Category Riviera Maya Tours

Playa del Carmen · RIVIERA MAYA TOURS

The 15 Best Riviera Maya Tours and Day Trips

30 tours reviewed

The Riviera Maya runs from Puerto Morelos down to Tulum and almost all of it sits within an hour of Playa del Carmen. Below are the best Riviera Maya tours: reef and turtle swims at Akumal, cenote circuits inland, the big adventure parks, and the whale sharks that arrive in summer, priced and timed so you can build a week out of them.

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya - Parque de Cenotes Yax-Muul: what cenote swimming is actually like

1.Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,039 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Half-day snorkel for sea turtles at Akumal and swim in Yax-Muul cenote, with pickup, gear, and empanadas. From Cancun.

“First up, our guide, Luisa, was great, with fluent English (and German) and en route provided excellent commentary on what we could expect from both the snorkelling and the cenote. On arrival at Akumal, we were again fully briefed on how to use the snorkels and fitted with life jackets. We had been told that we couldn't - and indeed mustn't- take our phones but not to worry because the company had an excellent photographer, our own personal 'papparazzo'. There was then a slightly forced photoshoot on the beach. After that we boarded a little boat and were taken out to a point beyond the snorkelling area and jumped in.…”

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Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Half-Day Tour

Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Half-Day Tour - The Real-World Itinerary Flow, Stop by Stop

Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya

Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya - Meeting Point Near Puerto Juarez: The Easy Part If You Arrive Ready

3.Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 929 reviews · 6 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $199

Swim with whale sharks near Isla Contoy, then relax at Playa Norte with ceviche, snorkel gear, and hotel pickup from Cancun and Riviera Maya.

“What an amazing experience! Joaquin and the captains of the Picis were awesome! Joaquin was excellent on explaining what to expect and what to do when we arrived where the sharks were. He spoke 3 different languages so fluidly and kept everyone on the same page. I personally got very sea sick. The Captains and Joaquin knew exactly what to do to help me out and get me feeling better ASAP! We then stopped near Isla Mujeres for a brief snorkel. It was very cool to see all the different coral and fish just coexisting. We then had lunch and loaded back up to head back to the harbor. 5…”

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Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya

Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya - Getting to Puerto Xtabay, Then Out to Isla Mujeres

Camel Expedition and Beach Club In Riviera Maya

Camel Expedition and Beach Club In Riviera Maya - Jungle, dunes, and the value of a real guide

5.Camel Expedition and Beach Club In Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 777 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $144

Camel Expedition to Maroma Beach from Cancun. Jungle-and-dune camel ride, camel feeding, beach time, and small-group hotel transfers.

“Joe was amazing and super knowledgeable about the camels. It’s clear they really care for them beyond just making money off their labor. The ride is only about 30 mins but it doesn’t take long to appreciate the majesty of these creatures. The photo package is pretty expensive but it was easier to stomach when you learn more about them and how well they’re looked after.”

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Cancun & Riviera Maya: ATV, Zipline, & Cenote Combo Tour

Cancun & Riviera Maya: ATV, Zipline, & Cenote Combo Tour - Hotel pickup: expect a pickup window, not a precise minute

6.Cancun & Riviera Maya: ATV, Zipline, & Cenote Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 657 reviews · 4 hours · from $65

4-hour Cancun jungle combo: 4x4 ATV, 3 ziplines, 100% natural cenote, tacos, and tequila tasting with hotel pickup.

“I had an amazing time!!!! First time in Mexico, first time doing the excursion and will not be the last. I had Alan as a tour guide and when I say he was phenomenal from start to finish, I think we had the best guide hands down!!!!! Will be coming back and definitely recommend!!!”

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Riviera Maya Luxury Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Riviera Maya Luxury Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch and Drinks - Inah Reef Snorkeling: Coral, Fish, and the Reality of Time in the Water

7.Riviera Maya Luxury Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 634 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $139

Luxury catamaran snorkeling at Inah Reef from Playa del Carmen, with paddleboarding, lunch, open bar, and hotel pickup.

“I’ve never had so much fun in a Catamaran before. The crew was so attentive and kind. Paola made sure everyone was safe during the snorkeling. I got so many breathtaking pictures. The lunch was the most delicious sandwiches I’ve ever had, maybe it was because I worked up an appetite, but drinks and food were so good. No regrets, all fun!”

