YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and Reef

22 tour reviews
PRIVATE TOUR: A unique tour combining a private visit of Tulum ruins, reef snorkeling in front of the ruins and a swim in a cenote. With a delicious Mexican lunch in the jungle.
  • 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.
  • Breathtaking Cenotes! Pick from open-air or cave options - You’ll love the adventure!
  • Discover the Tulum reefs: Enjoy a fun and safe snorkeling session, with private boat.
  • Lunch in a One-of-a-Kind Jungle Spot: 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, gear, 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, Snorkeling in Cenote and Coral Reef Private Tour

 

The private Tulum Snorkeling Tour will not disappoint you, it is one of the top of the line excursion. This tour combines one of the best ruin sites on the Caribbean Coast and two different snorkeling experiences. Our guides absolutely love taking patrons on this tour because the smiles on customers’ faces never stop growing.

  1. Private Tulum Experience: Early Start and Exclusive Access

    You’ll begin with private transportation from your hotel, allowing you to make the most of your Tulum experience. Because we provide private transportation, you won’t be bothered by picking up other guests along the way. This ensures that you get the most out of your time, complete with a private archaeological guide who will show you the ins and outs of the site. Our staff has mapped out the perfect hours of the day to visit Tulum, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this historical wonder.

  2. Snorkeling Adventures: Reef Exploration and Cenote Wonders

    After exploring the ruins, you’ll hop on a boat for a one-hour tour with snorkeling on the second biggest reef in the world. There’s a chance you may spot sea turtles, although they are sometimes shy and may hide from the crowd. You’ll also get a unique view of the ruins and two additional hidden temples, experiencing the same sights as the original Mayan settlers did when they first colonized the area. It doesn’t get more historical than that!

    Next, we’ll head to a cenote where you’ll calmly snorkel with your guide, discovering the stunning rock formations of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local wildlife like bats, small fish, and the colorful MotMot bird. Your guide will be with you every step of the way, pointing out unique sights underwater.

  3. Authentic Jungle Lunch

    To end the day, we’ll share an authentic Mexican lunch in the jungle with your guide, giving you the chance to debrief the day’s adventures and reflect on the incredible experiences.

    Finally, we’ll take you back to your hotel, and just like that, you’ll have enjoyed one of the best excursions this area has to offer.

     

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
  • All entrance fees
  • 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
  • High quality snorkeling gear (fins, mask, snorkel, wetsuits, life jackets)
  • Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
  • Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte and one bottle of water

Price excludes

  • 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.
  • Extra drinks at the restaurant
  • Tips

General info

Private Tour:
Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
Duration:
6/7 hours (check the itinerary tab, as it depends on your pick-up location).
Physicality:
 Easy
Age:
 all ages
Snorkeling:
 Basic swimming skills required. This excursion suits everyone from novices to experts.
Reef in Tulum:
This tour is weather dependent for the reef snorkeling, if it is too windy/wavy the day of the tour, we will replace the reef snorkeling by the swim with turtles as it is taking place from shore in the protected Akumal bay.
Which cenote will you visit? 
The day of your tour, you can choose one cenote between Nicte Ha, Taak bi Ha, or Jaguar. If you prefer to go to Dos Ojos or Pet Cemetery, we will add 10 USD per person on your balance. Your guide will be happy to help you to select the best cenote for you and your party according to your expectations and snorkeling skills.
What’s on the menu?
Selection of quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, grilled chicken, grilled fish, tortas (sandwiches), soup of day, … with vegetarian, fish, shrimp, chicken & meat options. With corn or flour tortillas. We can accommodate special diets and allergies, just let us know!

Itinerary options

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

Tulum ruins, reef and cenote

  1. Tulum ruins — 120 min
  2. Tulum reef — 60 min
  3. Cenote snorkel — 60 min
  4. Lunch at Restaurante Juanita — 45 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 Tulum, the reef, and the cenote, moving at your own pace.

Discover the 3 benefits of an early departure to visit Tulum.
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.
  • Beach Towels
  • Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
  • Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
  • Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and we recommend wearing a rash-guard/UV-Shirt for water activities*
  • Mosquito repellent*
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
  • Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone

FROM OUR GUESTS

A day worth remembering.

