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!
Scroll down for detailed info, inclusions and itinerary.
Book your tour now and if your plans happen to change, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours prior to the 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.
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: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: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.
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:
Combine Mayan ruins and cenote experiences with these popular tours:
Book 2 or more tours and enjoy a 10% discount! Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their stay in the Riviera Maya.
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. Discover the benefits of early departure to visit Tulum.
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.
FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN AREA
07:00am - Private transportation from your hotel to Tulum
08:00–10:00am - Visit of Tulum ruins
10:00–10:30am - Transportation
10:30–11:30am - Snorkeling in cenote
11:30–12:30pm - Lunch
12:30–01:00pm - Transportation
01:00–02:00pm - Snorkeling with turtles*
02:00–02:45pm - Return to hotel
FROM TULUM AREA
07:45am - Private transportation from your hotel to Tulum
08:00–10:00am - Visit of Tulum ruins
10:00–10:30am - Transportation
10:30–11:30am - Snorkeling in cenote
11:30–12:30pm - Lunch
12:30–01:00pm - Transportation
01:00–02:00pm - Snorkeling with turtles*
02:00–02:30pm - Return to hotel
FROM CANCUN AREA
06:00am - Private transportation from your hotel to Tulum
08:00–10:00am - Visit of Tulum ruins
10:00–10:30am - Transportation
10:30–11:30am - Snorkeling in cenote
11:30–12:30pm - Lunch
12:30–01:00pm - Transportation
01:00–02:00pm - Snorkeling with turtles*
02:00–03:45pm - Return to hotel
*Swimming with turtles is limited to max 1 hour as per Akumal regulations.
* It is forbidden to apply sunblock and repellent before swimming or snorkeling activities to prevent water pollution and preserve the reefs, even if they are biodegradable products. Compliance with this rule is essential for the protection of the environment.
You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone, camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting or snorkeling you can leave the things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always be in the van, so keeping your things safe!
You must be logged in to post a review.
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.
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: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: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.
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:
Combine Mayan ruins and cenote experiences with these popular tours:
Book 2 or more tours and enjoy a 10% discount! Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their stay in the Riviera Maya.
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. Discover the benefits of early departure to visit Tulum.
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.
FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN AREA
07:00am - Private transportation from your hotel to Tulum
08:00–10:00am - Visit of Tulum ruins
10:00–10:30am - Transportation
10:30–11:30am - Snorkeling in cenote
11:30–12:30pm - Lunch
12:30–01:00pm - Transportation
01:00–02:00pm - Snorkeling with turtles*
02:00–02:45pm - Return to hotel
FROM TULUM AREA
07:45am - Private transportation from your hotel to Tulum
08:00–10:00am - Visit of Tulum ruins
10:00–10:30am - Transportation
10:30–11:30am - Snorkeling in cenote
11:30–12:30pm - Lunch
12:30–01:00pm - Transportation
01:00–02:00pm - Snorkeling with turtles*
02:00–02:30pm - Return to hotel
FROM CANCUN AREA
06:00am - Private transportation from your hotel to Tulum
08:00–10:00am - Visit of Tulum ruins
10:00–10:30am - Transportation
10:30–11:30am - Snorkeling in cenote
11:30–12:30pm - Lunch
12:30–01:00pm - Transportation
01:00–02:00pm - Snorkeling with turtles*
02:00–03:45pm - Return to hotel
*Swimming with turtles is limited to max 1 hour as per Akumal regulations.
* It is forbidden to apply sunblock and repellent before swimming or snorkeling activities to prevent water pollution and preserve the reefs, even if they are biodegradable products. Compliance with this rule is essential for the protection of the environment.
You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone, camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting or snorkeling you can leave the things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always be in the van, so keeping your things safe!
You must be logged in to post a review.
You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas at both locations.
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.
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.
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.
Nikkie –
Awesome day with Tulum tour and snorkeling
We had an awesome time with our guide Joshua and driver Omar today on the Tulum with Cenote and Turtles Snorkelinf tour! It was a rainy day but that didn’t slow us down at all. Every stop was beautiful and Joshua was so informative and interesting throughout. I would absolutely recommend this tour for anyone interested in a private Tulum tour. Thanks for a great day!
Brandie –
We had a fantastic day with Juan and Omar. We felt so very grateful to have this private tour of Tulum and then a magical cenote all to ourselves followed by sea turtles. It was very enjoyable. Juan really knows so much about the history and culture. Omar drives very safely. We felt like we had made two new friends by the end of the day. It was a great time! We will definitely book again.
