YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Coba and Tulum ruins

91 tour reviews
PRIVATE TOUR: The perfect private tour for history enthusiasts: delve into Maya history by visiting the ruins of Tulum and Coba, including its famous pyramid , with a private certified guide. Enjoy a typical Mexican meal, and you also have the option to add a visit to the cenotes of Coba! 🔔 Great news: Coba’s pyramid is now available for climbing again!
  • Exclusive Experience: Just you, your personal local guide, and driver!
  • Private Transportation: Convenient pick-up from your hotel or rental.
  • Escape the Crowds & Beat the Heat: Skip the lines & enjoy a relaxed, stress-free guided tour.
  • Lunch at local restaurant: Mexican flavors await you!
  • Set Your Own Pace: Stay longer or move on, the choice is entirely yours.
  • All-Inclusive at the Best Price: Transport, guide, entrance fees, bike, lunch & more!

Early bird discountBook 60+ days ahead and save 10%.

Multi-tour discountBook 2+ tours and save 10%.

Offers cannot be combined. Holiday exclusions apply. See terms and conditions.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The details of your private day.

Tulum ruins & Coba ruins Private Tour

 

If you’ve come to visit the Riviera Maya because you’re fascinated by the ancient Mayan cities, then this all-inclusive private Tulum Coba tour is perfect for your group. Not only will we take you and your fellow history lovers to explore the ancient city of Coba, which dates back to the Classic period of the Mayan history, but we’ll also visit the coastal ruins of Tulum, a former trading port that was at its peak during the civilization’s Postclassic period.

  1. Start Your Journey with the Tulum Ruins

    Our tour begins with a visit to Tulum, which is widely considered to be one of the most important sites left by the Mayans.

    We plan our tours to avoid the crowds so that you can enjoy the experience as much as possible, and also provide you with a friendly, knowledgeable personal tour guide who will show you all of the archaeological highlights and share fascinating facts about the Mayans with you. In addition to viewing the beautiful temple of the descending god, you’ll be able to view the impressive main temple “El Castillo” and spend as much time as you like enjoying the breathtaking views of the nearby Caribbean Sea.

  2. Visiting the Archaeological Site of Coba

    Once you’ve explored every single nook and cranny of Tulum, we’ll head to the ancient city of Coba, which is located a bit further inland. To start, we’ll go for an unforgettable ride through the jungle on the city’s famous network of ancient stone roadways.

    Your tour guide will also take you to see Coba’s most interesting features, such as the large pyramid Nohoch Mul, which you’ll be welcome to climb if you want! Finally, we’ll end the tour by stopping for a delicious lunch of authentic Mexican food at a local restaurant, where you can relax and discuss all of the amazing things you’ve seen and done throughout the day.

  3. Optional Add-On: Refreshing Cenote Swim

    Want to do more in your day trip?… Nothing better than swimming after the ruins!
    To extend this adventure, we offer the option to add a cenote swim at the end of the tour. In that case we visit the 2 cenotes of Coba! One of them including cliff jumping! To book it just select the tour “Tulum Coba Cenote” just below the calendar.

Price includes

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation (Booster car seat and baby car seat available on request)
  • Experienced certified private guide
  • Tulum ruins entrance fees (INAH + CONANP + JAGUAR) with pre-purchased tickets for direct entry
  • Optional electric shuttle from the parking area to the ruins entrance (750 m / 0.5 mile), for guests who prefer not to walk
  • Coba ruins INAH entrance fee (National Institute of Anthropology and History)
  • Coba ruins Ejido entrance fee (local city tax)
  • Bicycle (1 per person)
  • Tricycle rickshaw (1 for every 2 people) for the standard rental time.
  • Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
  • Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte
  • Tulum Coba Cenote option: cenote entrance fee and life vests

