Day Trips from Cancun to Playa del Carmen

The Riviera Maya may be known for its stunning beaches and luxury resorts, but it's also home to ancient Maya ruins no traveler should miss. On this daylong tour from Cancun, take a break from the beach and explore the Yucatan Peninsula. Visit the archeological remains of a Maya city, see the tallest pyramid in the region, and visit a natural cave. Along the way, stop for shopping in Playa del Carmen, and refuel with an included buffet lunch.

Explore the only ancient Mayan civilization built alongside the ocean on a tour that visits the Maya ruins in Tulum and finishes with a dip in a cenote. While arranging transport to the natural and cultural attractions can be a logistical challenge, with this guided tour, busy travelers can see both spots and learn about the sites along the way.

Travelers to the Yucatan Peninsula typically favor lounging on the beach, but with the rich Maya history in the region, savvy travelers should prioritize a visit to the ancient ruins. On this daylong adventure, explore the standout Maya ruins in Tulum and Coba, climb an ancient pyramid, and learn about Maya culture from your guide. To round out your tour, take a dip in a traditional swimming hole, known as a cenote, and recharge with an included buffet lunch.

Combine an in-depth tour of Tulum’s archaeological ruins with a refreshing dip in a cenote, or Mayan swimming pool, during this two-for-one tour. Departing from Cancun, you’ll enjoy a guided visit to the ancient, temple-filled Mayan site, with admission tickets and priority access included, followed by a swim in the region’s lagoon-like underground networks of water.

Learn about the ancient Mayans as you explore top locations in the Quintana Roo region on this full-day tour from Cancun. Learn about the ancient Mayans as you walk through the two archaeological sites and then refresh in a secret cenote. You also enjoy a delicious Mexican buffet lunch and a walk through the lively streets of Playa del Carmen as part of your day.

Visit two of the biggest draws in the Yucatan on this tour to the Tulum Archaeological Site and Cenote Chen Há and Mariposa from Cancun. Not only do you get a guided tour of the massive archaeological site—a lot to cover on your own—but you get to make the most of your time in the area by visiting the beautiful cenote. You can swim there, too, if you pay a fee upon arrival.

Take in two of the Yucatan's most important Mayan archaeological sites on this full-day tour: Coba, known for its towering pyramid, and waterfront Tulum. There's no need to worry about self-drive, as transfers are included. Along the way, enjoy a Mexican buffet lunch, swim in a cenote sinkhole, and explore Playa del Carmen. Package includes entrance fees but Coba tax and any bicycle or tricycle rentals are at your expense.

Hit the best of Maya archaeological sites — Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum — on this 12-hour private tour from Cancun. At the UNESCO site of Chichen Itza, learn the cultural import of landmarks like the Kukulcan Pyramid and the Temple of Warriors. Wind through Coba, a city shrouded in jungle, and admire the Caribbean Sea from the bluff-top city of Tulum. Take a refreshing dip in the Ik-Kil cenote. Enjoy the sites in the company of just your family and friends on this tour that comes with lunch and chauffeur-style transport.

Explore Xel-Ha Park, the Riviera Maya's stunning natural aquarium, on this all-day trip from Cancun. Relax on Xel Ha's hidden beach, swim in cenotes and lagoons, go snorkeling, and spelunk in caves. Watch out for wildlife like angelfish and iguanas. Xel-Ha is all-inclusive, so enjoy Mayan cuisine, seafood and burgers with your admission. This tour is family-friendly and includes round-trip transportation to Xel-Ha from Cancun.

Swap the beaches and bars of Cancún for the enigmatic architecture of Chichén Itzá for the day. This guided tour takes you to explore the archaeological site's ancient Mayan pyramids and you'll also visit Santuario Tsukán for a swim in the refreshing cenote waters and explore the charming town of Valladolid.

Gaining an overview of the region’s water-sports opportunities and historic culture can be tricky for visitors on limited time. Tick off 2 top experiences on a combined day tour, beginning your day with exploration of Tulum’s Maya ruins with a guide, then transferring to Xel-Ha Park for an afternoon of aquatic activities. Avoid hidden costs with round-trip transfer, buffet lunch, and entrance fees included as per itinerary.

Experience the amazing underground river Río Secreto on this guided adventure. After a convenient pickup, enjoy a complimentary breakfast, a quick tutorial and all the necessary gear you need for a day of exploration. Cycle through lush jungle, marvel at the otherworldly rock formations of an underground cavern, and enjoy a relaxing swim in a semi-flooded cave. Enjoy a delicious lunch—it’s included in the tour—before returning to Cancun.

