Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
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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.
Costa Maya Snorkeling: World's Second-Largest Barrier ReefSnorkel the Costa Maya reef system on a 2-hour guided boat trip with local guides born and raised in the community. You travel to prime snorkeling spots aboard a fully equipped boat, encounter tropical fish, coral formations, lobsters, conchs, stingrays and possibly sea turtles, and receive snorkeling equipment and bottled water. After the reef, enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Mahahual coastline and free access to the Beach Club with complimentary kayaks and food available for purchase.Is it for me?This is a shared boat trip led by local guides, so you're snorkeling with other travelers and following the guides' route and pacing. Choose it if you want the reef explained by people who live there and prefer not to navigate the spots yourself—the guides know where the marine life concentrates and how to move through the reef safely, which matters if you're new to snorkeling or unfamiliar with this particular reef system.
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.
Playa del Carmen Airport Transfer: Private Minivan & BeveragesYou get picked up at Cancun airport arrivals with a sign bearing your name, ride in a new air-conditioned minivan with a bilingual driver, and arrive in Playa del Carmen with bottled water and soda already in hand. The price is fixed before you travel, so there's no negotiation at the curb or surprise charges. The vehicle holds up to six passengers with luggage, and the driver can adjust the route if you need a quick stop along the way.Is it for me?Book this if you land at Cancun and want to skip the taxi rank and arrive in Playa del Carmen without negotiating a fare — the driver meets you at arrivals, the vehicle is ready, and the price is already settled.
ATV Riding in Cozumel: Eastern Coast & Beach ClubATV riding in Cozumel combines five hours of off-road riding along the eastern coast with stops at Mezcalitos, the Mayan ruins of Haanan, and Playa Uvas Beach Club, where lunch, snorkeling equipment and a tequila tasting are included. Round transportation from designated cruise ship locations and a live guide in English or Spanish are part of the booking. Children from age 7 can ride; the tequila tasting is for adults 18 and older only.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride instead of sit—you control the ATV and the pace along the coast, which is what makes the five hours feel like an adventure rather than a tour. The snorkeling and lunch at the beach club give you time to recover between the riding and the ruins, so the day doesn't feel like one long push.
Xcaret Plus Tour Cancun: Nature, Culture & SpectacularXcaret Plus is a 12-hour guided tour of the eco-archaeological park south of Cancun, combining water activities in underground rivers and cenotes with wildlife viewing, cultural performances and museum exhibits. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cancun are included, along with access to the beach, natural pools, coral reef aquarium, butterfly garden, aviary, one meal and the Xcaret México Espectacular evening show. A live guide speaks English or Spanish; bring a swimsuit, towel and change of clothes.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a full day combining water activities, wildlife and Mexican cultural performances without managing the drive from Cancun or deciding which attractions to prioritize — the route, timing and inclusions hold the day together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Coco Bongo Cancun: Night Show & Open Bar with Skip-the-LineYou get priority entry to Coco Bongo's all-night show in Cancun's Hotel Zone, complete with an open bar, live acrobats, tribute performances, and DJ sets that run until late. The venue skips you past the entrance lines and seats you where you can see the stage from anywhere in the room. No need to arrange transportation or worry about cover charges—your ticket covers entry and drinks for the entire night.Is it for me?Book this if you want a high-energy night out in Cancun without arranging a cover charge, waiting in line, or worrying about drink costs—the all-night open bar and guaranteed entry take the logistics off your hands so you can focus on the show.
Isla Mujeres Catamaran: Snorkeling, Parasail & Open BarYou board a catamaran at Marina Caribbean Carnaval and spend the day snorkeling a reef with a certified guide, parasailing behind the boat, relaxing at a beach club on Isla Mujeres with a Mexican buffet, and exploring the town before returning at sunset. Hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, open bar, and lunch are all included; the full day runs from 10am or 1pm departure until late afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day on the water without arranging transport, snorkeling, lunch or drinks separately — the catamaran schedule and included amenities mean you show up at the marina and everything else is handled.
Coco Bongo Cancun: Gold VIP Skip-the-Line & Premium DrinksYou skip the entry line, get a reserved seat with a clear view of the stage, and a personal waiter brings you 15 premium drinks throughout the six-hour show. Snacks are included, and you're checked in by 8:30pm so you can settle in before the 9pm start. Book ahead to guarantee your spot, since Gold Member tickets are limited.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Coco Bongo without spending your night in the entry line and without hunting for a decent seat once you're inside — the Gold upgrade takes both of those off your hands and locks in a six-hour night with drinks and food already sorted.