Price excludes

  • Tricycle extra rental time or one tricycle per person. The standard rental time is usually sufficient to visit the entire archaeological site at a comfortable pace. Extra time may be required if there is a long line to climb the pyramid and costs approximately $10 USD per tricycle for one additional hour.
  • Drinks at the restaurant
  • Ruins: If you bring a GoPro, video camera, or phone with a selfie stick, a fee of 60 pesos (about USD 3) per device is charged at the entrance to each archaeological site and must be paid in pesos (INAH fee). Drones and camera/video tripods are prohibited.
  • Tips

General info

Private Tour:
Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
Duration:
 7/8 hours (check the itinerary tab, as it depends on your pick-up location).
Physicality:
 Easy for everyone; only the optional pyramid climb requires extra effort.*
Age:
 All ages
What’s on the menu?
Selection of quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, grilled chicken … with vegetarian, fish, shrimp, chicken & meat options. With corn or flour tortillas. We can accommodate special diets and allergies, just let us know!
  • We offer the option to add a cenote to this private ruins tour, in that case we visit the 2 cenotes of Coba

*Climbing the pyramid:
Climbing is organized in small groups of 15 people to keep the stairs safe, and the maximum time allowed at the top is 15 minutes.
Please note that climbing the pyramid is done entirely at your own responsibility. This activity requires physical effort and may pose risks to your safety.
Do not climb if you are wearing shoes with slippery soles or high heels, if you suffer from dizziness or vertigo, have recently undergone surgery or experienced an injury, have heart conditions, back, neck or bone problems, are pregnant, have high blood pressure or aneurysms, or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Your safety is our priority—only you know your physical limits. If you believe your health may be at risk, please refrain from climbing to help prevent accidents.

Itinerary options

Times at each stop are estimates. Driving and your exact pickup location affect the schedule.

Tulum & Coba Ruins

  1. Tulum ruins — 90 min
  2. Coba ruins — 105 min
  3. Lunch in Coba village — 40 min

Tulum & Coba Ruins with Cenote Swim

  1. Tulum ruins — 90 min
  2. Coba ruins — 105 min
  3. Coba cenote swim — 60 min
  4. Lunch in Coba village — 40 min

The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic, crowds, and heat at the sites, but you can opt for a later pick-up when booking.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at each location, moving at your own pace.
Want a faster tour? Free time can be reduced or skipped; your guide can adjust the pace on the day of the tour.

If you choose to add the cenote option, please add an extra hour to the itinerary (before or after lunch).
This tour doesn't include Tulum centro/Tulum beach-hotel areas. Only Tulum Mayan ruins.

What to bring

  • Resusable water bottle: at Tulum Ruins, it is forbidden to enter the ruins with plastic water bottles. If you wish to bring water for the visit, please bring your own reusable water bottle. We’ll have water in the van for you to fill or refill.
  • Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen*
  • Mosquito repellent*
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
  • Camera

And if Cenote option:

  • Beach Towels
  • Swimsuit
  • Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone
  • Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)

FROM OUR GUESTS

A day worth remembering.

5.00/5 · 91 tour reviews

Showing reviews 19–27 of 91

We had a great time on our private tour with Alex to the Tulum and Coba Ruins. Alex shared lots of information and you could tell he really enjoyed his job. We learned so much and had fun along the way. Thanks for a memorable experience. Highly, without a doubt recommend Absolute Adventure!

Natasha · Jul 2025

10 out of 10, highly recommend, would use Absolute Adventure again. 5 Stars for Josh our tour guide at Tulum. We booked a half day for our family (9 total, 6 adults and 3 children). For less than $100 each, we were picked up from our resort, transported to Parque del Jaguar, guided through the ruins for about 2 hours, bought some gifts, and taken…

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10 out of 10, highly recommend, would use Absolute Adventure again.
5 Stars for Josh our tour guide at Tulum. We booked a half day for our family (9 total, 6 adults and 3 children). For less than $100 each, we were picked up from our resort, transported to Parque del Jaguar, guided through the ruins for about 2 hours, bought some gifts, and taken back to our resort. For our family (ages 9 to 70), a half day tour of the ruins only was perfect. Our guide Josh provided an excellent explanation of what we were seeing, how the Mayans lived, what the Conquistadors would have encountered, and answered all our questions about life in pre and post colonial Yucatán. He even had pictures on his tablet to reference for more details. Overall, we never felt unsafe, unsure, or unsettled. 10 out of 10, highly recommend. Would use Absolute Adventure again. Thank you to Josh for making our time in Mexico wonderful!

