Tulum Ruins, Coba & Cenote Xikbal tour: Guided day trip

The tallest pyramid in the Yucatan sits inland at Coba, not on the coast.

A full-day guided tour from Tulum that visits two major Mayan archaeological sites and a cenote for swimming. Start at Tulum Ruins on the coast with a certified guide, then travel inland to Coba to climb its highest pyramid, then swim in Xikbal Cenote hidden in the jungle. The tour includes hotel pickup, a Mayan ceremony, regional lunch and drinks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tulum Ruins1h 30m
2. Coba Mayan Ruins1h

Visit Tulum, Coba Ruins and Cenote Xikbal

• Depart hotel in morning
• Guided tour of Tulum Ruins
• Explore Coba Mayan Ruins
• Swim at Xikbal Cenote
• Option to go to Playa del Carmen

The experience

How do you fit three major Mayan sites into one day without spending it all in a van? This tour chains them geographically: Tulum Ruins first, where the guide walks you through the history and archaeology while you stand on the bluff overlooking the beach; then inland to Coba, where the pyramid is taller than anything on the coast and the site sits deeper in the jungle; then to Xikbal Cenote for a swim before the drive back. The route itself is the logic.

Coba Ruins is one of the best-preserved sites from Mayan culture, and the scale is different from Tulum: the pyramid dominates the clearing, and the jungle presses in on all sides. You'll have time to walk the grounds with the guide before heading to Xikbal Cenote at Tres Reyes. The cenote is underground, accessed through the jungle, and the water is surrounded by natural rock formations. You swim here, not just look. Bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes. A life vest is mandatory in the water.

The day runs about ten hours door-to-door. Hotel pickup is included, and so is a Mayan ceremony at the start, a regional buffet lunch, a box lunch for the road (juice, sandwich, fruit), and three drinks total: one with the meal and two during transport. The certified guide speaks English or Spanish. Note that the Tulum and Coba Ruins preservation tax (30 USD per person) is separate, and if you want to add Playa del Carmen at the end, you'll arrange your own return to Tulum.

What’s included

• A Mayan ceremony.
• regional buffet lunch with one drink.
• box lunch with juice, sandwich and fruit.
• two additional drinks during transport.
• round-trip hotel pickup.
• guided tours at both Tulum Ruins and Coba Ruins.
• swimming access at Xikbal Cenote.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:15

AgesAdult (11 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 30

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nauticos del Caribe

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to visit both Tulum's clifftop ruins and Coba's jungle pyramid in one day with a guide who connects all three stops for you.

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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 10 years); Infant (under 4): 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's the difference between Tulum Ruins and Coba Ruins on this tour?

Tulum Ruins sits on the coast where you can see the beach from the bluff, while Coba Ruins is inland with the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula and more jungle surrounding the site. Both have a certified guide, but Coba is the larger, less-visited complex.

Can I swim at the cenote, or is it just a viewing stop?

Xikbal Cenote is a swimming stop. You'll swim in the underground cenote surrounded by natural rock formations. A life vest is mandatory, and you'll need to bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes.

How much time do you spend at each site?

The itinerary gives you a few hours at Tulum Ruins with the guide, a guided tour at Coba Ruins, and time to swim at Xikbal Cenote. The full day is about ten hours including hotel pickup and transport between sites.

What does the tour include to eat and drink?

A Mayan ceremony kicks off the day, followed by a regional buffet lunch at a restaurant with one drink included, plus a box lunch (juice, sandwich, fruit) for the road and two additional drinks during transport.

Do I need to pay anything extra on top of the tour price?

Yes, the Tulum and Coba Ruins preservation tax is 30 USD per person and is not included in the tour price. Drinks at the restaurant beyond the one included with lunch are extra.