Top Riviera Maya & the Yucatan 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

This small-group tour of the Chacchoben Maya Ruins—one of the most popular attractions near Costa Maya—also offers an optional trip to a beach club. Meet your guide near the port in Costa Maya and head out to the archeological site, which you’ll explore for roughly 1.5 hours. On the return journey, stop at a beach club at Playa Mahahual (optional) before drop-off.

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.

Disembark your cruise ship at the port of Casa Maya and embark on a shore excursion to the ancient Mayan city of Chacchoben. Discover the mystifying archeological site as you admire colossal pyramids and sacred temples that were only discovered in the late 20th century. Experience the diverse wildlife of the surrounding jungle as your knowledgeable guide offers a captivating commentary of the atmospheric ruins. Round-trip transport from the port in an air-conditioned minivan is included in the tour.

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.

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.

Free dive, snorkel, and cliff-jump at three different cenotes on this half-day guided tour from Tulum. Jump from tiered platforms at Cenote Zemway, explore the caverns and rock formations of Grand Cenote, and admire the mangroves of Casa Cenote. Or, simply climb down the ladder. Safety briefings, equipment, and transport from Tulum are provided.

Combine a jungle zipline course, off-road ATV experience, and a cenote swim on a small-group adventure tour from Cancun to Extreme Adventure Eco Park. Take on a fun, family-friendly challenge in a scenic destination, with round-trip hotel transfer, refreshments, and all activities included.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Journey to the cultural heart of the Yucatan on this combo tour of Chichen Itzá and the colonial city of Valladolid, departing from Tulum. Your knowledgeable guide offers perspective on the Maya-Toltec design as you walk past the impressively restored structures. Make a stop at a cenote where you can swim and relax. Then, continue on to Valladolid, to have a walk in the city center and enjoy a delicious 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.

See two of the most important Mayan remains in the Yucatan in just a day, plus Playa del Carmen and a cenote, without the stress of self-driving. Start at the waterfront ruins of Tulum; explore Coba, with its towering Nohoch Mul pyramid; soak in the cool waters of Cenote Zacil-Ha; and shop Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue. As well as transfers, your day includes a Mexican buffet lunch.

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.