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.
- 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:
- Tulum & Cenote Private Tour: Explore Tulum ruins and swim in a magical cenote in half a day.
- Chichen Itza & Cenote Private Tour: Discover one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and dive into a sacred cenote.
- Coba & Cenote Tour: Explore jungle ruins and swim in a hidden freshwater cave.
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 entrance fees (INAH + CONANP + JAGUAR) with pre-purchased tickets for direct entry
- Optional electric shuttle from the parking area to the ruins entrance (750 m / 0.5 mile), for guests who prefer not to walk
- 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 Ha, Taak 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!
391 reviews for Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles
You must be logged in to post a review.
- 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:
- Tulum & Cenote Private Tour: Explore Tulum ruins and swim in a magical cenote in half a day.
- Chichen Itza & Cenote Private Tour: Discover one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and dive into a sacred cenote.
- Coba & Cenote Tour: Explore jungle ruins and swim in a hidden freshwater cave.
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 entrance fees (INAH + CONANP + JAGUAR) with pre-purchased tickets for direct entry
- Optional electric shuttle from the parking area to the ruins entrance (750 m / 0.5 mile), for guests who prefer not to walk
- 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 Ha, Taak 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!
391 reviews for Tulum ruins, Snorkeling in Cenote and with Turtles
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Rated 5 out of 5
Kelly –
Best tour in the area! Highly recommend!
We loved everything about this tour! The tour is perfectly organized. We skipped the crowds for the ruins, practically had a private cenote swim, and had a personal guide help locate the hungry turtles. Each segment allowed an adequate amount of time to enjoy and explore. Joshua was a superb tour guide – knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Transportation and lunch was top notch as well! Highly recommend 🙂 -
Rated 5 out of 5
Christina_B –
It was an amazing day and our guide Joshua was excellent! He was friendly and knowledgable and really made the day! The trip to the ruins was a learning experience. The cenote was super cool (we did the cave one). Lunch at the local restaurant was delicious. Of course my favorite part was swimming with sea turtles at Akumal! We saw 4 different turtles, a stingray and lots of fish. The transportation was comfortable and super convenient picking us up right at our hotel. Overall it was a five star day, and I would highly recommend it!
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Rated 5 out of 5
Sharon –
Excellent Tour Experience!!
A tour to remember! Our guide, Arturo, was fantastic! He was very informative and entertaining during our tour of Telum and gave us many choices for our cenote experience. We had an authentic lunch and then swam with the turtles. Arturo and our driver made this experience special and memorable! -
Rated 5 out of 5
April –
This trip was amazing!! The guide we had was very informative and answered our questions we had. He went above and beyond to make our trip memorable for us all. I would recommend this company and our tour guide to anyone that wants to see turtles, ruins or cenotes. I have to say it was all amazing but the cenote was probably one of my favorite stops on the tour. Its a must see!!
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Rated 5 out of 5
Candice –
We went to the ruins, swimming in a cenote, lunch and swimming with sea turtles. Alex the guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. The whole tour was at our place, and we enjoyed each thing we did. Lunch was at a fabulous local restaurant. Omar the driver was a conscientious driver and got us where we needed to go. Would highly recommend this tour and Alex and Omar
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Rated 5 out of 5
Megan –
Arturo made the private tour truly engaging and enlightening. A must for anyone visiting Tulum!
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Rated 5 out of 5
Kathy –
Excellent Trip! We are all laid-back family from Alaska and had an absolutely incredible time. Alex was a friendly and talented guide with excellent and fluent English, and had really extensive knowledge of Mayan history; he was able to answer all of the questions that we had on this expedition and overall made for a great time. Gregorio was a safe and fantastic driver. 10/10 recommend if you are looking for more information about the history of this area and want a more personable experience.
It was also great to have a van and someone to watch our things for us while we went exploring at the various locations. Highlight of our first trip to Mexico. -
Rated 5 out of 5
Meg –
Joshua was a phenomenal tour guide. He was informative, kind, and funny! He kept our group of 7 engaged and safe the entire day. If we return to this area, we will absolutely book another tour with him!
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Rated 5 out of 5
Christel –
What a wonderful day! We were picked up at 7:30 am by our guide Alex and driver Enrique and what a wonderful day we had. It felt good from the first moment. The ruins of Tulum were made extra special by Alex through all his stories. They were also constantly there to guide us during our trip to a cenote and snorkeling in Akumal. All very sincere and super friendly! Highly recommended!
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Rated 5 out of 5
Daniel –
We spent a full day excursion exploring the Tulum ruins, Jaguar Cenote, and swimming with sea turtles at Akumal. Rodrigo was our driver and Joshua was our guide. We had a perfect day of fun and adventure. Joshua had so much information to share. Both were great with an our group of 7 including 3 kiddos. If we come back to the area, we will definitely book with Absolute Adventure again.
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Rated 5 out of 5
Dylan –
Great tour day with AAM
We have done lots of tours while traveling, and Alex and Rodrigo were some of the best tour guides we have had. Prompt, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The Tulum, cenote, and turtle tour packs in a lot of activity (including lunch) so involves some logistics, and everything was very smooth. Would use them again in a heartbeat. -
Rated 5 out of 5
John –
Claire was responsive. Alex was incredible. Loved every part of our day. Could not recommend more. 100% happy.
