Cancun

Tulum and Xel-Há All-Inclusive Day Trip from Playa del Carmen

Cancun, Mexico
  • 8 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Combine culture, history and nature on an exciting full-day excursion to the atmospheric walled city of Tulum and the beautiful Xel-Ha aquatic theme park. Depart from Playa del Carmen and enjoy a captivating combination of historical exploration and energetic fun; explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum with an expert guide before snorkeling among troves of tropical fish at Xel-Ha. Feast upon a delicious buffet lunch then relax upon the soft sands of the beach to observe iguanas and colorful birds. Food, beverages and round-trip hotel transportation are all included on this tour.
  • All-inclusive day trip to Tulum and Xel-Há from Playa del Carmen
  • Take in Tulum’s incredible location on top of a cliff overlooking the glittering Caribbean Sea
  • Explore the ruins of this abandoned city and learn its history from an expert guide
  • See colorful fish and other wildlife at Xel-Há, a natural aquarium on the Riviera Maya with lagoons, caves and a hidden beach
  • Enjoy a variety of activities including snorkeling, swimming and bicycling
  • Locker use, towels, snorkel gear, food and beverages at Xel-Há are all included
  • Enjoy pickup and drop-off from Playa del Carmen hotels

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This tour balances history and fun, with visits to the Tulum ruins and the family-friendly Xel-Ha theme park.

What's Included

  • Food and beverages at Xel-Ha
  • Use of lockers, towels and snorkel equipment at Xel-Ha
  • Inner tubing at Xel-Ha
  • Bicycle ride at Xel-Ha
  • Rest areas (hammocks) at Xel-Ha
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Optional activities at Xel-Ha (see the Additional Info for a list)
  • Drop-off service at the Courtyard by Marriott and Secrets Excellence Playa Mujeres hotels

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

07:30 AM

Pickup details

Close meeting point for Downtown Playa del Carmen hotels

What To Expect

Depart from your hotel in Playa del Carmen and relax during the 1-hour journey to Tulum in an air-conditioned minivan. Feel your jaw drop as you approach the dramatic entrance of the ancient city and admire the swaying palm trees and rugged cliffs that tumble down to the Caribbean Sea below.

Follow your informative and insightful guide on a 45-minute tour of the city’s most significant structures; enrich your knowledge of ancient history as Tulum’s pivotal part in Mayan civilization is explained. Visualize a bustling trading center where merchants from South and Central America exchanged precious objects like obsidian, jade and animal skins, thus emphasizing the prominence of Tulum in the Mayan world.  

Visit each of Tulum’s major features to see how society functioned and flourished within the walled city; observe the architectural precision of The Castle; decipher the mystifying hieroglyphics of the Temple of the Descending God; and marvel at the intricate murals in the Temple of the Frescoes. 

Return to the minivan and absorb the dramatic coastal scenery as you venture north to Xel-Ha. Arrive at the natural aquatic theme park and immediately begin to explore the lagoons, natural wells and ancient caves of the area. Don some snorkeling gear them immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters of a lagoon to discover troves of tropical fish; cycle down idyllic jungle trails to observe iguanas and the exotic birds of the rainforest; enjoy a gentle journey down a river in an inner tube; or simply sink your toes in the soft sands of the beach while reclining on a comfortable lounger. Those with an appetite for adrenaline with grasp the opportunity to jump off a cliff and cross a suspended rope bridge.  

When hunger strikes, take advantage of your all-inclusive day pass by indulging in one of the five excellent restaurants on site; feast upon Mayan specialties, succulent hamburgers or freshly caught seafood for lunch.  Sip a fruity cocktail or refreshing water and use the fabulous facilities to freshen up before heading back to your minivan to be transported to your Playa del Carmen hotel.

