Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles

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!

  • Exclusive Experience: Just you, your personal local guide, and driver!
  • Private Transportation: Convenient pick-up from your hotel or rental.
  • Escape the Crowds & Beat the Heat: Skip the lines & enjoy a relaxed, stress-free guided tour.
  • Breathtaking Cenotes! Pick from open-air or cave options – You’ll love the adventure!
  • Encounter Sea Turtles: Snorkel from shore in Akumal for an unforgettable aquatic journey!
  • Lunch in a One-of-a-Kind Jungle Spot: Mexican flavors await you!
  • Set Your Own Pace: Stay longer or move on, the choice is entirely yours.
  • All-Inclusive at the Best Price: Transport, guide, entrance fees, gear, lunch & more!

Scroll down for detailed info, inclusions and itinerary.

Early Bird 60 days 10% Off (*T&Cs) Coupon EARLY2MONTHS Copied!
Book 2 or more tours 10% Off (*T&Cs) Coupon MULTITOUR Copied!
Seamless Booking & Free Cancellation

 Book your tour now and if your plans happen to change, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours prior to the tour!

  • For larger groups, contact us.

    Extra fee may apply by location.

    • USD
      We don't operate from Cancun Playa Mujeres

    We advise 06:00am from your hotel.

    We advise 06:30am from your hotel.

    We advise 06:45am from your hotel.

    We advise 07:00am from your hotel.

    We advise 07:30 from your hotel.

    We advise 07:30am from your hotel.

    We advise 07:45am from your hotel.

    If you're unsure, you can choose the cenote with your guide the day of the tour. (click on Cenote name for description)

    (12oz cans e.g. Corona, Modelo, Tecate upon availability)

    • USD
Secure your tour with 20% deposit
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  • Description
  • Price Includes
  • General Info
  • Itinerary
  • What to Bring
  • Reviews

Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles Private 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.

A Day of Discovery of Mayan Heritage and Marine Wonders

1. Explore the Tulum Archaeological Site

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:
  • Personalized guided tour of the ruins
  • Stunning sea views from cliffside temples
  • Insight into Mayan culture and architecture

2. Refresh in a Stunning Cenote

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:
  • Cenotes for everyone: peaceful swims, snorkeling, cliff jumping, or cave exploration
  • Whether you’re adventurous or looking to relax, we’ve got you covered
  • Great for young kids, teens, adults, and older guests alike
  • Unique geological formations and refreshing natural beauty
  • A tranquil, sacred setting to unwind and reconnect with nature

3. Enjoy a Local Mexican Lunch

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.

4. Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal Bay

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:
  • Snorkeling with sea turtles in their natural habitat
  • Calm waters and great visibility most of the year
  • Full equipment and guidance included

 

Other Private Tours You May Like

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.

Price includes

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation (Booster car seat and baby car seat available on request)
  • Experienced certified private guide
  • Tulum ruins INAH entrance fee
  • Tulum ruins CONANP entrance fee
  • Tulum ruins JAGUAR PARK entrance fee (new tax mandatory since January 2025)
  • Cenote entrance fee
  • Akumal bay cooperative and CONANP fee
  • Snorkeling gear: mask, snorkel, wetsuits, life jackets
  • Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
  • Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte and one bottle of water

Price excludes

  • Extra drinks at the restaurant
  • Ruins: In case you bring a go pro camera, a video camera or a phone with a selfie stick, there is a 60 pesos (around 3USD) per device charged at the entrance of each archeological site, to be paid in pesos (INAH tax) – Drones and Tripods for video/cameras are forbidden.
  • Tips
  • Exclusive Private Tour: Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
  • Duration: 7/9 hours (check the itinerary tab, as it depends on your pick-up location)
  • Physicality: Easy
  • Age: All ages
  • Snorkeling: Basic swimming skills required. This excursion suits everyone from novices to experts.
  • Which cenote will you visit? The day of your tour, you can choose one cenote between Nicte HaTaak bi Ha, or Jaguar
    If you prefer to go to Dos Ojos or Pet Cemetery, we will add 10 USD per person on your balance. Your guide will be happy to help you to select the best cenote for you and your party according to your expectations and snorkeling skills.
  • Swim with turtles: Absolute Adventure is working with a local cooperative according to the Mexican law.(Consult Akumal Swim with Turtles regulation.)
    In the event of the port being closed by the authorities making swimming with the turtles unauthorized, the tour will be amended to the Tulum Cenote tour and the price adjusted according to the option chosen.
  • What's on the menu? Quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, fish, shrimp, chicken, soups, vegetarian and special diet options available.