Ryan · Apr 2025

Joshua was amazing! He took us to the Coba and Tulum ruins in addition to 2 cenotes. We had a phenomenal time!

Jennifer · Apr 2025

We took a trip to tulum and coba with absolute adventures and it was a highlight of our vacation. Our tour guide Josh was fun, knowledgeable, friendly and answered all of our dumb questions in perfect English. The included lunch was also excellent. Will book again in the future!!

Claire · Feb 2025

Awesome tour of the Coba ruins. Josh was awesome, personable, knowledgeable and great fun. We learned so much and enjoyed the tour immensely. The cenote swims were out of this world. Lunch too! We took home awesome photos that will make the experience so memorable.

Kellynda · Feb 2025

Absolute Adventures was amazing. We made a mistake on our part and they were more than happy to help us make it right. Thank you guys so much for showing us Tulum, Cobá, and two different cenotes! The timing was amazing and there was basically no one else there when we went.

Cat · Feb 2025

Completely professional, punctual and amazing service. You could not ask for any better than Joshua and Enrique. Beyond highly recommend this company for any of their services

Granite Company · Jan 2025

Tulum & Coba Ruins with Cenote Swim fantastic! Our family of four had a wonderful Alejandro, our guide, was extremely friendly, helpful, and informative. Enrique, our driver, got us safely and quickly to all five stops and back to our resort. Claire was very responsive and helpful, promptly answering several emails prior to our tour. All admissions, bike rental, and a delicious lunch were covered…

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Tulum & Coba Ruins with Cenote Swim fantastic!
Our family of four had a wonderful Alejandro, our guide, was extremely friendly, helpful, and informative. Enrique, our driver, got us safely and quickly to all five stops and back to our resort. Claire was very responsive and helpful, promptly answering several emails prior to our tour.
All admissions, bike rental, and a delicious lunch were covered in the cost of the tour. We all had a very fun time.

Todd · Dec 2024

Tulum, Coba and cenote swims Picked up from our accommodation early so we could get to Tulum before the crowds, on the way Alex the guide talked about the Mayan history and explained everything very clearly using pictures on his tablet. We were the first to arrive at Tulum so had the place to ourselves for awhile. As we walked around Alex explained each ruin.…

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Tulum, Coba and cenote swims
Picked up from our accommodation early so we could get to Tulum before the crowds, on the way Alex the guide talked about the Mayan history and explained everything very clearly using pictures on his tablet. We were the first to arrive at Tulum so had the place to ourselves for awhile. As we walked around Alex explained each ruin. Was the same experience at Coba, but since Coba is a bigger site we rode around on bikes to get to each point a lot quicker. Both sites are different though as Tulum is coastal and has palm tress everywhere and Coba is in the middle of the jungle with trees growing over some of the ruins, so it was good to do both. We opted to do the cenote swims after visiting Coba to cool off which was also amazing. Barely anyone was at each one so practically had them to ourselves. I dropped my phone in one and it died on me so Alex and Enrique the driver offered to go to the shops while we were having lunch to get me a bag of rice. Thankfully it recovered and is working again! Thank you Alex and Enrique. In the van they also supplied water and sodas for the day.

Justin · Nov 2024

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Tulum Coba tour private or shared?

This is a private tour, just for you and your group.

You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.

Is the driver also the guide?

No. The driver and guide are two different professionals.

All our tours include a dedicated driver and a separate certified guide. 

While some companies offer a guide-driver, we believe this is not safe. Having a driver focused solely on the road and a guide fully dedicated to our guests ensures a safer and higher-quality experience.

