Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Tour: Swim in Mariposa and Chen Ha

Ancient stone walls, two cenote swims, and free time to explore on your own

A half-day tour of Tulum Ruins on the Caribbean coast with an expert guide covering Mayan history, followed by swimming in Cenote Mariposa (semi-open) and Cenote Chen Ha (cavern). The tour includes bottled water and air-conditioned vehicle transport. Guides speak English and Spanish. Admission fees are paid separately at the site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tulum and swim in cenotes

• Visit ancient walled city of Tulum
• Learn about Mayan culture with guide
• Swim in semi-open cenote
• Swim in cavern cenote

The experience

The day starts at Tulum, the walled city built on a cliff above the Caribbean. Your guide walks you through the ruins and explains the Mayan culture that built them: the layout, the structures, the history of who lived here and why. After the guided portion, you get free time to explore on your own, take photos, and move at your own pace through the site before heading to the cenotes.

From Tulum you drive to Cenote Mariposa, a semi-open cenote where you swim surrounded by rock formations and natural light filtering in. Then you move to Cenote Chen Ha, a cavern cenote where the water sits inside a cave. Both are natural sinkholes fed by underground freshwater: the kind of swimming hole that does not exist anywhere else. You bring your own swimsuit and towel. The cenotes have no facilities beyond the water itself.

The tour runs six hours total and includes an air-conditioned vehicle for transport between stops, plus bottled water throughout the day. Pickup happens either at a meeting point or at your hotel, depending on which option you choose. The guide speaks English or Spanish. Admission to Tulum and the cenotes is not included in the tour price and is paid on arrival: adults pay 40 USD, children 20 USD (Mexican nationals with ID get a lower rate).

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between Tulum and the two cenotes.
• expert guide in English or Spanish.
• free time to explore Tulum Ruins on your own after the guided portion.
• swimming access to both Cenote Mariposa and Cenote Chen Ha.

Options for this experience

4 options

Pickup takes place at the meeting pointGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00

Pickup HotelGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Tour offered in two languages, with pickup included

Tulum Cenotes PlusGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Pickup is included, along with lunch and amenities

Private TourGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 6h, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 29 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 2004 private ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ekinox Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the hotel pickup option if you want to skip the meeting point and start the day from your accommodation. The private tour option works best if you're traveling with family or a small group and want the guide's attention focused on your questions about Mayan history and the cenotes.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Tulum and why is it on the Caribbean coast?

Tulum Ruins is an ancient walled city built by the Maya on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It was a major port and settlement, and the location on the coast made it strategically important for trade. The ruins sit right at the water's edge, which is why the views from the site look out over the ocean.

What is the difference between Cenote Mariposa and Cenote Chen Ha?

Cenote Mariposa is semi-open, meaning it has a natural opening to the sky and rock formations around it. Cenote Chen Ha is a cavern cenote, where the water sits inside a cave with a ceiling overhead. Both are natural freshwater sinkholes. The cavern version offers a different swimming experience because of the enclosed space and the way light enters the cave.

Do I need to bring my own swimsuit and towel?

Yes, you bring your own swimsuit and towel. The cenotes have no changing facilities or rental services, so plan to wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel for drying off between stops.

How long is the tour and what is included in the price?

The tour is six hours long and includes the guided portion at Tulum Ruins, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle to both cenotes, bottled water throughout the day, and your choice of pickup at a meeting point or at your hotel. Admission fees to Tulum and the cenotes are paid separately when you arrive at each site.