YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Yal Ku Lagoon and Cenote

13 tour reviews
PRIVATE TOUR: From beginners to experts! Book this private tour and snorkel in the most peaceful and beautiful places of the Riviera Maya! With a lunch at a local mayan restaurant in the jungle.
  • Exclusive Experience: Just you, your personal local guide, and driver!
  • Private Transportation: Convenient pick-up from your hotel or rental.
  • Snorkel in an exceptional location: Yal Ku Lagoon, filled with small fish and featuring a remarkable mangrove landscape where it meets the ocean.
  • Breathtaking Cenotes: Pick from open-air or cave options – You’ll love the adventure!
  • Snorkel with with Premium Gear: Full equipment is provided for the ultimate swimming experience.
  • 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…

Early bird discountBook 60+ days ahead and save 10%.

Multi-tour discountBook 2+ tours and save 10%.

Offers cannot be combined. Holiday exclusions apply. See terms and conditions.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The details of your private day.

Cenote and Yalku Lagoon Private Snorkeling Tour

 

  1. If snorkeling in the ocean is a little intense for your skill set, try out our Yal Ku tour including a stop at a cenote. This Cenote Yal Ku lagoon tour is perfect for individuals that are new to snorkeling and those who have experience in the pastime.

  2. Yal Ku Lagoon is a protected area allowing its swimmers to experience all of the benefits of snorkeling in Mexico without the stress of waves. One unique aspect of Yal Ku is its majestic mangrove landscape. The opening from the lagoon to the ocean allows for a mixture of fresh water and salt water. You will be able to get a glimpse of beautiful marine life with a lot of small colorful small fishes. The mangrove landscape of the area is something you will not want to miss.

  3. After snorkeling at the lagoon, we will reach the jungle to discover one of the wonders of the Yucatan peninsula, a cenote. Swimming in the calm and clear waters of a cenote will make you live a very special experience.

  4. We provide all snorkeling equipment and qualitative equipment! We do not want you to have to worry about anything, but having a stress-free, relaxing time in one of the most beautiful locations in Mexico. Our private transportation service will pick you up from the doorway of your hotel, and your guide will be with you all day. We do not want you to go hungry while on our watch, so this tour will also include a stop at a local Mexican restaurant.

  5. If you want to experience snorkeling in Mexico no matter your skill level, Yal Ku Lagoon and cenote is the tour for you!

  6.  

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
  • All entrance fees
  • High quality snorkeling gear (fins, 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
  • Tips

General info

Private Tour:
Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
Duration:
 5-6 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.
What’s on the menu?
Selection of quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, grilled chicken, grilled fish, tortas (sandwiches), soup of day, … with vegetarian, fish, shrimp, chicken & meat options. With corn or flour tortillas. We can accommodate special diets and allergies, just let us know!

Itinerary options

Times at each stop are estimates. Driving and your exact pickup location affect the schedule.

Yal-Ku Lagoon and Cenote

  1. Yal-Ku Lagoon — 75 min
  2. Cenote snorkel — 60 min
  3. Lunch at Restaurante Juanita — 40 min

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.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at Yal-Ku and the cenote, moving at your own pace.
Want a faster tour? Free time can be reduced or skipped; your guide can adjust the pace on the day of the tour.

What to bring

  • Beach Towels
  • Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
  • 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*
  • Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)

FROM OUR GUESTS

A day worth remembering.

5.00/5 · 13 tour reviews

Showing reviews 1–9 of 13

Amazing tour, amazing views, and an amazing tour guide! Amazing experience! Snorkeling in the Yal Ku Lagoon was such an incredible time and the Tak bi Ha cenote was UNREAL! Arturo was a great tour guide, showing us so many unique aspects of the places we went. Absolutely recommend.

