Tulum: Private Ruins, Cenotes Swim & Fishermen’s Beach Lunch

Summary

Swim in cenotes, wander Tulum ruins, taste fresh ceviche by the sea

You’ll walk quiet paths among Tulum’s ancient stones before crowds arrive, swim in crystal-clear cenotes hidden by jungle, and share fresh ceviche at a fishermen’s beach café. With private pickup and a local guide who knows every shortcut and story, it’s an easygoing day where you can actually breathe—and maybe laugh at your own Spanish.

What’s the experience like?

Hands still damp from rinsing off cenote water, I fumbled with my sunglasses while our guide, Diego, waved us over to the edge of Tulum’s old stone wall. He pointed out faded carvings—jaguar shapes I’d have missed on my own—and told us how the city watched over the Caribbean. The sun was already bright but not yet harsh, and there was this salty breeze that kept blowing my hat sideways. We had the place mostly to ourselves (Diego said we beat the buses), which made it easy to just stand there quietly for a bit and listen—mostly birds and a couple of iguanas rustling in dry leaves. My partner tried to pronounce “Kukulkan” and Diego grinned but didn’t correct him.

The drive out to Xunaan Ha was short but bumpy—jungle on both sides and flashes of turquoise through gaps in the trees. When we got there, I hesitated at first (the water looked so clear it almost felt unreal), but once you jump in you forget about everything else. There’s this cold shock, then just silence under the water except for your own bubbles. Some local kids were doing cannonballs off a low ledge; one of them handed me a snorkel mask without saying much. I’m not sure if I saw more fish or just sunlight patterns on rocks, but it all felt kind of dreamlike.

After toweling off—my towel immediately soaked up that humid air—we headed to Taak Bi Ha cave. It’s darker than you expect at first; you follow Diego’s flashlight beam along slick rock and into these blue pools that feel secret somehow. The air inside smells like wet earth and minerals. At one point he asked us to turn off our lights for a minute—total darkness except for some distant dripping sounds. Not sure why but I loved that part most.

Lunch was at this open-air spot right on the sand—a few plastic tables under palm shade, fishermen coming up from their boats with buckets of something that looked spiky (sea urchin?). We had ceviche with big chunks of lime and cilantro; it tasted better than any I’ve had back home. Diego chatted with the owner in Spanish about tomorrow’s catch while we watched pelicans argue over scraps. If you want a day trip from Tulum or Cusco (wait—nope, definitely Tulum), this private tour is probably what you’re looking for. Still think about that cold blue water sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Tulum and swim in cenotes

• Walk Tulum Archeological Site with guide
• Explore Tulum site independently
• Swim and jump in open cenote
• Walk, swim, and explore cave cenote

Top questions

How long does this private Tulum tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included in this Tulum private tour?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included.

Which cenotes are visited during this tour?

You’ll visit Xunaan Ha (an open cenote) and Taak Bi Ha (a cave cenote).

Is lunch included on this Tulum day trip?

Yes, lunch is included at a beachside restaurant run by local fishermen.

Are snorkeling equipment and bottled water provided?

Snorkeling gear and bottled water are included during your tour.

Can infants or small children join this private tour?

Yes, infants can ride in strollers or prams; infant seats are available.

Is the itinerary flexible if we want to add stops?

The schedule can be adjusted or extra stops added (fees may apply).

Are the Tulum ruins crowded during this experience?

No—the itinerary is designed so you arrive early before most crowds.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, entry fees for both Tulum ruins and two different cenotes (Xunaan Ha and Taak Bi Ha), use of snorkeling equipment throughout your swims, plenty of bottled water to stay cool, plus lunch at a local fishermen’s beachfront restaurant before heading back relaxed.