15 Half-Day Tours in Playa del Carmen to Book This Trip

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

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

Travel from Cancún or the Riviera Maya to Akumal Beach for guided snorkeling among turtles, rays, and tropical fish, then follow a guide through caves at Parque de Cenotes Yax-Muul and swim in freshwater. A bilingual guide, transport, gear, life vests, water, and empanadas are included. Plan for an early pickup, a possible long drive, and a separate $20 marine fee.

“We had a great experience. Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Seeing the sea turtles and other marine life in as amazing!”

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2.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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3.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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4.Half-Day Luxury Sailing Experience in Tulum with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 250 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $149

Set sail from the Puerto Aventuras area on a four-hour catamaran trip near Tulum. Your crew provides life vests, snorkeling gear and paddleboards, plus lunch and an open bar. Pickup is from a nearby meeting point, not necessarily your accommodation. Snorkeling and sailing plans can change with weather and sea conditions.

“Clemente, Guero were excellent guide/staff while David did an amazing job capturing our valuable memories!! The entire trip we felt like royalty! We were treated so well!! I absolutely loved the entire experience!!”

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5.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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6.Half-day Adventure: Cenote + Ziplining + ATV Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 185 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

This Tulum half-day trip pairs an approximately 50-minute ATV ride with a zipline circuit, a cenote swim, a Mayan ceremony, and a Mexican lunch. A bilingual local guide leads the activities, with past guides including Chris, José, Cruz, and Pedro. Shared transport runs from meeting points, not Tulum hotels.

“Great half day tour!!! Samual was our guide and he made the experience even better. Definitely recommend”

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7.Half-Day Tour to Tulum and 2 Cenotes from Tulum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $39Best value

Start at 7 am in Tulum, visit the walled Maya city with an English-speaking guide, then swim at Canamayte Ecopark in one semi-open and one cavern cenote. The tour costs $39 per person, but Tulum’s adult admission is another $40. Air-conditioned transport and bottled water are included. Guides have included Arturo, Moo, Carlos, and Angel, though your guide may differ.

“Arturo and Moo were absolutely wonderful and very informative! Bring plenty of sunscreen, bug spray, a reusable water bottle and comfortable shoes for walking around the ruins. I would definitely recommend Arturo and Moo 100% they made our excursion!”

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8.VIP Cenotes Private Tour (half-day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $185

Visit open-air Cenote Xunaan Ha and the underground river at Cenote Taak Bi Ha on a private four-hour trip from the Riviera Maya. Your guide provides snorkel gear, bottled water, and air-conditioned transport. The experience includes fresh ceviche at a local fisherman’s restaurant, though lunch is not included. Abraham has been praised for his patience and flexibility.

“Abraham was the best! Patient with us. He was very accommodating for my dad that is a senior citizen. We got to the cenotes early so we had them both to ourselves!”

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9.Half-Day Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen for Small-Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Meet at Tank-Ha’s Playa del Carmen base for a safety briefing and two boat trips to separate coral reefs. Tank and weights are included; full equipment rental costs $18 per day. Morning outings suit recently active Advanced Open Water divers, while afternoons are aimed at recently active Open Water divers. Guides named for the operation include Andrea, Anna, Pol, and Joaquin.

“I had a very great experience! Anna our guide was absolutely perfect in everything. She made sure I could join the dive since my last one had been a good 6 years earlier. We had 2 different divings in 2 different spots. Both of them very nice despite I might say I preferred the second one. The communication from the very first moment up to the very last second was super as well as the organization. I booked a very last minute activity without any problems. Absolutely highly recommended!!!”

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10.Snorkeling & Private Cenote Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 5 hours · from $169

From Tulum, join a group of up to 10 for a half-day of cave exploration, cool cenote swimming, and Caribbean snorkeling. Guides explain Mayan connections to cenotes and local reef life. Snorkel gear, a cenote wetsuit, life jacket, and Tulum transfers are included. Past guides have included Karen, Jenny, Alex, and Pluma, though your guide may differ.

“Amazing tour and incredible guides. Highly recommmend for anyone who wants a cenote tour without the crowds.”

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11.Half-day Excursion to the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, Cenote & lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 20 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $57

This shared half-day trip from Playa del Carmen pairs a guided visit to Tulum’s coastal ruins with a cenote swim and a Mexican meal. Expect air-conditioned van transport, a bilingual guide and a group of up to 45. The listed price is $57.25 per person, plus 690 MXN in site and ecotaxes. Confirm which cenote is included before you book.

“Slight logistical issues with transport, but everything still worked out on schedule. Tulum ruins were absolutely beautiful, but the real treat was the cenote. I went to another cenote before, it was crowded and commercialized. This was the complete opposite! Also it has a network of underground caves in the cenote that they take you through with a flashlight. Breathtaking. This was really something very special! Staff was very nice and took good care of us. A+ despite the transportation hiccups. HIGHLY recommend!!!”

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12.Half-Day Yucatan’s Instagram Cenotes PRIVATE TOUR

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Start at 7:30 am with pickup from your hotel, Airbnb, or private home in Playa del Carmen. Visit Suytun, Xux Ha, and San Lorenzo Oxman, with an hour at each, plus time in colonial Valladolid. The tour is private and offered in English. One account names guide Dany, but your assigned guide may differ.

“My friends and I booked this because of the other good reviews and it was by far the best decision we could have made! Dany was our guide and he made the day so enjoyable, genuine, and so much fun! Bonus points for being an amazing photographer too! This day was worth every penny and more - I’d recommend to anyone! Also, such a well-curated list of activities. From the amazing choices of cenotes to the authentic Mayan lunch, it was an unforgettable experience that made our trip :)”

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13.Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $59

Start at Gilmer’s home near Chemuyil by helping season pork for cochinita pibil. While it cooks wrapped in banana leaves, ride bikes to four less-visited cenotes, with masks and life jackets provided. Return for a home-cooked meal with Gilmer and Gael. The group is capped at eight.

“Gilmer and Gael were fantastic hosts. They made this actually our favourite activity on our trip. It was personal and the communication throughout was amazing.”

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14.Half-day Tour Sea Turtles Encounter in Akumal Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $98

Travel from Playa del Carmen to Akumal Beach for a guided snorkel among sea turtles in their natural environment. Snorkeling gear, bottled water, snacks and drinks are provided, followed by about two hours of free beach time. The group is capped at 14, and a separate MX$400-per-person turtle care fee is due on the day.

“Very good experience only this would be chairs for beach time. Raoul and driver was excellent. Picked up early and we were able to leave a bit early”

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15.Chichen Itza: First Access Half-Day Guided Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 9 hours · from $55

Travel from Cancun to Chichen Itza for a guided visit to El Castillo, the temples, carvings, and ball court. The nine-hour outing includes round-trip transport and admission, with about two hours at the site. English and Spanish guides are offered. A guide named Beto was praised for explaining Maya culture in detail, but guide assignments can vary.

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