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!
We did our booking after reading comments on tripadvirsor and went to the Tulum, snorkel in a Cenote and with sea turtles. On the day, we met Arthuro and Misael at our hotel lobby. They were incredibly patient and fun! Arturo helped us learn and feel comfortable with snorkeling. He was knowledgeable and made this day amazingly interesting. Misael took care of the van and made sure our bags were safe while we were enjoying activities. Thank you for this unforgettable day. I am glad to share the word and recommend this agency.
We booked an awesome day trip with Claire where we went on private guided tour of the Tulum ruins and snorkeled in a cenote and with turtles! We were a group of 4 adults visiting Mexico for the first time with no snorkeling experience. Claire was incredible patient and super prepared with all the gear (wetsuits too!), even brought along umbrellas which were helpful when it started to rain during the ruins. We were one of the first people entering into Tulum which allowed for us to take some awesome pictures. During the snorkeling, my mother had some issues snorkeling but Claire was patient and incredibly accommodating in assisting her so that she was able to enjoy the cenote and see turtles. She also took us to an delicious lunch at a Mayan restaurant and was super informative about the people/places we visited. Overall my family and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and will be looking to book our next excursion with Absolute Adventure when we return to Playa next year.
One of the best tours I have ever done. They picked us up right on time with a clean, air-conditioned van that was fully equipped with drinks (including beer!) and various varieties of chips. Marcel, our tour guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Also, the food at the restaurant we went to was AMAZING!! Probably better than the food at our 5 star all inclusive resort! The took us to Tulum first so we could beat the heat and the crowds. As we finished the tour, there was a huge line to get in so going there first was great! Then we went to the cenote which was beautiful.
This excursion was amazing & our guide Marcel was great. We got to see a cenote with underwater caves, snorkle with sea turtles, and see the amazing Tulum ruins. All of which exceeded what I expected. Also, to top in all off we had an authentic mexican/mayan lunch which was delicious, better than anything we had at the “upscale” all inclusive resort we were staying at.
My wife and I had the pleasure to spend an entire day of our June honeymoon with Chris from Absolute Adventure. We had a private, guided visit to the ruins at Tulum, a wonderful snorkling trip in a cenote, and close encounters with turtles and other sea life in the ocean, all in one tour! Chris was extemely competent, helpful and entertaining, and I’d highly recommend that anyone looking for some fun and adventure in the Yucatan should give him a call!
We booked the Tulum, Cenote and Turtle swim tour with this company based on Tripadvisor recommendations, so thanks to those who took time to write up their experiences. Claire was patient with us as snorkelling novices, and thanks to her knowledge, we were able to see 5 or 6 lovely turtles. Then followed what for me was the highlight of the trip- swimming in the Cenote. For most of the time, we were the only people there, and I can say that this was a very special privilege, to appreciate the tranquility and beauty of this place which is sacred to the Mayans. It was something we would never have experienced otherwise and Claire was experienced in leading us through the silent, clear water in a way which allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the place while respecting its fragility and without worrying about getting lost! In fact you cannot visit this Cenote without a guide. As other reviewers have said, the meal in the jungle and Tulum were also great. I enjoyed learning a bit about Mexico and the history of the Mayans over lunch from Claire, who is a great source of knowedge and takes her tour guiding very seriously. All in all, highly recommended to anyone who appreciates something special and thanks to Claire for making it a memorable day for myself and two grown up children.
We went to Tulum, Akumal and a cenotes. Visiting Tulum in the morning a must do! We arrived at the opening and it was awesome as we got the ruins for ourselves. No one was on site, we have great pictures! Then both cenote and turtle snorkeling were amazing. Our group had a very pleasant day, it was so worth it!
We went to Tulum, cenotes and Akumal with Absolute Adventure Mexico. Visiting Tulum in the morning is a must do, we were there before large groups and had a amazing lightning to take pictures! Swimming in the cave was spectacular and our guide Claire explained us everything about the cenote. Finally we went to Akumal to snorkel with sea turtles. We saw 6 of them from very close, it was fantastic! Thanks Claire for this day.
