Playa del Carmen · DAY TRIPS FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN

The 15 Best Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

73 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Full days out to the pyramids, the biosphere and the whale-shark waters. These 15 are priced and timed, with a note on how early the pickup comes.

Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Small Group Day Trip - Valladolid: A Walk, a Meal and a Change of Pace
Chichen Itza Tours, Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Small Group Day Trip

1.Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Small Group Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,104 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $214Our pick

Start from Tulum around 7 a.m. for a guided two-hour visit to Chichén Itzá, a walk and lunch in Valladolid, then a swim at Cenote Xux Ha. The tour includes hotel transfers, tickets, snacks and drinks. Groups are capped at 10, and guides such as Miguel, Paloma and Santi have brought Maya history to life for past groups.

“We had an excellent trip to Chichén Itzá with Marco and Arturo! Marco was incredibly knowledgeable and made the experience both engaging and fun. Arturo’s driving made the journey smooth, and the lunch was absolutely fantastic. Thanks for making our day so memorable! Highly recommend this tour!”

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Sian Ka'an Adventure Full Day Trip to Punta Allen - Nature’s swimming pools and Boca Paila
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Sian Kaan Biosphere Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

Sian Ka’an Adventure Full Day Trip to Punta Allen

2.Sian Ka’an Adventure Full Day Trip to Punta Allen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,179 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $254

Travel from Tulum into Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve with a local guide, then explore its lagoons and coast by boat. Watch for manatees, dolphins, turtles, crocodiles, and birds; snorkel the reef if conditions allow; swim at a quiet sandbank; and eat lunch in Punta Allen. Groups are capped at 12, with Tulum-area pickup included.

“Great tour at the Sian Ka’an with this company. The guide Pablo was a great and knowledgeable guide with his extremely humour and charm. The pick-up was on time and the time schedule was perfect. Pablo and his crew took car”

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Full Day Tulum Ruins Tour Cenote and Swimming with Sea Turtles - Snorkeling in Akumal Bay
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Ruins Tours

Full Day Tulum Ruins Tour Cenote and Swimming with Sea Turtles

3.Full Day Tulum Ruins Tour Cenote and Swimming with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,171 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $131

Spend about nine hours visiting Tulum’s Mayan ruins, swimming in Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, and snorkeling at Akumal Beach. The tour includes round-trip transfers, guides, snorkel gear, lunch, and water. Guides such as Nancy, Yaris, Ivan, and Oto have helped make the day memorable, though turtle sightings and water clarity can vary.

“Amazing experience! Tour guides were fantastic and all 3 stops exceeded our expectations. We loved the cenote and snorkelling with the sea turtles. We actually saw and swam with multiple sea turtles!”

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Riviera Maya: Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Half-Day Tour - Sun, paths and the cost of entry
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Half-Day, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Ruins Tours

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

4.Tulum Ruins and 2 Cenotes Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 992 reviews · 6 hours · from $42

Visit Tulum’s coastal temples with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, then swim at cave-like Cenote Mariposa and open-air Chen-Ha. The six-hour trip includes transport and hotel pickup where available, but the $42 tour price does not include the listed $40 adult entry fee. Guides such as Susana, Carlos Moo and Perfecto have led recent departures.

“We loved our day out the team from Eqinox tours. The visit to Tulum and the cenotes was amazing. Our guide Miguel ?Briceño was outstanding. He gave us a deep explanation of all the traditions and rituals that seem to go beyond other guides. The choice of restaurant buffet was a gastronomic highlight of out trip to Mexico and the Riviera Maya.”

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Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya - Swimming near whale sharks in short turns
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching

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

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

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

Leave early from Cancun or Playa del Carmen for a guided boat trip to swim near whale sharks in short turns, then snorkel and relax by Isla Mujeres. Breakfast, lunch, drinks, gear, and hotel transport are included. Guides have included Jane, Dory, and Denys, though staffing varies. Expect a fast, sometimes bumpy ride and wildlife sightings that cannot be guaranteed.

“This trip surpassed all expectations and was exceptional. The communication was excellent and consistent from the point of booking. Our guide Naria was exceptional throughout the day and shared lots of knowledge about Whale Sharks, conservation and was very supportive to all members of the group who were new to or anxious about swimming. The Captain was great and the lunch provided was delicious (they cater to vegan and gluten-free diets, you just need to say what you’d like on your plate). This is an amazing once-in-a-life-time experience (although, we plan to return to do another tour with them in the future). We had great weather and seen about 15-20…”

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Riviera Maya Jungle Half-Day Tour: ATV, Ziplines, Cenote Swim, Rappel - ATV riding on a jungle track
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Half-Day, Playa del Carmen ATV Tours, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Zipline Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Riviera Maya Jungle Half-Day Tour: ATV, Ziplines, Cenote Swim, Rappel

6.Riviera Maya Jungle Half-Day Tour: ATV, Ziplines, Cenote Swim, Rappel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 339 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $127

This four-hour jungle outing pairs a single or double ATV ride with ziplines, a rappel, a cenote swim and a traditional temazcal. Round-trip transport, a helmet, snacks and bottled water are included. Guides such as Sergio, Julio, Javier, Pedro, CJ and Victor have led departures, though your guide may differ. Confirm pickup details and which activities will run before you set out.