Casey · May 2025

We booked a snorkeling tour at Yal Ku Lagoon and a tour of the Taak bi Ha cenote while staying at an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Morelos — we are a family of five from New England. This tour was without question the highlight of our trip. Joshua was an incredible guide and Rodrigo was a great driver. This tour exceeded our expectations. We found…

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We booked a snorkeling tour at Yal Ku Lagoon and a tour of the Taak bi Ha cenote while staying at an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Morelos — we are a family of five from New England.
This tour was without question the highlight of our trip. Joshua was an incredible guide and Rodrigo was a great driver. This tour exceeded our expectations. We found Yal Ku snorkeling to be really nice. The water is shallow and clear with interesting rock formations, so you can really see the fish well. We saw tons of striking tropical fish. It’s also nice and calm which was great for us as we had our 3 kids (ages 9, 7, and 2) with us for the tour.
The cenote was also incredible. My wife has toured several caves in Southeast Asia and found this one to be exceptional.
Basically, Joshua and Rodrigo were great company. It was really nice having a safe place to leave our belongings for each stop. Lunch was in an unforgettable setting. We definitely learned more as a result of Joshua’s knowledge. And they provided a nicely stocked cooler of beverages for us as well.
I highly recommend this tour and we are very pleased with our decision to book it.

Luke · May 2025

Our first tour was so good we booked another! Our first tour was to the Tulum ruins. Josh was a fabulous guide—extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Our party of 8 (including 4 teenagers) had so much fun that we booked another tour a few days later to swim with turtles, snorkel in a lagoon, and swim in a cenote. Josh was our guide. It was literally…

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Our first tour was so good we booked another!
Our first tour was to the Tulum ruins. Josh was a fabulous guide—extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Our party of 8 (including 4 teenagers) had so much fun that we booked another tour a few days later to swim with turtles, snorkel in a lagoon, and swim in a cenote. Josh was our guide. It was literally one of the best experiences of my life. Thanks so much Absolute Adventure Mexico!

MirandA · Dec 2024

Amazing private excursion to Akumal, Yal Ku and Cenontes! Excellent trip and service! My family had previously went on a private tour of the Mayan ruins at Tulum with Absolute Adventures and had a great time. Their tour guide Joshua, who was amazing, recommended the private tour to snorkel Akumal and see the turtles and also a lagoon snorkel and cenotes. I didn't see this…

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Amazing private excursion to Akumal, Yal Ku and Cenontes!
Excellent trip and service! My family had previously went on a private tour of the Mayan ruins at Tulum with Absolute Adventures and had a great time. Their tour guide Joshua, who was amazing, recommended the private tour to snorkel Akumal and see the turtles and also a lagoon snorkel and cenotes. I didn't see this exact tour on the website, so I reached out to Absolute Adventures and they were able to quickly put it together for us and we even had Joshua again as our guide, which was amazing. He was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. They took care of everything for us, so all we had to do was enjoy the experience. I would recommend using Absolute Adventures for any excursions while in the Mayan Riviera area and if you are lucky enough to get Joshua as your guide, it will be even more enjoyable!

BKLIERZ · Dec 2024

Fabulous all the way around. Website and coordination of booking our excursion and communicating with them was excellent. Right on time with excellent quality of transportation and equipment. Juan was our guide and he was impressive! He learned all our names and took wonderful care in our safety, comfort, and creating a memorable and magical excursion. 5 Star all the way around.

Amy · Aug 2024

10/10 Tour Experience!! We visited 2 cenotes with Juan and both he and our driver, Omar, were wonderful! Juan had lots of great information to share about the animals/nature we were seeing and was patient in teaching my 5 year old how to snorkel. We enjoyed a great lunch after. This was by far a highlight of our trip to the Mayan Riviera!!! Thank you…

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10/10 Tour Experience!!
We visited 2 cenotes with Juan and both he and our driver, Omar, were wonderful! Juan had lots of great information to share about the animals/nature we were seeing and was patient in teaching my 5 year old how to snorkel. We enjoyed a great lunch after. This was by far a highlight of our trip to the Mayan Riviera!!! Thank you Juan & Omar!!

