Private tours with hotel pickup in Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Tulum 5.0 · 1,500+ reviews on Tripadvisor
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★★★★★5.0· 1,500+ reviews on TripAdvisor· Travelers’ Choice 2021–2025

Tulum Cenote & Akumal turtle Snorkeling Private Tour

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our Tulum Cenote & Akumal Turtle Snorkeling Private Tour, expertly crafted by Carey Tours Riviera Maya. Experience the breathtaking Tulum Mayan ruins perched above the Caribbean Sea, dive into a refreshing cenote, and swim alongside majestic sea turtles in Akumal Bay. Perfect for couples, families, and small groups, this luxury tour offers personalized attention from certified local guides, ensuring you explore at your own pace. Discover the perfect blend of history, adventure, and relaxation in one seamless day. Join us for an authentic experience that showcases the very best of Mexico’s natural beauty!
7-9 hours
Your group only, up to 10

Hotel pickup included

Lunch included

English, Spanish, French

Three Unforgettable Experiences, One Perfect Day

This private tour costs $230 USD per person for 2 guests and goes down to $150 per person in larger groups. It takes 7-9 hours, with private transport and your own guide.

The Tulum Cenote & Akumal Turtle Snorkeling Private Tour combines three of the Riviera Maya’s most iconic experiences in one carefully crafted day: clifftop Maya ruins, mystical cenote swimming, and close encounters with sea turtles in their natural habitat. This Tulum cenote private tour is designed for travelers who want comprehensive cultural and natural immersion without the crowds, rushed timelines, or impersonal atmosphere of large group tours.

Since 2018, Carey Tours has specialized in private experiences with certified guides who provide archaeological expertise, cenote knowledge, and marine wildlife guidance. Therefore, when you book with Carey Tours Riviera Maya, you choose quality, safety, flexibility, and authentic local expertise. 

Snorkeling in a vibrant coral reef near Tulum, showcasing colorful fish and a turtle swimming gracefully by Carey Tours.

This Tulum-Akumal tour begins with an early visit to Tulum’s dramatic coastal ruins, where your guide explains Maya astronomy, architectural significance, and the site’s role in ancient trade. Next, descend into a jungle cenote for swimming in crystal-clear freshwater surrounded by stalactites and limestone formations—one of the Yucatan’s most unique natural phenomena. The experience culminates with an Akumal snorkeling with turtles private tour in the protected bay where green sea turtles feed on seagrass beds just meters from shore. 

Your guide ensures respectful wildlife interaction while maximizing your chances of swimming alongside these gentle creatures, plus tropical fish and occasional rays. 

The tour includes private round-trip transportation, traditional lunch at a local restaurant, all equipment, and the flexibility to adjust pacing for photography, rest, or extended time at any location. Perfect for families with children, honeymooners, couples, and small groups seeking an authentic Tulum cenote tour that balances adventure, education, and personalized attention from local experts.

Whether you are staying in Tulum or searching for a premium Playa del Carmen private tour, this experience offers comfort, safety, and personalized service that only a local company like Carey Tours Riviera Maya can provide.

Updated June 2026 · Carey Tours, family-run in Playa del Carmen since 2018
Duration7-9 hoursMonday to Saturday
PickupFrom your hotelTulum, Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Cancun
GroupUp to 10 guestsYour group only
Price$230 – $150 p/pBy group size
GuidePrivate, local guideEnglish, Spanish, French
Ideal forFamilies, Groups & Friends, Couples, Bachelor/Bachelorette PartiesYour group only

SafetyCertified local guidesSafety briefing before each activity

Cancellation95% refundCancel 48 h ahead

Your day, hour by hour

Hotel pickup, every stop and the drive back, with approximate times. Your group only, so the order and the pace adjust to you.

Stop 1: Hotel Pickup (6:00 AM - 7:50 AM)Private pickup from Cancun (6:00 AM), Playa del Carmen (7:00 AM), or Tulum area (7:50 AM). Early departure ensures arrival at Tulum ruins before heat and crowds. Your certified bilingual guide introduces the day's three distinct experiences and cultural context during the comfortable drive.
Stop 2: Tulum Archaeological Zone (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM)Guided exploration of Tulum's clifftop ruins with stunning Caribbean backdrop. Walk through El Castillo, Temple of the Frescoes, and ceremonial platforms while your guide explains Maya astronomical knowledge, architectural details, and the site's significance as a trading port. Time for photography and questions at your pace.
Stop 3: Natural Cenote Experience (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)Short drive to a jungle cenote chosen for beauty, accessibility, and clear water. Descend into this natural limestone sinkhole to swim in refreshing freshwater surrounded by stalactites, rock formations, and tree roots. Your guide explains cenote geology, Maya cultural significance (sacred water sources), and formation processes. Life vests available.
Stop 4: Traditional Lunch (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM)Authentic Mexican cuisine at a carefully selected local restaurant. Lunch included in tour with choice of traditional dishes. Rest and refuel before the afternoon's turtle snorkeling experience. Purified water available throughout the day.
Stop 5: Akumal Bay Turtle Snorkeling (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM)Enter protected Akumal Bay waters known for resident green sea turtle population. Snorkel in shallow seagrass beds where turtles feed naturally. Your guide provides safety briefing, identifies turtle behavior, and ensures respectful wildlife interaction following conservation protocols. Complete snorkel equipment provided. Encounter tropical fish, occasional rays, and multiple turtles in their natural feeding habitat.
Stop 6: Return to Hotel (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)Comfortable drive back to your accommodation with time to process the day's diverse experiences. Arrival times vary by location.