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.

  • Resusable water bottle: at Tulum Ruins, it is forbidden to enter the ruins with plastic water bottles. If you wish to bring water for the visit, please bring your own reusable water bottle. We’ll have water in the van for you to fill or refill.
  • Beach Towels
  • Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
  • Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
  • Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and we recommend wearing a rash-guard/UV-Shirt for water activities*
  • Mosquito repellent*
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
  • Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone

 
* 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!

384 reviews for Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles

  1. Michaela W.

    Our party if seven did the private tour visiting the Tulum ruins, Cenote, and Snorkling with Turtles and had a great time. We chose the Taak Bi Ha cenote and it was absolutely amazing!!! Thank you to our tour guide, Alex, who made sure we had a wonderful day!

  2. Jen

    This is THE tour
    Our group of 9 (2 families with adult children) had an amazing day with Juan (aka JJ) on a private tour that included the Mayan Ruins, Cenote Taak Bi Ha, lunch at Juanita’s and snorkeling with sea turtles. Juan is a warm, knowledgeable, funny and interesting person which makes him a great tour guide. There were plenty of cold drinks. Getting to the Ruins early was key (based on the CROWDS entering as we were leaving) as we had the place practically to ourselves. We trusted Juan to choose the cenote and no one was disappointed. Again, there was hardly anyone there & we had ample time to explore. Lunch was delicious and satisfying. To end the day, we saw at least 8 sea turtles. Also, the driver was great. I highly recommend this tour with Juan!

  3. T.N.

    We booked the Tulum-Cenote-Turtles tour with Absolute Adventure and Juan was our guide again. The pick up went as smoothly as the first tour. Like Chichan Itza, we were among the first inside Tulum and got some great photos. Since we had just learned much of the history of the Mayans on our last tour, we could be more leisurely touring Tulum and ask more questions. We got a lot of great photos with no one else in them.

    After Tulum, we went to Cenote Taak Bi Ha. When we got to the cenote, they had to turn on the lights because we were the first to arrive. It is one of the cave Cenotes so there were a lot of interesting formations. After about 20 minutes or so, a large group showed up, but by then we had plenty of photos. Juan knew the other tour guide, so he found out that the large group was planning go to the same restaurant that we planned to when they finished. He made sure we got there first and got our orders in before the large group arrived. Another great restaurant choice. Next stop was the turtles. The weather had been windy, so they just reopened in time to be able to go into the water. The water was kind of cloudy because of the weather, but there were still a couple of turtles. The van was ready and cooled down for us every time and there was always plenty of cold water. This was another great tour experience.

  4. Joshua

    Book it now!
    My family and I have been having a terrible time in Mexico! Today we went on an excursion and it was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Our driver was Enrique! Super nice, man of few words. Alex was our tour guide, and he redeemed Mexico for us! He is so smart! If you are interested in knowing the culture in Mexico, he’ll know it. You have to ask for them if you have a tour. I promise you, they’ll make sure you have a good experience. The ruins are great…with the guide. Otherwise, you don’t really know what you’re looking at. The cenote was beautiful and “refreshing”. We saw lots of fish through clear, still water. The sea turtles were everywhere! I will say, if it’s really windy, the water is choppy and makes it a little more difficult to see the turtles at times, but there were plenty of opportunities to see the sea turtles up close! Great experience.

  5. Tiffany

    Absolute the best experience of our lives. We were celebrating our 13 year wedding anniversary in cancun and this excursion was everything.
    Arturo was the best guide hands down. Made us feel welcome and very comfortable. Always keeping us in the loop and was very informative.
    Even had a blast ziplining and swimming in the cenote with our guide.
    Props to Omar the driver for being so amazing.
    The company as a whole has been very communicative and helped us every step of the way.
    I highly recommend them for your next excursion!
    Thank you!

  6. Rebecca

    My husband and I did two tours with Absolute Adventure Mexico. The booking and confirmation process was so easy, and great communication before our tours. Thank you to Juan and Omar (both of them!) for making our Tulum Ruins/Akumal Turtles and Punta Lagana/Coba tours such memorable parts of our honeymoon. Juan was so knowledgable about the sites and we learned so much about Mayan history and other tidbits of Mexican history along the way. It was easy to tell that Absolute Adventures and Juan have great relationships with the staff ay cultural sites and the community who run Punta Lagana. He also gave us some great bar and restaurant recommendations in Tulum. We had two Omars driving across the two days – both days the van was clean, comfortable and well air-conditioned (a must). We were offered cold drinks every time we got back to the van. 100% recommend booking the private tour with Absolute Adventure Mexico.

