Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
Sort
Sian Ka'an boat and snorkel tour from Playa del CarmenThis full-day boat and snorkel tour departs Playa del Carmen for the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you ride through mangrove lagoons and Caribbean waters, spot native wildlife and birds, snorkel in clear water surrounded by reef fish, and eat a buffet lunch on the beach. Round-trip transport from your hotel is included, and the guide speaks English or Spanish. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours plus pickup time.Is it for me?This is a shared boat tour with a guide leading the group through the reserve and the snorkel, so you're not navigating or finding the wildlife yourself—the guide handles the route and points out what to watch for. It suits anyone arriving in Playa del Carmen with a full day free and wanting to see the reserve's mangroves, reef life, and wildlife without renting a boat or arranging logistics themselves. The 11- to 12-hour commitment and the boat ride make it better for travelers comfortable on the water; those with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns should check the operator's restrictions before booking.
Xcaret Park tour: Swim cenotes, see Mexico EspectacularXcaret is an eco-archaeological park near Cancún where you spend a full day swimming in cenotes and underground rivers, snorkeling in natural seawater pools, and watching live cultural performances including the Mexico Espectacular show. The tour includes roundtrip transportation from Cancún, lunch, snorkeling gear, one beer and unlimited beverages, plus access to the park's Plus Area facilities. A live guide speaks English or Spanish; children 5 and up are welcome at child pricing.Is it for me?The tour leaves from your Cancún hotel and brings you back at the end of the day, which means you skip arranging a rental car or negotiating a taxi for a full-day park visit. It's built for anyone staying in Cancún without their own transport who wants the cultural performances and water activities in one place without piecing the day together themselves.
Bacalar kayaking tour from Tulum: Lagoon paddle and cenote swimA 12-hour kayaking tour from Tulum to Bacalar includes a swim at Cenote Azul, a guided paddle through the lagoon, breakfast and lunch at local restaurants, and round-trip transport from Tulum. The guide speaks English or Spanish and leads the whole day; you bring a bathing suit and towel.Is it for me?This is a shared tour with a guide leading the whole day, which means the route, timing and stops are set—you don't plan the logistics yourself. It suits travelers with a free afternoon in Tulum who want to see Bacalar without renting a car or arranging meals and transport separately.
Cozumel snorkel tour: 4 hours, 3 reefs and starfish sandbarA 4-hour snorkel tour in Cozumel for cruise passengers visits Colombia Reef, Bolones Reef and the starfish-filled El Cielo sandbar with a maximum of 12 guests, a certified bilingual guide, sanitized gear and ceviche onboard. The Back to Ship Guarantee returns you to the marina at least 90 minutes before your cruise departure, and the tour departs from Marina ASIPONA Cozumel with transportation available nearby.Is it for me?The bilingual guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary and safety briefing in whichever language you're comfortable with. The 4-hour window and guaranteed return time suit cruise passengers who need to be back before all-aboard, and the small group size means the guide can adjust the pace if anyone is new to snorkeling or needs extra attention in the water.
Tulum Ruins, Dos Ojos & Gran Cenote: Full-Day TourA full-day guided tour from Tulum that covers the Mayan archaeological site, Dos Ojos cenote park and Gran Cenote, with hotel pickup, a guide in English or Spanish, lunch, and entry to all three sites included. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours and visits two of the region's largest sinkholes—one connected by a 396-meter corridor—plus the clifftop ruins overlooking the Caribbean. Tulum Archaeological Site entry is available as an add-on at checkout.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see both the Mayan ruins and the cenotes in one day without arranging separate transport or entry—the fixed schedule and included meals mean the whole day stays together.
Snorkeling in Cozumel: Clear Boat, Buggy & Mayan RuinsA 6-hour shared tour in Cozumel combines snorkeling from a clear-bottomed boat, self-guided buggy driving to San Gervasio archaeological site, a tequila tasting, and lunch at Playa Uvas beach club. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, round-trip transportation from your meeting point, and a meal; a live guide speaks English and Spanish. Children from age 7 are welcome, though the tequila tasting is for adults 18 and older, and all buggy drivers must hold a valid license and be at least 16.Is it for me?You drive the buggy yourself, so book this if you want to steer through Cozumel rather than sit as a passenger — it's a shared tour, so the group stays small and the guide moves at one pace, but the buggy puts you in control of the route to the ruins.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Tulum Ruins & Cenotes Tour: Swim Dos Ojos and Gran CenoteA full-day guided tour of Tulum combines a one-hour walk through the Mayan archaeological site perched on Caribbean cliffs with swimming at two cenotes: Cenote Dos Ojos, an underground system with turquoise water, and Gran Cenote, where the day ends. Round transportation from Cancun or Playa del Carmen is included, along with a Mexican lunch at a restaurant and a box lunch during the drive; the guide speaks English and Spanish, and the order of stops may shift depending on conditions.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying in Cancun or Playa del Carmen without a rental car—the pickup and drop-off at your hotel means you don't need to arrange your own transport to Tulum, and the fixed itinerary holds all four stops (ruins, monument, two cenotes, lunch) inside a single day without you building it.