“Our tour day was amazing and Pedro was our tour guide he was amazing throughout the whole tour, explained everything throughly and made the tour exciting! I would definitely come back I had so much fun!”

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From Cancun: Day Trip to Tulum, Cenote & Playa del Carmen - A cool break at Canamayte Eco Park
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews

From Cancun: Day Trip to Tulum, Cenote & Playa del Carmen

7.Day Trip to Tulum, Cenote & Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 290 reviews · 11 hours - 1 day · from $51

Travel from Cancun with a bilingual guide to Tulum’s seaside Maya ruins, then swim at Cenote Mariposa and eat a buffet lunch at Canamayte Eco Park. The day ends with free time on Playa del Carmen’s Quinta Avenida. Guides such as Susana, Jorge and Carlos have led past trips, but names vary.

“this tour was fantastic. from communication from Ekinox Tours to pick up and the day itself. our guide susanna and Manuel and coach driver José was all fantastic making us all feel welcome and like a family for the day. we had lunch included in the Mayan community which was brilliant to experience the cuisine and just the culture. after lunch we had time In the Cenote it was just us which is what I loved about this tour no crowds only the coach party!. brilliant day to celebrate m5 birthday! reccomend this operator”

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Chichen Itza Day Trip from Tulum Including Cenote and Lunch - Cenote Saamal: a refreshing first stop
Chichen Itza Tours, Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Lunch Experiences, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

Chichen Itza Day Trip from Tulum Including Cenote and Lunch

8.Chichen Itza Day Trip from Tulum Including Cenote and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 285 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $87

Travel from Tulum to Chichen Itza with a bilingual guide, stopping first for a swim at Cenote Saamal and a Yucatecan buffet lunch. At the ruins, see Kukulkan Pyramid, the Ball Court and El Caracol, then take a brief look around Valladolid. The day runs about 12 hours, and the $87 fare does not include the stated $40 government fee or cenote life vest.

“Pros: Swimming in the cenote was an exceptional experience. The lunch in the Mayan town was delicious. Chichen Itza was an amazing historical tour, and our guide was jovial and extremely knowledgeable! Cons: I recognize the energy and passion of our tour bus guide, but he used it to do too much preaching and selling. It felt like a Christian televangelist but for the Mayan religion. I loved learning about Mayan culture, but we felt he was using it to pressure us into buying magic stones and idols that were overpriced. It was a turn-off. A little less of that would have been great. Overall it was a wonderful day,…”

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Full Day Tour to Tulum Cenote and Swim with Turtles in Akumal - Canamayte: a swim in Mariposa Cenote
Akumal Tours, Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Tours

Full Day Tour to Tulum Cenote and Swim with Turtles in Akumal

9.Full Day Tour to Tulum Cenote and Swim with Turtles in Akumal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 277 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $89

Spend about 10 hours visiting Tulum’s seaside Maya ruins, Canamayte’s semi-open Mariposa Cenote, and Akumal’s turtle habitat. A bilingual certified guide leads the day, with guides including Mildred, Jorge, Alfredo, Moises, and Ricky. Transport, lunch, a life vest, and lockers are included; budget extra for the $40 adult admission fee and lunch drinks.

“This tour was amazing. Only 4 of us so it felt like a private tour. Mildred and Ricky were great guides. I loved the opportunity to see the cenotes off the beaten path, and the food there was amazing. The sea turtle location was incredibly crowded with other tours and we couldn’t even rent a locker. Mildred had to hunt down a life vest for 2 of us and there was a lot of just wait time. But it was worth it to see and swim with turtles in the wild.”

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Half-Day Tour Discovering Sian Ka´an with Lunch - Boca Paila and the search for wildlife
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Half-Day, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Tours

Half-Day Tour Discovering Sian Ka´an with Lunch

10.Half-Day Tour Discovering Sian Ka´an with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $204

From Tulum, join a small-group boat trip through Sian Ka’an’s lagoons and mangroves, with a guide, wildlife stops, snorkeling gear, snacks, and lunch included. Manatees, crocodiles, and birds are possible sightings, not guarantees. Reef snorkeling depends on weather, and the road into the reserve can be rough.

“It was an enjoyable boat tour. We saw manatee, crocodiles, birds and swam in the Caribbean Sea. The tour was run on time and the guide spoke English. It was fun. The lunch was skinny. Eat a big breakfast.”

