Tulum ruins and swim with turtles in Akumal: 10-hour tour

Walk a Maya port city, then snorkel where turtles swim

A 10-hour tour from Tulum that combines the archeological site overlooking the Caribbean with snorkeling and swimming in Akumal bay, where you'll encounter sea turtles in their natural habitat, plus a cenote swim. The tour includes a bilingual guide, entrance fees to Tulum, air-conditioned transport, and lunch; pickup is arranged before the day starts.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tulum, Akumal, and Cenote

• Visit Tulum archaeological site
• Snorkel with turtles in Akumal
• Swim and explore the cenote

The Experience

The tour opens at Tulum, the only major Maya city built on the Caribbean shore. The ruins sit on a cliff above the water, and the guide walks you through the history of how Tulum functioned as a port where maritime and overland trade routes converged. You'll see the structures that made it a commercial hub for the Maya network, not just a ceremonial site.

From there you move to Akumal—the name means "place of turtles" in Mayan—a natural bay where snorkeling and swimming happen in the same waters where sea turtles live. You'll get in the water with a guide and see the animals in their habitat, not in an enclosure. The bay itself is known for the clarity of the water and the ease of spotting turtles; it's one of the most reliable places on the Riviera Maya to encounter them while you're actually swimming.

The day includes a cenote swim as well, where the guide takes you through the underground formations—tunnels, caves, stalactites and stalagmites—that reveal marine fossils from 64 million years ago. Lunch is provided during the tour, and the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout the 10 hours. A bilingual guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language, so language won't be a barrier to understanding what you're looking at.

What’s included

• A bilingual guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.
• entrance to the Tulum archeological zone.
• snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles in Akumal bay.
• cenote exploration and swim.
• lunch during the tour.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• hotel or meeting point pickup.

Good to know

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

Operated by Turismo Channel

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want roughly equal time exploring Tulum's clifftop ruins and snorkeling in Akumal's bay—you're swimming and walking in equal measure, not just viewing from a distance.

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Top questions

What exactly is Tulum and why is it on the Caribbean instead of inland like other Maya ruins?

Tulum was a major Maya port city, the only one built directly on the Caribbean shore. It existed because maritime and overland trade routes converged there, making it a commercial hub rather than a purely ceremonial site. The ruins sit on a cliff overlooking the water, and the guide explains how that location shaped its role in the Maya network.

Will I actually see sea turtles in Akumal, or is this a place where they might be there?

Akumal is known as one of the most reliable spots on the Riviera Maya to encounter sea turtles while snorkeling and swimming. The bay's natural conditions and shallow waters make turtle sightings common, though the guide will take you to the areas where they're most likely to be. You'll be in the water with them in their natural habitat.

What's included in the 10 hours, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes entrance to the Tulum archeological zone, snorkeling and swimming with turtles in Akumal, the cenote swim, a bilingual guide, lunch, air-conditioned transport, and pickup. The maritime tax ($20 USD) and archeological tax ($15 USD) are separate, and gratuities are not included.

How much swimming and snorkeling is actually in this tour, or is it mostly the ruins?

The day splits between the Tulum ruins visit and water time in Akumal and the cenote. You'll spend significant time in the water snorkeling with turtles and swimming in the cenote, so it's a combination of archeological exploration and active water time, not a tour where you watch from the shore.

What's the cenote part of the tour like—is it a small pool or a larger underground area?

The cenote is an underground formation with tunnels, caves, stalactites and stalagmites that you explore with the guide. The formations contain marine fossils from 64 million years ago, and you'll swim in the crystalline water. It's a full underground environment, not a small confined space.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer or have snorkeling experience to do this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. The snorkeling and swimming are active parts of the day, so comfort in the water is important.