  7. Katie R

    While visiting Playa Del Carmen, my boyfriend and I really wanted to take a trip to the Tulum Ruins. I had come across this company and loved the idea of having a private tour guide. We decided to book Tulum ruins, visiting a cenote, lunch, and snorkeling with sea turtles.
    We were picked up promptly at 7am from our hotel. Alex was our guide and Rodrigo was our driver. We had about a 45 min drive to the ruins. Alex educated us the whole car ride there, and was so friendly and enthusiastic. We were basically the first ones into the ruins, and had the whole place to ourselves! It is just so stunning in person, and Alex walked us around giving us so much knowledge and history , as well as snapping many photos for us. I highly recommend this part of the tour!!
    We then decided to visit an underground cenote. Absolutely breathtaking and one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. Again, it was not crowded at all and we were able to jump in and cool off in the crystal clear fresh water!
    We then ate lunch at a local restaurant and had yummy tacos and drinks. There was also always cold water in the van for us and a couple sodas.
    We finished the day with snorkeling with turtles at Akumal beach which looked like a tropical scene out of a movie. Gorgeous!
    Overall, this tour was the highlight of our trip and we were so glad we ventured out of our hotel for the day to have this experience. I can’t thank Alex and Rodrigo enough. We would definitely book with them again and I highly recommend booking directly through them. Easy process and great communication! Thank you Absolute Adventure.

  8. Lindsay

    A fun and eventful day
    This was a great way to see multiple sights in one day! We got to the ruins early before the heat and crowds. We had just enough time to hear the history and see the sights before we were on to the next stop. The cenote was small and quant with only a few groups of people so we weren’t crowded. It was beautiful. I personally would’ve enjoyed a little more time here but we had to stay on schedule. Lunch at the Mayan restaurant was delicious! Snorkeling with the turtles and fishies was so fun. We got to see some coral too! All of our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. I’m bad with names so I think Arturo was our driver, Enrique was our guide, and maybe Mateo was our snorkeling guide. Thanks again for providing us with a fun and eventful day!

  9. Ahsley

    We had the private tour with Juan and our driver Enrique. It was a beautiful day at the ruins, an amazing experience at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, and saw lots of turtles and stingrays snorkeling. We were greeted on time, a lot of information shared at the sites, and felt unrushed for the day. The private tour is definitely the way to go, and it was fantastic to have the focused attention on our questions, and informative expert guide, and a safe place to leave our items for the water activities. Highly recommend.

  10. Shaun

    Incredible experience!
    We spent the day with Arturo, who was fantastic! The 8 passenger van arrived right on time and we were greeted with a smile. They were incredibly accommodating and considerate of any needs we had. Arturo was patient and informative as we toured the ruins in Tulum. Afterwards we made our way to a Cenote, we were lucky as there was not another person there. We have two small children (5 and 7) and Arturo was incredibly helpful and encouraging with them. We had an incredible lunch and wrapped the day swimming with turtles. We would highly recommend this group to guide you on any adventure. Thank you for making the day with our family so memorable!

  11. Terry

    Fun with Tulum, Cenote, and Turtles
    Arturo was amazing! Informative, great with kids and just fun and kind. Lunch was fantastic
    too! I would go again next visit.

  12. Rachel

    Do this tour!! We loved it!!
    We had a really wonderful day with Alex the guide and Omar the driver! We toured the Tulum ruins where Alex gave us many interesting details and was full of knowledge to share. We swam in an underground cenote which was beautiful!! We had a great lunch and finally, swam with sea turtles, sting rays, fish and a sea snake in the ocean. The entire time, Alex was attentive to our comfort and even let us stop for a breakfast snack since it had been too early at our hotel to eat before the tour. We loved the day!! Thank you Alex and Omar. Great work 👍👍

  13. Barry

    Just right mix of culture and adventure. The kids loved the cenote swim and the sea turtles, the adults loved it all. Excellent tour guide and driver.

  14. Melissa

    Wonderful, fantastic, amazing day
    Our guide was Arturo. We were a party of 4 (M17, M48, M47, F47) He was wonderful. At the Ruins he talked about the history. You can tell he loves the history. He kept us away from the big groups (they were obnoxious) we learned things others may not have. He took us to a Cenote and went in with us. Let us take our time. No part of this tour was rushed. We went to lunch at a place called Juanita. I have a food allergy and he was great about checking to see what I could have. I ate the club sandwich. Probably the best one I have ever had. What a cute quiet place. The last stop was the snorkeling with the turtles. Sadly this party he was not allowed to be our guide as someone from there had to be the guide. The turtle snorkel was busy and a LOT of ocean swimming. You really should be a good swimmer for this part. Life jackets were required for all water parts. In a while we LOVED this day. We would book tours with this company again!

