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Things to do in Tulum

Take a dip in a magical cenote or explore Mayan ruins perched above white beaches and turquoise waters.

Our most recommended things to do in Tulum

Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote, Valladolid & Meal

1. Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote, Valladolid & Meal

Dive into Mayan culture on a guided day trip with optional hotel transfers from Cancún or Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá, named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World for being one of the world's best-preserved ancient cities. Enjoy a Mexican buffet and tequila tasting, and stop at Valladolid and a cenote. Your first stop will be at a Mayan community restaurant for breakfast with coffee and bread. Take this time to wake up and then go to stock up on souvenirs. Then, at Chichén Itzá, follow the guide while learning all about the most important buildings. From the awe-inspiring Pyramid of Kukulcan to the ruins that once housed tens of thousands of Mayans, the Pyramid of El Castillo or El Caracol, this visit is filled with rarely heard stories, incredible details, and stunning photo opportunities. Discover why the huge city played such an important role from the Late Classic period (600 AD) into the early part of the Post Classic period (1200 AD), and why it remained a huge center of pilgrimage. At this point, the fun is just getting started as no visit to the area would be complete without a stop by a cenote, a refreshing, enchanting underground sinkhole, sacred to the Mayan people. Then, enjoy a Mexican buffet lunch and a tequila-tasting experience. Before returning to your starting point, stop by the charming town of Valladolid, famed for the ornate, 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino of Siena and the baroque San Gervasio Cathedral. Enjoy a quick panoramic visit to this magical place.

From Tulum: Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour

2. From Tulum: Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour

Start your journey by getting picked up in Tulum. Discover Chichen Itza, a spectacular archaeological site and a must-see for those interested in history and culture.  See renowned structures with your guide such as the Pyramid of Kukulkan and the Great Ball Court. Get a glimpse of the achievements of the Mayan civilization.  After Chichen Itza, head to Valladolid, a city where past and present come together. Be amazed by the colorful architecture and the local food culture.  Have lunch in the courtyard of a restored colonial mansion and wander the square and nearby streets. Take photos and enjoy shopping as you get a taste of the slow-paced Mexican life. To finish the day, go to a local community-run cenote, the perfect spot to get away from the crowds and cool down in the refreshing blue waters.

From Tulum: Mayan ruins & Sian Kaan Nature Reserve Tour

3. From Tulum: Mayan ruins & Sian Kaan Nature Reserve Tour

Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Muyil and the Sian Kaan Nature Reserve on a half-day tour from Tulum. You will encounter a variety of birds, plants, and animals before wandering through the ruins to discover the incredible history of this ancient civilization. After being picked up from Tulum you will be transferred to the Sian Kaan Nature Reserve. Walk through this inspiring eco-preserve to the highest point in the reserve and gaze out at an unblemished jungle filled with hundreds of species of birds, plants, and animal life. Enjoy a small hike before a boat ride through the trading canals of the ancient Maya civilization and visit the Maya temple of Xlapak. You will see the detailed facades of these old ruins, located at the bottom of the river valley. Next, float and swim back down through the canals between mangroves and gently make your way back out into the crystal-clear waters around the peninsula. Onboard, enjoy an assortment of Mexican snacks and lunch as the sun sets over this beautiful landscape. Experience the very best of this region. The food, the culture, the nature, and a bit of relaxation in the water make this a perfect day trip.

Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch

4. Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch

Spend the day discovering ancient Mayan archaeological sites on this guided tour of Tulum and Coba. Swim in a sinkhole and enjoy free time for taking photos. After being picked up in the lobby of your hotel by a certified guide, start your tour and receive an introduction to Mayan culture on the way. Make your first stop at Coba, the tallest pyramid in México, where you can take in an incredible view of the area.  Swim in natural cenotes (sinkholes) and relax in the refreshing water. Finish the day at the Tulum Archaeological Zone, an impressive Mayan city built on the coastline. Enjoy a guided tour through the area and free time to explore and take pictures.

Cenote Trail: Caves Visit and Bike Tour

5. Cenote Trail: Caves Visit and Bike Tour

Head out to discover the variety of caverns and caves that fill the Mayan forest. Cenotes were considered by the ancients as portals into the underworld, allowing us entry into another realm of the earth. You will ride through a quiet forested road to explore 3 different cenotes. Explore the wonderful Grand Cenote just as it opens, avoiding the crowds of tourists, followed by a delicious brunch in the forest, located in a beautiful environment along a jungle trail. This leads us to other cenotes where you can swim, snorkel, and jump in crystal clear sinkholes and underground rivers, while learning about the prehistoric past of the Yucatan peninsula on this great bike tour from Tulum. Surrounded by lush vegetation, you will enjoy riding a quiet jungle path surrounded by the sounds and colors of nature.

