Tulum Cenotes: Private Zip-Lines, Canoes & Mayan Lunch Tour

Summary

Swim, zip-line and eat with locals near Tulum’s secret cenotes

You’ll swim in secluded cenotes near Tulum, zip-line through jungle air, paddle canoes on clear water, then share a traditional Mayan lunch in a local village—all with private transport and a guide who actually knows everyone by name. It’s the kind of day that lingers long after you rinse off the last bit of cenote water.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment when you slip into the first cenote—water cold enough to make you gasp, but so clear you can see your toes wiggle. Our guide, Luis, grinned as he handed me a snorkel and pointed out tiny fish darting under limestone ledges. I could smell damp earth and something floral I still can’t name. The whole place felt like it was holding its breath. We’d left Tulum maybe 40 minutes earlier (pickup was right from our Airbnb, which honestly felt pretty fancy for us), but it already felt like another world.

I’m not really a zip-line person (heights aren’t my thing), but somehow everyone else convinced me—Luis just said “You’ll regret it if you don’t try.” So yeah, I did it. Four times actually. My hands were shaking after the first one but by the last run I was yelling like a kid. There was this weird mix of laughter and birdsong echoing through the trees. Afterward we paddled canoes across this still blue water—my friend tried to race our guide and lost badly, which he’ll never live down.

The Mayan village stop is what sticks with me most. We wandered through gardens where women waved from doorways and kids ran past barefoot, chasing each other around chickens. Lunch was cooked over wood—chicken wrapped in banana leaves and tortillas that tasted smoky and soft at the same time. Li laughed when I tried to say “gracias” in Maya (I butchered it). Nobody rushed us; we just sat there picking at fruit until we couldn’t move. The whole day had this slow rhythm—you could do as much or as little as you wanted, no pressure at all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zip-lining, canoeing, snorkeling, Mayan village

• Enjoy zip-lining at your own pace
• Go canoeing in the area
• Try cliff diving activities
• Snorkel in a beautiful sinkhole
• Visit an adjacent Mayan village
• Have a delicious lunch in village

Top questions

How far are the cenotes from Tulum?

The cenotes are about 40 minutes’ drive from Tulum with private pickup included.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, a traditional lunch prepared in the Mayan village is included.

Do I have to do all activities like zip-lining or cliff diving?

No activities are mandatory; you choose what you want to try at your own pace.

Are drinks and snacks provided?

Yes, drinks and snacks are included on board during the tour.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

All snorkeling equipment is provided as part of your booking.

Can children or infants join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or specialized infant seats are available.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, private hotel or rental home pickup and drop-off are included.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance fees are included in the price of the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off from Tulum or your rental home, entry fees for four secluded cenotes with all gear provided (life jackets, snorkels), canoeing, four zip-lines if you’re up for it, swimming in cave pools, plus drinks and snacks along the way—and a home-cooked Mayan lunch in a nearby village before heading back.