My wife Sharon and I book an adventure with Absolute Adventures Mexico. We opted for the Telum, cenotes and turtles.I can say enough about Chris’s professionalism and dedication to o making sure our day was perfect . From the start to then end it was a fantastic day!!!
We had a wonderful private tour including Tulum, snorkelling with turtles and in a quiet cenote. Our guide Arturo was fantastic. We would highly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico. Top notch service, and great value.
The tour was absolutely wonderful! It couldn’t have been better. I really appreciated arriving at the ruins at the opening of the site. We had the place for oursleves and our guide was so knowledgeble ! The snorkeling experience went super well too, with the guide giving lots of information and advices. I felt safe with the driver, he took care of our belonging in the van while we were away. I would highly recommend this small but incredible travel agency!
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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.
Amanda –
Hector & Pascal were amazing. We did the tour that included Tulum, Cenote and Akumal Turtle excursion. It was the best excursion that we’ve been on. Hector was very knowledgeable and great with our smaller children. Loved that it was a private tour and didn’t have to wait on others, all
pictures were included, drinks and meal included, snorkeling equipment and so much more.
Such a great value.
5 star experience and would recommend to anyone looking for a great excursion.
Tania –
We did this tour with my husband. We had a blast and can’t recommend enough this company and Juan our guide!
Alberta72 –
All are very nice, accommodating and very responsive to all of my queries.
They took excellent care of my families .We re very satisfied with their services and will recommend them to all who are planning for a tour in Playa del Carmen.
Elie –
Me and my partner had the most amazing time with our guide Claire. It was a fantastic day visiting the Tulum ruins, cenotes and snorkelling with the turtles. Claire was amazing, very knowledgable and so friendly. Our day with absolute adventure was the highlight of our whole two week holiday, if we ever come back to Mexico we will be making sure to book more trips with you guys! Again thank you for an amazing day with memories we will never forget
Kyle F –
hector our tour guide was awesome. had lots of knowledge, real friendly and took great care of us! his company is lucky to have him, and you will to if you get him as your guide.
we did the inclosed cenote was amazing . a whole day of just wow…
Thia –
Amazing private tour – Manuel took us to Tulum, the Nicte-ha cenote, and swimming with sea turtles off Akumal. Took our slower pace into account and allowed us to do everything we wanted without ever feeling rushed or crowded. 10 out of 10.
Jaycee –
We spent the whole day with Manuel (our tour guide), who is also AMAZING, visiting the Tulum Ruins, Cenote and Akumal Bay where we swam with the sea turtles.
This private tour was nothing short of perfection, all three locations we visited were just breathtaking. Manuel, we will see you next year! We can’t wait!! – Jaycee & Rob
Laurie –
Our tour guide was the best. He made our private family tour fun and interesting. He was patient with us (there are 8 people in our family) and understanding of our needs. I would highly recommend this particular tour!
Paul1962 –
Haven’t been traveling for quite a while… Lucky to have chosen this tour. It is very good value for money and we avoided all tourist crowds.
Daniel –
We did our booking after reading comments on tripadvirsor and went to the Tulum, snorkel in a Cenote and with sea turtles. On the day, we met Arthuro and Misael at our hotel lobby. They were incredibly patient and fun! Arturo helped us learn and feel comfortable with snorkeling. He was knowledgeable and made this day amazingly interesting. Misael took care of the van and made sure our bags were safe while we were enjoying activities. Thank you for this unforgettable day. I am glad to share the word and recommend this agency.
Angela –
We booked an awesome day trip with Claire where we went on private guided tour of the Tulum ruins and snorkeled in a cenote and with turtles! We were a group of 4 adults visiting Mexico for the first time with no snorkeling experience. Claire was incredible patient and super prepared with all the gear (wetsuits too!), even brought along umbrellas which were helpful when it started to rain during the ruins. We were one of the first people entering into Tulum which allowed for us to take some awesome pictures. During the snorkeling, my mother had some issues snorkeling but Claire was patient and incredibly accommodating in assisting her so that she was able to enjoy the cenote and see turtles. She also took us to an delicious lunch at a Mayan restaurant and was super informative about the people/places we visited. Overall my family and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and will be looking to book our next excursion with Absolute Adventure when we return to Playa next year.