Tulum Archaeological Site

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Xel-Ha Park by Xcaret

6 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Child prices are height dependent: children over 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) pay the adult price; children between 3.2 feet (1 meter) and 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) pay the child price; all children under 3.2 feet (1 meter) travel free provided they do not occupy a seat
  • Optional activities include: Swim with Dolphins (USD $99), Dolphin Trek (USD $149), Sea Trek (USD $49), Snuba (USD $49), Manatee Encounter (USD $79), Stingray Encounter (USD $49), Zip Bike (USD $29), Temaxcal ($USD 31)
  • Comfortable lightweight clothing
  • Good walking shoes or sneakers
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Biodegradable sunblock
  • Swimsuit
  • Dry change of clothing
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.0
11 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Showing 1-8 of 11 reviews
This tour has too much wasted time...
Melanie, Dec 2017
This tour has too much wasted time waiting for buses, changing buses and had very poor communications about what to do and where to go. We had to go to a hotel in Playacar and waited 30 minutes for the bus. The bus took us to Zel Ha, and we had to get out there and find another bus which would take us to Tulum. The guy on the bus didn't tell us where to find it and then disappeared, so we wandered around asking people. We finally found it and then had to wait another 15 minutes for that bus to fill up and take us to Tulum. Once we arrived at Tulum, we were broken up into English and Spanish groups and told to be back to the bus in 2 hours, which would be 11:25 am. The woman who had the English group didn't say a word to us, just took off walking fast and we all scurried to stay with her. She stopped at a place to catch the shuttle into Tulum park and gestured for us to stay there in line and then took off, never to be seen again. Another guide showed up and said he was our English speaking guide. We waited another 15 minutes for the shuttle to come and we got on and it took us to the Ruins. By this time it was 10 am - we arrived to catch our initial bus at 7:45 am, so it took 2 hours and 15 minutes to get us to the first part of our Tour, and we only had about an hour for the Tulum tour, since we needed to leave 20 minutes for getting back to the bus! Our guide did a decent job, but was clearly rushed and who know what he didn't say because the time was so short. We then are back to the trolley, then to the bus. We sat there waiting for people who were late, and then took the trip back to Xel Ha. We arrived at Xel Ha and were shown the giant map of the place on a billboard, but there were no individual maps of it provided. This place is very large and in order to know what you need to do there, they should have provided a map and description of how things work. We finally go in and walk to a place with lockers to store our belongings. It's now around 12:30 and we go get lunch. We get some snorkeling gear another line and towels a different line and are finally in the water doing something at around 1:30. You have to wait in line to get any alcoholic drinks, as there are very few bars for the number of people there, so chalk up some time to that if you want them. We have to leave to be at the bus at 5:45, so that means winding up around 5:15 to get our belongings and walk back to the bus. So basically this 10 hour Day Trip gets you a 1 hour tour of Tulum and 3-4 hours of activity at Xel Ha and 5 hours of waiting in lines and transporting.
This tour was a lot of fun! Bus was...
Ashley W, Jan 2017
This tour was a lot of fun! Bus was on time and guide was very helpful. Both destinations are beautiful included in this trip!
We had a great time. The Tulum...
Susanne S, May 2016
We had a great time. The Tulum ruins were amazing with a wonderful view of the ocean below. It was VERY hot, so we were glad this part of the day was not the longest. Xel-Ha was a lot of fun. The lunch was delicious. A word for the wise.... it can be very expensive once you add on the extra activities. We did the dolphin swim and Adrenalina boat ride what a blast! My advice is to not buy the photo package ahead of time. The tour guides were great! We arrived back at our resort tired and happy.
We loved this day trip to xel ha and...
David K, Feb 2016
We loved this day trip to xel ha and tulum! the tour guides knew a lot of history and they were very insightful
Loved it. Guide at Tulum was great...
Gemma B, Nov 2015
Loved it. Guide at Tulum was great, Xel-Ha was amazing.
Great tour and excellent guides...
Mehul P, May 2015
Great tour and excellent guides. Tulum was a nice spot to visit and Xel-Ha was great. Limited fish in the river at Xel-Ha, however, the Dolphin encounter was fantastic.
Tour to Tulum was great with Enrique...
Emma L, May 2015
Tour to Tulum was great with Enrique the guide who was extremely knowledgeable. It was balance of guided tour and free time. Xel-Ha was lots fun with so many things and natural attractions to keep you entertained as well as in awe of nature.
Wonderful day! After an initial...
Katalin I, Feb 2015
Wonderful day! After an initial mix-up, the tour company scrambled and fixed everything! We had a great guide for the ruins (which are spectacular) then a relaxing afternoon at the water park! The park has wonderful facilities, great food and drink, in a gorgeous setting!

From $174.99

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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