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Rated 5 out of 5
Cathy –
Great day! Very pleased with this tour
We chose the private tour of the Tulum ruins, our choice of cenote and snorkeling with sea turtles. Arturo and Omar picked us up right on time and we arrived at the Tulum ruins before the crowds (8am). Arturo was extremely knowledgable and explained so many things on the tour. We really learned quite a bit.
After that, Arturo explained the three cenotes to choose from. We decided to go to Cenote Jajuar with ziplining and cliff jumping. We were pretty much the only people there so that was really nice. Arturo never hurried us along-he made it clear we could stay as long as we wanted.
We had a very nice lunch at a local restaraunt and then headed to snorkel with the seat turtles. Once inside, Arturo set us up with a guide to take us out into the water. Very fun and unique experience-we were able to see several sea turtles with the help of the guide.
Overall, a great day with an extremely knowledgable, easy going guide who let us go at our own pace and a friendly driver who made getting in and out of places convenient and easy! Highly recommend! -
Rated 5 out of 5
Cari –
Amazing sights and an equally amazing guide.
Private tour of the Mayan ruins, snorkeling in a cenote and snorkeling
with turtles (and lunch at a wonderful local restaurant-Juanita’s).
Our guide (Alex) was absolutely top-notch. He was pleasant, engaging, knowledgeable- and every other guide we passed by elicited that Alex was the best- and our group agree 100%. Highly recommended . -
Rated 5 out of 5
Monica & Greg –
Absolutely Amazing
Our Absolute Adventure excursion was SO amazing – and definitely the highlight of our trip! Tulum was breathtaking and snorkeling in Cenote Taak Bi Ha was such an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Joshua, was fantastic, and we would absolutely request him again if given the opportunity. He was so knowledgeable and engaging in his retelling of history, and he was happy to answer our many, many questions – about Tulum, the cenotes, and life in Mexico. From Monica & Greg -
Rated 5 out of 5
Josh –
This company provided a hassle free and extremely enjoyable experience. We chose the day trip in Tulum which included a morning tour through the Mayan ruins, snorkeling in a cenote (choice of three options), lunch, and swimming with sea turtles in Akumal. The guide (Josh) and driver (Carlos) were friendly, professional, and informative. We did not feel rushed through any experience and appreciated the planning/timing of the day. This was a fantastic experience.
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Rated 5 out of 5
David –
Arturo was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer evey question we had. Highly recommend 👌
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Rated 5 out of 5
Shannon –
Juan was our guide and Omar our driver. This was exactly what we hoped to achieve with day traveling from Playa to Tulum. Juan was an incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide and we made fast friends. Take this tour you will not be disappointed! Loved how eco minded this operator was!
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Rated 5 out of 5
Rana –
Our family had a fantastic day visiting the Mayan Ruins, a cenote, lunch and swimming with
turtles. Our guide Joshua was very knowledgeable and fun to be around, he really made the
whole experience a great one. I would highly recommend this tour to any one! -
Rated 5 out of 5
Rob –
Fabulous day at Tulum, then snorkelling in the Cave Cenotes, lunch in a great local restaurant and finally swimming with Turtles at Akumal. Joshua was a brilliant guide, super friendly and really knowledgeable and well well supported by our friendly driver Omar. Couldn’t recommend the trip highly enough..
You must be logged in to post a review.
FAQ Tulum Cenote Turtles Private Tour
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.
















Kelly –
Best tour in the area! Highly recommend!
We loved everything about this tour! The tour is perfectly organized. We skipped the crowds for the ruins, practically had a private cenote swim, and had a personal guide help locate the hungry turtles. Each segment allowed an adequate amount of time to enjoy and explore. Joshua was a superb tour guide – knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Transportation and lunch was top notch as well! Highly recommend 🙂
Christina_B –
It was an amazing day and our guide Joshua was excellent! He was friendly and knowledgable and really made the day! The trip to the ruins was a learning experience. The cenote was super cool (we did the cave one). Lunch at the local restaurant was delicious. Of course my favorite part was swimming with sea turtles at Akumal! We saw 4 different turtles, a stingray and lots of fish. The transportation was comfortable and super convenient picking us up right at our hotel. Overall it was a five star day, and I would highly recommend it!
Sharon –
Excellent Tour Experience!!
A tour to remember! Our guide, Arturo, was fantastic! He was very informative and entertaining during our tour of Telum and gave us many choices for our cenote experience. We had an authentic lunch and then swam with the turtles. Arturo and our driver made this experience special and memorable!
April –
This trip was amazing!! The guide we had was very informative and answered our questions we had. He went above and beyond to make our trip memorable for us all. I would recommend this company and our tour guide to anyone that wants to see turtles, ruins or cenotes. I have to say it was all amazing but the cenote was probably one of my favorite stops on the tour. Its a must see!!
