Tulum Ruins, Cenote & Akumal Sea Turtles: Swim with turtles

Mayan Ruins, Cenote Waters & Turtles in One Day

You get picked up from your hotel, spend three and a half hours exploring Tulum's clifftop ruins overlooking the Caribbean, swim in the turquoise Mariposa cenote, eat a local lunch, then spend two hours in Akumal bay swimming with sea turtles in shallow reef water. A bilingual guide handles the logistics and history. Lockers and vests are included. The whole day runs from morning pickup to late-afternoon drop-off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tulum, cenote, and swim with turtles

• Pick up travelers in Riviera Maya
• Visit Tulum archaeological zone
• Swim and relax at Mariposa cenote
• Enjoy buffet lunch at Canamayte
• Arrive in Akumal and store belongings
• Swim with turtles in Akumal cove
• Return to Riviera Maya hotels

The experience

You've just landed in Playa del Carmen or checked into your hotel, and you've got a free day. The pickup happens early. Your guide meets you at your accommodation and you're on the road toward Tulum within the hour. The drive takes about 25 minutes, and the air-conditioned van fills up with other travelers heading the same direction. Nobody's rushing. The pace is built so you actually see things instead of just checking boxes.

Tulum comes first, and it hits different when you walk the ruins with the Caribbean right there at the edge. The archaeological site sits on a cliff above white sand and turquoise water: the Mayan builders knew what they were doing with placement. Your bilingual guide walks you through the main structures and explains the history without turning it into a lecture. After about three and a half hours at Tulum, you head to Mariposa cenote, a semi-open sinkhole with water so clear and blue it looks photoshopped. You swim here, float around, take pictures. The cenote stop is shorter, maybe an hour, but it's the kind of break that resets you before the next part.

Lunch happens at Canamayte, a local restaurant where they serve a buffet of regional dishes. It's not fancy, but it's real food: the kind of meal that tastes like someone cooked it for people who actually live here, not for tourists passing through. You eat when you're hungry, not on a strict schedule. After lunch, you head to Akumal bay, about 25 minutes away. This is the part people book the tour for: swimming with sea turtles in their natural habitat. You'll see them moving through the water, sometimes close enough to really see their shells and flippers. The bay is shallow and calm, and you're surrounded by reef and small colorful fish. There are eco-fees to pay at Akumal (the guide breaks those down on your entry voucher), and lockers are included so you're not carrying your stuff around wet. The whole Akumal experience takes a couple of hours, and then it's the drive back to your hotel, usually arriving in the late afternoon.

The tour works because it strings together three completely different things (archaeology, water, wildlife) without feeling rushed or disjointed. You're not swimming with turtles for five minutes and then moving on. You're actually in the water long enough to watch them feed and move. The guide is bilingual, so if your Spanish is rough or nonexistent, you're covered. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and cash for the Akumal eco-fees. Drinks aren't included, so grab water before you go or buy it along the way.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from your Riviera Maya accommodation, a bilingual certified guide, entry to Tulum archaeological site, swimming time at Mariposa cenote, a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, access to Akumal bay for turtle swimming, life vests, and lockers for your belongings. Drinks, Akumal eco-fees, and any personal purchases are separate.

Options for this experience

3 options

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

Full-day tour to the Tulum Cenote, plus swimming with turtles in AkumalGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Lunch without drinks; includes pickup

Tour with PLUS PackageGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00PLUS Package including lunch, a boxed baguette or croissant, an energy bar, a pack of 5 drinks and 1 organic repellent or sunblock; pickup is included

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

Information

Lasts 11h 50m, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 89 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 5556 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 to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Ekinox Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Playa del Carmen or nearby Riviera Maya hotels who want to see Tulum ruins, swim in a cenote, and encounter sea turtles without arranging transport or entry separately. The full-day structure is what fits all three experiences into one outing.

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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 (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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 time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup happens in the early morning from Playa del Carmen and surrounding Riviera Maya hotels. The exact time depends on your hotel location, but the tour departs shortly after pickup.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs the full day, from morning pickup to late-afternoon return to your hotel. Tulum takes about three and a half hours, Mariposa cenote about an hour, and Akumal about two hours, plus travel time between stops.

Do I need to pay extra for anything?

Yes. Eco-fees at Akumal bay are not included and are paid separately at entry. Drinks are also not included, so bring money for water and beverages.

Is it safe to swim with the turtles?

Yes. You swim in shallow water in Akumal bay where turtles naturally feed. You observe them in their habitat. The guide explains the rules for respectful interaction.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup, bilingual certified guide, lunch at a local restaurant, entry to Tulum ruins, cenote swim, Akumal bay access, life vests, and lockers. Drinks and Akumal eco-fees are separate.

Can I bring my own snorkel gear?

Yes, you can bring your own. Vests are provided, and lockers are included to store your belongings while you're in the water.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour picks up multiple travelers from different hotels in the Riviera Maya, so group size varies. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with other guests.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, water shoes or sandals, and cash for eco-fees and drinks. A waterproof bag for your phone is useful.

Is there a time limit for swimming with the turtles?

You have about two hours in Akumal bay, which gives you plenty of time to swim and observe the turtles in the shallow reef water.