Mayan Riviera & Playa Del Carmen Holidays

An other-worldly Mayan ruin and one of Mexico's famous cenotes are the focus on this action-packed day out. First up is the forest-surrounded relics of Coba where you’ll find Quinta Roo’s tallest pyramid, Nohoch Mul, and a whole host of hidden ruins that are a joy to discover. You guide will also take you around the site to check out other highlights such as the Temple of Paintings, Ball Court and historic roads known as sacbes. Return to your air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy some snacks on your way to a freshwater sinkhole hidden away by the emerald jungle. You can enjoy a refreshing swim here before continuing on to an authentic Mayan village to learn about local day-to-day life.

• Duration: full day
• Daily departures from Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Tulum
• Operates year-round
• Private experience

Good to know
Lunch will be a local restaurant but is not included in the cost of the excursion. Bring your swimsuit, a beach towel, change of clothes, comfortable shoes which you can walk in all day, and biodegradable sunscreen. The use of professional photography equipment, including tripods, is prohibited at Coba archaeological site.

A Yucatan coast island awaits on this full-day adventure from the Riviera Maya. Board a boat and hope over to Isla Mujeres, a picture-perfect barrier island where you can swim, snorkel or browse the local shops and stalls which sell a host of Yucatan-made handicrafts. Throughout the day, you’ll be accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

• Daily departures from Playa del Carmen

• Operates year-round

• Group experience

Good to know The island and nature reserve fee of US$ 20 is not included (amount subject to change) and will need to be paid on the spot on arrival). Please use biodegradable sun cream and insect repellent, use a reusable bottle for water and take some cash for tips and souvenirs. The consumption of alcohol is not recommended before or during this tour.

The ruins at Chichen Itza are arguably Mexico’s most iconic pre-Columbian relics and have been designated a New Wonder of the World. Over a thousand years ago, it was one of the largest Mayan cities that was reportedly home to a diverse community – a factor that’s likely to have led to the varying architectural styles within the site. In the company of an attentive English-speaking guide, you’ll explore ruins such as the Great Ball Court, the observatory El Caracol, and the 12-metre-high Temple of the Warriors with its hundreds of columns and stunning bas-reliefs that depict eagles, jaguars and warriors. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and there’ll even be a chance to take a dip in a cenote – a natural sinkhole permanently filled with crystal clear water – and visit Valladolid, a characterful town with colourful Spanish-style architecture.

• Duration: half day
• Daily departures from Riviera Maya and Tulum
• Operates year-round
• Private experience

Good to know
Wear comfortable shoes and shoes and pack swimming gear and a towel if you wish to swim in the cenote. Please use biodegradable sun cream and insect repellent, use a reusable bottle for water and take some cash for tips and souvenirs.

Quintana Roo’s natural landscapes are the focus on this full-day adventure. You’ll travel south to the breathtaking UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an where tropical jungle meet wetlands, mangrove forests, lakes, lagoons and hidden cenotes; keep an eye out for sun-worshiping crocodiles, and dolphins which may pop up as you sail. After a delightful boat trip, you'll stop at a small fishing village and send some time relaxing before heading back out on the water for an unforgettable snorkelling trip at the Mesoamerican Reef; keep an eye out for a kaleidoscopic array of marine life and fan coral as you swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean, The final stop of the day is a jaw-dropping sand bar known as La Piscina, or 'the pool'.

• Duration: full day
• Daily departures from Riviera Maya and Tulum
• Operates year-round
• Private experience

Good to know
Wear comfortable shoes and shoes and pack swimming gear and a towel. Please use biodegradable sun cream and insect repellent, use a reusable bottle for water and take some cash for tips and souvenirs. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed and the order of tour activities may vary depending on weather conditions or other circumstances. A national park fee will be collected on board the boat (currently 13USD).

After an early pick up, head to the Yucatan's most iconic archaeological site, Chichen Itza. You'll be joined by a guide who will take you around the ruins and enrich your visit with stories of the past. You'll see the Temple of Kukulcan, El Castillo and the Observatory which is also known as El Caracol. Other highlights of the tour include the Monastery and Nunnery, the Temple of Warriors and the Grand Ball Court. There'll be a bit of free time to explore on your own before a deli-style lunch is served and you make the return journey to your resort.

• Departure: 6 hours
• Departs daily from Riviera Maya or Tulum
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

The clifftop ruins of Tulum, with their jaw-dropping Caribbean backdrop, are the focus on this time-saving introductory tour. Step back into the 13th Century as your knowledgable guide explains the importance of this site and the buildings that remain standing. You'll see the Temple of the Descending God, the Temple of the Frescoes and El Castillo which was used to guide incoming boats. You can head down to the beach and even take a dip in the sea if you wish and the water conditions allow before heading back to your resort.

• Duration: 3 hours
• Daily departures from Riviera Maya, Cozumel or Tulum
• Operates year-round
• Private experience

Good to know
Wear comfortable shoes and shoes and pack swimming gear and a towel. Please use biodegradable sun cream and insect repellent, use a reusable bottle for water and take some cash for tips and souvenirs.