Tulum Ruins, Akumal Turtles & Cenote Tour with Lunch

Summary

Swim with turtles after wandering Tulum ruins then cool off in a cenote

You’ll walk among Tulum’s seaside ruins with a local guide, snorkel alongside gentle turtles in Akumal Bay, and swim through an ancient Yucatan cenote surrounded by stalactites. Expect fresh tacos for lunch and all gear included—plus round-trip pickup so you can just focus on soaking it all in.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the stone walls of Tulum looked against that wild blue Caribbean. We’d just stepped through the old entrance when our guide, Carolina, pointed out faded carvings—she joked about how the iguanas seemed to own the place now. The sun was already hot but there was this salty breeze coming off the sea that made everything feel lighter. I tried to imagine what it must’ve been like for the Maya here, watching sunrise over water like that every morning.

After Tulum, we drove maybe half an hour—felt quick because everyone was swapping stories—to Akumal for snorkeling. I’m not a strong swimmer so I was nervous, but they gave us life jackets and showed us how to use the gear (mask felt weird at first). Then suddenly we were floating above these slow-moving sea turtles. They looked totally unbothered by us. There were flashes of yellow fish everywhere and Carolina kept pointing out coral shapes—she called one “brain coral” and yeah, it really did look like one. My mask fogged up from laughing at something my friend said underwater.

Lunch was tacos under a palm roof, nothing fancy but honestly some of the best tortillas I’ve had—soft and warm, with smoky salsa. There were veggie options too (I’m not vegetarian but tried one anyway). After that we headed into the jungle for the cenote. It was darker than I expected inside, cool air on my arms after all that sun. Stalactites everywhere—some looked like melted candles—and you could hear water dripping somewhere deeper in the cave. Swimming there felt strange at first (the water’s clearer than any pool), but after a minute it was just peaceful silence and little beams of light coming down from cracks above. Still think about that quiet sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Tulum, snorkel Akumal, swim cenote

• Visit Tulum archaeological site
• Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal
• Swim and snorkel in cenote

Top questions

How long does the Tulum Ruins, Akumal & Cenote tour last?

The full day trip usually lasts around 8 hours including transport from your hotel.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this tour?

Yes, all snorkel gear and life jackets are included for both Akumal Bay and the cenote.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free lunch options available?

Yes, traditional Mexican tacos are served with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Can children join this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available on request.

Is round-trip transportation included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel are included in the tour price.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnant travelers.

Do I need to bring sunscreen?

You can apply sunscreen before leaving your hotel but avoid using any before water activities to protect marine life—even biodegradable types can harm reefs.

Will there be a guide at each location?

A bilingual guide accompanies you throughout Tulum ruins, snorkeling in Akumal Bay and at the cenote.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees for Tulum ruins and a massive Yucatan cenote (with your guide explaining as you go), all snorkel equipment plus life jackets for swimming with turtles in Akumal Bay or exploring underground caves, bottled water along the way, and a fresh taco lunch—with veggie or gluten-free choices if you need them—before heading back home tired but happy.