Category Riviera Maya Day Trips

Mexico · RIVIERA MAYA DAY TRIPS

Riviera Maya Day Trips: The 15 Best

28 tours

Everything on this coast hangs off one road, from Puerto Morelos down to Tulum, and nearly every day trip starts somewhere on it. Ruins, cenotes, reef and the big parks are all here, 15 of them, with pickup times, what is included beyond transport, and which ones suit families.

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

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya - Stop 1 at Akumal: Snorkeling for Turtles and Reef Life

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

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

Half-day Akumal snorkeling with sea turtles and a freshwater cenote swim at Yax-Muul, with pickup and snacks included.

“The experience was exactly what we needed. Perfect weather, crystal clear water. We saw everything we wanted without obstacles or murky water. The tour guide Ruben and our photographer Max were splendid. The Cenote was beautiful and clear water, the empanadas were delicious and the tequila shot with a cricket was a new cultural experience but we did it. Best humored tour guides we ever had. Definitely coming back to do this again.”

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

Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Half-Day Tour - Price and fees: what $42 really covers

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 992 reviews · 6 hours · from $42Best price here

Tulum ruins by the sea and two cenote swims, Mariposa and Chen-Ha, with hotel pickup and guided history in 6 hours.

“So so fantastic!! Angel was a wonderful tour guide, he’s friendly and approachable and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour to anyone! 10/10, no notes. They are organized and safe and personable. FYI the sun at the ruins is INTENSE. There is not much shade and you can’t bring disposable water bottles in. Make sure you bring enough cold water in reusable bottles!! Bring fans, hats, cooking towels, whatever you’ve got. Someone in our group got heat sickness. Totally not the tour’s fault, they did everything they could’ve. Just be prepared!! TLDR: Tour is wonderful! Sun is hot! BRING REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES!!!”

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

Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya - Isla Contoy National Park and the whale shark swim routine

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 on a small-group Cancun tour with Isla Contoy snorkeling, Playa Norte lunch, and hotel pickup.

“We got so lucky! Nature CANNOT be controlled, but wow, Mother Nature showed up for us. According to the captain there were 20-30 whales that day. And we had an incredible experience. We had 2 dives of over 2 minutes each, and that was perfect. We rented wet suits that allowed us to swim better (highly recommend, since the whales can move quick). Diego (tour guide), Pepe (captain) and Pablo (sailor) were amazing. The ride can be a bit uncomfortable, but it has to be done. On our way there we saw dolphins, flying fish, turtles and rays. To anyone booking, please know that the team CANNOT control nature, you…”

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Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya

Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya - Puerto Xtabay Marina Briefing: The Part That Makes the Swim Make Sense

4.Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 916 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Small-group whale shark snorkel from Cancun with hotel pickup, biologist-style guidance, Isla Mujeres lunch, and mineral-sunscreen rules.

“We are a family of 5 and have done a lot of excursions and this one is at the top of the list! We had an amazing time and swam with so many breathtaking whale sharks. It was something I have always wanted to do and it did not disappoint! We were lucky to be able to swim twice with these beautiful sharks. Yes, you are only in the water for a few minutes but take in the beauty and try to enjoy each second. It is something out of a dream and I was lucky enough to swim right beside them in their natural habitat which is so incredible.…”

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Camel Expedition and Beach Club In Riviera Maya

Camel Expedition and Beach Club In Riviera Maya - The jungle ride and sand dunes stop, what happens on the camel

5.Camel Expedition and Beach Club In Riviera Maya

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

Camel ride through jungle and dunes to Maroma Beach, with hotel pickup in Cancun and Riviera Maya and small groups.

“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 - Safety Briefing And Gear Rules You’ll Actually Want To Know

Riviera Maya Luxury Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Riviera Maya Luxury Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch and Drinks - Entering the water at Inah Reef (and managing expectations)

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, hotel pickup, and an open bar.

“Beautiful boat..very clean. Transportation to Cancun from Playa was right on time. Organized getting us onboard. Boat staff was friendly. Not 5 stars for a couple of reasons: there were families with young kids and music being played was explicit; floating mat was older and worn and did not float above the water once u laid on it; sandwiches were good but there was nothing else offered..chips, pretzels or other snack would have been a nice add. Reset action calls out ‘Life Jackets’. Only waist belts were offered so I didn’t feel secure to snorkel..also, water was rough and distance the snorkelers were taken from the boat was way to…”

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Riviera Maya: Coba & Chichen Itza Ruins with Cenote Swim

Riviera Maya: Coba & Chichen Itza Ruins with Cenote Swim - Cobá Archaeological Zone: jungle ruins, viewpoints, and how to use your 1 hour well

8.Riviera Maya: Coba & Chichen Itza Ruins with Cenote Swim

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

Cobá, Chichén Itzá, and a cenote swim in one long day, with an expert guide, early timing, and real Mayan context.

“This trip was outstanding. Manuel, our tour guide, and Humberto, the driver, were the perfect duo to lead the experience. Their professionalism, friendliness, and deep knowledge made the day truly memorable. One of the biggest advantages of this tour is how much you get to see in a single day—so many beautiful and historically rich sites. The only slight downside is that the time at each location is just enough, but occasionally felt a bit short. Still, the overall formula works very well and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone. Manuel shared fascinating background information throughout the journey and guided us through the highlights of Chichén Itzá and coba.…”

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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 - Tarzania Zipline Coaster: The Speedy Midpoint Rush

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

Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya - Whale-shark swims in 15-minute rounds, and how to prep

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

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

Swim with whale sharks near Punta Sam, then snorkel Isla Mujeres with breakfast, lunch, and Riviera Maya pickup on a 7-hour tour.

“Overall the trip was great. Our guide Jane was very friendly, funny and very knowledgeable and passionate about the animals. We seen a whale shark which was amazing then were took snorkelling to a reef and then onto Isla Mujeres for a light lunch. It is a long trip and very tiring, especially waking up sp early. Regarding sea sickness, we were given tablets by Jane and it really wasn’t bad when the boat is going full speed. You can’t wear sunscreen so will have to make plans not to be burnt but it is an amazing experience. They will also film and photograph the trip which you can buy…”

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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 automatic 4WD dune buggy: jungle trails, not a theme park ride

11.Playa del Carmen: Riviera Maya Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim

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

Ride a 4WD dune buggy through Riviera Maya jungle trails, then cool off with snorkel time in a sacred cenote. Small group.

“What a fantastic adrenaline fueled activity with two great guides. We had a great time driving through the jungle and the large puddles in the ATV. The cenote swim was magical in crystal clear waters. Highly recommend you won't be disappointed and may even want to do it again!”

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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 - How Xpu-Ha water time works once you drop anchor

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

Selvatica Park Ziplines, Cenote, and ATV Tour From Cancun and Riviera Maya - Stop 1 at Selvatica: Check-In, Then Go Big

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

4 Hour - 47' Azimut, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya - Inha Reef snorkeling, with equipment and a pro guide

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

Riviera Maya: Sian Ka'an Reserve Ancient Maya Canals Tour - How the day runs: pickup, Muyil, and the first lagoon cruise

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

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

Drift ancient Mayan canals in Sian Ka’an, float a 950-meter lazy river, swim near Xlapak, and hunt for manatees, crocs, and birds.

“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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