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.
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.
Read full review on Trip Advisor
kelly –
Wonderful day trip! Our guide, Claire, was fantastic and made the day enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Michelle –
Awesome tour company. We did the Tulum cenote, ruins and sea turtle tour. Booking was seamless online and our tour guide and driver was super professional, on time and made the whole day fun. Highly recommend!
Ari –
We had a fantastic time on the tour with Daniel. Tulum was beautiful and we had the ruins basically all to ourselves at opening. Daniel was very knowledgeable of the history and answered all of the questions that we had. After the sight seeing in the ruins, swimming and chilling at Nicte-Ha Cenote was just what we needed. Nitce-Ha was our favorite part, as the crystal clear waters and surrounding jungle were beautiful and serene. Finishing the day-trip with seeing the turtles was just icing on the cake. Fantastic all around, highly recommend!
Allie H –
The Absolute Adventure Tulum/Cenote/Turtles tour was our favorite activity by far! Daniel was a excellent tour guide, attentive and knowledgeable, while Rodrigo provided the smoothest transportation between activities. They have it timed out so that nothing ever felt too crowded, and the pacing was perfect so that we didn’t feel rushed or bored. If I was returning to Cancun and could only pick one tour, this would be it.
Shelby –
We had an AMAZING time on our tour. Our guide Juan made the day so fun and he was very knowledgeable about the ruins and cenote. He truly made our experience. Our driver rodrigo was also fabulous. Would 100% recommend booking a tour with absolute adventure.
Annabeth –
We loved our tour! We visited Tulum ruins, Nicte Ha cenote, and snorkeled with a sea turtles. Dulce was our guide-she was very kind and helpful. She was knowledgeable about the area and easy to talk to or ask questions. A great value for a private tour! Will go again when we are back!
Amanda L –
My mom and I had a ton of fun while learning a lot in the process. Daniele was our guide, he did a great job answering any questions and being patient when we stopped to point out every iguana at the ruins. We got suuuuper lucky with snorkeling, the turtles were everywhere! The cenote was fun, we were able to choose from a few different options. We were in life jackets for the snorkeling and cenote visit, so no worries if your swimming skills aren’t a strength for you. Pascual was our driver, he did an excellent job dealing with traffic and having drinks/supplies at the ready.
Would definitely do a private tour through here again if/when we go back.
Megately –
We had such a great experience on our tour with Dulce. My husband and I were on our honeymoon. We booked with Absolute Adventures after being dissappointed by some of the free tours we did with our hotel. We wanted to find something to create really special memories. Absolute Adventures was the perfect find. We booked last minute and got to see Mayan Ruins, snorkel, and swim in the Cenotes. It was very unique and cool. On our snorkel, we saw a turtle, a lot of fish, and even a manta ray. I have done a lot of snorkeling but never saw so many diverse creatures.
The cenotes were also great. I had never done anything like this and Dulce was great about teaching us about them. After, we got to have a great lunch. Our driver was great and had driven all the way out to Cancun to get us. It was a very personalized tour unlike anything we’ve done and was worth the higher price for a private tour.
We also rented the waterproof camera. I recommend it!
Svetlana –
Perfect mix of all the sights if you are in the area for a short stay. Daniele and Pascual picked us up on time from the resort. The vehicle was clean and air conditioned. We also were provided with cold drinking water, soft drinks and beer (not a beer drinker, so can’t comment on the taste and quality). We got to Tulum around 9 am and were done with our tour by the time many-many tourists group started to arrive. Daniele told us about Mayan history in a short but very informative way so it was not boring or overwhelming. After we went to cenote, had lunch in a traditional Mexican restaurant and snorkeled with turtles. That was totally unforgettable experience. This tour is perfect for families with young kids! I want with 6 years old and she was not thrilled about Tulum ruins and also struggled with snorkeling. Daniele was extremely patient and flexible to adjust the tour to meet our needs. He also did whatever it takes to make sure my daughter got the full experience from the trip and saw the turtles. She only lasted about half an our out of an hour time that was allocated to snorkeling with the turtles, so Daniele offered to stay and play in the sand with her while I continued exploring underwater beauty. He did an awesome job! After taking many group tours I should say this tour worth every dollar spent! Even thought it was 7.5 hours tour it went by very fast and was not tiring.
Jennifer R –
The PRIVATE tour was absolutely amazing. We traveled with my husband, my 2 adult children 21 & 23, and their fiancés. (Total 6) Tulum before the hottest part of the day, very smart. We also added an additional Cenote for a small fee per person. This was the highlight of our entire trip! And, Danielle had us there before the large crowds. It was perfect! Jaguar was a blast, jumping from the cliffs and taking the zip line. 2 of the kids did it upside down! OMG! The water was crystal clear, and yes the little fish nibble. Not scary, just surprised. TAK BI HA! MY FAVORITE! I Just couldn’t believe Beauty like this really exists! Danielle knew where to take us and was really good at coaching us through tight areas. Safety first! Turtles were fun, our guide was very kind, just not a highlight for me, only because i have swam with turtles before where the water was more clear, and it wasn’t quite so limited. I understand their rules though because the water is not that deep and we tourists could really cause a problem with out them. All in all, highly recommend! Rodrigo our driver was an absolute sweetheart, and deserved huge props, as he waited with the van and our stuff at each stop, thank you Rodrigo for your silent service, it did not go un-noticed.
Andress –
My husband and I did the Tulum ruins, snorkeling, and cenote excursion during our honeymoon in Playa Del Carmen. We LOVED our excursion with Absolute Adventure Mexico! Our tour guide (Juan-Jose) and driver (Juan-Manuel) were AWESOME! Juan shared a lot of the history of the Mayan people as he took us through the ruins and kindly took pictures of us at the scenic views from the cliffs. The cenote was perfectly refreshing after the hike through the ruins. mendation! And not to mention how pretty it was. We then went to lunch which was super delicious, and headed to the beach for snorkeling afterwards. We went during the late summer and there was a lot of seaweed on some of the beaches so Juan recommended a different place to snorkel. We were able to snorkel with sea turtles and sting rays with no seaweed thanks to his recommendation. We had SO much fun getting to hang out with Juan-Jose all day and learn so much from him. He felt more like our friend than our tour guide! We would recommend booking an excursion with Absolute Adventures Mexico to any and everybody!!
Holly –
This tour is a must! After many “group” tours over the years, we decided to do a private tour so as to avoid long waits and travel times. Dulce was our guide and she was excellent! The cenote was our favorite part of the tour, but the whole tour was great and well planned. My 9 year old loved it all.
KMB –
What a wonderful laid back day we had with Dulce who took care of our every need and made us feel very comfortable while educating us on every site. My husband and I especially loved floating around Pet Cemetery cenote while taking underwater pictures with the flashlights Dulce provided us. Lunch near the cenote was another genuine Mexican treat! We will absolutely be back for another cenote adventure!!!!
Amelia –
The perfect tour and with an excellent guide! Highly recommend. Ask for tour guide Chris!