  15. A7202HMlizc

    Highlight of our trip!
    This was the absolute highlight of our vacation, our guide Arturo was fantastic in every way: knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, accommodating and made us feel completely comfortable and safe the entire day. The early morning tour of the ruins was perfect with fewer crowds and lower temperatures. Swimming with the turtles was so fun and swimming in the cenote was a top 10 moment for me and my kids as well as our friends. I cannot recommend this enough!

  16. Derek

    Perfect tour, will book again
    Arturo was amazing will definitely try to book with him next time we are here. Informational so we learned a lot but not too much. He made sure to ask what kind of tour we wanted. He was super fun and the private tour was great. We got to go on our own timeline. Tulum was great, cenotes were beautiful and snorkeling with the turtles was amazing. We got to see stingrays too.

  17. Ashley_W

    Wonderful Day of Adventure. We had the private tour with Josh and our driver Enrique. It was a beautiful day at the ruins, an amazing experience at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, and saw lots of turtles and stingrays snorkeling. We were greeted on time, a lot of information shared at the sites, and felt unrushed for the day. The private tour is definitely the way to go, and it was fantastic to have the focused attention on our questions, and informative expert guide, and a safe place to leave our items for the water activities. Highly recommend.

  18. 367mk

    Perfect Private Tour with Artruo
    We had a perfect private tour with our guide, Arturo and driver, Omar. They arrived early for our 7AM pickup at our door and we got on the road. We arrived and Tulum and were the first people in! This fantastic historical site was all ours for most of the tour. Arturo was friendly and very knowledgeable. He was a great conversationalist throughout our tour, discussing architecture, history, and places he has visited. He showed us the best vantage points to view the ruins and great places to take photos.
    After Tulum, we swam with the turtles at Akumal. Arturo passed us off to an official guide who took us out snorkeling to see the turtles. He kept us safe and let us take our time. What a great experience!
    Next was lunch at a local restaurant which was delicious. We returned to our location in Playa del Carmen in the early afternoon and had the rest of the day to enjoy.
    All fees and lunch were included in the price. We were offered soda and water to enjoy during the trip.
    We felt our time was used well, there were no shopping stops nor any strong-arming to tip. (We took a big bus tour to Chichen Itza with another company and had a horrifically long day with wasted time shopping and lots of sales pitches.)
    Thank you for a great experience!

  19. Vicky

    Unforgettable experience. Our guide was professional, patient with all our kids and knowledgeable. We had a once in a life time experience!

  20. Tracey

    What an amazing experience! We did two tours the week we were in the area, and both were perfect–the best part of our trip in fact, according to my two kids. When we were booking our tours, the second one was sold out, but after emailing with the owner Claire, she immediately responded and opened a new slot for us. Her communication was so quick and direct. Our guide on both tours was Joshua, and he was just incredible. He made everything so easy for us. His knowledge of history and the Mayan ruins we saw (both Coba and Tulum) kept us all fascinated. He took us early to miss the crowds and took many pictures of our family together at every location… reminding us to get the photos even when we would forget, and suggesting the best spots for photos! Every piece of both tours was seamless. We swam and snorkeled in three different cenotes, with Joshua helping us choose ones that our family would enjoy and that would give us a mix of different experiences. We never felt rushed and were able to enjoy every part of the tours. Having a driver (Rodrigo and Josemar) who stayed with the van was very helpful, as we were able to bring everything we needed, but also safely leave valuables in the van while we did our activities. Joshua had everything we needed–all our tickets and entrance fees prepared in advance, equipment for the cenotes and snorkeling with turtles (different sized masks and snorkels to make sure we each had one that fit, life jackets, even a flashlight for the caves in the cenotes), and even recommendations for some delicious dishes at the restaurants for lunch. When he dropped us off for the snorkeling with turtles in Akumal Bay, he introduced us to our snorkel guide for that portion, and was there waiting for us with our towels and belongings right when we finished. He made everything seem so seamless and practically luxurious. And even better, he was such a joy to talk with and get to know a bit. He really seems to enjoy being a tour guide, which made our experience that much more enjoyable as well. Thank you Joshua, for two wonderful days that our family will never forget! You made us want to come back to explore more of Mexico as soon as we can. Or even move there, my daughter just added. We would 100% recommend you take a tour with Absolute Adventure Mexico!

