Day Trips from Cancun to Riviera Maya & the Yucatan

Take a day away from the beaches and bars of Cancún and see a different side to the Riviera Maya. This guided tour takes you to see the pyramid temples and other monuments of Chichén Itzá and the colonial city of Valladolid, and includes the opportunity to swim in an underground cenote.

Journey to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on this full-day tour and experience this incredible archeological site with a local guide. First, take a panoramic tour through the colonial town of Valladolid and then stop at a cenote for a refreshing swim. Midway through the day, enjoy a typical buffet lunch and a tequila tasting, and then explore the archeological site. Walk along El Castillo and the Pyramid of Kukulcan and learn how this pre-Columbian city played an important role in the Mayan Civilization.

Escape the tourist crowds and explore the atmospheric Coba ruins in peace with early access and gain in-depth knowledge with an expert guide. Then visit Chichén Itzá, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, before enjoying a refreshing swim in a secretive underground cavern. You can do all of this in just one day when you book this exciting tour.

This full-day tour from Cancun packs a sightseeing punch—see Valladolid, a 16th-century colonial city, visit the ancient Maya civilization of Chichen Itza, a UNESCO Site, and have a chance to participate in an ancient Mayan purification ritual of Temazcal guided by a real shaman. In the archaeological zone, admire the Kukulkan pyramid and the Temple of Warriors. A guide explains the cultural importance of the landmarks you stroll past. Spend leisurely time relaxing in the peaceful cenote of Ik-Kil. With round-trip hotel transport, this is a hassle-free experience you don’t want to miss.

Escape for the day to Xcaret, Mexico's ecological and archeology park located in Riviera Maya. On this full-day trip from Cancun to Xcaret, swim in a lagoon, snorkel in the clear aqua waters of the Caribbean, and discover a network of subterranean rivers. Watch for monkeys, birdlife, and butterflies as you stroll through the jungle at Xcaret and take tours of the ancient Mayan archaeological sites. After the sun sets, enjoy folkloric entertainment that highlights the ancient Mayan culture around Cancun, Mexico. This Xcaret outing includes pickup and drop-off at most hotels in Cancun.

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.

Skip the beaches and bars of Cancun and spend the day exploring the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula. Discover the well-preserved ruins at Chichén Itzá, admire the Kukulkan Pyramid, go for a refreshing swim in a spectacular underground cenote, and explore the charming colonial city of Valladolid. Along the way, enjoy a delicious 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.

Skip the crowded bus tours at Chichen Itza. Instead, opt for a personalized excursion from Cancun or Riviera Maya. This private day trip lets you customize the itinerary with your guide and choose your own pickup time from the hotel. Entrance fees and a buffet lunch are included, along with beer and soda in a cooler aboard the air-conditioned vehicle. Bonus: swim in Ik Kil or Xcajum cenote.

Visit one of Mexico's most significant Mayan sites and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World on this day trip to Chichen Itza. Travel by comfortable coach bus to get to the archaeological site, and then learn from a native of the region about the history and traditions of the Maya people. Plus, swim in a cenote and visit the town of Valladolid. This tour allows you to skip the hassle of renting a car or finding your own way from Cancun to Chichen Itza so you can relax and enjoy a pre-planned day.

Explore spectacular Chichen Itza on this full-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop for a swim in a nearby cenote before a certified guide leads you through the ancient capital of the Maya Empire, considered the most important archaeological zone of the Yucatán. Visit the ball court, El Castillo (the Castle), Pyramid of Kukulkan, and Temple of the Warriors. Then, indulge in a buffet lunch of regional dishes. Your Chichen Itza day trip includes round-trip hotel transport from Cancun.

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.

Your admission ticket lets you enter the archaeological site first so you can explore in cooler temperatures without the crowds. Enjoy a buffet lunch, and swim in a cenote. Experience one of the New Seven Wonders of the World with this early access tour of Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most important Mayan site in Mexico. Explore its temples and pyramids with an archaeologist on this fascinating cultural tour that also includes a stop in Hispanic-era Valladolid and a swim in the Xcajum cenote. Since you'll be spending more than five hours on the bus, it's imperative that you be looked after, so in addition to food, your package includes a waiter on board and drinks on the go.

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.

This private sunrise tour to Chichen Itza lets you avoid the crowds and heat. You'll see the ancient Mayan city at its most atmospheric as the sun rises over its ruins. Afterward, you'll have the chance to keep cool with a dip in the Ik Kil cenote. As this is a private tour, the itinerary is flexible and you can add on another archaeological site, such as Ek Balam, Coba, or Tulum.

Explore the archaeological site of Chichen Itza on this all-day guided tour from Playa del Carmen. Along the way, stop at a sacred cenote, an  underground cave, and go for a swim, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. From there, head to Chichen Itza, an important complex of Mayan ruins. On the return trip, visit the colonial city of Valladolid.

Get a different perspective on the Yucatán region than the beaches and bars of Cancún. This day tour takes you to see the Maya city of Chichén Itzá, the colonial architecture of Valladolid, and to cool off with a dip in a cenote. Includes a buffet lunch with an open bar

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.