YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles

390 tour reviews
PRIVATE TOUR: Our top-selling adventure includes a private guided tour of the Tulum ruins, a swim in a stunning cenote, and snorkeling with sea turtles. Plus, savor a delicious lunch at a charming jungle Mexican restaurant!
  • 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!
  • Encounter Sea Turtles: Snorkel from shore in Akumal for an unforgettable aquatic journey!
  • 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 with Turtles Private Tour

 

Experience the magic of the Riviera Maya in one expertly crafted private tour. Our Tulum Ruins, Snorkeling, Cenote & Turtles private tour is a perfect blend of cultural discovery, ocean exploration, and refreshing nature escape. Whether you’re passionate about Mayan history, fascinated by marine life, or simply craving a serene swim in a cenote, this full-day tour offers a personalized adventure away from the crowds.

Led by a certified private guide, this experience is designed to move at your pace. You’ll visit the famous Tulum Ruins, snorkel with wild sea turtles in Akumal Bay, and cool off in a breathtaking cenote. With private transportation, flexible scheduling, and a tailored itinerary, you’ll enjoy comfort, intimacy, and expert insights throughout the day.

A Day of Discovery of Mayan Heritage and Marine Wonders

  1. 1. Explore the Tulum Archaeological Site

    Start your day with a visit to the majestic Tulum Ruins, perched on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea. As one of the most iconic Mayan cities, Tulum Mayan ruins offer rich history, stunning ocean views, and well-preserved structures like El Castillo and the Temple of the Frescoes. Your private guide will bring the past to life with fascinating stories of ancient rituals, trade, and daily life in this walled city.

    With early access and private transport, you’ll beat the crowds and the heat—perfect for photos and peaceful exploration.

    Highlights:

    • Personalized guided tour of the ruins
    • Stunning sea views from cliffside temples
    • Insight into Mayan culture and architecture

  2. 2. Refresh in a Stunning Cenote

    After your journey through Mayan history, it’s time to cool off with a swim in one of the Riviera Maya’s magical cenotes. These natural freshwater sinkholes are formed by collapsed limestone, revealing hidden pools of crystal-clear water.

    You’ll visit a hand-selected cenote, and on the day of your tour, you can choose between Cenote Nicte-Ha, Taak Bi Ha, or Jaguar. If you prefer to visit the more advanced cenotes like Dos Ojos or Pet Cemetery, we can arrange that for an additional $10 USD per person. Your guide will be happy to help you select the cenote that best matches your expectations and snorkeling skills.

    Why you’ll love it:

    • Cenotes for everyone: peaceful swims, snorkeling, cliff jumping, or cave exploration
    • Whether you’re adventurous or looking to relax, we’ve got you covered
    • Great for young kids, teens, adults, and older guests alike
    • Unique geological formations and refreshing natural beauty
    • A tranquil, sacred setting to unwind and reconnect with nature

  3. 3. Enjoy a Local Mexican Lunch

    Recharged from your cenote dip, you’ll enjoy a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant in the jungle under a traditional palapa, offering shade and a laid-back jungle vibe.

    We serve a variety of freshly prepared Mexican dishes, and vegetarian or special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

    It’s the perfect moment to fuel up, rest, and reflect on the incredible experiences so far—before heading to the sea for one final highlight of the day.

  4. 4. Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal Bay

    To end your day, you’ll visit Akumal Bay, a calm, protected marine area known for its resident population of green sea turtles. After a briefing and receiving your gear, your snorkeling guide will lead you into the shallow, clear water where you can spot turtles grazing on seagrass, colorful tropical fish, and perhaps stingrays or coral gardens.

    This guided snorkel is suitable for all levels. You don’t need prior experience—just basic swimming ability—and your guide will be with you the whole time for safety and support.

