Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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Xcaret Tour from Cancun: Underground Rivers & Mexico EspectacularXcaret is an eco-archaeological park tour departing from Cancun hotels that combines water activities in three underground rivers, snorkeling in natural cenotes, and access to over 50 attractions across the Mayan jungle and Caribbean coastline. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours and includes roundtrip transportation, a lunch buffet with beer and unlimited beverages, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and entry to the Mexico Espectacular folkloric show that runs nightly from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Children from age 1 are welcome, though pricing depends on height; infants must be registered at booking to access transportation.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying in Cancun without a car, since roundtrip hotel pickup eliminates the need to arrange your own transport to Xcaret. The fixed schedule—departure in the morning, return after the 9 p.m. show—means the full day holds together without you building it, and the lunch buffet and all water gear are already accounted for.
Chichen Itza & Cenote Ik Kil Day Trip from CancunYou spend three hours exploring Chichen Itza with a certified guide, then swim for two hours in the crystal-clear Cenote Ik Kil, stop in the colonial town of Valladolid, and return with lunch and transport included. Small groups and no commercial stops mean you're not racing through the day or sitting through sales pitches.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Chichen Itza properly without rushing, and you'd rather not arrange your own transport, guide, or figure out timing—the fixed schedule and small group size mean you get the depth without the logistics.
Tulum Ruins & Akumal Turtle Swim Snorkel Guided TourA full-day guided tour from Tulum through three stops—the Tulum Ruins overlooking the sea, a boat ride and snorkel with sea turtles at Akumal, and a swim in Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich—with a certified bilingual guide, breakfast, lunch and all equipment included. Hotel pickup is part of the booking, so the day starts without arranging transport.Is it for me?Hotel pickup means the day starts without arranging a car or finding a meeting point—your guide collects you and handles all the driving, so the full itinerary stays intact even if you're staying away from Tulum town or don't have your own transport.
Clear Boat & Snorkel Tour in Cozumel: Glass-Bottom ViewsA shore excursion in Cozumel combining a glass-bottom boat ride and snorkeling in one 90-minute outing, designed for cruise passengers with limited port time. You board a transparent boat to watch coral reefs and tropical fish from above, then enter the water to swim among the same marine life up close, with two drinks and snorkeling gear included. The guide speaks English and Spanish, and the tour departs and returns to the cruise dock area.Is it for me?Choose this if you want both glass-bottom viewing and in-water snorkeling in one outing, with bilingual narration in English or Spanish, and a 90-minute duration that fits a cruise port schedule.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Buggy drive, Punta Sur Park & reefA 6-hour Cozumel shore excursion for cruise passengers combines buggy driving, a visit to Punta Sur Park's ecological reserve, and guided snorkeling from the beach, with lunch and all equipment included. The tour departs and returns on a schedule timed to your ship, and a certified guide leads the snorkeling portion while you navigate the buggy yourself. Children from age 7 are welcome; all drivers need a valid license and must be at least 16.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to drive yourself and control the pace—the buggy puts you in the driver's seat instead of watching from a bus seat, and the snorkeling from the beach means no boat ride. The fixed schedule is what keeps all three stops inside your port time without you building the itinerary yourself.
Cozumel Craft Beer & Mezcal Tasting Tour with Brewery TastingsThis guided tasting tour in Cozumel combines a brewery tour at Punta Sur with mezcal and food pairings at Mezcalteca, a short walk away. You'll taste four distinct craft beers with guacamole, four varieties of mezcal with tacos made from fresh ingredients, and finish with a sweet mezcal paired with a local dessert. A professional guide leads the experience in English or Spanish, and the whole tour runs about two and a half hours. Minimum age is 18 for the beer and mezcal tastings; bring your ID to verify.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're cruising into Cozumel and want a guided tasting experience that moves between two venues without you arranging the stops or the pairings—the brewery, the food, the mezcal varieties and the timing are all planned. It works best for groups of mixed experience with beer and mezcal, since the guide explains what you're tasting and why.
ATV & Cenote Tour Cozumel: Jade Cavern & Tequila TastingThis shore excursion combines ATV riding through Cozumel's jungle, a swim in Jade Cavern (the island's largest cenote), and an authentic tequila tasting, all guided in English or Spanish. The five-hour experience includes round-trip transport from your ship, cenote entry with lifevest, ATV rental and safety equipment, and a tasting session that walks you through the traditional distillation process. You must have a valid driver's license and be at least 16 to ride; children from age 7 can join as passengers on a double ATV with an adult.Is it for me?Book this if you want to move through Cozumel's interior rather than stay on the beach—the ATV ride and cenote swim are the core, and the tequila tasting rounds out the experience without padding it. The fixed schedule works because the tour is built around cruise timing, so you're not managing your own return to the ship.