Cancun/Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins, Sea Turtle Swim & Cenotes

6. Cancun/Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins, Sea Turtle Swim & Cenotes

After pickup from your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya, visit the Ruins of Tulum. Embark on a 45-minute tour with a professional archeologist guide and learn about Mayan history. Explore the site at your own pace.  Next, board your coach and travel to the Xtun Cenote. The drive includes off-roading since the cenote is located in the jungle. Once arriving, enjoy a Mexican buffet-style lunch including Cochinita Pibil ´the pulled pork of Mexico,´ chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, and tortilla chips. Vegetarian options are available upon advance notice. Visit two types of cenotes, stage 1 and stage 2. First, wander through the dry stage 2 cenote and admire the beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Following a swim in the wet stage 1 cenote, snorkel, and explore the colorful sea life. After your cenote adventure, enjoy a Mexican-style coffee called Café Olla. Next, head to Akumal Bay, a perfect place for swimming with sea turtles that feed on the seagrass in the bay near you. Put on your provided snorkeling gear — or your own, if you prefer — and enjoy a snorkeling tour of these amazing creatures. Your instructor will guide you through each step of the process to ensure a unique and fun-filled swim experience. A professional photographer will accompany you throughout the day and capture your beautiful moments. Look over the photos at the end and purchase your USB with the guide. Finally, return to the van for transportation back to your hotel.

Riviera Maya: Xel-Há Park All-Inclusive 1-Day Pass

7. Riviera Maya: Xel-Há Park All-Inclusive 1-Day Pass

Explore Xel-Há Park with a full-day all-inclusive ticket. Enjoy a variety of land and water activities for the whole family. Discover a universe dedicated to ecology and the preservation of flora and fauna, it offers constantly developing environmental programs to protect and conserve the environment. Benefit from access to all the attractions and enjoy delicious Mexican and international cuisine with unlimited drinks and an open bar throughout the day. Dive into the waters of Xel-Há, the world's most beautiful natural aquarium, and snorkel next to a variety of plants and hundreds of tropical fish in the warm Caribbean waters. Slide down the Salpichanga and fly with a vine to drop yourself in the cool waters of a “cenote” or underground river. Test your balance on the Trepachanga and walk over the river between two loose strings. Hammock Island is an ideal place to relax and indulge with the whims of the Caribbean Sea. Fabulous cocktails are served just a few steps away, and you can enjoy them with all the tranquility of the world as your company. Discover historical vestiges of the Mayan culture while enjoying a mysterious landscape in the forest. Walk along the paths of the natural reserve, where you will find a selection of phrases and thoughts printed along the route. Be amazed by the Ixchel Grotto. Carved by underground rivers for thousands of years, it crosses a small, narrowed canyon until it emerges on the opposite side. See how the light is refracted beneath the waters of the Grotto El Dorado, and renew your spirit enjoying these historic and natural formations. Take your kids to the children’s playground to enjoy the magnificent amusement park, with swings, rails, wheels and slides for the kids to keep active and have fun at the same time. Admire the mangrove forest from the footpaths of the river, taking a small diversion that leads to a platform totally surrounded by the wonderful vegetation. Breathe in the harmonious atmosphere of the paradise park, filled with typical trees of the region.

From Riviera Maya: Sian Ka'an Discovery Tour with Lunch

8. From Riviera Maya: Sian Ka'an Discovery Tour with Lunch

Get picked up from your accommodation in Riviera Maya or Tulum and head to Sian Ka’an, a rich and diverse nature reserve south of Tulum. Board a small boat to visit Boca Paila lagoon and spot the local wildlife. Head out a short distance on open water to snorkel, if weather permits, on the Mesoamerican Barrier reef and be delighted by the healthy corals and abundance of fish. If the weather does not permit you to snorkel, visit an open cenote instead. See tropical saltwater canals, mangrove islands, and flooded sinkholes.  Return to the beach where your homemade lunch awaits you. Relax amongst the coconut groves or go for a swim in the sea before going back on the road. Get dropped off at your accommodation and reflect on the unique landscapes you just encountered.