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  • Price Includes
  • General Info
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  • Reviews

Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles Private 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.

A Day of Discovery of Mayan Heritage and Marine Wonders

1. Explore the Tulum Archaeological Site

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:
  • Personalized guided tour of the ruins
  • Stunning sea views from cliffside temples
  • Insight into Mayan culture and architecture

2. Refresh in a Stunning Cenote

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:
  • Cenotes for everyone: peaceful swims, snorkeling, cliff jumping, or cave exploration
  • Whether you’re adventurous or looking to relax, we’ve got you covered
  • Great for young kids, teens, adults, and older guests alike
  • Unique geological formations and refreshing natural beauty
  • A tranquil, sacred setting to unwind and reconnect with nature

3. Enjoy a Local Mexican Lunch

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.

4. Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal Bay

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:
  • Snorkeling with sea turtles in their natural habitat
  • Calm waters and great visibility most of the year
  • Full equipment and guidance included

 

Other Private Tours You May Like

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.

Price Includes & Excludes

Price includes

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation (Booster car seat and baby car seat available on request)
  • Experienced certified private guide
  • Tulum ruins INAH entrance fee
  • Tulum ruins CONANP entrance fee
  • Tulum ruins JAGUAR PARK entrance fee (new tax mandatory since January 2025)
  • Cenote entrance fee
  • Akumal bay cooperative and CONANP fee
  • Snorkeling gear: mask, snorkel, wetsuits, life jackets
  • Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
  • Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte and one bottle of water

Price excludes

  • Extra drinks at the restaurant
  • Ruins: In case you bring a go pro camera, a video camera or a phone with a selfie stick, there is a 60 pesos (around 3USD) per device charged at the entrance of each archeological site, to be paid in pesos (INAH tax) – Drones and Tripods for video/cameras are forbidden.
  • Tips

General Info

  • Exclusive Private Tour: Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
  • Duration: 7/9 hours (check the itinerary tab, as it depends on your pick-up location)
  • Physicality: Easy
  • Age: All ages
  • Snorkeling: Basic swimming skills required. This excursion suits everyone from novices to experts.
  • Which cenote will you visit? The day of your tour, you can choose one cenote between Nicte HaTaak bi Ha, or Jaguar
    If you prefer to go to Dos Ojos or Pet Cemetery, we will add 10 USD per person on your balance. Your guide will be happy to help you to select the best cenote for you and your party according to your expectations and snorkeling skills.
  • Swim with turtles: Absolute Adventure is working with a local cooperative according to the Mexican law.(Consult Akumal Swim with Turtles regulation.)
    In the event of the port being closed by the authorities making swimming with the turtles unauthorized, the tour will be amended to the Tulum Cenote tour and the price adjusted according to the option chosen.
  • What's on the menu? Quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, fish, shrimp, chicken, soups, vegetarian and special diet options available.

Itinerary

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.

What to Bring

  • Resusable water bottle: at Tulum Ruins, it is forbidden to enter the ruins with plastic water bottles. If you wish to bring water for the visit, please bring your own reusable water bottle. We’ll have water in the van for you to fill or refill.
  • Beach Towels
  • Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
  • Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
  • Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and we recommend wearing a rash-guard/UV-Shirt for water activities*
  • Mosquito repellent*
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
  • Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone

 
* 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!

384 reviews for Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles

  1. Michaela W.

    Our party if seven did the private tour visiting the Tulum ruins, Cenote, and Snorkling with Turtles and had a great time. We chose the Taak Bi Ha cenote and it was absolutely amazing!!! Thank you to our tour guide, Alex, who made sure we had a wonderful day!

  2. Jen

    This is THE tour
    Our group of 9 (2 families with adult children) had an amazing day with Juan (aka JJ) on a private tour that included the Mayan Ruins, Cenote Taak Bi Ha, lunch at Juanita’s and snorkeling with sea turtles. Juan is a warm, knowledgeable, funny and interesting person which makes him a great tour guide. There were plenty of cold drinks. Getting to the Ruins early was key (based on the CROWDS entering as we were leaving) as we had the place practically to ourselves. We trusted Juan to choose the cenote and no one was disappointed. Again, there was hardly anyone there & we had ample time to explore. Lunch was delicious and satisfying. To end the day, we saw at least 8 sea turtles. Also, the driver was great. I highly recommend this tour with Juan!