How long does a private Tulum Coba tour take?

Please check the full itinerary in the “Itinerary” tab for more details.

It typically lasts between 7 to 8 hours, depending on your hotel location and how much time you’d like to spend at each site. 

Pickup & transport

Is transportation included from my hotel or Airbnb?

Yes, round-trip transportation is included from Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. We’ll pick you up right from your hotel, resort, or Airbnb for a stress-free start to your day.

Please note: we don’t offer pick up from Cancun Playa Mujeres hotels unless your group has 6 or more adults.

What vehicles do you use for your tours?

We offer a range of modern, air-conditioned vans to suit the size of your group and ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Visit our fleet page for more details.

Can I change the pick up time?

Yes, you’re welcome to choose your preferred pick-up time when booking.

That said, we recommend an early morning start to help you beat the crowds, skip the traffic, and enjoy cooler temperatures—it really makes a difference!

Activities & facilities

How much walking is there at the Tulum ruins?

We take a shuttle from the parking lot to the main ruins entrance, so you won’t need to walk far to get to the site.

The guided visit lasts about 45 minutes and we go at a comfortable pace, with breaks if needed.

Just a heads-up—there aren’t many spots to sit. If you have any limitations with walking or taking steps, keep in mind that a few are required to get in and out of the site and to reach the cliff area.

Can we spend some time at Tulum beach during the tour?

No, unfortunately, we cannot. The beach located within the Tulum ruins has been closed since 2020 and remains inaccessible to visitors.

Additionally, this tour does not include any stops at the Tulum beach area, the hotel zone, or Tulum town center.

How much walking is involved at Coba?

Coba is a large archaeological site. Bicycle rental is included in this Absolute Adventure Mexico tour. Taxi-tricycle/pedicab rental is not included and costs extra if you choose it.

The terrain is flat. Your route and time at the ruins depend on your tour itinerary and the pace of your group.

Can we climb the pyramid in Coba?

Climbing Nohoch Mul resumed in December 2025 using the designated staircase. Access remains subject to the archaeological site’s current rules and conditions.

Climbing is optional. Follow the instructions at the site and the safety guidance provided for your tour.

Can we add a cenote to this Tulum Coba tour?

Yes! You can enhance your Coba tour with a refreshing swim in a cenote. Just select the cenote option when booking your tour.

The cenote visit includes entrance fees and life vests, so everything is taken care of for a fun and safe experience.

Are there showers or changing rooms at the cenote?

Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas.

Planning & booking

What should I bring for the tour? Where can I leave my belongings?

Check the "What to bring" tab on the tour page for the full packing list.

Essentials include swimwear, a towel if cenote option and comfortable shoes.

You can safely leave your belongings in the van—our driver stays with it the entire time while you're out enjoying the activities.

Are vegetarian or special dietary meals available?

Yes, we’re happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs or allergies.

After booking, you can let us know your needs by filling out the check-in form—just follow the link in your booking confirmation email.

What is the cancellation policy?

Go ahead and plan with confidence—your booking is fully flexible!

You can cancel free of charge or reschedule (subject to availability) up to 24 hours before your tour.

We’re a small team and often fully booked 1–2 weeks in advance, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.

Bonus: if you book at least 2 months in advance (60 days), you’ll qualify for our early bird discount*!

For full details, check out our booking policy page.

More questions?

Visit our main FAQ page or contact us by email, WhatsApp or via chat, we're happy to help!

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Coupon terms & conditions

EARLY2MONTHS — 10% off
Book at least 60 days before your tour date. Valid for bookings of 3 or more adults per tour.

MULTITOUR — 10% off
Book at least 2 tours in one transaction.

If part of a multi-tour booking is canceled and only one tour remains, the discount becomes void and the remaining balance will be adjusted.

Enter your coupon code at checkout.

Tour photos

MAKE IT YOUR DAY

Book with Confidence

Coba and Tulum ruins

Choose your date, number of guests and pickup location to see your exact price.

Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.