Snorkeling in Akumal with Tulum Ruins & Cenote from Cancún

Swim with sea turtles, then descend into an ancient cenote after exploring clifftop Mayan ruins.

This 11- to 12-hour guided tour from Cancún visits three sites across the Riviera Maya: the Tulum Ruins perched on the Caribbean coast, a snorkeling boat ride in Akumal to swim alongside sea turtles in their natural habitat, and Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, an underground freshwater sinkhole with limestone formations. The tour includes box breakfast, snorkeling equipment, a bilingual guide, entrance fees, one meal at a restaurant in Akumal, and round-trip transport with a vehicle change at a central meeting point so all participants travel together on the final leg. A Tulum preservation tax of $25 per person is payable locally.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tulum, Akumal, and Cenote

• Visit Tulum landmark letters
• Guided tour of Tulum Ruins
• Boat ride and swim with Akumal turtles
• Swim in Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich

The Experience

The day starts with a stop at the iconic Tulum letters for photos, then moves into the Tulum Ruins themselves—a certified guide leads you through temples and coastal overlooks, explaining the architecture and history of this pre-Columbian city without the usual crowds. After the ruins, you head to Akumal, a protected sanctuary where you board a boat and snorkel in turquoise water alongside sea turtles moving through their natural habitat; the guide covers marine conservation as you swim.

The final stop is Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, a freshwater sinkhole formed over millennia, ringed by limestone cliffs, stalactites and natural light from openings above. You swim in the clear water before the return journey to Cancún. Transport logistics work this way: you're picked up from your hotel in a van or minibus, taken to a central meeting point where you join other tour participants, then transferred to a larger bus for the drive to Tulum and back. This consolidation keeps the day organized and the group moving together.

Box breakfast (sandwich, juice, fruit) is included at the start. At the restaurant in Akumal, you choose one dish from the menu. Snorkeling equipment and a bilingual guide (English or Spanish) are provided. Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothes, bring a towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, and respect the turtles by keeping your distance while in the water.

What’s included

• Box breakfast with sandwich, juice and fruit.
• snorkeling equipment and bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance to Tulum Ruins.
• boat ride and snorkeling in Akumal.
• one meal of your choice at a restaurant in Akumal.
• swimming in Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich.
• round-trip transport from your Cancún hotel with a vehicle change at the central meeting point.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Pata de peek travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want three separate experiences—Mayan ruins, sea turtle swimming, and cenote diving—in one day with scheduled pickups handling all the logistics and transitions between sites.

Top questions

What are the Tulum Ruins like when you get there?

The Tulum Ruins sit on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean and are among the most intact pre-Columbian sites in the Yucatán. A certified guide walks you through well-preserved temples and explains the architecture and cultural significance of this ancient Mayan city, with panoramic coastal views throughout the visit.

Can I actually swim with the sea turtles in Akumal?

Yes. You board a boat and snorkel in the turquoise waters of Akumal, where sea turtles swim in their natural habitat. The guide teaches you about marine conservation and the protected sanctuary while you observe and swim alongside these creatures.

What is Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich like to swim in?

Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich is an underground freshwater sinkhole surrounded by dramatic limestone formations, stalactites, and natural light filtering through openings in the rock above. The water is crystal-clear and cool, and swimming there connects you to the unique geology and ancient significance of the Yucatán's cenotes.

How does the transport work if I'm staying in Cancún?

You're picked up from your hotel in a van or minibus, taken to a central meeting point where you meet other tour participants, then transferred to a larger comfortable bus for the drive to Tulum and the return to Cancún. This system keeps the group organized and ensures everyone travels together on the main legs.

What's included in the meal at Akumal?

One dish of your choice from the restaurant menu in Akumal is included. Box breakfast (sandwich, juice and fruit) is provided at the start of the day.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour. Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a change of clothes; wear comfortable shoes for walking the ruins.