Jennifer –
One of the best tours I have ever done. They picked us up right on time with a clean, air-conditioned van that was fully equipped with drinks (including beer!) and various varieties of chips. Marcel, our tour guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Also, the food at the restaurant we went to was AMAZING!! Probably better than the food at our 5 star all inclusive resort! The took us to Tulum first so we could beat the heat and the crowds. As we finished the tour, there was a huge line to get in so going there first was great! Then we went to the cenote which was beautiful.
Eli –
This excursion was amazing & our guide Marcel was great. We got to see a cenote with underwater caves, snorkle with sea turtles, and see the amazing Tulum ruins. All of which exceeded what I expected. Also, to top in all off we had an authentic mexican/mayan lunch which was delicious, better than anything we had at the “upscale” all inclusive resort we were staying at.
Peter –
My wife and I had the pleasure to spend an entire day of our June honeymoon with Chris from Absolute Adventure. We had a private, guided visit to the ruins at Tulum, a wonderful snorkling trip in a cenote, and close encounters with turtles and other sea life in the ocean, all in one tour! Chris was extemely competent, helpful and entertaining, and I’d highly recommend that anyone looking for some fun and adventure in the Yucatan should give him a call!
Lindsay –
We booked the Tulum, Cenote and Turtle swim tour with this company based on Tripadvisor recommendations, so thanks to those who took time to write up their experiences. Claire was patient with us as snorkelling novices, and thanks to her knowledge, we were able to see 5 or 6 lovely turtles. Then followed what for me was the highlight of the trip- swimming in the Cenote. For most of the time, we were the only people there, and I can say that this was a very special privilege, to appreciate the tranquility and beauty of this place which is sacred to the Mayans. It was something we would never have experienced otherwise and Claire was experienced in leading us through the silent, clear water in a way which allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the place while respecting its fragility and without worrying about getting lost! In fact you cannot visit this Cenote without a guide. As other reviewers have said, the meal in the jungle and Tulum were also great. I enjoyed learning a bit about Mexico and the history of the Mayans over lunch from Claire, who is a great source of knowedge and takes her tour guiding very seriously. All in all, highly recommended to anyone who appreciates something special and thanks to Claire for making it a memorable day for myself and two grown up children.
Sam –
We went to Tulum, Akumal and a cenotes. Visiting Tulum in the morning a must do! We arrived at the opening and it was awesome as we got the ruins for ourselves. No one was on site, we have great pictures! Then both cenote and turtle snorkeling were amazing. Our group had a very pleasant day, it was so worth it!
Rufus –
We went to Tulum, cenotes and Akumal with Absolute Adventure Mexico. Visiting Tulum in the morning is a must do, we were there before large groups and had a amazing lightning to take pictures! Swimming in the cave was spectacular and our guide Claire explained us everything about the cenote. Finally we went to Akumal to snorkel with sea turtles. We saw 6 of them from very close, it was fantastic! Thanks Claire for this day.
Fred –
My wife Sharon and I book an adventure with Absolute Adventures Mexico. We opted for the Telum, cenotes and turtles.I can say enough about Chris’s professionalism and dedication to o making sure our day was perfect . From the start to then end it was a fantastic day!!!
Guy –
We had a wonderful private tour including Tulum, snorkelling with turtles and in a quiet cenote. Our guide Arturo was fantastic. We would highly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico. Top notch service, and great value.
Kelly –
The tour was absolutely wonderful! It couldn’t have been better. I really appreciated arriving at the ruins at the opening of the site. We had the place for oursleves and our guide was so knowledgeble ! The snorkeling experience went super well too, with the guide giving lots of information and advices. I felt safe with the driver, he took care of our belonging in the van while we were away. I would highly recommend this small but incredible travel agency!