Playa del Carmen · GUIDED

The 15 Guided Tours in Playa del Carmen Travellers Rate Highest

48 tours  ·  from $7 a head

The good guided tours on this coast fill weeks ahead in the dry season. Below: the 15 to reserve early, what each includes and how they differ.

Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch - Yal Ku Lagoon makes snorkeling approachable
Guided, Lunch Experiences, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Tours

Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

1.Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,888 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169Our pick

Travel from your hotel to Tulum’s cliff-top Maya ruins, two freshwater cenotes, and fish-filled Yal Ku Lagoon, then sit down to a beachside lunch. The small-group tour includes a bilingual guide, snorkeling gear, life jacket, snacks, and transport. Guides such as Lalo and Santiago have led trips, though your guide may differ. Bring a towel, a refillable bottle, and snacks for the long day.

“Excellent activities, guide, driver, scheduling. If you suffer from motion sickness--the full day of activities requires a long time in the van, sometimes with bumpy dirt roads. My daughter and husband had a tough time with the full day of travel, though loved the activities. I loved the whole thing!”

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Chichen Itza: Guided Tour with Valladolid & Cenote Chichikan - Cool off at Cenote Chichikan
Chichen Itza Tours, Guided, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chichen Itza: Guided Tour with Valladolid & Cenote Chichikan

2.Chichen Itza: Guided Tour with Valladolid & Cenote Chichikan

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 911 reviews · 12 hours · from $58

Travel from Cancun or Riviera Maya to Chichen Itza with a certified English- or Spanish-speaking guide, then cool off with a swim at Cenote Chichikan and make a short stop in Valladolid. The day lasts about 12 hours. Buffet lunch is included only with the VIP option, and a separate Chichen Itza tax and cenote rentals add to the cost.

“Jose, Victor and Tomas make a great team, they were fun and very knowledgeable. They also helped give us great tips at each of the sites/activities 10/10 would book with them again”

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Chichen Itza by Van: Reduced Group, Tour Guide, Fast Trip & Lunch - Boxed lunch, snacks and a welcome drink
Chichen Itza Tours, Guided, Lunch Experiences, Playa del Carmen Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chichen Itza by Van: Reduced Group, Tour Guide, Fast Trip & Lunch

3.Chichen Itza by Van: Reduced Group, Tour Guide, Fast Trip & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 605 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $189

Travel by air-conditioned van from Playa del Carmen or other Riviera Maya hotels to Chichen Itza, where a bilingual guide introduces the Kukulcan pyramid, Great Ball Court and other ruins. Expect a long round trip, about 2.5 hours or more each way, and roughly 2.5 hours at the site. Snacks, a boxed lunch and drinks are provided; check carefully whether your chosen price includes admission.

“Short one half day tour to see major ruins. Every pathway around the ruins was filled with people selling all kinds of trinkets etc. I understand it’s their livelihood but it’s really distracting from walking and looking at the ruins with people always trying g to get your attention. Know this ahead of time so you can mentally prepare. Of note: the seatbelt for my seat directly behind the driver was broken.”

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Tulum Ruins Guided Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya - Two hours at the ruins, with time to roam
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Ruins Tours, Tulum Tours

Tulum Ruins Guided Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya

4.Tulum Ruins Guided Tour from Cancun and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 426 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Ride in an air-conditioned van from most Cancun or Riviera Maya hotels to Tulum’s clifftop Maya ruins. A bilingual guide leads the site visit, with time to explore on your own. Water, fruit and crackers, and umbrellas are provided. The visit at the ruins lasts about two hours, but transport makes this a half-day outing. Budget an extra $25 per person for admission.

“Excellent tour...lots of insights on the Ruins and tips on the outside Vendors. What to watch out for and what to look for.”

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Guided Tour to Chichen Itza Cenote and Valladolid - Lunch, craft shopping and the tour’s commercial side
Chichen Itza Tours, Guided, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Guided Tour to Chichen Itza Cenote and Valladolid

5.Guided Tour to Chichen Itza Cenote and Valladolid

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 192 reviews · 12 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $49

Travel by shared air-conditioned transport to a cenote, Chichén Itzá and Valladolid, with a bilingual guide, site admission and regional buffet lunch included. The day runs about 12 to 14 hours, and the $49 price may not include Chichén Itzá’s $40 local tax. Guides have included Jorge, Roberto and David, but your guide will vary.

“Very good experience. I met lots of people and we did so much within the hours. Went by fast and quick. Transportation takes the most time”

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Riviera Maya: Rio Secreto Guided Tour - The van ride sets the day’s pace
Guided, Puerto Morelos Tours, Rio Secreto Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Riviera Maya: Rio Secreto Guided Tour

6.Rio Secreto Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 177 reviews · 6.5 - 8 hours · from $119

Ride in an air-conditioned van to Rio Secreto, then walk and swim 600 meters through an underground river and cave with a trained guide. You’ll get a wetsuit, helmet, lamp, and wet shoes, plus a light lunch afterward. Groups are small, but cameras are not allowed, and photos cost extra.

