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 1–9 of 22

Great day at Tulum, snorkeling and a cenote We loved our day with Absolute Adventures! Juan was our tour guide, and he is the best! He was so knowledgeable and fun. He made sure everything went smoothly and knew how to avoid crowds and backups. He even knew all of the favorite photo spots and patiently took as many photos as we wanted. Be sure…

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Great day at Tulum, snorkeling and a cenote
We loved our day with Absolute Adventures! Juan was our tour guide, and he is the best! He was so knowledgeable and fun. He made sure everything went smoothly and knew how to avoid crowds and backups. He even knew all of the favorite photo spots and patiently took as many photos as we wanted. Be sure to take their advice to go to Tulum early - the line when we left was SO long, and it would have been miserable to have to wait that long.
We originally booked the snorkeling with turtles trip, but we decided to switch to the reef snorkeling. The staff made it easy to make the change in advance. When we snorkeled, we didn't spend much time on the actual reef. We had expected to and hoped to see a lot of colorful fish. Instead the guide led us to an area with sting rays and sea turtles. It was very cool, but I'm just sharing so people know what to expect.
The cenote was really neat! It was hard to choose which to go to, but we opted for Dos Ojos, and our kids enjoyed jumping off the cliff into the water. I'm glad we chose an outdoor cenote because the water was pretty chilly as it was. We probably would have been too cold to swim in a cave one for very long.

GoPlaces5051 · Aug 2024

Our day with Absolute Adventure was the best day of our vacation! Our tour guide, Juan, was fun and super knowledgeable. We chose for the Tulum / reef snorkeling / cenote trip because we didn't want to drive all the way to Chichen Itza, and it felt like the right choice. We didn't spend much time snorkeling in the actual reef. Instead, our guide led…

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Our day with Absolute Adventure was the best day of our vacation! Our tour guide, Juan, was fun and super knowledgeable. We chose for the Tulum / reef snorkeling / cenote trip because we didn't want to drive all the way to Chichen Itza, and it felt like the right choice.
We didn't spend much time snorkeling in the actual reef. Instead, our guide led us to an area with sting rays and sea turtles. It was great, but we had expected to spend more time in the reef and seeing more fish. The sting rays and sea turtles were very cool, but just sharing as an FYI so you know what to expect.
We ended up choosing to go to Dos Ojos cenote. Our kids liked jumping off the little cliff, and we had it to ourselves most of the time we were there.
The staff were so easy to work with prior to our trip, and I can't say enough about Juan and our driver, Rodrigo. You won't be disappointed with an Absolute Adventure tour.

Annie · Aug 2024

We spent two amazing days with Dulce from Absolute Adventure. She led our tours to the Tulum ruins followed by reef snorkeling and a cenote visit, as well as to the Coba ruins and two cenotes. Dulce shared her wealth of knowledge of the Mayan history and traditions at the ruins, and joined as we snorkeled with turtles and rays on the reef and ziplined…

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We spent two amazing days with Dulce from Absolute Adventure. She led our tours to the Tulum ruins followed by reef snorkeling and a cenote visit, as well as to the Coba ruins and two cenotes. Dulce shared her wealth of knowledge of the Mayan history and traditions at the ruins, and joined as we snorkeled with turtles and rays on the reef and ziplined and jumped from various platforms at the cenotes. We always had the cenotes to ourselves and beat the crowds at the ruins. I'm not sure who enjoyed the tours more - my wife and I or our 13 and 9 year old sons! Our drivers Carlos and Omar were always there with water, snorkel gear, and welcoming smiles. We enjoyed the tours so much we are heading out on a third one with Absolute Adventure on the same trip. Claire and the entire team have been so helpful and amazing to work with and immediately responsive. If you are planning a tour around Tulum, you don't need to look any further. This is a wonderful team.