Learn about ancient history and see spectacular archeological ruins on this private tour to two Mayan cities—Tulum and Coba. As it's a private tour, choose a start time that works for you and travel comfortably in a private air-conditioned vehicle with onboard Wi-Fi. Customize the itinerary and choose how long you spend at each site, then round off the trip with a buffet lunch and a soft drink in Coba.

Explore the Yucatan jungle's flooded sinkholes, or cenotes, during this full-day guided eco-adventure. Paddle through the underground caverns on kayaks, snorkel in the subterranean aquatic habitats and float on the azure water on inner tubes. Listen as your guide recounts Mayan folktales about mythical guardians that protect these sacred water sources. This small-group tour, limited to 19 people, includes snacks, a gourmet picnic lunch, and round-trip hotel transportation.

Experience some of the Yucatan’s most exciting and exhilarating activities with a Cancun Combo tour. Select from four outstanding options, visiting captivating attractions such as Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and Chichen Itza. Immerse yourself in the natural and historical majesty of some of Mexico’s best aquatic, adventure and archeological parks, touring ancient sites and legendary landmarks with a knowledgeable and experienced guide. Convenient round-trip transportation from your Yucatan hotel is included, in addition to delicious food and drinks inspired by local specialties. Simply take your two selected tours with 15 days of each other to enjoy this excellent economical offer.

Discover the restored archaeological ruins of Tulum, an ancient Mayan trading port perched above a white-sand beach on the Caribbean coast. Visit this popular city on the Yucatán Peninsula and tour the grounds with your informative guide. Round-trip transport by air-conditioned coach is included from Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Come and enjoy a tour full of culture and natural wonders that the state of Quintana Roo has for you. Visit the archaeological sites of Tulum and Coba and learn how the Mayan culture came to have so much power in the American continent. Enjoy the incredible views of these ancient cities and take many souvenir pictures. Then let yourself be surprised by the refreshing sacred cenote. Swim and relax surrounded by nature and an atmosphere full of peace and tranquility. The cenote you will visit may vary according to availability, avoiding crowded places. Finally get to know one of the main avenues of the Mexican Caribbean, the fifth avenue of Playa del Carmen, get lost in its hundreds of stores and enjoy an unforgettable walk. Book now!

There's no need to go to the expense of car hire when you book this affordable tour that hits two Tulum highlights in a day—the beachfront archaeological site and a cenote in the jungle. Start with a guided visit to the archaeological site, backed by the turquoise Caribbean, then snorkel and swim in the Xunaan-Ha Cenote (conservation fee applies). Add pickup and drop-off direct from your hotel for maximum ease.

Tulum National Park is an ideal location to see Maya archeological ruins and experience the Riviera Maya. This tour saves you the hassle of getting there from Playa del Carmen and provides a guide to enhance your exploration of the ruins perched above the sea. Continue your journey afterward with a visit to a cenote swimming hole in Cenotes Park Hidden Treasures.

Explore one of the Yucatan's more newly discovered Maya sites—Ek Balam—on a cultural tour from Playa del Carmen. Embark on a full-day visit to these archaeological ruins as well as Cenote Maya Park, an adventure park with a superb natural setting, and get the most out of the Yucatan's vast offerings. Climb to the top of Ek Balam's Acropolis pyramid, discover hidden temples cloaked in dense jungle canopy and wander among ancient statues; then spend the rest of the day swimming in a natural sinkhole, cave rappelling and rainforest ziplining.

See two of the most important pre-Hispanic cities in Mexico, Tulum and Cobá in just one day on this premium excursion, and much more. Swim in an underground cenote, browse the shops of Playa del Carmen, and enjoy a Mayan chocolate experience. With more than five hours to travel, the conditions of the bus are important: a waiter on board will serve you water, beer and soft drinks, while hotel transfers save time.

Skip the self-drive stress and spare yourself the hassle of research when you join this convenient guided tour to two of the Yucatan's most important Mayan sites—Tulum and Coba—with transfers direct from select hotels. Explore waterfront Tulum and jungle-clad Coba both with your guide and independently, and enjoy a buffet lunch, a cenote swim and a shopping stop at Playa del Carmen, too.

Combine a guided tour of the Mayan ruins at Tulum with a visit to the Casa Tortuga Cenote with this excursion. You'll start at Tulum, where you'll learn all about ancient Mayan culture from a professional expert. You’ll then head to Casa Tortuga Cenote, where you'll get the chance to go for a swim or even rent snorkeling equipment.