  3. T.N.

    We booked the Tulum-Cenote-Turtles tour with Absolute Adventure and Juan was our guide again. The pick up went as smoothly as the first tour. Like Chichan Itza, we were among the first inside Tulum and got some great photos. Since we had just learned much of the history of the Mayans on our last tour, we could be more leisurely touring Tulum and ask more questions. We got a lot of great photos with no one else in them.

    After Tulum, we went to Cenote Taak Bi Ha. When we got to the cenote, they had to turn on the lights because we were the first to arrive. It is one of the cave Cenotes so there were a lot of interesting formations. After about 20 minutes or so, a large group showed up, but by then we had plenty of photos. Juan knew the other tour guide, so he found out that the large group was planning go to the same restaurant that we planned to when they finished. He made sure we got there first and got our orders in before the large group arrived. Another great restaurant choice. Next stop was the turtles. The weather had been windy, so they just reopened in time to be able to go into the water. The water was kind of cloudy because of the weather, but there were still a couple of turtles. The van was ready and cooled down for us every time and there was always plenty of cold water. This was another great tour experience.

  4. Joshua

    Book it now!
    My family and I have been having a terrible time in Mexico! Today we went on an excursion and it was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Our driver was Enrique! Super nice, man of few words. Alex was our tour guide, and he redeemed Mexico for us! He is so smart! If you are interested in knowing the culture in Mexico, he’ll know it. You have to ask for them if you have a tour. I promise you, they’ll make sure you have a good experience. The ruins are great…with the guide. Otherwise, you don’t really know what you’re looking at. The cenote was beautiful and “refreshing”. We saw lots of fish through clear, still water. The sea turtles were everywhere! I will say, if it’s really windy, the water is choppy and makes it a little more difficult to see the turtles at times, but there were plenty of opportunities to see the sea turtles up close! Great experience.

  5. Tiffany

    Absolute the best experience of our lives. We were celebrating our 13 year wedding anniversary in cancun and this excursion was everything.
    Arturo was the best guide hands down. Made us feel welcome and very comfortable. Always keeping us in the loop and was very informative.
    Even had a blast ziplining and swimming in the cenote with our guide.
    Props to Omar the driver for being so amazing.
    The company as a whole has been very communicative and helped us every step of the way.
    I highly recommend them for your next excursion!
    Thank you!

  6. Rebecca

    My husband and I did two tours with Absolute Adventure Mexico. The booking and confirmation process was so easy, and great communication before our tours. Thank you to Juan and Omar (both of them!) for making our Tulum Ruins/Akumal Turtles and Punta Lagana/Coba tours such memorable parts of our honeymoon. Juan was so knowledgable about the sites and we learned so much about Mayan history and other tidbits of Mexican history along the way. It was easy to tell that Absolute Adventures and Juan have great relationships with the staff ay cultural sites and the community who run Punta Lagana. He also gave us some great bar and restaurant recommendations in Tulum. We had two Omars driving across the two days – both days the van was clean, comfortable and well air-conditioned (a must). We were offered cold drinks every time we got back to the van. 100% recommend booking the private tour with Absolute Adventure Mexico.

  7. Katie R

    While visiting Playa Del Carmen, my boyfriend and I really wanted to take a trip to the Tulum Ruins. I had come across this company and loved the idea of having a private tour guide. We decided to book Tulum ruins, visiting a cenote, lunch, and snorkeling with sea turtles.
    We were picked up promptly at 7am from our hotel. Alex was our guide and Rodrigo was our driver. We had about a 45 min drive to the ruins. Alex educated us the whole car ride there, and was so friendly and enthusiastic. We were basically the first ones into the ruins, and had the whole place to ourselves! It is just so stunning in person, and Alex walked us around giving us so much knowledge and history , as well as snapping many photos for us. I highly recommend this part of the tour!!
    We then decided to visit an underground cenote. Absolutely breathtaking and one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. Again, it was not crowded at all and we were able to jump in and cool off in the crystal clear fresh water!
    We then ate lunch at a local restaurant and had yummy tacos and drinks. There was also always cold water in the van for us and a couple sodas.
    We finished the day with snorkeling with turtles at Akumal beach which looked like a tropical scene out of a movie. Gorgeous!
    Overall, this tour was the highlight of our trip and we were so glad we ventured out of our hotel for the day to have this experience. I can’t thank Alex and Rodrigo enough. We would definitely book with them again and I highly recommend booking directly through them. Easy process and great communication! Thank you Absolute Adventure.

