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.
Becki G –
Fabulous day with Absolute Adventure!
This tour was amazing. Arturo was the perfect tour guide for our family ages 12 to 70. He made sure everyone was comfortable, informed and entertained. We will absolutely book another excursion with them and request Arturo as our guide –
Jim –
Perfect Tour of Tulum
This tour was the absolute highlight of our trip to Mexico! Alex was an amazing tour guide who was so knowledgeable about the sites and Mayan culture, and he was super patient and never rushed us at all, which we appreciated. We loved all the history we got from him at the Tulum ruins, and he knew all the perfect spots for photos of our family there. Our driver Rodrigo was also fantastic, always waiting close by when it was time to move to the next stop. We chose the underground cenote for snorkeling, and it was such a unique and beautiful experience. And then the snorkeling in the sea was also so fun and memorable – we saw sting rays, turtles, starfish and tropical fish around a coral reef! The Mayan lunch was absolutely delicious as well. This was the perfect tour combination to get a good variety of what Tulum has to offer. Our kids loved it too (ages 11, 13 and 14), and even thanked us so much for booking it for our family. Would definitely recommend!
Heidi –
Outstanding company with great tour guides! Arturo was the best! Highly recommend to everyone.
Brenna –
I’ve been on many trips and vacations, and this, by far was the best excursion I’ve ever been on! JJ, our guide, made the day so personalized and fun. He answered all of our questions, talked with us like friends, and we just had the best day on the Yucatán peninsula. I so appreciated JJ’s ability to do the tour in both English and Spanish for us ( although my significant other speaks English, he enjoys using his Spanish when he can!) Louis, our driver also did an amazing job. They started early to avoid crowds and heat and we feel we got very lucky! We were at Tulum with very few groups, and even had a cenote completely to ourselves! We also thoroughly enjoyed our private guide at the snorkeling. JJ- you’re the best and we are still talking about how this was our favorite day! Gracias!
Sky –
Incredible trip
Absolutely amazing! Arturo and JJ were such incredible guides! They took such great care of us, especially in the hot weather! Highly recommend!!
Anna –
We went on this tour with Alex snd Rodrigo. It was absolutely amazing. Alex was a wonderful tour guide. My kids and I learned a lot about Mexican culture and history in particular Mayan culture. Rodrigo and Alex were on time. They made us feel at home. They took care of us. I felt safe in their hands. If you haven’t done this I really recommend it. Cenote and swimming with turtles was a highlight of the trip. Thank you guys!!!!
Marissa –
Arturo and Juan gave us the BEST tour of Tulum, Taak Bi Ha, and Akumal Bay. They were very fun, very knowledgeable, and took tons of pictures and videos for us. Would book with them again 100%
Elomboy –
Book it before it sells out! Ask for Alex!
First the bad: It’s pricey. Now the good: Completely worth EVERY peso. Alex (guide) and Rodrigo (driver) we’re waiting for us when we walked up at 7am. I don’t know how long the ride to Tulum was because Alex gave us a history of Mayan culture along the way. We got to try cacao, look at obsidian used as knives and replica Mayan books. We had ice cold drinks for the day in the van for us. At Tulum, Alex continued his lesson and answered all our questions. Rodigo stayed with the van and watched our belongings. Alex let us know we could take as much or as little time as we wanted- we never felted rushed or forced to endure something we weren’t enjoying. After Tulum, we had our choice of 3 cenotes. We took Alex’s advice and went to Taak bi Ha- highly recommended… it is beautiful. Alex showed us fossils in the limestone and took great care with one of the weaker swimmers in our group. After the tour of the cenote we got some free time to swim before lunch. Lunch was included at a Mayan restaurant near the cenote. It was delicious. Poor Alex answered a ton of questions for us at lunch. After lunch it was off to swim with the turtles! Alex handed us off to Miguel and found about 10 turtles and some fish too! All of us napped on the way back to the hotel – exhausted but happy. If you can afford this tour but you’re wondering if it’s worth the cost? Book it! You’ll be glad you did!
Eric –
Tour guide JJ (Juan) and our driver were both fantastic. Having been on many tours in the past it was refreshing to have a tour guide tailor the tour to our group, with 4 kids from 4-10 years old. JJ tailored the tour to first prioritize photo opportunity’s before crowds moved in, then spent an age appropriate amount of time on the ruins, history and allowed any questions. For the Cenote, his local experience was invaluable, as he knew the best places to go for our group size and abilities. The Mayan lunch was local, simple but very impressive. Great tasting food and drinks. The Turtle preserve and snorkeling was also very well chosen and we were paired with knowledgeable and competent guides. Due to wind, visibility in the water was a challenge but still some great opportunities. Our tour van was great, clean and well maintained. Plan to do tours with JJ and Absolute Adventure again soon!!!
Erica –
Can I give 10 stars?! 🤩🤩
Hands down best tour we’ve ever done! Jose (JJ) was our private guide and took us on a tour of the Tulum Mayan Ruins, a Cenote and a traditional Mayan lunch. He started the tour early, which was such a wise decision because we felt like we were the only people everywhere we went! It really helped us be able to soak it all in. He was extremely knowledgeable of everywhere we went and also made it feel very personable! We loved every second and didn’t want it to end!
