Tulum Day Trip from Cancun: Mayan Ruins and Cenote Swim

Priority access to Tulum’s ancient port and a refreshing dip in sacred waters

A day trip from Cancun to Tulum combines a guided tour of the Mayan ruins (a major port city of the ancient civilization) with a swim in Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, an underground freshwater pool sacred to Mayan culture. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from most centrally located Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels (Tulum hotel guests meet the tour at a designated point). The tour operates in English or Spanish, and mandatory government fees totaling 750 MXN are payable in cash on the day of the activity.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Tulum RuinsEntry included2h
2. Cenote Nohoch Nah ChichEntry included1h

Visit Tulum ruins and cenote swim

• Pickup at hotel or meeting point
• Travel to Tulum archaeological site
• Guided tour of Tulum temples
• Travel to scenic cenote
• Swim and snorkel in cenote
• Return to hotel or meeting point

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from your Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel, or you meet the tour at a central location if you're staying outside the coverage area. The drive to Tulum takes you through nature-filled scenery before you arrive at the archaeological site with priority access: no waiting in the main queue. A professional guide leads you through the temples and cultural buildings scattered across the site, explaining what made Tulum a powerhouse in the Mayan economy as a crucial port city. You'll see the astronomical observatory and other main attractions within the site's walls, learning about the advanced knowledge and heritage of the region.

After leaving the ruins and their turquoise backdrop, you head to Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich for a refreshing swim in the underground waters. The cenote holds cultural and traditional significance to Mayan civilization, and you can swim, snorkel if you choose to rent gear, and take in the scenery surrounding the water. The return journey is a smooth ride back to your hotel or meeting point, completing the eight-hour outing.

What’s included

• Admission and priority access to Tulum archaeological site.
• professional guided tour in English or Spanish.
• roundtrip transportation from your hotel (or meeting point if outside coverage).
• cenote swim at Nohoch Nah Chich.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour from TulumGuide in English or Spanish · 10:00Duration is 4 hours. Hotel pickup is not offered; guests meet the tour at the designated meeting point. Starting point: OXXO Villas Tulum, Calle Av. Tulum, Calle 3 Norte con, between Calle 3 Norte and Boca Paila, Colonia Centro, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Excursion departing from Riviera MayaGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 6 hours. Pickup is included from most centrally located hotels in Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen. Starting point: Walmart, 30 Avenida Nte. Mz 040 Lote 001-1, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico. Pickup is included

Tour from CancunGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Enjoy an additional stop on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen with this version of the tour. Lasts 13 hours. Pickup is included from most centrally located hotels in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Costa Mujeres and Playa Mujeres. Starting point: Súper Akí Puerto Morelos, Supermanzana 19, Joaquín Zetina Gasca, 77580 Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Pickup is included

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

Information

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 07:00, 09:00 and 10:00, from US$ 69.52 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 09:00 and 10:00Another time? ›

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 to12h 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cancun Travel Experience

Is this one for you?Choose the Cancun or Riviera Maya departure if you're based on the coast and want hotel pickup included. Book the Tulum option if you're staying at a Tulum hotel and prefer to meet the tour at a central point instead. The eight-hour duration fits a full day without eating into an evening, and priority access at the ruins means you skip the main queue and move through the site with a guide rather than navigating it alone.

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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 exactly is Tulum and why does the guide focus on it?

Tulum was a major port city in the ancient Mayan civilization, crucial to the region's economy and trade. The professional guide walks you through temples and cultural buildings to explain how the city functioned and what made it a powerhouse in its time, covering the astronomical observatory and other main attractions within the site's walls.

Can I swim and snorkel at the cenote, or just swim?

You can swim in Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich and choose to snorkel if you want to explore the depths. Snorkel gear rental is optional and costs 200 MXN on the day of the tour if you decide you want it.

Does the price include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price but is available as an optional add-on for 300 MXN. You should bring spending cash for incidentals and any meals you want to purchase during the day.

What are the mandatory fees I'll pay in cash?

A mandatory surcharge of 750 MXN per person covers government tax (420 MXN), the Tulum archaeological site fee (100 MXN), and the natural reserve fee (230 MXN). This is payable in cash on the day of your activity and is separate from the tour price.

Where does hotel pickup happen, and what if I'm staying in Tulum?

Roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off are included from most centrally located hotels in Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Costa Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen. If you're staying in Tulum, hotel pickup is not available. You'll meet the tour at a designated meeting point instead. You'll confirm your exact pickup time with the local operator.

How much walking and climbing is involved?

You'll walk at a leisurely pace for approximately 1.5 miles (2 km) and climb and descend stairs throughout the archaeological site. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.