Top Playa del Carmen Cultural Tours

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.

The Yucatan Peninsula offers visitors a treasure trove of history, from the pre-Columbian archeological sites of the Maya civilization, to 16th century towns settled by the Spanish. Experience this history firsthand with a full-day tour from Cancun or the Riviera Maya. See the ancient Maya site Chichen Itza (admission not included) the pyramid of Kukulcan, and explore the architecture in Valladolid. After a busy day exploring, refresh yourself in the waters of the cenote, and enjoy a delicious buffet meal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the Maya city of Tulum on a 6-hour tour from Playa del Carmen, and explore temples, pyramids, and history at the edge of the Caribbean Sea. See the site on a two-hour guided tour, then enjoy an hour to explore on your own, snap photos, or visit the Tulum beach. This 6-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off at Playa del Carmen hotels, as well as entrance fees at the Tulum Archeological Site.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the Rio Secreto Nature Reserve outside of Cancun on this full-day excursion, where you swim and wade in one of the most spectacular underground caves in Mexico. See the famous crystal caves on a tour that showcases the spectacular natural wonders of the Yucatán. Choose round-trip transportation from your Cancun hotel, or meet your guide at Rio Secreto directly. You also have the option to visit the Tulum ruins which you can add as an upgrade.

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.

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.