach club is included; the catamaran departs at 2:00 PM.Is it for me?Seven hours is long enough to hit all four reef and water stops without rushing, but short enough to fit into a free afternoon if you land in Cozumel with time to spare. The fixed 2:00 PM departure means you know when to be at the beach club; the catamaran, guides, gear and food are all arranged, so the day holds together without building it yourself.
Swim and Snorkel with Turtles from Tulum: Akumal BeachThis half-day snorkel activity from Tulum takes you to Akumal Beach with a local guide, snorkeling gear and hotel pickup included. You swim in shallow water among sea turtles in their natural environment, then get two hours of free time to rest on the beach or explore on your own. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Pick this if you want guided snorkeling with a group and time to relax on the beach afterward—the tour includes hotel pickup and all gear, then leaves two hours free to swim or rest on sand.
Cozumel Catamaran Snorkel Tour: Private El Cielo LunchA private catamaran charter in Cozumel that departs Marina Fonatur and includes two reef snorkels, the El Cielo sand bar, gourmet lunch, and a full open bar—with a four-person crew, snorkeling gear, towels and paddleboards included. Book the 5-hour or 6-hour version depending on how much time you have; cruise passengers must provide their ship name and docking time to guarantee the tour runs.Is it for me?Book the 5-hour version if you want the full reef-and-sand-bar experience with a leisurely lunch; choose the 6-hour option if you're staying in Cozumel and want maximum time at each stop; the 4-hour sail works for cruise passengers with a tight schedule. Cruise travelers must provide their ship name and docking time at checkout to lock in the tour.
Snorkeling in Akumal with sea turtles and sanctuary visitSnorkeling in Akumal combines a guided visit to a wildlife sanctuary with a snorkel in Akumal Bay, where you swim alongside wild sea turtles, manta rays and tropical fish in their natural habitat. The experience runs 3.5 hours and includes a certified guide in English or Spanish, snorkel equipment, hotel pickup, and close interaction with rescued monkeys and other animals at the sanctuary. Children from age 5 are welcome; the snorkeling eco fee is optional at checkout.Is it for me?You're snorkeling alongside the guide rather than watching from a boat, and the sanctuary visit beforehand means you're learning about conservation while you're in the water—a combination that suits travelers who want hands-on wildlife connection over passive observation. The small-group format with a certified guide keeps the pace manageable for families with children from age 5 and for first-time snorkelers.
Sport Fishing in Puerto Morelos: 4-Hour Boat CharterA 4-hour sport fishing boat trip from Puerto Morelos where you fish the Caribbean using rod and reel gear provided for you—bottom fishing or trolling, depending on conditions. The operator supplies all equipment, bait, life jackets, cold drinks and a live guide in English or Spanish; your catch is cleaned before you return to shore. Newbies and experienced anglers both fish here.Is it for me?Book this if you want to fish with a small group and don't want to arrange gear or worry about what happens to the catch—the crew handles the equipment, the setup and the cleaning. It works for both first-timers and people who fish regularly.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Catamaran to El Cielo or Passion IslandA shared catamaran snorkeling trip in Cozumel where you choose between El Cielo or Passion Island, with five hours total including sailing, reef snorkeling, and time on the sandbar. The boat carries a certified captain and crew; snorkeling gear, life jackets, a full meal with grilled chicken and fresh fruit, beer, rum punch and soft drinks are all included. You meet 15 minutes before departure, and the tour runs either 9am–2pm or 2pm–7pm depending on which destination you pick.Is it for me?Book the El Cielo afternoon departure if you want calm, shallow water and a relaxed sandbar setting; choose Passion Island in the morning if you're drawn to reef snorkeling and don't mind a longer boat ride. Either way, the crew handles the navigation and the meal timing, so your only job is to decide when to snorkel and when to float.
Private Snorkeling in Costa Maya: Mesoamerican Reef & Beach ClubPrivate snorkeling in Costa Maya pairs reef exploration on the Mesoamerican Reef with beach club time in Mahahual, all arranged around your cruise schedule. You board a private boat with a local captain and snorkeling guide instead of joining a group, and return to port with enough buffer to make your ship's departure. The five-hour experience includes snorkeling gear, one drink at the beach club, and roundtrip transport from the port.Is it for me?Book this if you have a few hours at Costa Maya and want to snorkel without the logistics of finding a boat, renting gear separately, or timing a group departure. The private boat and the captain's coordination with your cruise schedule remove the planning; you show up at the port and the day is arranged.
Ziplining in Tulum: ATV, Cenotes & KayakingThis full-day activity near Tulum combines five experiences: ATV riding on jungle trails, a zipline circuit with a 1 km line, swimming in two cenotes, kayaking through forest canals and lagoons, and a Mayan welcome ritual. A guide leads the group through each location, and the day includes meals, water, life jackets and all equipment. Children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?You operate the ATV and zipline yourself—this is not a guided tour where you watch from a vehicle, but a full-day activity where you ride, zip, swim and paddle. It suits anyone with moderate fitness who wants to move through the jungle actively rather than observe it, and who has a full day to spend (10 hours) doing the thing rather than traveling to see it.