5.00/5 · 22 tour reviews

Showing reviews 19–22 of 22

We chose Absolute Adventure to do a private tour of the Tulum ruins with two snorkeling trips, one to the reefs below the Tulum ruins and another to the cenote Tak Be Ha. Our tour guide, Juan, brought us to the Tulum ruins right after it opened, and we had about an hour to ourselves and our own Tulum guide before the tour buses rolled…

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We chose Absolute Adventure to do a private tour of the Tulum ruins with two snorkeling trips, one to the reefs below the Tulum ruins and another to the cenote Tak Be Ha. Our tour guide, Juan, brought us to the Tulum ruins right after it opened, and we had about an hour to ourselves and our own Tulum guide before the tour buses rolled in. Our snorkeling trip to the reef was great -- our snorkeling guide and Juan pointed out different types of coral and sea creatures (including a hawksbill turtle and a ray) while making sure we were safe on the reef. The final stop was to cenote Tak Be Ha, where we were the only people snorkeling around the cenote. We appreciated the fact that we were taken to a cenote that was not overcrowded. At the end of our trip, we were taken to a restaurant near Tak Be Ha, where the food was very good, and then we were driven back to our hotel.
Absolute Adventure offers a variety of tours, customizable to your interests. They are a little more pricey compared to package tours, but for the price you get a much better quality experience (and the more people in your group, the more affordable it is). We think they are worth the price and would certainly book with them again.

Teresa · Aug 2016

We did the Tulum / cenote / reed with Juan as our private guide. First, we went to Tulum followed by snorkeling in the reef, and ended with a cenote swim. It was well planned and Juan made everything easy. We had a great day, the experience was personalized.

Tijana · Jun 2016

The staff was amazing and the van was confortable and full of drinks. We started with Tulum ruins. Our guide was knwoledgable and we spent lot taking pictures there. Reef and cenote were incredible. Our guide had wetsuits for us in the van and we enjoyed the cenote how much time we wanted!We had a great traditional lunch in a small restaurant in the jungle…

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The staff was amazing and the van was confortable and full of drinks. We started with Tulum ruins. Our guide was knwoledgable and we spent lot taking pictures there. Reef and cenote were incredible. Our guide had wetsuits for us in the van and we enjoyed the cenote how much time we wanted!We had a great traditional lunch in a small restaurant in the jungle before driving bakc to the hotel. Would definitly hire AAM again!

Jay · Jun 2016

We set out for our first Tulum adventure with Juan-Jose as a guide and it was a wonderful experience. We toured the ruins of Tulum to start, followed by snorkeling in the reef, and ended with a swim in a lesser known (and lesser crowded) cenote and lunch. It sounds like a lot packed into one day, but the pace was well-planned and JJ's knowledge…

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We set out for our first Tulum adventure with Juan-Jose as a guide and it was a wonderful experience. We toured the ruins of Tulum to start, followed by snorkeling in the reef, and ended with a swim in a lesser known (and lesser crowded) cenote and lunch. It sounds like a lot packed into one day, but the pace was well-planned and JJ's knowledge of the landscape made the experience unique. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who is looking for a more bespoke and personalized tour - you will not regret it. I can't say enough about Juan-Jose; he made an already fabulous tour just amazing.

Melissa · Sep 2015

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Tulum Reef Snorkeling Cenote 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 Reef Snorkeling Cenote tour take?

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

It typically lasts between 6 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.

Is snorkeling experience required for this tour?

No previous snorkeling experience is required, but basic swimming skills are necessary.

We provide mandatory life vests, and our guide ensures a safe and comfortable experience for everyone.

What type of boat is used for the Tulum reef snorkeling?

We go out on a local snorkeling boat, guided by a friendly and experienced crew that’s officially certified by the marine park.

The boat is equipped with a side ladder, making it easy to get back on board after snorkeling.

Will we see turtles during the reef snorkeling tour?

Turtle sightings are possible but not guaranteed.

During the snorkeling experience, you’ll mostly see beautiful coral formations, schools of tropical fish, and with some luck, a sea turtle or stingray.

If seeing turtles is your main goal, the best place is Akumal, where sightings are nearly guaranteed. Akumal is one of the top spots in the region for swimming with sea turtles in their natural habitat. You can check out the same tour with Tulum Ruins, Cenote and Turtles Swim.

Which cenote do we visit on this tour?

You can view the list of cenotes available for this tour under the ‘Tour Description and General Info’ tab, where you'll also find links to full descriptions of each cenote.

We offer a variety of cenote types, including open-air, semi-open, and cave cenotes.

Unless you've already made your choice, you can decide which cenote to visit together with your tour guide on the day of your tour.

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 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.

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

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Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and Reef

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

Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.