  8. Lindsay

    A fun and eventful day
    This was a great way to see multiple sights in one day! We got to the ruins early before the heat and crowds. We had just enough time to hear the history and see the sights before we were on to the next stop. The cenote was small and quant with only a few groups of people so we weren’t crowded. It was beautiful. I personally would’ve enjoyed a little more time here but we had to stay on schedule. Lunch at the Mayan restaurant was delicious! Snorkeling with the turtles and fishies was so fun. We got to see some coral too! All of our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. I’m bad with names so I think Arturo was our driver, Enrique was our guide, and maybe Mateo was our snorkeling guide. Thanks again for providing us with a fun and eventful day!

  9. Ahsley

    We had the private tour with Juan and our driver Enrique. It was a beautiful day at the ruins, an amazing experience at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, and saw lots of turtles and stingrays snorkeling. We were greeted on time, a lot of information shared at the sites, and felt unrushed for the day. The private tour is definitely the way to go, and it was fantastic to have the focused attention on our questions, and informative expert guide, and a safe place to leave our items for the water activities. Highly recommend.

  10. Shaun

    Incredible experience!
    We spent the day with Arturo, who was fantastic! The 8 passenger van arrived right on time and we were greeted with a smile. They were incredibly accommodating and considerate of any needs we had. Arturo was patient and informative as we toured the ruins in Tulum. Afterwards we made our way to a Cenote, we were lucky as there was not another person there. We have two small children (5 and 7) and Arturo was incredibly helpful and encouraging with them. We had an incredible lunch and wrapped the day swimming with turtles. We would highly recommend this group to guide you on any adventure. Thank you for making the day with our family so memorable!

  11. Terry

    Fun with Tulum, Cenote, and Turtles
    Arturo was amazing! Informative, great with kids and just fun and kind. Lunch was fantastic
    too! I would go again next visit.

  12. Rachel

    Do this tour!! We loved it!!
    We had a really wonderful day with Alex the guide and Omar the driver! We toured the Tulum ruins where Alex gave us many interesting details and was full of knowledge to share. We swam in an underground cenote which was beautiful!! We had a great lunch and finally, swam with sea turtles, sting rays, fish and a sea snake in the ocean. The entire time, Alex was attentive to our comfort and even let us stop for a breakfast snack since it had been too early at our hotel to eat before the tour. We loved the day!! Thank you Alex and Omar. Great work 👍👍

  13. Barry

    Just right mix of culture and adventure. The kids loved the cenote swim and the sea turtles, the adults loved it all. Excellent tour guide and driver.

  14. Melissa

    Wonderful, fantastic, amazing day
    Our guide was Arturo. We were a party of 4 (M17, M48, M47, F47) He was wonderful. At the Ruins he talked about the history. You can tell he loves the history. He kept us away from the big groups (they were obnoxious) we learned things others may not have. He took us to a Cenote and went in with us. Let us take our time. No part of this tour was rushed. We went to lunch at a place called Juanita. I have a food allergy and he was great about checking to see what I could have. I ate the club sandwich. Probably the best one I have ever had. What a cute quiet place. The last stop was the snorkeling with the turtles. Sadly this party he was not allowed to be our guide as someone from there had to be the guide. The turtle snorkel was busy and a LOT of ocean swimming. You really should be a good swimmer for this part. Life jackets were required for all water parts. In a while we LOVED this day. We would book tours with this company again!

  15. A7202HMlizc

    Highlight of our trip!
    This was the absolute highlight of our vacation, our guide Arturo was fantastic in every way: knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, accommodating and made us feel completely comfortable and safe the entire day. The early morning tour of the ruins was perfect with fewer crowds and lower temperatures. Swimming with the turtles was so fun and swimming in the cenote was a top 10 moment for me and my kids as well as our friends. I cannot recommend this enough!

  16. Derek

    Perfect tour, will book again
    Arturo was amazing will definitely try to book with him next time we are here. Informational so we learned a lot but not too much. He made sure to ask what kind of tour we wanted. He was super fun and the private tour was great. We got to go on our own timeline. Tulum was great, cenotes were beautiful and snorkeling with the turtles was amazing. We got to see stingrays too.

  17. Ashley_W

    Wonderful Day of Adventure. We had the private tour with Josh and our driver Enrique. It was a beautiful day at the ruins, an amazing experience at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, and saw lots of turtles and stingrays snorkeling. We were greeted on time, a lot of information shared at the sites, and felt unrushed for the day. The private tour is definitely the way to go, and it was fantastic to have the focused attention on our questions, and informative expert guide, and a safe place to leave our items for the water activities. Highly recommend.