Ali · Mar 2024

Great private tour with a helpful and knowledgeable tour guide. Had a great time snorkeling in the lagoon. They made sure we got there first before the large groups arrived and we finished as the crowds were arriving. Juan snorkeled with us pointing out some things but giving us freedom to explore reasonably on our own. The lagoon is beautiful. The turtle swim netted four…

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Great private tour with a helpful and knowledgeable tour guide. Had a great time snorkeling in the lagoon. They made sure we got there first before the large groups arrived and we finished as the crowds were arriving. Juan snorkeled with us pointing out some things but giving us freedom to explore reasonably on our own. The lagoon is beautiful. The turtle swim netted four turtles, a stingray and some starfish. All amazing to see in their natural habitat.
The fact that it was private made it so much nicer and we enjoyed an truly delicious lunch before returning to our resort. Definitely recommend. And Juan, our tour guide, was excellent.

Keith · Sep 2023

Such an amazing experience! Our first private excursion couldn't have been any better. Josh was a fantastic tour guide with so much knowledge of the area. Would absolutely recommend and book again!

Emalee · May 2023

We had so much fun touring the cenote and snorkeling with Arturo! Rodrigo brought us to each place very safely as well. We saw so many fish and always felt so well taken care of. The cenote was the first one I ever saw and it’s beauty took my breath away! I’m so happy Arturo convinced us to jump in and to see the cave…

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We had so much fun touring the cenote and snorkeling with Arturo! Rodrigo brought us to each place very safely as well. We saw so many fish and always felt so well taken care of. The cenote was the first one I ever saw and it’s beauty took my breath away! I’m so happy Arturo convinced us to jump in and to see the cave even though it was a little chilly. Lunch was also delicious and I found vegan lunch options and drank from a coconut. We loved our experience with Absolute Adventure! Thank you Arturo and Rodrigo!

Ariel · Jan 2022

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Yalku Cenote 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 Yalku Cenote tour take?

Please check the full itinerary in the “Itinerary” tab for more details.

It typically lasts between 4 to 6 hours, depending on your hotel location and how much time you’d like to spend at each site. 

Pickup & transport

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!

Activities & facilities

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.

Is it easy to swim at Yal Ku Lagoon?

Yes, swimming at Yal Ku Lagoon is very easy—even for beginners and children. The lagoon features calm, shallow waters with almost no waves or currents, making it a safe and relaxing environment.

Thanks to its sheltered inlet, you can swim comfortably and snorkel without worrying about strong tides. Whether you're an experienced swimmer or just want to enjoy a peaceful dip, Yal Ku offers a gentle and enjoyable experience for everyone.

What can we see at Yal Ku Lagoon?

You can see colorful tropical fish, like sergent fish, parrotfish and angelfish... and unique rock formations.

The calm lagoon also has mangroves and is great for spotting birds like herons and pelicans.

Which cenote do we visit on this tour?

Choose Your Cenote: Open, Semi-Open, or Cave

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.

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 cenotes cold? Are they easy to access?

No, cenotes aren’t too cold—they stay at a refreshing 75–79°F (24–26°C) year-round, which is perfect for a swim.

Most cenotes have easy access with platforms and just a few steps to get in and out comfortably.

Do we have to wear wetsuits?

No, wetsuits are not mandatory. Only life vests are required for safety.

We do provide wetsuits if you would like extra comfort, especially if you find the water chilly. Wearing a wetsuit can also help you stay in the water longer without getting cold.

Are there showers or changing rooms at Yalku and at the cenotes?

Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas.

Planning & booking

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.

Be sure to bring the essentials: swimwear, a towel, and flip-flops/sandals.

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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Coupon terms & conditions

EARLY2MONTHS — 10% off
Book at least 60 days before your tour date.

MULTITOUR — 10% off
Book at least 2 tours in one transaction.

If part of a multi-tour booking is canceled and only one tour remains, the discount becomes void and the remaining balance will be adjusted.

Enter your coupon code at checkout.

Tour photos

MAKE IT YOUR DAY

Book with Confidence

Yal Ku Lagoon and Cenote

Choose your date, number of guests and pickup location to see your exact price.

Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.