    What to expect:

    • Snorkeling with sea turtles in their natural habitat
    • Calm waters and great visibility most of the year
    • Full equipment and guidance included

     

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
  • Cenote entrance fee
  • Akumal bay cooperative and CONANP fee
  • Snorkeling gear: 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

  • Extra 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
Exclusive Private Tour:
Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
Duration:
7/9 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.
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.
Swim with turtles:
Absolute Adventure is working with a local cooperative according to the Mexican law.(Consult Akumal Swim with Turtles regulation.)
In the event of the port being closed by the authorities making swimming with the turtles unauthorized, the tour will be amended to the Tulum Cenote tour and the price adjusted according to the option chosen.
What's on the menu?
Quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, fish, shrimp, chicken, soups, vegetarian and special diet options available.

Itinerary options

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

Tulum ruins, cenote and turtles

  1. Tulum ruins — 90 min
  2. Cenote snorkel — 60 min
  3. Lunch at Juanita restaurant — 40 min
  4. Akumal turtles — 75 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 cenote, and Akumal, 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.

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.

  • 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 · 390 tour reviews

Showing reviews 136–144 of 390

Incredible experience! We spent the day with Arturo, who was fantastic! The 8 passenger van arrived right on time and we were greeted with a smile. They were incredibly accommodating and considerate of any needs we had. Arturo was patient and informative as we toured the ruins in Tulum. Afterwards we made our way to a Cenote, we were lucky as there was not another…

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Incredible experience!
We spent the day with Arturo, who was fantastic! The 8 passenger van arrived right on time and we were greeted with a smile. They were incredibly accommodating and considerate of any needs we had. Arturo was patient and informative as we toured the ruins in Tulum. Afterwards we made our way to a Cenote, we were lucky as there was not another person there. We have two small children (5 and 7) and Arturo was incredibly helpful and encouraging with them. We had an incredible lunch and wrapped the day swimming with turtles. We would highly recommend this group to guide you on any adventure. Thank you for making the day with our family so memorable!

Shaun · Apr 2024

Fun with Tulum, Cenote, and Turtles Arturo was amazing! Informative, great with kids and just fun and kind. Lunch was fantastic too! I would go again next visit.

Terry · Apr 2024

Do this tour!! We loved it!! We had a really wonderful day with Alex the guide and Omar the driver! We toured the Tulum ruins where Alex gave us many interesting details and was full of knowledge to share. We swam in an underground cenote which was beautiful!! We had a great lunch and finally, swam with sea turtles, sting rays, fish and a sea…

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Do this tour!! We loved it!!
We had a really wonderful day with Alex the guide and Omar the driver! We toured the Tulum ruins where Alex gave us many interesting details and was full of knowledge to share. We swam in an underground cenote which was beautiful!! We had a great lunch and finally, swam with sea turtles, sting rays, fish and a sea snake in the ocean. The entire time, Alex was attentive to our comfort and even let us stop for a breakfast snack since it had been too early at our hotel to eat before the tour. We loved the day!! Thank you Alex and Omar. Great work 👍👍

Rachel · Apr 2024

Just right mix of culture and adventure. The kids loved the cenote swim and the sea turtles, the adults loved it all. Excellent tour guide and driver.

Barry · Apr 2024

Wonderful, fantastic, amazing day Our guide was Arturo. We were a party of 4 (M17, M48, M47, F47) He was wonderful. At the Ruins he talked about the history. You can tell he loves the history. He kept us away from the big groups (they were obnoxious) we learned things others may not have. He took us to a Cenote and went in with us.…

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Wonderful, fantastic, amazing day
Our guide was Arturo. We were a party of 4 (M17, M48, M47, F47) He was wonderful. At the Ruins he talked about the history. You can tell he loves the history. He kept us away from the big groups (they were obnoxious) we learned things others may not have. He took us to a Cenote and went in with us. Let us take our time. No part of this tour was rushed. We went to lunch at a place called Juanita. I have a food allergy and he was great about checking to see what I could have. I ate the club sandwich. Probably the best one I have ever had. What a cute quiet place. The last stop was the snorkeling with the turtles. Sadly this party he was not allowed to be our guide as someone from there had to be the guide. The turtle snorkel was busy and a LOT of ocean swimming. You really should be a good swimmer for this part. Life jackets were required for all water parts. In a while we LOVED this day. We would book tours with this company again!

