Top Playa del Carmen Archaeology Tours

Explore coral reefs, ancient history, and nature in the Riviera Maya on an combination tour that features some of the best of Yucatan in a single day. Snorkel through the coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, visit the Tulum archeological site, and swim in a cenote, then explore a limestone cave and take a jungle walk. This tour includes entrance fees, a buffet lunch, and door-to-door transport from hotels in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The ancient Maya city of Tulum draws travelers from around the world that want to visit this celebrated archeological site and its 13th century architecture. You can visit this must-see attraction in just a few hours on this express Tulum tour, where you explore the sights with a guide. You can uncover the history of this storied city, learn about Maya culture, and enjoy hassle-free travel from select Yucatán Peninsula hotels.

Swap the beach for a fix of culture and history on this tour to the Tulum and Coba archaeological zones. Explore clifftop Maya ruins, climb the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, and swim in a jungle cenote. Opt to rent a bike or hire a bicitaxi and ride between the pyramids.

Visit Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and the open-air Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman on your own terms, with this private guided tour. You'll head out to to Chichen Itza bright and early so that you can avoid the crowds and heat that come later in the day, continuing on to Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman for a refreshing dip. You'll finish your tour with an a la carte lunch in colonial Valladolid.

Travel through the Mayan jungle on this action-packed all-day guided tour. Hop on your own ATV (or ride along with a driver) and head to a cenote, an underwater pool, where you can take a refreshing dip. Then fly above the treetops on a ziplining course. A local Mayan lunch is included. Only those 18 years old and above are permitted to drive their own ATV.

Don’t leave your experience of Playa del Carmen’s food scene to chance; let a guide reveal some of the city's best food spots on a culinary walking tour that provides a comprehensive introduction to first-time visitors. Stray from the beaten path and discover lesser-known Mexican specialties that you may otherwise have missed.

Spend a day exploring ancient Maya cities and an underground pool on a full-day tour from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza, and Ek Balam. Visiting both Maya sites offers the chance to experience the most iconic ruins in the Yucatan, then tour a lesser-visited gem with vivid frescoes and a fascinating history. This tour includes pickup and drop-off in Playa del Carmen, entrance fees, breakfast and lunch, and it’s limited to 15 people for a personalized experience.

Tulum, cenotes, and the terrific snorkeling site of Yal Ku Lagoon make this day tour from Playa del Carmen one you must book. Walk through the ruins of Tulum, a bluff-top city overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and one of the last places inhabited by the Maya people. Discover cenotes and explore a lagoon teeming with marine life—the perfect spot for snorkeling. This guided day of culture, history, and adventure includes lunch and hotel transport.

Explore the tropical forest and Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on an adventure tour: ride an ATV through the jungle then head to Maroma Beach, where you can skim across the water in a wave runner or speed boat. This 3-hour tour includes snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as pickup and drop-off at hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya.

Combine a visit to Tulum archaeological site with a swimming and snorkeling excursion during this three-for-one, full-day combo tour. First, tour Tulum’s famous coastal ruins, with admission tickets included. Then, get an underwater peek at coral, tropical fish, and even sea turles during a snorkeling trip to Turtle Bay, followed by a swim in a freshwater cenote. Hotel pickup and a tasty lunch buffet are included.

3 visits in 1 tour, with free Mexican lunch included. Get to know and enjoy Chichén Itzá, and its incomparable Temple of Kukulcán, considered one of the 7 New Wonders of the Modern World. In addition, you will swim in a sacred cenote AND you will visit the magical town of Valladolid, the tour has a free Mexican lunch. Through our guides you will discover the secrets kept in the buildings of this ancient city of the Mayan civilization, one of the most advanced in the pre-Hispanic world. I promise you that you will admire and contemplate several buildings such as the Market of the Thousand Columns, the Temple of the Warriors with the statue of Chacmool, the Ball Game, the Temple of the Jaguar and the wonderful Temple of Kukulcán, one of the monuments emblematic of the Mayan civilization. You will also be surprised by its ingenious architecture and its extraordinarily precise calculations where the deep knowledge of mathematics, geometry and astronomy of the Mayas is demonstrated.

Set off into the warm Caribbean Sea on this half-day catamaran sailing adventure from Playa del Carmen. Your luxurious boat cruises along the Riviera Maya coastline, stopping at the Inah Reef — one of the best locations in the region for snorkeling. Try stand-up paddleboarding while you’re out there too. After your water activities, enjoy a gourmet lunch and an open bar, as well as attentive service from your crew. Hotel transport included.

This small-group tour from Playa del Carmen takes you to three of the most popular sites on the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza, Coba, and the Ik Kil cenote. Stroll through the archaeological site of Chichen Itza and learn about its landmark ruins, including the Kukulcan Pyramid and the observatory. Then head for a refreshing swim in a deep cenote followed by a delicious buffet lunch. Your Maya history immersion continues at Coba, an archaeological site located in the jungle. Hotel transport by air-conditioned minivan included.

Visit the archeological site of Chichen Itza, a cenote, and the city of Valladolid with this private tour. Your guide will take you to Chichen Itza bright and early so that you’ll have plenty of time to explore before it gets too hot out. You'll then visit a cenote for a refreshing dip and spend time in the city of Valladolid before returning to Playa del Carmen.

Journey deep into the Riviera Maya on this guided jungle buggy tour from Playa del Carmen. Steer a 4x4 buggy for about 18 miles and admire the lush forest scenery during this thrilling drive. Make a stop at a ranch for a refreshing swim and snorkel at a cenote. Hotel transport included.

Bring your appetite on this foodie tour in Playa del Carmen. By taxi and on foot, an in-the-know guide whisks you to five of the best restaurants and street stalls not frequented by tourists, where you will sample authentic Mexican cuisine, made up of Maya and Spanish influences. At an open-air farmer’s market, learn how fresh ingredients are used in dishes. Discover places and foods that you never would have found on your own!

Foodies that want to uncover the unique culinary scene in Playa del Carmen need to get off the beach, and away from the resort, for this off the beaten path food tasting excursion. Meet your group in central Playa del Carmen, and get ready to taste the diverse local cuisine, from ceviche and barbecue, to tacos and tamales. Along the way, sample tropical juices—or aguas frescas to locals—and satisfy your sweet tooth with an authentic chocolate drink.