ATV riding Cozumel: San Gervasio Mayan Ruins & beachesAn ATV tour of Cozumel that takes you to San Gervasio Mayan Ruins, the island's most important archaeological site, where you walk among ancient temples and ceremonial trails with a guide. The route also includes Chen Rio Beach, known for its natural hot tub effect between the rocks, and a traditional hacienda where you taste tequila and watch artisan chocolate being made. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian; pickup from your hotel is included, and children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Choose this tour if your group speaks English, Spanish or Italian and wants to move at a guided pace through the ruins rather than explore on your own. The hacienda stop and beach break break up the walking, so it suits families with children and anyone who wants cultural stops alongside the archaeology.
Puerto Morelos Fishing Charter: 29' Boat, 4 HoursA four-hour fishing charter from Puerto Morelos on a 29-foot boat with captain and crew, all fishing equipment, life jackets and one-day licenses included. The boat operates in the Caribbean Sea with GPS and radio; you fish with experts or as a complete beginner, and the crew cleans your catch at the end.Is it for me?The four-hour pace means a full morning or afternoon on the water without eating up your whole day. The crew handles navigation and the boat; you focus on fishing — a setup that works whether you've done this before or you're picking up a rod for the first time.
Xcaret Park Tour: Underground Rivers & Mayan CultureXcaret All Inclusive Eco Archaeological Park is a full-day tour from Cancun exploring a cultural and ecological park in the Riviera Maya. You swim in underground rivers, walk through Mayan archaeological sites, watch live music and dance performances, and observe jaguars, monkeys and turtles in their natural habitat. A guide leads the experience in English or Spanish, lunch is included, and pickup is available from your hotel. Children from age 4 are welcome, and all areas are wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a full day in one place rather than a series of separate stops—everything is inside Xcaret's grounds, so the guide handles the pacing and you move between the underground rivers, the ruins, the animals, and the show without leaving the park or worrying about timing.
Xcaret Park Playa del Carmen: 50+ Attractions & Underground RiversYou get all-day access to 50+ attractions across jungle, beach, and underground waterways, including three river floats, Mayan sites, live performances, and the evening México Espectacular show with hundreds of performers. Parking, life jackets, and basic facilities are included; you choose your own pace and which attractions matter most to you.Is it for me?Right for families and groups who want a full day of varied activities without planning multiple stops — the park handles the logistics, and you pick what interests you most, from rivers to ruins to evening entertainment.
Swim with Sea Turtles in Akumal & Cenote Cave TourThis half-day tour combines two signature Riviera Maya swims: snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal Bay and swimming inside Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, a limestone cavern filled with mineral-rich freshwater. An aquatic guide leads both encounters, and round-trip transportation with beverages is included. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours and departs from either Playa del Carmen or Tulum.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see sea turtles in their natural grazing habitat without a boat ride, and combine it with a freshwater cenote swim in a single half-day outing. The fixed schedule and included transport mean the logistics are settled before you arrive, so the morning or afternoon holds together without building it yourself.
Cozumel snorkeling tour: Palancar, Columbia & El Cielo reefsA 7-hour snorkeling tour from Cozumel aboard a two-deck catamaran visiting Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, El Cielo and El Cielito, with certified guides in English or Spanish, unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, and a Caribbean meal included. The boat departs at 2:00 PM from Playa Tortugas Beach Club after a downtown pickup and beach club access. A local ecotax and service fee of 500 MXN per traveler apply at checkout.Is it for me?This is a shared tour with a fixed 2:00 PM departure and set meal, so it suits travelers who want the reef stops and entertainment organized without building the day themselves. If you prefer to choose your own snorkeling sites or need dietary flexibility, a private charter or a different operator would work better.