Jon · Apr 2023

We spent two amazing days with Dulce from Absolute Adventure. She led our tours to the Tulum ruins followed by reef snorkeling and a cenote visit, as well as to the Coba ruins and two cenotes. Dulce shared her wealth of knowledge of the Mayan history and traditions at the ruins, and joined as we snorkeled with turtles and rays on the reef and ziplined…

Read full reviewShow less

We spent two amazing days with Dulce from Absolute Adventure. She led our tours to the Tulum ruins followed by reef snorkeling and a cenote visit, as well as to the Coba ruins and two cenotes. Dulce shared her wealth of knowledge of the Mayan history and traditions at the ruins, and joined as we snorkeled with turtles and rays on the reef and ziplined and jumped from various platforms at the cenotes. We always had the cenotes to ourselves and beat the crowds at the ruins. I'm not sure who enjoyed the tours more - my wife and I or our 13 and 9 year old sons! Our drivers Carlos and Omar were always there with water, snorkel gear, and welcoming smiles. We enjoyed the tours so much we are heading out on a third one with Absolute Adventure on the same trip. Claire and the entire team have been so helpful and amazing to work with and immediately responsive. If you are planning a tour around Tulum, you don't need to look any further. This is a wonderful team.

Jon · Apr 2023

We had such a great time on our Tulum-Reef-Cenotes tour. As a family of 5 with kids aged 12, 10, & 6, I wasn't sure everyone would be happy with this one and only excursion I signed up for...turns out we all loved it! Such a gift that each tour is private, so there is flexibility to make sure you do what's best for your…

Read full reviewShow less

We had such a great time on our Tulum-Reef-Cenotes tour. As a family of 5 with kids aged 12, 10, & 6, I wasn't sure everyone would be happy with this one and only excursion I signed up for...turns out we all loved it! Such a gift that each tour is private, so there is flexibility to make sure you do what's best for your group. Thanks, Dulce!

Amanda · Mar 2023

The highlight of my vacation! We had a great time with our tour guide Dulce and our driver Omar. Dulce's knowledge of the Tulum ruins and Mayan history made for an unforgettable tour. We opted to snorkel at the coral reef, instead of with the turtles, and saw a wide variety of sea life. The cenote we visited was in an underground cavern and, once…

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The highlight of my vacation! We had a great time with our tour guide Dulce and our driver Omar. Dulce's knowledge of the Tulum ruins and Mayan history made for an unforgettable tour. We opted to snorkel at the coral reef, instead of with the turtles, and saw a wide variety of sea life. The cenote we visited was in an underground cavern and, once again, Dulce's insight into the history and significance of the cenotes in the area really enhanced our experience. I would absolutely recommend using this company to anyone planning a vacation in the area, and I look forward to using them again in the future!

Michael · Dec 2022

Our guides Dulce and Arturo were fantastic. Great mix of history and local knowledge. Kept us engaged. Cenote was very nice and refreshing. Arturo was awesome! Very courteous and caring. Would totally recommend! Go Cowboys!

Michelle · Nov 2022

Carlos was our driver and Dulce was our guide. They were both excellent. Carlos is an experienced driver and treated us well the whole tour never forgetting to offer us refreshments or helping us with our snorkel gear. Dulce is incredibly knowledgeable about the Mayans, she educated us about the history of Tulum and the Mayan pantheon. After our tour of Tulum, we went snorkeling…

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Carlos was our driver and Dulce was our guide. They were both excellent. Carlos is an experienced driver and treated us well the whole tour never forgetting to offer us refreshments or helping us with our snorkel gear. Dulce is incredibly knowledgeable about the Mayans, she educated us about the history of Tulum and the Mayan pantheon. After our tour of Tulum, we went snorkeling on the reef just outside the ruins. It was gorgeous and a lot of fun. Then we went to a cenote which was a one of a kind experience followed by lunch and a local Mayan owned restaurant that served us the best meal we’ve had so far on our trip. Would highly recommend this company to friends and family and would definitely book again for myself.

Joseph · Aug 2022

the driver Carlos and the guide Dulce was fantastic! She was so informative and pleasant, we are booking another tour next time we come back in 3 months.

Todd · Jul 2022

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

Book with Confidence

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.