Melissa · Apr 2024

Highlight of our trip! This was the absolute highlight of our vacation, our guide Arturo was fantastic in every way: knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, accommodating and made us feel completely comfortable and safe the entire day. The early morning tour of the ruins was perfect with fewer crowds and lower temperatures. Swimming with the turtles was so fun and swimming in the cenote was a top…

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Highlight of our trip!
This was the absolute highlight of our vacation, our guide Arturo was fantastic in every way: knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, accommodating and made us feel completely comfortable and safe the entire day. The early morning tour of the ruins was perfect with fewer crowds and lower temperatures. Swimming with the turtles was so fun and swimming in the cenote was a top 10 moment for me and my kids as well as our friends. I cannot recommend this enough!

A7202HMlizc · Apr 2024

Perfect tour, will book again Arturo was amazing will definitely try to book with him next time we are here. Informational so we learned a lot but not too much. He made sure to ask what kind of tour we wanted. He was super fun and the private tour was great. We got to go on our own timeline. Tulum was great, cenotes were beautiful…

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Perfect tour, will book again
Arturo was amazing will definitely try to book with him next time we are here. Informational so we learned a lot but not too much. He made sure to ask what kind of tour we wanted. He was super fun and the private tour was great. We got to go on our own timeline. Tulum was great, cenotes were beautiful and snorkeling with the turtles was amazing. We got to see stingrays too.

Derek · Apr 2024

Wonderful Day of Adventure. We had the private tour with Josh and our driver Enrique. It was a beautiful day at the ruins, an amazing experience at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, and saw lots of turtles and stingrays snorkeling. We were greeted on time, a lot of information shared at the sites, and felt unrushed for the day. The private tour is definitely the way…

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Wonderful Day of Adventure. We had the private tour with Josh and our driver Enrique. It was a beautiful day at the ruins, an amazing experience at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, and saw lots of turtles and stingrays snorkeling. We were greeted on time, a lot of information shared at the sites, and felt unrushed for the day. The private tour is definitely the way to go, and it was fantastic to have the focused attention on our questions, and informative expert guide, and a safe place to leave our items for the water activities. Highly recommend.

Ashley_W · Apr 2024

Perfect Private Tour with Artruo We had a perfect private tour with our guide, Arturo and driver, Omar. They arrived early for our 7AM pickup at our door and we got on the road. We arrived and Tulum and were the first people in! This fantastic historical site was all ours for most of the tour. Arturo was friendly and very knowledgeable. He was a…

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Perfect Private Tour with Artruo
We had a perfect private tour with our guide, Arturo and driver, Omar. They arrived early for our 7AM pickup at our door and we got on the road. We arrived and Tulum and were the first people in! This fantastic historical site was all ours for most of the tour. Arturo was friendly and very knowledgeable. He was a great conversationalist throughout our tour, discussing architecture, history, and places he has visited. He showed us the best vantage points to view the ruins and great places to take photos.
After Tulum, we swam with the turtles at Akumal. Arturo passed us off to an official guide who took us out snorkeling to see the turtles. He kept us safe and let us take our time. What a great experience!
Next was lunch at a local restaurant which was delicious. We returned to our location in Playa del Carmen in the early afternoon and had the rest of the day to enjoy.
All fees and lunch were included in the price. We were offered soda and water to enjoy during the trip.
We felt our time was used well, there were no shopping stops nor any strong-arming to tip. (We took a big bus tour to Chichen Itza with another company and had a horrifically long day with wasted time shopping and lots of sales pitches.)
Thank you for a great experience!

367mk · Apr 2024

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Tulum Ruins 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 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.

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 turtle sightings guaranteed in Akumal?

Turtle sightings are very likely but not guaranteed, as they are wild animals.

Akumal is one of the best places in the region to see them.

What type of boat is used to swim with the turtles?

There is no boat involved. The swim starts directly from the shore, and you’ll enter the water with your guide to reach the turtle area.

Are there showers or changing rooms at the cenote or at Akumal beach?

Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas at both locations.

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!

Come explore the Riviera Maya with us.

Private adventures, thoughtfully planned by our local team.

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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 with Turtles

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

Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.