Andrew –
We went to the Tulum ruins, a beautiful underground cenote, and snorkeling with the sea turtles with our Alex and Carlos as our guide/driver. They were on time and professional during the whole trip, Alex was very knowledgeable and friendly, was able to answer all our questions, and had lots of interesting information about the Mayan culture and history. Carlos was friendly and did a great job navigating the area and getting us to each part of the excursion on time. I’d highly recommend them both and the tours in general.
Greg B –
Arturo was informative and fun! Recommend him as a guide!
Amy –
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!
Explore51194888021 –
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.
Robyn –
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!
SF –
Best experience ever! Amazing! Alex, our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable.Highly recommend this company.
Voyager46155784964 –
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!!
Ellen –
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!
Caitlin –
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!
Gislaine –
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.
Kyle –
Do yourself a favor and book this excursion!
In one word, perfect. Juan and Carlos were kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. Nichte- Ha was breathtaking. Juan guided us through the Tulum ruins masterfully. He explained the history of the Maya along the way, noting the various features of the ruins. Lunch was delicious, I highly recommend their suggested plate. Snorkeling in Akumal lived up to the hype, we saw several turtles and our guide was so helpful pointing them out. Best excursion we did all week, well worth paying for the travel add on from Cancun.
Ana –
Fantastic private tour!
My husband & I took a tour with Omar as our driver & Alex as our tour guide. They were both fantastic. Alex was very knowledgeable of the area & we learned a lot. Omar was a careful driver & had the vehicle ready when needed. They also made sure we had plenty of water. The company was well organized & had great communication. Make sure you have cash for tipping. We will definitely use this company again next time we’re in Mexico.
Patty –
Our tour guides were Alex and Omar. They created a magical day for us! Alex shared so much history and knowledge with us at Tulum. Then at the Cenote he was so patient with me, a non-swimmer, and helped me into the water and made me comfortable enough to trust the life vest. The experience was one of the best in my life! Lunch was delicious and a fun break before the sea turtles. Another awesome experience because our guides in the ocean were just an encouraging and made the experience another that I will never forget! A tour that you must take when visiting the area!
Sheri –
The Best Day Ever! Highly recommend 10/10. Alex and Carlos were the perfect team and it truly was the best tour we have ever taken. From touring the fascinating Tulum ruins, to visiting the amazing Taak Bi Ha cenote to swimming with turtles in the beautiful Akumal Bay, the day could not have been more perfect.
William –
Our guide (Alex) was very knowledgeable on Mayan history, he kept the tour at an enjoyable pace and we beat the crowds to the ruins giving us the best opportunity for photos. We swam alone in the Cenote of our choice, which was special, and had great service for lunch at Juanita’s. The turtle watching is a little commercial with lots of people queuing to get the best view of the marine life, but despite the crowds we still managed to see barracuda, turtles, a starfish and lots of large colourful fish. A different guide took us for the turtle watching and she was also very good. Thanks Alex for making the trip so enjoyable, would definitely book with you and the company again.
Cathy –
Wow what an amazing day . Our team of Rodrigo the driver and Alex the tour guide made our trip seamless. Rodrigo’s car is fully equipped for a day of being wet and he has a cool box full of water and cans Alex is incredibly knowledgeable using the journey to give you all the back ground info. It’s so much better have a private tour . We watched crowds of people arriving but our early start and small number meant Tulum was easy to navigate and so interesting. We even had the cenote totally to ourselves! We saw several turtles and loads of fish including a Barracuda. They are a great team and worth asking for. I’d definitely use this company again.
Lisa –
Our day was fantastic! Juan, our tour guide, and Carlos, our driver made the day perfect. On time pickup from our hotel where we headed straight to Tulum to avoid the crowds. Next a swim in a beautiful cenote followed by a delicious local lunch. Lastly we went snorkeling where we saw turtles, stingrays and starfish. The day was wonderful and Juan was super knowledgeable and fun to chat with. Thank you Absolute Adventure!!!
Helen –
Juan and Arturo are the best tour guides. We were a large party of 33 with two toddlers and they managed our group perfectly! They were so attentive and patient with all of us. We had some elderly folks in our group who couldnt do some of the cenotes and hikes, and one of them would always stay back to make sure they are okay and tended to.
Claire , the owner, was great to organize and get all the details in place to book our two large group tours.
Highly recommend!