  18. 367mk

    Perfect Private Tour with Artruo
    We had a perfect private tour with our guide, Arturo and driver, Omar. They arrived early for our 7AM pickup at our door and we got on the road. We arrived and Tulum and were the first people in! This fantastic historical site was all ours for most of the tour. Arturo was friendly and very knowledgeable. He was a great conversationalist throughout our tour, discussing architecture, history, and places he has visited. He showed us the best vantage points to view the ruins and great places to take photos.
    After Tulum, we swam with the turtles at Akumal. Arturo passed us off to an official guide who took us out snorkeling to see the turtles. He kept us safe and let us take our time. What a great experience!
    Next was lunch at a local restaurant which was delicious. We returned to our location in Playa del Carmen in the early afternoon and had the rest of the day to enjoy.
    All fees and lunch were included in the price. We were offered soda and water to enjoy during the trip.
    We felt our time was used well, there were no shopping stops nor any strong-arming to tip. (We took a big bus tour to Chichen Itza with another company and had a horrifically long day with wasted time shopping and lots of sales pitches.)
    Thank you for a great experience!

  19. Vicky

    Unforgettable experience. Our guide was professional, patient with all our kids and knowledgeable. We had a once in a life time experience!

  20. Tracey

    What an amazing experience! We did two tours the week we were in the area, and both were perfect–the best part of our trip in fact, according to my two kids. When we were booking our tours, the second one was sold out, but after emailing with the owner Claire, she immediately responded and opened a new slot for us. Her communication was so quick and direct. Our guide on both tours was Joshua, and he was just incredible. He made everything so easy for us. His knowledge of history and the Mayan ruins we saw (both Coba and Tulum) kept us all fascinated. He took us early to miss the crowds and took many pictures of our family together at every location… reminding us to get the photos even when we would forget, and suggesting the best spots for photos! Every piece of both tours was seamless. We swam and snorkeled in three different cenotes, with Joshua helping us choose ones that our family would enjoy and that would give us a mix of different experiences. We never felt rushed and were able to enjoy every part of the tours. Having a driver (Rodrigo and Josemar) who stayed with the van was very helpful, as we were able to bring everything we needed, but also safely leave valuables in the van while we did our activities. Joshua had everything we needed–all our tickets and entrance fees prepared in advance, equipment for the cenotes and snorkeling with turtles (different sized masks and snorkels to make sure we each had one that fit, life jackets, even a flashlight for the caves in the cenotes), and even recommendations for some delicious dishes at the restaurants for lunch. When he dropped us off for the snorkeling with turtles in Akumal Bay, he introduced us to our snorkel guide for that portion, and was there waiting for us with our towels and belongings right when we finished. He made everything seem so seamless and practically luxurious. And even better, he was such a joy to talk with and get to know a bit. He really seems to enjoy being a tour guide, which made our experience that much more enjoyable as well. Thank you Joshua, for two wonderful days that our family will never forget! You made us want to come back to explore more of Mexico as soon as we can. Or even move there, my daughter just added. We would 100% recommend you take a tour with Absolute Adventure Mexico!

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FAQ Tulum Cenote Turtles Private Tour

Is the Tulum Ruins tour private or shared?
This is a private tour, just for you and your group.

You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.

Is the driver also the guide?
No. The driver and guide are two different professionals. All our tours include a dedicated driver and a separate certified guide.  While some companies offer a guide-driver, we believe this is not safe. Having a driver focused solely on the road and a guide fully dedicated to our guests ensures a safer and higher-quality experience.
How long does a private Tulum tour take?
Please check the full itinerary in the “Itinerary” tab for more details.

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. 

Is transportation included from my hotel or Airbnb?

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.

What vehicles do you use for your tours?
We offer a range of modern, air-conditioned vans to suit the size of your group and ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Visit our fleet page for more details.
Can I change the pick up time?

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!

How much walking is there at the Tulum ruins?

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.

Can we spend some time at Tulum beach during the tour?

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.

Is snorkeling experience required for this tour?

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.

Which cenote do we visit on this tour?

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.

Are turtle sightings guaranteed in Akumal?

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.

What type of boat is used to swim with the turtles?

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.

Are there showers or changing rooms at the cenote or at Akumal beach?

Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas at both locations.

What should I bring for the tour? Where can I leave my belongings?
Check the "What to bring" tab on the tour page for the full packing list.

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.

Are vegetarian or special dietary meals available?

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.

What is the cancellation policy?
Go ahead and plan with confidence—your booking is fully flexible!

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.

More questions?

Visit our main FAQ page or contact us by email, WhatsApp or via chat, we're happy to help!

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