ThatWeasel –
What a great experience and adventure from start to finish. Communication from booking to the end of the trip was fantastic. Claire was a knowledgeable and fun guide. She knew so much about the areas we visited. She was very personable as well. We beat the crowds at the ruins, the cenote and for lunch at an amazing spot in the middle of the jungle. We saw so many turtles after lunch and a stingray. Fantastic family experience!
Jeff –
Delightful Tour
With Juan as our guide, my wife and I did the Tulum Ruins Private Tour with Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling.
We arrived at the Tulum Ruins early, before the crowds, which made for a peaceful walk through the site while Juan shared his knowledge of the history.
Not only was Juan knowledgeable, he was charming and affable. From the moment we climbed into the van, it felt like we were with an old friend showing us around some of his favorite places.
Jen –
Our family of four (parents and two teens) had a wonderful time with Arturo (our guide) and Rodrigo (driver). We saw Tulum, swam in Taak Bi Ha cenote (highly recommend this incredible cave experience), and swam with turtles too. Arturo was extremely polite, helpful, and an overall great guy. We enjoyed spending time with him. Rodrigo was always ready for us and accommodated our needs. The trips through this tour agency will be more expensive (and earlier in the morning), but SO WORTH IT if you want a private tour experience with great people who know what they’re doing and where they’re going. They handled everything and gave us time to browse around places. We were never rushed. This particular tour pleased each family member as it had so many different things to experience. You should do it, and use this tour company! Excellente!
Amy –
Fantastic experience!
Our tour guide and driver were fantastic! The ruins and Cenote were the highlight! Lunch was wonderful and the turtle tour was also great! This is the best tour we’ve taken!
Didem –
Excellent!
We had an absolutely amazing day! Our guide Juan was so much fun. He gave us lots of information while visiting Tulum ruins. All the crowds were arriving while we were leaving. After that, we chose Taak Bi Ha out of three cenote options because it is underground. There were hardly anyone else in the cenote, only a group of scuba divers. I can’t even explain the beauty of this cenote with words. It was otherworldly. After a delicious lunch, we went to Akumal for snorkeling. We enjoyed it so much! We saw lots of sea turtles, parrot fish, angel fish, puffer fish, trumpet fish to name a few. I definitely recommend this tour
Michel –
Alex S was the most amazing tour guide and was more like going somewhere with an old friend than a guide. He was very knowledgeable and showed us the real beauty and history of the area. Would recommend your service and Alex to anyone who is staying in the area.
John –
Alex was the best. His excitement in sharing the Mayan history was infectious. The cenote
swim was a bucket list item I didn’t even know existed. The turtle swim was a liitle frantic, but
everything delivered.
Pilar –
We did two excursions with Absolute Adventure and they were great. We were lucky to have the same guide, Alex, for both excursions and we were delighted with him. We chose to do the excursions first thing in the morning, being able to avoid the crowds at all times and enjoying the places practically by ourselves, something that was very important to us.
The Tulum excursion was more of the same, clear and simple explanations and the ruins were spectacular. We chose the Nic Te Ha cenote and it was a success; There were hardly any people and the natural environment greatly changed the idea of a cenote in a cave that one normally has. The food in the restaurant was great, very good quality and service. The last swimming with turtles activity was a magnificent experience, we were able to see up to 6 turtles.
Both drivers, Omar and Carlos, were very nice all the time, always making sure that we didn’t lack for anything.
In short, I recommend 100% Absolute Adventure.
Julius –
Wonderful experience. Alex was our tour guide and Omar our driver and both were fantastic. We would highly recommend both Alex (as he was very knowledgeable and friendly) and Absolute Adventure Mexico (AAM). AAM were recommended by friends who also highly recommended them and this tour. We saw the highlights of the Tulum ruins (and Alex provided a very informative history of the Tulum ruins and the Mayan people), we swam with sea turtles a Alkumal (and also saw a stingray and a pufferfish), and then finally visited and snorkelled in a cenote in Parque Dos Ojos. We had a choice of one of three cenotes and selected Cenote Taak Bi Ha, an absolutely spectacular subterranean cenote with turquoise waters, stalactites and stalactites, and bats flittering about.
mtA7897ZN –
Unforgettable Experience with Absolute Adventures! We had the best day ever with Arturo as our guide! Allan was also there in training, and was just as friendly and knowledgeable. The visit to the Tulum ruins was incredible. We were there early which is the best way to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beautiful sights. We then went to the cenote Nicte-Ha which was amazing. There were very few people there and it felt like we had it to ourselves. We then went to lunch with Arturo and Allan and the food was delicious. Final stop was at Akumal Bay to snorkel with turtles. We saw four turtles, some stingrays and other fish as well! It was an unforgettable experience. Our driver Rodrigo was also very nice. He kept the van clean between stops, cleaned our snorkelling equipment between uses and very kindly avoided pot holes on the road so that it wouldn’t be too bumpy. Excellent service and professionalism from all three of them and would definitely recommend this tour. Book with Absolute Adventure, you will have the time of your life!