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.
Emily –
Fantastic!
Had a absolutely fabulous trip with (Juan) JJ visiting the Mayan ruins, cenote and the turtles. I had really researched which private tour to do as there a lot on the market because of great reviews I went with this one. I’m so glad we did.
It was great getting to the ruins early, by the time we came out the queue was so long! We chose the enclosed cenote which was beyond beautiful and JJ was great at taking photos of us all and taking us through the cave.
The food was incredible, real authentic Mexican food, so yummy!
We then saw so many turtles!! I’m so glad we went with absolute adventures, if you’re trying to figure out who to go with definitely choose them, you won’t be disappointed.
Colbs1313 –
Jaun was amazing, he was fun, knowledgeable and engaging the entire time. Really made the whole experience enjoyable even during the commutes.
Highly recommend.
Steven R –
Great tour every stop of the way, we loved the Mayan Ruins and learning about the history, the snorkeling was amazing, and the cenotes were beautiful. Overall 10/10 experience, everyone visiting Tulum should do this excursion.
Isabelle D –
Cyril (Chris) was a fantastic tour guide. We learned a lot during our tour and he was very patient with our 9 years old son. Tour starts very early but you avoid all the crowds everywhere, wich is priceless. We arrive at Tulum ruins at the opening, then change plans to go to cenote instead of the sea turtles after Cyril recommendations, since it was a little too windy to be able to have a good experience. So happy that we listened to him! My son enjoy it so much! The lunch was delicious. We will return with Absolute adventure Mexico next time fore sure!
Randy –
From the time we were picked up at the Hotel, till we were dropped off at the end of the day…Everything was Amazing! Our guide Manuel was so friendly and knowledgeable. His passion and love of his country really made for a special day. Swimming in the Cenote was both relaxing and beautiful. Lily pads all around were magical. Lunch at a local restaurant was delicious followed by snorkeling with Turtles. We saw 11 Turtles, 3 Rays, a Puffer Fish, Lobsters and a Sea Urchin!!! So Cool! Safety was #1 on the list…we swam with Lifejackets and Covid Precaustions were taken. We took a private tour and it was well worth the money. DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR!!
Jennifer –
Great day with teens exploring!
Claire was a fantastic guide; a wealth of information about the Mayan civilization, Tulum and the flora and fauna! She made the day smooth and pleasant. She takes great photos! We beat the crowds and the heat in Tulum; early pickup was very worth it! We were not able to snorkel due to weather, so she added a second cenote (our choice to add this or go back to the hotel early) which we really liked! We visited one underground and one open cenote and used the snorkel gear in both; you can really see better that way! Lunch was great at Juanita’s; traditional homemade Mexican food:) Driver was excellent and the van stays with you all day; your belongings are safe in there. Highly recommend!
Christine –
Couldn’t have asked for a better day!
What a great day with Absolute Adventure! Juan and Mauricio took care of every detail – and from start to finish it was perfect. Touring the ruins in Tulum early morning was the right choice. We avoided the crowds and felt as if we had the place pretty much to ourselves. Juan is not only very knowledgeable of Mayan culture, he is super entertaining and his level of attentiveness to our group of 3 was fantastic. The swim in the Cenote was beautiful and relaxing. We loved the lunch spot – delicious food and drinks. We saw several sea turtles, a sting ray and lots of fish snorkeling in Akumal. I highly recommend taking a private tour with Absolute Adventure. You will not be disappointed!
Passport12411954225 –
We did the Tulum, Cenote Snorkel and Sea Turtle Snorkel and were lucky enough to get Juan as our guide. He made us feel like we had a friend in Mexico that was showing us around for the day. Very knowledgeable about the Tulum site and Mayan/Aztec history and culture. Cenote and Turtle snorkel was very cool. Lunch was at a little “off the beaten path” open air restaurant run by locals that we would have never found on our own. Food was amazing and we got a chance to get to know Juan a bit more…he was a gem! Don’t miss this tour when in Riviera Maya and if you are lucky enough to get Juan…you won’t regret it!
Aine –
Photos from Tulum, Cenote, Turtles tour March 1, 2022. We were staying at a hotel in Playacar. Our guide, Juan, made the trip so fun and informative! Our driver, Josue, got us safely and conveniently to each stop and was always waiting with cold drinks and snacks. This was the first of two tours we took with Juan and Josue and they were the highlights of our time in Mexico! Follow the Absolute Adventures’s recomended pick up times for the best experience (before crowds and cooler in am)!
Brian –
Amazing experience! We were fortunate to have Claire (the owner) as our guide. We packed four terrific experiences in one day with her – ruins, cenote, Mexican lunch and snorkeling with the sea turtles. No waiting in lines – Claire did everything for us. A wonderful private luxury van with a driver who dropped us off steps from each experience. Claire brought us each a life jacket and snorkel gear and lots of beverages. Most of all she was fun, knowledgeable, genuine and so helpful.