Candice –
We went to the ruins, swimming in a cenote, lunch and swimming with sea turtles. Alex the guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. The whole tour was at our place, and we enjoyed each thing we did. Lunch was at a fabulous local restaurant. Omar the driver was a conscientious driver and got us where we needed to go. Would highly recommend this tour and Alex and Omar
Megan –
Arturo made the private tour truly engaging and enlightening. A must for anyone visiting Tulum!
Kathy –
Excellent Trip! We are all laid-back family from Alaska and had an absolutely incredible time. Alex was a friendly and talented guide with excellent and fluent English, and had really extensive knowledge of Mayan history; he was able to answer all of the questions that we had on this expedition and overall made for a great time. Gregorio was a safe and fantastic driver. 10/10 recommend if you are looking for more information about the history of this area and want a more personable experience.
It was also great to have a van and someone to watch our things for us while we went exploring at the various locations. Highlight of our first trip to Mexico.
Meg –
Joshua was a phenomenal tour guide. He was informative, kind, and funny! He kept our group of 7 engaged and safe the entire day. If we return to this area, we will absolutely book another tour with him!
Christel –
What a wonderful day! We were picked up at 7:30 am by our guide Alex and driver Enrique and what a wonderful day we had. It felt good from the first moment. The ruins of Tulum were made extra special by Alex through all his stories. They were also constantly there to guide us during our trip to a cenote and snorkeling in Akumal. All very sincere and super friendly! Highly recommended!
Daniel –
We spent a full day excursion exploring the Tulum ruins, Jaguar Cenote, and swimming with sea turtles at Akumal. Rodrigo was our driver and Joshua was our guide. We had a perfect day of fun and adventure. Joshua had so much information to share. Both were great with an our group of 7 including 3 kiddos. If we come back to the area, we will definitely book with Absolute Adventure again.
Dylan –
Great tour day with AAM
We have done lots of tours while traveling, and Alex and Rodrigo were some of the best tour guides we have had. Prompt, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The Tulum, cenote, and turtle tour packs in a lot of activity (including lunch) so involves some logistics, and everything was very smooth. Would use them again in a heartbeat.
John –
Claire was responsive. Alex was incredible. Loved every part of our day. Could not recommend more. 100% happy.
Cathy –
Great day! Very pleased with this tour
We chose the private tour of the Tulum ruins, our choice of cenote and snorkeling with sea turtles. Arturo and Omar picked us up right on time and we arrived at the Tulum ruins before the crowds (8am). Arturo was extremely knowledgable and explained so many things on the tour. We really learned quite a bit.
After that, Arturo explained the three cenotes to choose from. We decided to go to Cenote Jajuar with ziplining and cliff jumping. We were pretty much the only people there so that was really nice. Arturo never hurried us along-he made it clear we could stay as long as we wanted.
We had a very nice lunch at a local restaraunt and then headed to snorkel with the seat turtles. Once inside, Arturo set us up with a guide to take us out into the water. Very fun and unique experience-we were able to see several sea turtles with the help of the guide.
Overall, a great day with an extremely knowledgable, easy going guide who let us go at our own pace and a friendly driver who made getting in and out of places convenient and easy! Highly recommend!
Cari –
Amazing sights and an equally amazing guide.
Private tour of the Mayan ruins, snorkeling in a cenote and snorkeling
with turtles (and lunch at a wonderful local restaurant-Juanita’s).
Our guide (Alex) was absolutely top-notch. He was pleasant, engaging, knowledgeable- and every other guide we passed by elicited that Alex was the best- and our group agree 100%. Highly recommended .
Monica & Greg –
Absolutely Amazing
Our Absolute Adventure excursion was SO amazing – and definitely the highlight of our trip! Tulum was breathtaking and snorkeling in Cenote Taak Bi Ha was such an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Joshua, was fantastic, and we would absolutely request him again if given the opportunity. He was so knowledgeable and engaging in his retelling of history, and he was happy to answer our many, many questions – about Tulum, the cenotes, and life in Mexico. From Monica & Greg
Josh –
This company provided a hassle free and extremely enjoyable experience. We chose the day trip in Tulum which included a morning tour through the Mayan ruins, snorkeling in a cenote (choice of three options), lunch, and swimming with sea turtles in Akumal. The guide (Josh) and driver (Carlos) were friendly, professional, and informative. We did not feel rushed through any experience and appreciated the planning/timing of the day. This was a fantastic experience.
David –
Arturo was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer evey question we had. Highly recommend 👌
Shannon –
Juan was our guide and Omar our driver. This was exactly what we hoped to achieve with day traveling from Playa to Tulum. Juan was an incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide and we made fast friends. Take this tour you will not be disappointed! Loved how eco minded this operator was!
Rana –
Our family had a fantastic day visiting the Mayan Ruins, a cenote, lunch and swimming with
turtles. Our guide Joshua was very knowledgeable and fun to be around, he really made the
whole experience a great one. I would highly recommend this tour to any one!
Rob –
Fabulous day at Tulum, then snorkelling in the Cave Cenotes, lunch in a great local restaurant and finally swimming with Turtles at Akumal. Joshua was a brilliant guide, super friendly and really knowledgeable and well well supported by our friendly driver Omar. Couldn’t recommend the trip highly enough..