“One of the best tours I've been on. Our guide, Memo was so informative and made sure we all had an excellent experience. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and Rio Secreto in particular. He pointed out several interesting stalactites and stalagmites we might have overlooked. One person in our group of 10 was especially fearful in deep water and i was so impressed with how Memo was able to calm her fears and keep her safe so she could have an enjoyable experience as well as the experienced swimmers. I did purchase the USB photos and some are quite good. Noticed that one of our…”

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Private Guide Service in the Archaeological Zone of Chichen Itza - Local stories, language and interpretation
Chichen Itza Tours, Guided, Playa del Carmen Private Tours, Tour Reviews

Private Guide Service in the Archaeological Zone of Chichen Itza

7.Private Guide Service in the Archaeological Zone of Chichen Itza

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.)

Walk Chichen Itza with a private guide for about two hours, visiting the main temple, Temple of the Warriors, ball court, Tzompantli and more. Guides such as Henry, Enrique and Martin have brought Mayan history to life with stories, images and language lessons. The $71.69 group price covers guiding only; admission and transport cost extra.

“We had such a good time we did the morning tour which I highly recommend, yes we had to wake up early but we avoided the crowds and the soaring sun. We booked the 3 hour tour I think the 2 or 3 are both good options I think you can see everything in the 2hr but the 3hrs gave us a more relaxed feel. Gabriel was friendly and knowledgeable, he made this experience one to remember. He was kind and accommodating, he knows all the good pictures spots too! We appreciated the service and great communication! Definitely recommend”

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Private Guided Cenotes and Underground River Exploration - Chemuyil: a bright-water counterpoint
Guided, Playa del Carmen Private Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

Private Guided Cenotes and Underground River Exploration

8.Private Guided Cenotes and Underground River Exploration

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $199

Explore the Sac Actun cave system with a private guide such as Juan or Eduardo, then snorkel in open-air Chemuyil cenote. The five-hour tour includes Tulum-area pickup, transport, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling gear. Expect active swimming and a close look at cave formations, bats, and other wildlife.

“Juan is an absolutely phenomenal guide! His knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine passion for what he does shine through every moment of the tour. He goes above and beyond to make the experience meaningful, memorable, and incredibly fun. You can tell he truly cares about the people he guides and the places he shares. If you’re considering this tour — don’t hesitate. Juan is exceptional, and I recommend him wholeheartedly!”

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Akumal: Snorkel with Marine Fauna and an Expert Guide - Getting ready inside the natural park
Akumal Tours, Guided, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews

Akumal: Snorkel with Marine Fauna and an Expert Guide

9.Akumal: Snorkel with Marine Fauna and an Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 139 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $45

In Tsúuk Akumal Natural Park, you snorkel with a certified English- or Spanish-speaking guide among turtles, rays, tropical fish and coral. Equipment, life jackets and park facilities are provided. Guides including Ana, Armando and Ruben have led tours, though your guide may vary. The swim lasts about 1.5 hours, and you can relax on the beach afterward.

“Absolutely fantastic was more than what we expected. The guide was so knowledgable that made the experience so much better. Would highly recommend!”

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Puerto Morelos: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Gear & Fees - The boat ride and first reef stop
Guided, Puerto Morelos Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Puerto Morelos: Guided Snorkeling Tour with Gear & Fees

10.Guided Snorkeling Tour with Gear & Fees

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 91 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

From Javier Rojo Gomez, Lighthouse Tours takes a group of up to 10 by boat to two Puerto Morelos reef sites. A certified English- or Spanish-speaking guide leads the two-hour snorkel, with gear, park fees and bottled water included. Past guides have included Greg, Craig and Tony; sightings have ranged from turtles and rays to barracuda and squid.

“It was a cold grey morning, following rain, and we were so close to not attending. We are so glad we did! Craig was a great guide, he kept the enthusiasm up and we saw tonnes of marine life - eagle rays, barracuda, a nurse shark, angel fish”

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Tulum Ruins & Cenote guided private tour from Tulum and Riviera Maya. - The real cost of pickup north of Tulum
Guided, Playa del Carmen Private Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Ruins Tours, Tulum Tours

Tulum Ruins & Cenote guided private tour from Tulum and Riviera Maya.

11.Tulum Ruins & Cenote guided private tour from Tulum and Riviera Maya.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $299

Start with a guided visit to Tulum’s archaeological site, where your guide can keep the Maya history brief or go deeper. Then head to a cenote for an underground swim with snorkeling equipment provided. The private 4.5-hour tour includes Tulum-area hotel pickup and drop-off; pickups farther north cost extra.

