Tulum Ruins, Cenote, Turtle Swim

After the ride down from Cancun, a guide leads a roughly two hour walk through the Tulum archaeological site, with temples, walls and views over the Caribbean.

Overview

This full day out from Cancun packs three very different experiences into one bus trip: the ancient Maya city of Tulum, a swim in the open Mariposa cenote at Canamayte Eco Park, and a guided snorkel at Akumal Beach with the sea turtles there. Pickup comes from hotels in Cancun and Puerto Morelos, or from a designated meeting point for stays such as Airbnb rentals or accommodations with restricted street access.

From there it is a short hop to Canamayte for a buffet lunch and time in the water. The final leg is Akumal, where the snorkel session with turtles, coral and tropical fish lasts about an hour before the return transfer.

Transport, a guide, the Tulum guided walk, cenote entry, the Akumal snorkel tour, lunch, lockers, life jackets and two bottles of water are all in the price. Park and government fees at Tulum, Parque del Jaguar and the cenote park are not, and are collected when boarding the bus. The tour runs in Spanish and English, and suits travellers who want ruins, swimming and wildlife in a single long day.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel PickupPickup from hotels in Cancun and Puerto Morelos, or from a designated meeting point for some accommodation types.
2. Drive To TulumAir-conditioned bus ride of 1.5 hours to Tulum.
3. Tulum Guided TourA 2 hour guided walk through the archaeological site, with entry fees paid separately.
4. Transfer To CanamayteA 30 minute bus ride to the eco park.
5. Cenote And LunchBuffet lunch, free time and swimming for 2 hours at the Mariposa cenote.
6. Transfer To AkumalA 45 minute drive to Akumal Beach.
7. Akumal SnorkelingA 1 hour guided snorkel with turtles, coral and fish. Extra fees apply for this stop.
8. Return And Drop-offBus back to Cancun and Puerto Morelos with drop-off at the pickup points.

What To Expect From The Tour

A ten hour day in tropical heat with three stops, so a little preparation goes a long way.

• Pace and stamina. One reviewer notes the tour lasts all day and can therefore be very tiring, so go in expecting a full schedule. There is walking at Tulum, swimming twice, and several bus transfers between stops.
• What to bring. The listing recommends swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen (regular sunscreen is prohibited in the bay) and a reusable water bottle. Plastic bottles are banned inside the Tulum site, so the reusable bottle matters. Two water bottles are provided.
• Layer for the bus. One reviewer found the air conditioning on the bus very cold and suggested a sweatshirt. A light layer is a safe bet for the transfers.
• Snorkel basics. One inexperienced snorkeller wished there had been more instruction on using the snorkel. If it is a first time, it helps to ask the guide for a quick primer before getting in the water.
• Lunch and drinks. Drinks with lunch are not included, so budget for those.
• Photography limits. Drones, tripods and large bags are not allowed, per the listing. Lockers are provided for anything you cannot carry.

Common issues. The biggest cost surprise is the entry and government fees, which are excluded: 40 USD per adult and 25 USD per child for the Tulum site, Parque del Jaguar and the cenote park, collected when boarding. Mexican visitors with an INE ID pay reduced fees. The day runs about ten hours in heat, which one reviewer describes as tiring, and the tour goes ahead rain or shine. One reviewer also mentioned the lunch timing felt late in the day. Pickup times differ from the activity start time, so travellers need to be ready at the confirmed pickup time.

Common Questions