Top Playa del Carmen Art & Culture

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.

Experience tablecloth dining along with the Cirque du Soleil® show 'JOYÁ' at the Vidanta Riviera Maya resort. Allow yourself to be mesmerized by the story of an alchemist and his granddaughter seeking out the secrets of life. The show draws on the heritage and history of Mexico to weave the story, presented in an intimate dinner theatre in the jungle of the Riviera Maya.

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 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 an off-road romp in the jungle beyond Playa del Carmen on this half-day excursion. Drive or ride in a 2-person buggy and follow a guide first into scenic parts of the Playa del Carmen not frequented by tourists, before bouncing and bumping your way into the jungle. Wash off the grime during a swim at a gorgeous underground cenote and journey to an authentic Maya village. This small-group tour is limited to 14 passengers, ensuring you’ll receive personalized attention. Hotel transport is included on this family-friendly outing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pre-book your airport transfers from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen to save time and avoid the stress of seeking out a taxi on arrival. You can choose from one-way transfers to or from the airport, or book a round-trip service for added convenience. If you're getting picked up at the airport, your driver will monitor your flight in case of any delay.

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.

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.

Save money and time by pre-booking a shared transfer service between the Cancun International Airport and your Playa del Carmen Hotel. You'll ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle from the airport straight to your hotel, without the added expense of a private transfer or taxi. Both one-way and round-trip service is available for added convenience.

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.

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.

Set sail along the magnificent coastline of the Riviera Maya aboard a luxury catamaran and gaze at the soft hues of sunset. Relax with a cocktail from the open bar while you're served snacks by an expert crew and captain. Hotel transport is provided from most hotels for this excursion.

Explore the structures of Muyil, a Maya archaeological site amid the mangroves of Sian Ka'an, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This excursion from Tulum takes you to the former trading post along an interpretive nature trail before a boat ride to Muyil Lagoon. Then enjoy a relaxing float down the shallow canal as you drift past unique vegetation. Learn from your guide about the ecology of the area and the Maya civilization before a picnic lunch.

Combine a visit to stunning Isla Mujeres with a fun-filled cruise on the Carribean Sea during this shared full-day excursion. Your boat comes equipped with an open bar with unlimited drinks, games and contests, and a tasty buffet-style lunch. Enjoy a quick snorkel with masks and equipment provided at Punta Sam Reef before free time to shop, stroll along the island, or take a swim in a private beach club.

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.

Discover the white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Holbox Island on a day trip from the Riviera Maya. Take a boat ride on a lagoon, explore the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, and enjoy a delicious lunch.