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Holbox Island Full Day Trip with Lunch From Playa del Carmen - Isla Pasión and the appeal of the shallow water
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Lunch Experiences, Playa del Carmen Tours, Tour Reviews

Holbox Island Full Day Trip with Lunch From Playa del Carmen

11.Holbox Island Full Day Trip with Lunch From Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 212 reviews · 12 to 13 hours (approx.)

Travel from Playa del Carmen to Holbox, then cruise through the Yum Balam Nature Reserve with a local guide, look for birds and other wildlife, visit Isla Pasión, and stop for lunch and free time in the island village. The day lasts about 12 to 13 hours, with hotel pickup in many areas and a MX$500 local tax due separately.

“Genaro was our tour guid for the day, he was upbeat and had great energy. He definitely delivered on everything he told us the tour would be like. Holbox is a beauty to be seen and enjoyed in person.”

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Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera - The real clock: pickup, transfers, and group size
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera

12.Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 201 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $29Best value

From Playa del Carmen and other Riviera Maya hotels, this half-day outing pairs a guided visit to Tulum’s Maya ruins with swims in a semi-open cenote and a cave cenote. Expect air-conditioned transport, bottled water, a separate Tulum admission fee, and a group that may be large or bilingual.

“It was a great experience, not a long excursion for those who don’t want to spend all day. Beautiful cenotes and great tour guides. Luis, Carlos, and Arturo were very friendly, knowledgeable and speak English very well.”

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Exotik half a day tour: Cenote Cave and Swimming with Sea Turtles - Akumal Bay: a real turtle habitat, not a quiet float
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Exotik half a day tour: Cenote Cave and Swimming with Sea Turtles

13.Exotik half a day tour: Cenote Cave and Swimming with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $107

From Playa del Carmen, visit Cenote Nohoch for a guided swim through a limestone cave, then snorkel in Akumal Bay, where sea turtles feed on seagrass. The group is capped at 18, with aquatic guides, snorkel gear, transport, water, and snacks included. Bring a towel, swimwear, and cash for the separate turtle care fee.

“Absolutely wonderful, especially the cenote . Gorgeous blue colours in the water, stalactite formations, fish and bats. And we did see a turtle in Akumal. Our guides Job and Julian did a great job. Thank you!”

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Riviera Maya: Rio Lagartos & Las Coloradas Day Trip w/Lunch - Las Coloradas and the changing pink ponds
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Lunch Experiences, Playa del Carmen Tours, Tour Reviews

Riviera Maya: Rio Lagartos & Las Coloradas Day Trip w/Lunch

14.Rio Lagartos & Las Coloradas Day Trip w/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 118 reviews · 12 hours · from $104

Travel from Tulum, Riviera Maya, or Playa del Carmen to Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas on a 12-hour guided day trip. Cruise mangrove canals for birds and crocodiles, see the salt ponds, cover up with mineral-rich clay, then rinse off at a beach. Guides on past outings have included Jose, Noe, and Enrique.

“Everything was amazing especially the driver Carlos & Enrique the guid! Fabulous day weather was perfect!👌”

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5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour - A Mayan village and a tortilla stop
Coba Ruins Tours, Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Culture Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour

15.5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 113 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $84

Spend 11 to 12 hours visiting Tulum and Coba with an English-speaking guide, stopping at a Mayan village for fresh tortillas and ending with a swim in cave cenotes. Hotel pickup or a Playa del Carmen meeting point is offered. Lunch and transport are included, but site taxes are extra.

“Long day but nice. Book private if you can. Private your would at least go at your groups pace and transportation would be done seamlessly.”

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New in Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

★ 5.0Private Half Day Tour to Tulum Temples and Downtown ShoppingFrom $2673 reviews
★ 5.0Tulum Ruins & Cobá Ruins Adventure (Private, Full Day)From $26416 reviews
★ 4.0Tulum Day Trip: Pyramids + Reef Snorkel & Cenote SwimFrom $8519 reviews
★ 3.0Half a Day Tour to Coba Ruins with Cenote and Mayan VillageFrom $893 reviews
★ 3.5Guided Day Tour to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim and ValladolidFrom $386 reviews
★ 5.0Cobá Adventure (Private, Full Day)From $2543 reviews
★ 5.0Chichén Itzá & Cobá Ruins Adventure (Private, Full Day)From $3049 reviews
★ 5.0Chichén Itzá Adventure (Private, Full Day)From $30410 reviews
★ 4.5Full-day Tour of Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid CityFrom $1458 reviews
★ 5.0Coba Ruins and Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve Day Tour from Tulum37 reviews
★ 4.0Luxury Chichen Itza Full-Day Adventure from Tulum CityFrom $536 reviews
★ 4.5Tulum and Cenote Casa Tortuga Day TripFrom $12931 reviews
★ 4.5Full Day: Tulum Ruins with Cenote Cave and Swimming with TurtlesFrom $1433 reviews
★ 4.0Full-Day Tulum Expedition and Rio Secreto AdventureFrom $18910 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Playa del Carmen Reef Diving ActivityFrom $1903 reviews

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