Coco Bongo Cancun: Acrobatics Show & Open Bar NightclubYou get admission, unlimited drinks until 2:30am, and a night of live acrobatics and light shows in one of Cancun's biggest nightclubs. The open bar and rotating performances mean you're never waiting for a drink or bored between acts. Arrive by 10pm if you want a seat with a view of the stage.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full night of entertainment and drinks in one place without managing multiple venues or tabs—the open bar and rotating shows mean you stay put and the night keeps moving.
Tulum Ruins & Akumal Beach swim with turtles from CancunA guided day tour from Cancun combines Tulum Ruins, a swim with sea turtles at Akumal Beach, and a cenote in the Mayan jungle, with hotel pickup, bilingual guide, and buffet lunch included. The tour runs 9 to 10 hours and departs from your hotel; Akumal access is available for ages 5 and up. A certified guide leads the Tulum visit and explains the site's history and architecture; you choose whether to add the Mayan ruins preservation fee.Is it for me?The 9- to 10-hour commitment means you leave the morning and return by late afternoon, which works if you're based in Cancun or Playa del Carmen and want to pack three major stops into a single day without renting a car or navigating on your own.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Private speedboat, 4 stopsPrivate speedboat snorkeling in Cozumel for 2 to 6 guests, visiting four spots on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef including Colombia Reef and El Cielo, with a bilingual captain and in-water guide. The boat returns to Marina ASIPONA with time to spare before cruise ship departure; marine park fees ($11 USD per person, cash only) are paid at check-in.Is it for me?Book this if your cruise ship is docked in Cozumel and you want a private speedboat for up to 6 people—you'll hit four reef spots with your own bilingual captain and guarantee a return time that works with your ship's schedule.
Chichen Itza & Cenote Dos Ojos from Tulum: Private day tripA private day trip from Tulum visits Chichen Itza, the Maya archaeological site, then stops in the colonial town of Valladolid before ending at Cenote Dos Ojos, where you swim in clear groundwater inside a natural sinkhole. The tour includes hotel pickup, a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian, all entrance fees, lunch and 11 hours of transport and time at each stop. Service animals are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available.Is it for me?This is a private tour, so the guide, timing and stops are yours alone—not shared with other travelers. Choose it if you want to move at your own pace through Chichen Itza, spend as much time as you want at the cenote, and avoid the logistics of renting a car or booking separate guides and transport. The 11-hour commitment means a full day away from your hotel, but it covers three distinct stops and returns you by evening.
Xcaret Snorkeling Tour: 50 Attractions with TransportSnorkeling in Xcaret is a full-day park admission from Cancun or Playa del Carmen with round-trip transport and a live guide in English or Spanish. You meet at Starbucks in Playacar at 9:20 am, ride to the park, and have free time to move through all 50 attractions—the underground cenote snorkeling is included, along with return transport to your starting point. The day runs 7 to 9 hours depending on how you pace the park.Is it for me?Choose the Cancun pickup if you're staying north of Playa del Carmen or arriving at the airport; choose Playa del Carmen if you're based south. Either way, the transport and park entry are bundled, so you're not juggling separate bookings or figuring out how to get there on your own.
Cozumel Snorkeling: Jeep or Buggy Island Tour with Mayan RuinsA self-drive jeep or buggy tour of Cozumel where you operate the vehicle, snorkel from a Caribbean beach, and pick between San Gervasio Mayan Ruins or Punta Sur Eco Park as your cultural or natural stop. The tour runs 4.5 to 5 hours with a certified bilingual guide, full snorkel gear, oceanfront lunch, and park entrance included depending on your chosen option.Is it for me?Choose the jeep if you want automatic transmission and an easier drive; pick the buggy if you have manual transmission experience and want a more nimble vehicle. Either way, you're behind the wheel the whole time instead of watching from a passenger seat, which is what makes this different from a standard island tour—the driving itself is part of the adventure, not just the getting there.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Private Catamaran to El CieloA private catamaran snorkeling trip in Cozumel takes groups of up to 22 guests to Colombia Reef, Bolones Reef, and El Cielo starfish sandbar over five hours, with a certified bilingual guide in the water, snorkel gear, fresh food, and unlimited drinks on board. The catamaran departs from Marina ASIPONA Cozumel; Marine Park entry fees are paid in cash at check-in. Flexible departure times and custom itinerary options let you adjust the day to your schedule, and the Back to Ship Guarantee ensures cruise passengers return on time.Is it for me?Book this private catamaran if your group is up to 22 people and you want to move between three reef stops and a starfish sandbar without coordinating with strangers or waiting for a larger tour to fill up. The certified guide enters the water with you at each stop, so you're not navigating the reefs alone, and the flexible departure times and custom itinerary options mean the day adapts to your ship's schedule or your group's pace.