From Tulum: Four-Cenote Adventure

9. From Tulum: Four-Cenote Adventure

Set out from Tulum on a short trek that will bring you to four of the area's most beautiful cenotes. See part of the network of natural freshwater pools the area is known for and learn about their significance to Mayan culture. Arrive first at Naval Cenote after a short walk through the jungle. Ride a zip line and jump off into the water below. Cool off in the clear, fresh water before trekking on to the Pirañas Cenote for more swimming. Then head to Large Cenote Naval where you can try out two incredible long zip lines. Take the second line down to a platform where you can board a canoe to journey in the direction of the final stop: Cenote Azul.  Hop off the boat and make a brief walk through the jungle to Cenote Azul where you can snorkel and marvel at the incredible underwater scenery. Having worked up an appetite from all the swimming, snorkeling, and adventuring, it's time to visit a Mayan village for a bite to eat.  Enjoy a typical Mayan lunch of Chicken Pibil, Poc Chuc, salad, rice, beans, guacamole, handmade tortillas, and different flavored natural waters (Jamaica, Orange, and more), along with fruits for dessert.

Full-Day Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Small Group Tour

10. Full-Day Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum Small Group Tour

Embark on a small group tour led by a knowledgeable guide and explore three of the Yucatan's most fascinating archaeological sites. Over the course of 12 hours, you'll discover the ancient Maya ruins of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza, immersing yourself in the region's rich history and culture. Start your day at Tulum, a stunning coastal site overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Admire the striking contrast between the ancient Maya ruins and the turquoise waters of the sea. Explore the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God, and learn about the city's role as a major port in the Maya world. Next, visit Coba, an impressive and less-visited site that boasts the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan, where you will learn about the unique features of the city, such as the network of elevated stone roads called sacbeob. Finish the day at Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your guide will bring the ancient city to life as you explore the iconic pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, the Ball Court, and the Observatory. Discover the incredible engineering feats of the Maya civilization and learn about the significance of the buildings and their connection to astronomy and religion. When touring these incredible sites, take a refreshing dip in a 'cenote', a natural underground pool, and indulge in a delicious buffet lunch to refuel. Throughout the day, you'll enjoy chauffeur-style transport exclusively for your small group, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free experience. This small group tour offers a personalized and immersive way to discover some of the most famous landmarks in the Yucatan. With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, you'll gain insight into the fascinating history and culture of the region, making for a truly unforgettable adventure. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see these remarkable sites up close and in the company of like-minded travelers.

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Frequently asked questions about Tulum

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The best day trips and excursions from Tulum are:

Sian Ka'an

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What people are saying about Tulum

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 3,714 reviews

It's about 2hrs to Tulum from cancun it's an air conditioned coach with a toilet l, we had 10 people on the coach and when we got to Tulum we were then put into groups of english speaking so we did have quite a few people by the time we got into Tulum. Tulum itself is beautiful and it's quite small so it's easy to get around but you can't get to close to anything as it's all roped off. Our guide very knowledgeable and explained the history of tulum very well. you get to walk around the ruins for about half hour then you have to get back to the coach where you have lunch, aslong as you get your lunch ordered you can eat this on the coach to Coba. Coba is again stunning but it is a 2km walk from the entrance to get there there are bikes which you can hire and also locals will bike you up to the temple for a minimal fee. Unfortunately you cant climb the temple due to it needing restoring. The cenote is beautiful crystal clear waters there's 2 of them 1 is a cave the other is outside

We had an outstanding experience and highly recommend this tour. Felipe was an excellent guide, really well prepared and making you sure you got context to all the visited sites and experiences. With him we had a great tour of Chichen Itza, moved on to an excellent lunch in Valladolid and then went to what is probably the highlight of the tour (not small considering you previously visited Chichen Itza) with the visit to a off the beaten path community-run cenote, where you can have an authentic experience and give back to the local community.

I was solo and mr apolina was pretty cool chill tour was an experience i recommend it just wear sun lotion lolol just a little the sun was out Def an experience of a like time all the explaining about civilization and everything was pretty cool something they will never show you in school or anywhere else def an awesome tour guide experience

Superbe experience ! From the equipment to the quality of the food to the beauty of the actual cenotes - everything was perfect! 10/10! The tour was one of our holiday highlights. Also our guide Pablo was a super nice, chilled dude who provided us with knowledge about nature and the surroundings and answers all questions. Highly recommend!

An amazing day!! Went to three beautiful cenotes, including a private cave cenote. The lunch afterwards was delicious! Angel our host was so great, as was the driver Gualberto.