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 190–198 of 390

Arturo was informative and fun! Recommend him as a guide!

Greg B · Nov 2023

I booked the private tour of Tulum ruins, swim/snorkel in a cenote, and Akumal for snorkel with sea turtles for my husband and myself. The whole day and experience were fabulous! I can see why the reviews are all 5 stars. Carlos was the driver and stays with the van to keep your things safe. Alex was our guide, and wow! What a wealth of…

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I booked the private tour of Tulum ruins, swim/snorkel in a cenote, and Akumal for snorkel with sea turtles for my husband and myself. The whole day and experience were fabulous! I can see why the reviews are all 5 stars.
Carlos was the driver and stays with the van to keep your things safe. Alex was our guide, and wow! What a wealth of knowledge he has. We learned a lot about Mayan culture and history, which was interesting and I don’t normally enjoy history. That part was for my husband but I also enjoyed it, and the ruins and the land next to the sea are beautiful. Also Alex has a wonderful personality, cares a lot to have you enjoy your experience, and is really in the right occupation.
We selected a cenote that was right for us with some guidance from Alex. It was really fun and a gorgeous, tranquil spot. I am from Ohio and we found the temperature nice in November, but for those from a warm climate maybe a rash guard shirt might help.
Lunch was in a traditional Mayan family owned restaurant that was a pretty and cool building, all open air. The food was delicious and very authentic.
Playa de Akumal is gorgeous!! Unfortunately the ocean was a little rough that day but our ocean guide had a life preserver if we wanted to rest. The water stays shallow and we did not swim terribly far to see the turtles. Some wind and small waves made it a bit unclear/sand mixed up but without those conditions it would be clear and like glass I think. We still saw about 12 sea turtles very close up, about 4 feet away. I absolutely loved it!!
I can definitely recommend this company if you want to have a wonderful experience. You could probably do all of this in a less expensive way but for safety and convenience and not a care in the world, this is your team! Muchas gracias Alex! We enjoyed you and the day so much!

Amy · Nov 2023

A fantastic and memorable day trip! The whole day was fantastic. Arturo our guide and Carlos our driver were both great, very knowledgeable and helpful. The tour of Tulum was really fascinating and well worth going early as we beat the crowds. The Cenote suggested by Arturo was amazing and we had the whole place to ourselves for the hour. For the turtles, unfortunately it…

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A fantastic and memorable day trip!
The whole day was fantastic. Arturo our guide and Carlos our driver were both great, very knowledgeable and helpful.
The tour of Tulum was really fascinating and well worth going early as we beat the crowds. The Cenote suggested by Arturo was amazing and we had the whole place to ourselves for the hour. For the turtles, unfortunately it had been quite windy so visibility was poor but our guide still managed to spot some for us when they surfaced and I can imagine it’s amazing when the visibility is good, even though it was a bit busy in the water.
One tip, make sure you put plenty of sunscreen on first thing as you cannot reapply at the Cenote or Turtle swimming, better still take a rash vest for the turtles.

Explore51194888021 · Nov 2023

This is what you want to do Arturo and Joshua were amazing. We had the best early tour of Tulum- no crowds. Beautiful!!! The turtles were amazing!!! The lunch was delicious. 11/10!

Robyn · Nov 2023

Best experience ever! Amazing! Alex, our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable.Highly recommend this company.

SF · Nov 2023

A Must Do! (and Ask for Alex!) We researched many tours and decided on this one - couldn't be happier with our decision! It was a perfect day for us and our two kids (11 and 8) - mix of learning about the Mayan history (at the Tulum ruins) and adventure (cenotes and snorkeling) - all with a delicious and relaxing lunch in the middle!…

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A Must Do! (and Ask for Alex!)
We researched many tours and decided on this one - couldn't be happier with our decision! It was a perfect day for us and our two kids (11 and 8) - mix of learning about the Mayan history (at the Tulum ruins) and adventure (cenotes and snorkeling) - all with a delicious and relaxing lunch in the middle! Alex was a fantastic tour guide - prompt, kind, incredibly informative, helpful - all around wonderful. Highly recommend!!

Voyager46155784964 · Oct 2023

Would highly recommend this experience! We had the BEST time thanks to our guides Alex G and Omar. Can’t even pick a favorite part between swimming in amazingly refreshing/clean cenote, seeing sea turtles in the wild (even a baby!!), and lunch at a local spot which was sooo authentic and delicious. We were impressed by Alex’s knowledge of the ruins - we left early, but…

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Would highly recommend this experience! We had the BEST time thanks to our guides Alex G and Omar. Can’t even pick a favorite part between swimming in amazingly refreshing/clean cenote, seeing sea turtles in the wild (even a baby!!), and lunch at a local spot which was sooo authentic and delicious. We were impressed by Alex’s knowledge of the ruins - we left early, but it was so worth it because we basically had the place to ourselves! Definitely book with Absolute Adventure and request Alex G and Omar!

Ellen · Oct 2023

An excursion that was so much more than just that. This was such an amazing adventure for our crew. We had a range of ages with our group from 2y/o all the way up to 70 and everyone was able to participate in some capacity. Our drivers, Rodrigo, Omar, and Gregorio, were kind, efficient, and safe. They kept our three vans together and made sure…

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An excursion that was so much more than just that.
This was such an amazing adventure for our crew. We had a range of ages with our group from 2y/o all the way up to 70 and everyone was able to participate in some capacity. Our drivers, Rodrigo, Omar, and Gregorio, were kind, efficient, and safe. They kept our three vans together and made sure we all arrived together. Our tour guides, Alex and Arturo, went above and beyond. The history Alex shared with his van was so enriching and in depth, it truly gave all of us a deeper understanding and appreciation for the culture. They joked with us, shared stories of their lives, and continually made sure we were taken care of. They were truly a blast and made the excursion even more amazing than it would have been without them. The ruins were incredible, such an amazing piece of history! The cenotes were a nice cooling touch where we all got to cool down, have fun zip lining, and just have fun. The restaurant was a festive, delicious meal. Snorkeling was amazing as we got to see the coral reef, many turtles, a lot of colorful fish, a few starfish, and a sting ray! We loved the day and would recommend it to any of our friends and family! We highly recommend requesting Alex and Arturo as your tour guide!

Caitlin · Oct 2023

I recommend. I took a tour with the company in two different years and it was a great experience, the guide Juan made all the difference.

Gislaine · Oct 2023

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.