Tulum Ruins & Xel-Há Park: Full Day with Snorkel & Lunch

Two ruins and a cenote river in one day from Cancun

You arrive at Xel-Há by mid-morning and spend the day swimming and snorkeling in the natural park, with unlimited food and drinks included; a bilingual guide takes you to Tulum Ruins around 2:30pm for a two-hour walk through the archaeological site; you return to Xel-Há for a final swim before the evening return to your hotel. Hotel pickup and all transport, park entry, snorkel gear and lunch are included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Xel-Há Park and Tulum Ruins Tour

• Pick-up from accommodation
• Arrive at Xel-Há Park
• Swim and snorkel at Xel-Há
• Enjoy food and drinks at Xel-Há
• Travel to Tulum
• Guided tour of Tulum Ruins
• Take photos at Tulum pyramids
• Return to Xel-Há Park
• Bus to hotel or meeting point

The experience

You're picked up at 6:45am from your hotel in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya. The exact time depends on where you're staying, but the driver knows the route. The bus fills up with other travelers, and by 8 or 9am you're walking into Xel-Há, a natural park built around a freshwater river that feeds into the Caribbean. The snorkel gear is already waiting for you. You wade in, and the water is so clear you can see the fish before you're knee-deep. There's no agenda here. You swim where you want, rest in a hammock between dips, eat when you're hungry from the buffet restaurants scattered through the park.

Around 2:30pm a guide meets your group and takes you to Tulum, about 45 minutes away. The ruins sit on a cliff above the beach, and the guide walks you through the layout, which pyramid was what, why it faced the water, how the Maya used it. You get roughly two hours to walk around, take photos, sit on the stones if you want. It's not rushed, but it's not a full archaeology lesson either. By 4:30pm you're back on the bus heading to Xel-Há for one more swim before the evening pickup around 5pm.

What makes this work is that you don't have to book two separate tours or figure out how to get between sites yourself. The transportation, the park entry, the snorkel equipment, lunch and drinks are all included. The guide speaks both English and Spanish, so if you miss something the first time, you can ask. You bring your own towel and swimsuit, wear something light and bring sunscreen. The sun here is direct and fast. By the time you're back at your hotel, you've seen the main Tulum pyramid, snorkeled in a river, and eaten more than you planned to.

What’s included

• Hotel or meeting-point pickup starting at 6:45am.
• roundtrip transportation on a comfortable bus.
• entry to Xel-Há Park with unlimited snorkeling, swimming and access to gardens and paths.
• snorkel equipment with tube.
• buffet lunch and unlimited drinks including national open bar.
• entry to Tulum archaeological site with approximately 2 hours guided time.
• certified bilingual guide.
• rest areas, hammocks and lounge chairs.
• lockers, changing rooms, toilets, showers and towels.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Grupo Xcaret

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see both Tulum and Xel-Há in one day without arranging separate tours, transport or park tickets: the fixed schedule and included meals mean you show up at your hotel and everything else is handled.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What time does pickup start?

Pickup begins at 6:45am from your hotel, though the exact time depends on your location in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya.

How long is the tour?

The full day runs from early morning pickup through return to your hotel in the evening. You spend roughly 4–5 hours at Xel-Há, about 2 hours at Tulum Ruins, plus travel time between sites.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes, snorkel gear and a tube are included. You bring your own swimsuit and towel.

What's included in the food and drinks?

Buffet lunch, unlimited drinks and a national open bar are included at Xel-Há Park.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Public transportation is available nearby. However, the Tulum Ruins involve walking on uneven ground and climbing, so confirm with the operator what works for your needs.

What should I bring?

Bring lightweight clothing, walking shoes or sneakers, biodegradable sunscreen, a swimsuit, towel and a change of clothes. Bottled water is provided.

Can I change my visit date?

Yes, date changes are accepted within the current year, subject to seasonal tariff changes and availability.