“This was our third tour with Mexico Kan Tours. It was a private tour with just the three of us. Our guide Syed was amazing, very knowledgeable and personable. The scheduled times of the tours were great because we got to beat the crowds of tourists. The cenote location was great as well since it was not crowded. It was also a plus that the cenote is owned and operated by a Mayan family. He took lots of pictures for us and knew the best spots. We highly recommend this tour!”

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Chichen Itza: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map - Ball court, skull platform, and public stage
Audio Tours, Chichen Itza Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chichen Itza: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map

12.Chichen Itza: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $9Best value

Walk more than two miles through Chichén Itzá with Action’s self-guided audio app. GPS-triggered stories cover El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, El Caracol, and other major structures. Download the tour before you arrive, then use it offline. The $9.99 tour does not include your archaeological-site admission ticket.

“Really nice to walk around on our own and avoid the large crowds. The map is a little off, the audio will start playing before you reach the location, but that kind of makes it more fun as you have to search for what the audio your guide is talking about. I would definitely use this again for future tours”

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Playa del Carmen: Chichen Itza Early Tour with Expert Guide - Two Hours Among the Temples and Ball Court
Chichen Itza Tours, Guided, Playa del Carmen Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Playa del Carmen: Chichen Itza Early Tour with Expert Guide

13.Chichen Itza Early Tour with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 64 reviews · 9 hours · from $83

Travel from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza for an early guided visit to the Temple of Kukulkan, the Great Ball Court, and other ancient structures. A Spanish- and English-speaking guide explains Maya culture, with names such as Alberto, Rodrigo, and Jonathan among the guides reported on recent trips. Expect an early start, a long road journey, and a separate site tax.

“Alberto is knowledgeable and passionate about Mayan culture and is a great guide that ensures your tour experience is great Thanks Alberto for today. We highly recommend Alberto.”

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From Riviera Maya: Coba, Punta Laguna & Cenote Guided Trip - Searching Punta Laguna’s treetops
Coba Ruins Tours, Guided, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Tour Reviews

From Riviera Maya: Coba, Punta Laguna & Cenote Guided Trip

14.Coba, Punta Laguna & Cenote Guided Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 9 hours · from $184

From Tulum, this nine-hour trip pairs a guided visit to Coba’s Maya temples with a jungle outing at Punta Laguna, where you can hike, spot monkeys, or try the zip-line. A traditional meal in Nuevo Durango and a swim at Cenote Esmeralda round out the day. Guides including César, Paloma, Roberto, and Santiago have led trips here.

“Super journée, nous avons adoré la cenote et le repas traditionnel. Nous étions arrivés tôt le matin aux ruines de Coba, ce qui nous a permis de profiter du site archéologique sans la foule.”

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Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025 - How the visit unfolds
Guided, Museums, Playa del Carmen Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025

15.Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 54 reviews · 45 min · from $20

At Playa del Carmen’s Frida Kahlo Museum, a private guide leads you through Kahlo’s life in chronological order, the symbols in her paintings, and her life with Diego Rivera. The 45-minute tour costs $20 per person and is listed in English, French, and Spanish. It includes museum entry and a 10% gift-shop discount.

“L’entretien et échange sur l’art de qques tableaux de Frida ! Super”

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New in Guided

★ 3.5Guided Day Tour to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim and ValladolidFrom $386 reviews
★ 5.0Tulum Area Experiences Guided E-Bike Tour- 3 Cenote’s Snorkel/Swim & Local LunchFrom $19423 reviews
★ 5.0Coba Ruins Private Tour – Cenote Swim with Certified GuideFrom $20913 reviews
★ 5.0Small-Group Birdwatching Sian Kaan with professional guideFrom $1003 reviews
★ 4.5The Great Chichen Itza and Suytun & ikkil Cenotes guided tourFrom $6912 reviews
★ 5.0Private Full-Day Guided Tulum Coba and Cenote Tour with Lunch6 reviews
★ 5.0Tulum Guided Tour and Cenote Swim from Playa del CarmenFrom $11911 reviews
★ 3.5Guided Tour of Archaeological Zone of Tulum + Cenote SwimFrom $593 reviews
★ 3.5Guided Trip to Chichen Itza, Cenote Saamal, Buffet and ValladolidFrom $399 reviews
★ 4.0Guided tour to Tulum & Cobá ruins + Cenote + Buffet + PDCFrom $794 reviews
★ 5.0Full Day Guided Tour to Sian Ka’an (short way)From $23521 reviews
★ 5.0Discover the Mystical Tulum Ruins with a Certified Federal GuideFrom $1499 reviews
★ 5.0Coba Cenote and Maya Village Private Guided TourFrom $2555 reviews
★ 5.0Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid, Lunch included,Private guideFrom $42015 reviews
★ 5.0Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided TourFrom $5910 reviews

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