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Riviera Maya: Coba & Chichen Itza Ruins with Cenote Swim

Riviera Maya: Coba & Chichen Itza Ruins with Cenote Swim - Cobá ruins in the jungle: walking, biking, and getting your bearings fast

8.Coba & Chichen Itza Ruins with Cenote Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 627 reviews · 12 hours · from $971

Early Cobá and Chichén Itzá plus a cenote swim, Valladolid stop, and guided small-group day trip from Riviera Maya.

“- it was great day with a lot of highlights - the setup was good, Coba in the early morning, lunch and swimmig and ending with the highlight Chichen Itza - the guid and driver (Eric and Pastor) did a great job by driving and explaining the places we visited and the Maya culture - I would recommend this tour to everybody who is interested in visiting 2 different Maya complexes”

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Selvatica Adventure Park: Ziplines and Cenote Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya

Selvatica Adventure Park: Ziplines and Cenote Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya - Price and value: what the $69 covers, and what can quietly add up

9.Selvatica Adventure Park: Ziplines and Cenote Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 570 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Selvatica near Cancun: 10 zip lines, Tarzania coaster, plus a private cenote swim and light lunch in about 3.5 hours.

“Hugo was the best guide ever. I highly recommended this excursion. Very organized and fun and safe. My family felt very welcome. The zip lines, cenote and events were perfect.”

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Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya

Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya - The whale-shark swim plan, 15 minutes at a time

10.Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 519 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $170

Swim beside whale sharks off Cancun, then snorkel and relax on Isla Mujeres. Breakfast, lunch, gear and transport included.

“So I didn’t get to go and it is mainly my fault. I actually chose this destination because I didn’t get to swim with the whole sharks at Mafia Island. My husband and I booked several tours while here. On the night before my whale shark tour I got a confirmation for pick up time at 745. I didn’t read it all the way aNd just assumed it was for the whale shark encounter. It was NOT! It was for an ATV tour I was to take 2 days later. While they did not send me a confirmation of pick up time, they waited for us and called us via…”

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Playa del Carmen: Riviera Maya Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim

Playa del Carmen: Riviera Maya Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim - The Traditional Ranch Stop and What Makes the Ride Memorable

11.Riviera Maya Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 496 reviews · 3 hours · from $105

Drive 4WD jungle trails in Playa del Carmen, then swim and snorkel in a sacred cenote sinkhole with small groups and hotel pickup.

“The guide was so nice and helpful. The ride was super funny and exciting without feeling rushed or dangerous. The cenote. What can I say! A rawer emptier cenote in comparison to some pictures I see where tourists have overtaken nature. I absolutely loved it.”

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3 Hour Xpu-Ha – 51′ Sea Ray Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya

3 Hour Xpu-Ha - 51' Sea Ray Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya - The Boat Vibe: Deck Time, Your Music, and a Crew That Knows the Routine

12.3 Hour Xpu-Ha – 51′ Sea Ray Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 489 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $1,049

Private 3-hour Sea Ray to Xpuha with cocktails, unlimited bar, and a big lunch, plus paddle boards, from Playa del Carmen.

“The crew and the food were amazing. We took 9 adults and one 11 year old. The staff catered to us and were incredibly friendly and hospitable. The waters were rough so we couldn’t go out to sea, but we used the paddle boards and snorkeled and had a blast. I would certainly recommend them time and time again.”

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Selvatica Park Ziplines, Cenote, and ATV Tour From Cancun and Riviera Maya

Selvatica Park Ziplines, Cenote, and ATV Tour From Cancun and Riviera Maya - Check-in at Selvatica, then the safety talk you will use

4 Hour – 47′ Azimut, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya

4 Hour - 47' Azimut, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya - Paddle Boards Plus Snorkel Time: How to Pace Your Water Enjoyment

Riviera Maya: Sian Ka’an Reserve Ancient Maya Canals Tour

Riviera Maya: Sian Ka'an Reserve Ancient Maya Canals Tour - Breakfast at the palapa, then into the canal systems

15.Sian Ka’an Reserve Ancient Maya Canals Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 453 reviews · 8 hours · from $173

Float ancient Mayan canals in Sian Ka’an near Tulum, look for manatees and crocs, swim, and eat Mayan meals on a small group.

“Our guide Miguel was amazing! Very knowledgeable, passionate and open to any questions. We were lucky to have seen a crocodile and a group of manatees. Pickup went good and was right on time. The included breakfast and lunch was very nice as well.”

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