Barbara –
Our daughter and her family took an Absolute Adventure tour last year and raved about them! She was right. This is one of the best day tours we have ever taken and we have been around the world.
Our tour guide was Manuel. He is amazing, fluent in English and French. While at Tulum he had numerous facts and pictures to share which made us feel like we understood life for the Mayans. Then we swam in the cenotes before going on to swim with the turtles. Throughout the tour, Manuel regaled us with descriptive stories and pictures. It was a magical day for all of us.
Isaac –
We had a great experience from the get go until the very end. Manuel was our tour guide, right from the start – he was on time, very kind and super funny. He was very knowledgable and made sure he addressed any question we may have. He was also very patient with us as we visited a couple of different places. I would 100% recommend Manuel to anyone who is looking for a private tour – he was so worth it and I would do more with him specifically. Thank you so much Manuel.
Jess –
The most amazing day with Juan our guide and Omar our driver–went to Tulum ruins, swam with turtles and saw sting rays and swam in a fresh water cenote–the best was cultivating a friendship with our new friend Jun–knowledgeable, personable, intuitive service best guide we’ve ever had in our global travels
Jo M. –
Highly recommend for a private tour. We went to the ruins, swam in a cenote and with turtles. Daniel our guide was amazing and knowledgeable. The communication was fabulous from booking, paying, pick up and drop off. Van was clean and they provided all the beer, water and soda you could drink. Relaxing, not rushed at all.
Madeline –
My partner and I had a fantastic tour with Manuel when we visited Cancun in February 2022. The Tulum ruins are incredible, and our guide provided a comprehensive overview of their history. The cenote (you have a choice between an open-air and cave cenote, and we chose the cave) was truly remarkable, and to be able to snorkel and look at the stalactites and stalagmites was really cool. The highlight for me was probably snorkeling with the sea turtles–we saw 5 turtles, plus a stingray, pufferfish, and many more sea creatures, and were able to get really close. My husband’s highlight was probably lunch–he was talking about the sambutes all day 🙂
Absolutely worth the extra cost to have a private tour–it made pickup from our hotel super simple (no driving around waiting for other tourists), and we were able to ask all the questions we wanted and get a really in depth experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone–couples, families or solo travelers! 10/10!
Andrea –
The best day! From pick up to drop off we had the most amazing time! Juan and Josue were so accommodating and FUN! The ruins with Juan were gorgeous and he was so knowledgeable. The cave cenote was incredible followed by a great Mexican lunch complete with swings and and sombreros! Next, swimming with the turtles in Akumel Bay was spectacular! Juan is the best photographer ( thanks to his sisters ☺️) and we are so grateful he was our guide for the day! We will be back for sure!
Lindsay –
Juan (aka JJ) was amazing!! He was very knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, was patient, helpful, and absolutely hilarious!! We had the best time doing this private tour.. it was perfect for both of our families! We saw 3 amazing places, had a lovely lunch, and we’re back to our hotel before dinner. Just perfect! Highly recommend this tour and JJ as your guide!
Dorothy –
we had the best tour guide ever on our trip. Her name was Dulce and she made the whole experience so great. She was just so sweet and had all these little fun facts that made everything more interesting. You could tell she really loved her job too because she was always so attentive to us and knew everything about the area. The whole family had an amazing time, especially the kids – they’re still talking about all the cool things we saw and did. We really need to thank Dulce for giving us such an awesome adventure!
Alex B –
Great Experience. Highly Recommend.
A great experience all around. Would highly recommend this tour as a way to get in multiple experiences. We arrived at the ruins early so they were not crowded. The ruins are very interesting and have some fantastic views. While snorkeling we saw fish, a sting ray and a sea turtle. The turtle swam very close to us and we were able to watch it swim and eat for a while. While we didn’t see a lot of turtles, I thought that part of the experience was still worth it because of how great the view of the one we did see was. The cenote was beautiful and very relaxing. It was not too crowded and at times we had the whole cenote to ourselves. We went to Nicte Ha.
Our guide, Juan, was great. He cares a lot about your experience on the trip. He was very knowledgeable about Mayans and nature. Just chatting with Juan in the van and at lunch was honestly one of the best parts of the tour.
Shannon –
Had an amazing time with JJ (Juan) and Rodrigo!! Our family of 8 (2 kids, 13 and 11 years old) did the Tulum/Cenote snorkel/Turtles at Akumal and the Coba/Punta Laguna tours. We would highly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico, the tours and traveling with JJ and Rodrigo.
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