Times are a guide. The order and the pace adjust to your group: customize this tour.

What’s included

What the price covers for your group, and what to bring on the day.

Included

  • Certified Private Tour Guide
  • Private Transportation with air conditioning
  • Entrance Tickets for All Tour Activities
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • All‑day access to purified water
  • Snack

 

Additional fee applies for Cancun and Puerto Morelos pickups.

What to bring

  • Swimwear and towels for cenote and snorkeling
  • Comfortable walking shoes and light clothing for ruins
  • Sandals or water shoes for water activities
  • Hat or cap for sun protection
  • Sunglasses
  • Biodegradable sunblock (required for cenote and marine protection)
  • Biodegradable mosquito repellent
  • Waterproof camera to capture turtle encounters
  • Cash for souvenirs and guide tips
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Small waterproof bag for personal items
  • Change of dry clothes

Price per person by group size

From $230 USD per person for 2 guests down to $150 per person for larger groups. Everything listed above is included.

GuestsPer personTotal

Prices in USD per person. Pick a group size to update the booking panel. More than 10 guests? Ask for a group price.

Pickup

Do you pick us up at our hotel?

Private door-to-door service from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Puerto Morelos, or Cancun.

Pickup times based on location:

  • Tulum area (7:50 AM)
  • Playa del Carmen (7:00 AM)
  • Cancun (6:00 AM).

Exact time confirmed upon booking.
Additional fee applies for Cancun and Puerto Morelos pickups due to extended travel distance.

★★★★★

Rated 5.0 by 1,500+ travelers on TripAdvisor

Families, couples and groups write about the guides, the pace and having the day to themselves. Read some of their photos and reviews below.

1,500+reviews, 5.0 average on TripAdvisor

5Travelers’ Choice awards, 2021–2025

2018family-run in Playa del Carmen since

Questions before you book

Is this tour completely private?
Yes. This is a 100% private experience exclusively for your group with dedicated guide and private transportation. No strangers joining your tour.
Will we definitely see turtles in Akumal?
Akumal means "place of turtles" in the Mayan language. So, Akumal Bay has a resident green sea turtle population with very high sighting probability (95%+), but they are wild animals. Your guide knows optimal areas and times for encounters during the tour.
Is this suitable for families with young children?
Yes. The tour is family-friendly and adaptable. Children should be comfortable in water with life vests available. Cenote and Akumal have shallow areas suitable for supervised children.
Do we need snorkeling experience?
No. Beginners welcome. Your guide provides complete instructions and assistance for both cenote swimming and Akumal snorkeling. Life vests available throughout.
How close can we get to the turtles?
Mexican law requires maintaining respectful distance (approximately 2-3 meters). Never touch turtles. Your guide ensures ethical wildlife interaction following conservation protocols.
What type of cenote will we visit?
A jungle cenote with accessible entry, clear water, and natural formations. Not crowded commercial cenotes. Specific cenote chosen based on conditions and group preferences.
How long is the full tour?
7-9 hours total depending on your pickup location and pace at each stop. Comfortable schedule with rest time between activities.
Is lunch included in the price?
Yes. Traditional Mexican lunch at a local restaurant with choice of dishes included in tour price. Purified water available all day.
What if weather affects activities?
Cenote swimming available rain or shine. If sea conditions are unsafe for Akumal snorkeling, we'll adjust itinerary while ensuring quality experience. Safety is priority.
Can non-swimmers participate?
Yes. Life vests provided for both cenote and Akumal. Your guide stays with the group and provides support. Basic comfort in water recommended but strong swimming not required.

Photos and reviews from our guests

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Read before you go

Guides from our blog on the places this tour visits.

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Complete guide to Tulum Mexico — Maya history, cenotes, eco-luxury culture, Sian Ka'an & the real story behind one of the Caribbean's most extraordinary destinations.
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Customizable tours for groups, families and events, with local expert guides.

Book this tour online now, or tell us what to change and we reply on WhatsApp with the plan and the exact price.

Book this private tourFrom $230 p/p · 95% refund if you cancel 48 h ahead