Cozumel Snorkeling: Private Speedboat for GroupsPrivate speedboat snorkeling in Cozumel for groups of 8 to 12 people, visiting Colombia Reef, Bolones Reef, and El Cielo starfish sandbar with a bilingual captain and guide. The boat departs from Marina ASIPONA with snorkel gear, fresh ceviche, guacamole, unlimited drinks and 2 beers per person included; a Back to Ship Guarantee means cruise passengers return to the dock in time for departure. Marine Park fees ($11 USD per person, cash only) are paid at check-in.Is it for me?Four hours leaves room for a leisurely morning or afternoon without eating your whole day—long enough to hit three reef stops and the starfish sandbar, short enough to fit around a cruise ship departure or other plans. The private boat means your group sets the pace instead of waiting for a shared departure to fill up.
Snorkeling Costa Maya Reef: Sea turtles and tropical fishSnorkel the Mesoamerican Reef at Costa Maya with a marine guide who stays with you throughout, mask, fins and life jacket included. The 90-minute water time covers a section of reef where tropical fish and sea turtles appear regularly. Afterward, access the beach club with lounge chairs, showers, and one kayak per family; a GoPro camera captures photos both in and out of the water. Children from age 4 are welcome; the guide speaks English.Is it for me?If you're staying in the Riviera Maya without a car, the snorkel starts at the beach club itself, so you skip the hunt for a boat launch or a separate transfer—the guide meets you there and the whole day stays in one place.
Chichen Itza Private Tour from Merida & Cenote SwimYou spend your morning exploring Chichen Itza's main structures with a guide who knows the Mayan history, swim and eat lunch at Yokdzonot Cenote, then visit the yellow pyramid and colonial convent in Izamal. Hotel pickup, private transportation, and all entry fees are included; the day runs full but unhurried, and you're back by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Chichen Itza, swim in a cenote, and explore Izamal in one day without arranging your own transport or timing — the private format means no group waits, and the fixed itinerary fits everything into a single outing.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Catamaran with WaterslideA five-hour catamaran snorkeling trip in Cozumel departs from Aqua Safari Pier and visits Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, El Cielo sandbar and El Cielito, with snorkel gear and a certified guide included for each guest. The boat holds up to 70 people and carries drinks, a meal, and an onboard waterslide. Live music and a show run throughout the day.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Cozumel without a car—the pier pickup and three reef stops (Palancar, Columbia, and El Cielo) fit into one morning, leaving your afternoon free.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Catamaran with Beach Club AccessA 6-hour catamaran snorkeling tour from Cozumel that includes equipment, a guided reef dive, a stop at Playa El Cielo, and afternoon access to a beach club with burgers, drinks and recreational activities. The boat departs at 1:30pm and returns by 6:25pm, with snorkeling scheduled between 2:30pm and 3:40pm.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so mixed-language groups follow the commentary without translation gaps. The 6-hour window fits a single afternoon without eating into a full day, and the beach club portion means families and groups can split time between active snorkeling and relaxed swimming.
Tulum Ruins Scooter Tour: Snorkel & Lunch at Beach CenoteA full-day guided scooter, ATV or e-bike tour in Tulum takes you from the Maya ruins through downtown and along the famous Beach Road to a cenote for snorkeling and swimming. Your guide rides with you, entry to both the ruins and cenote is included, and you'll have a Mayan lunch and snorkeling gear on hand. The tour runs seven hours and suits riders of any fitness level, with children welcome from age six.Is it for me?Choose your vehicle—ATV, scooter, or e-bike—based on how much control you want while navigating between the ruins, Beach Road stops, and cenote, since you'll be riding yourself rather than sitting in a van.
