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!
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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.
Ronda –
Great private tour
My sister and I chose the private tour to Tulum, cenote, lunch, and then a swim with turtles.
Juan was an absolute blast and a great guide. Juan was very knowledgeable about the ruins and very personal. He made us feel very comfortable and relaxed. Pasquale (driver) looked after our belongings and made us feel very safe.
A private tour is the way to go when doing an excursion as it can be exactly what you want it to be. We would definitely book again with Absolute Adventure.
Marla –
Highly recommend this tour and this tour company
This was a fabulous company to work with. Manuel was our guide and Ervin was our driver. We loved getting to Tulum before all the crowds. The cenote was perfect for our group and the lunch was amazing. We loved snorkeling at Akumal. We were able to see five sea turtles. Manuel was great as a guide and we loved having Ervin stay with our belongings in the van. When we return to this area, we would definitely use them again. We loved being the only ones in our group. Definitely worth the money!
Jeff –
Could not be happier with Hector! He has a great personality and definitely showed us a good time! He was very knowledgable so we learned ALOT!!! Thank you. Also Rodrigo was a great driver. Felt very safe with the both of them!
San –
It was an awesome tour and an amazing experience! Our tour guide Hector was great and had a lot of knowledge which he shared with us.
We were picked up early in the morning to be in Tulum before all the other tourists. After that, we were snorkeling in the Cenote and had lunch there. The last stop was Akumal were we snorkeled with seaturtles and stingrays.
We can totally recommend this private tour and would definitely book with Absolute Adventure again!
Jonathan Elterstein –
The easiest way to learn culture, nature and food. It was very nice to book this trip and going there with friend. Best tour we had in Playa del Carmen
Dan –
I went with a group of 6 friends to Tulum and we booked through Absolute Adventure Mexico a guided day at the ruins, cenote swimming, and snorkeling with sea turtles at Akumal Bay.
It was AMAZING. Our tour guide, HECTOR and driver RODRIGO, were so friendly, knowledgeable, funny, kind and super informative. The tour itself was a highlight of our trip, we started our at the ruins where we were driven after a pickup in a private van at our Air BNB. It was very educational, and Hector had a wealth of knowledge about the Maya and the history of Mexico.
We then proceeded to choose a Cenote that we wanted to visit at Dos Ojos, and we chose Nicte Ha, it was GORGEOUS. Beautiful experience and the snorkel gear was provided.
After the cenote Hector treated us to lunch at a local restaurant and it was arguably the best food we had on the trip! Delicious and homemade and the perfect fuel for a busy day.
We then headed over to the protected Akumal Bay where we swam with Sea Turtles and and saw so many different types of coral and fish. We saw probably 4 sea turtles in the wild and it was AMAZING. I will never forget that moment!
The excursion itself was worth every penny— the fees to the cenote and the bay and the ruins are all included in the price of the guide and excursion. Just remember to bring towels and bug spray!
We would gladly have hector and rodrigo on every tour if we could! They are amazing.
SERIOUSLY this company is amazing and great at communication and was a highlight of our trip! Book them!
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!