Your free day
Tulum, a cenote and the turtles
The best mix of ruins, swimming and wildlife within an hour of Playa. Back in time for dinner.
See dates and prices (from $109)The best of Playa del Carmen, picked by people who live here.
Cenotes, Mayan ruins, sea turtles and the food the locals actually eat. Every tour here has 4.5 stars or more from real guests, and most can be cancelled for free up to 24 hours before.
- Only 4.5★ and up
- Free cancellation on most
- Chosen by locals since 2017
How far do you want to go today?
Approximate drive times from 5th Avenue. Tap a stop to see what's there.
Tours worth your vacation days
Our bar: 4.5 stars or more and at least 100 real reviews. If it's here, we'd send our own family.
Our own tourIn PlayaPlaya del Carmen Food Tour
Tacos, cochinita and fresh juices at family-run spots a few blocks from 5th Avenue. Daily at 10 am and 5 pm.
From$74Book direct
Local's pick50 min awayTulum ruins, cenote and Akumal turtle swim
Three classics in one day and no 5 am start. Our first pick for a first visit, kids included.
From$109See dates
Local's pickTaxi from PlayaRío Secreto underground river: cave walk, swim and lunch
Walk and float through a lit underground river full of stalactites. Unlike anything else here.
From$89See dates
Best valueMeet in AkumalSwim with sea turtles in Akumal, with GoPro photos
Guided snorkel in the bay where green turtles feed all year. You meet the guide in Akumal: 30 min by colectivo or taxi from Playa.
From$41See dates
Top rated10–20 min awayJungle buggy ride with cenote swim
Muddy, loud and a lot of fun. Three hours, so you still get the afternoon on the beach.
From$105See dates
Best value2–3 h awayChichén Itzá guided tour with Valladolid and Cenote Chichikan
The best-value Chichén day: a guide at the pyramid, a stroll in colonial Valladolid and a cenote swim.
From$57See dates
Most bookedIn CozumelCozumel snorkel: starfish, stingrays and turtle bay
Three snorkel stops in one morning, including the shallow starfish beach at El Cielo.
From$62See dates
Top rated1 h 30 awaySian Ka'an: float the ancient Maya canals
Small group through the biosphere reserve. The quiet, wild side of the coast that most visitors miss.
From$160See dates
Best night out10–20 min awayCirque du Soleil JOYÀ show
A Cirque du Soleil show built around Mexican cuisine and culture. The best night out near Playa.
From$106See dates
Our own tourIn PlayaSeafood & Beer Tour
Ceviche, octopus tacos and micheladas at the seafood spots locals line up for. Daily at noon.
From$96Book direct
3 h 30 awayBest of Holbox island, with lunch
Long day, small car-free island, the swings in the water you have seen on Instagram. Go early in your trip.
From$128See dates
PrivateIn CozumelCozumel private buggy tour with lunch and snorkel
Your own buggy and guide around the wild east coast, a snorkel stop and lunch. Pickup at the ferry pier, so it pairs perfectly with the boat from Playa.
From$89See dates
Most booked2–3 h awayChichén Itzá, Valladolid and cenote, with buffet lunch
Departs from Playa. A long day, but the cenote swim and the colonial stop in Valladolid break up the drive.
From$93See dates
2–3 h awayCobá and Chichén Itzá ruins with a cenote swim
Two great sites in one day. Cobá is jungle-wrapped and far less crowded than Tulum.
From$96See dates
10–20 min awayBuggy drive to a cenote and Mayan village
A longer buggy day with a visit to a Maya community. Good pick for groups of friends.
From$115See dates
In PlayaRound-trip ferry to Cozumel
A ticket, not a tour, and the one listing here under 4.5 stars: you need it to reach Cozumel. Leaves from the pier at the end of 5th Avenue.
From$38See dates
Our own tourIn PlayaGourmet Food & Tequila Tour
Adults-only evening of tequila and mezcal tastings paired with refined Mexican dishes. Starts at 6 pm.
From$192Book direct
50 min awayCobá, Tulum ruins and Cenote Mariposa, with lunch
Jungle ruins at Cobá, the cliffside temple at Tulum and a swim in Cenote Mariposa, all in one day.
From$77See dates
2–3 h awayChichén Itzá, Valladolid and cenote swim
The classic Chichén, Valladolid and cenote loop with pickup in the Riviera Maya.
From$93See dates
50 min awayTulum and Cobá with a cenote, cave visit and lunch
Two Maya sites and a cave cenote for a budget price. A long day on the bus, so bring a book.
From$59See dates
In CozumelCozumel turtle sanctuary snorkel with El Cielo
Swim with sea turtles in a protected area, then stand among starfish in waist-deep water.
From$59See dates
Best valueIn CozumelCozumel glass-bottom boat and three-reef snorkel
Short, cheap and good for mixed groups: non-swimmers watch the reef through the floor.
From$35See dates
Top ratedIn CozumelOne-tank scuba dive with Chankanaab Park access
For certified divers: one reef dive, then the rest of the day at Chankanaab park.
From$72See dates
In CozumelAtlantis submarine to 100 feet
See the reef without getting wet. Great with kids or grandparents.
From$90See dates
In CozumelLuxury catamaran to the turtle sanctuary
The comfortable way to snorkel with turtles: a big catamaran instead of a small boat.
From$72See dates
In CozumelCozumel ATV ride to Jade Cavern, with beach club and lunch
Jungle trails on an ATV, a swim in a cavern cenote, then the afternoon at a beach club.
From$79See dates
In CozumelMexican lucha libre show in Cozumel
Masks, flying wrestlers and a loud crowd. Pure fun, and very Mexican.
From$43See dates
Most reviewed2–3 h awayChichén Itzá, cenote and Valladolid, with lunch
The most reviewed day trip in the whole region, with hotel pickup in Playa. Classic route at a budget price.
From$57See dates
Best value50 min awayTulum ruins and Cenote Mariposa, budget day
The cheapest guided way to see the cliffside ruins and swim in a cenote, with pickup in Playa.
From$53See dates
Top ratedMeet in TulumTulum ruins guided walk, with beach access
A local guide inside the walled city for the price of lunch. Take the ADO bus from Playa and go early, before the heat and the tour buses.
From$19See dates
Meet in TulumTulum cenote trail by bike
Ride jungle roads to three cenotes, entrance fees included. Easy pace, great for active couples and friends.
From$119See dates
Taxi from PlayaXplor park full-day entry
Zip lines, amphibious jeeps and underground rivers, all in one park just south of Playa.
From$198See dates
Top ratedMeet in Puerto MorelosPuerto Morelos reef snorkel with gear and fees
The reef starts right off the beach in Puerto Morelos. Two easy hours, everything included. 25 min north of Playa by taxi or colectivo.
From$35See dates
Meet in TulumTulum reef snorkel with turtles and rays
Two snorkel spots on the Tulum reef, starting from the beach just below the ruins. Pair it with the ruins walk and make a DIY Tulum day by ADO bus.
From$33See dates
Jun–Sep onlyPickup in PlayaWhale shark ocean safari, up to two swims
The biggest fish in the ocean, in open water. Only from June to mid-September.
From$145See dates
From Cancún airportPrivate luxury transfer from Cancún airport
An SUV or van waiting for you at arrivals, straight to your hotel in Playa.
From$40See dates
CheapestCancún ⇄ PlayaDirect bus between Cancún and Playa del Carmen
The cheapest way to get here: air-conditioned direct bus, with a reserved ticket.
From$7See dates
Nothing here matches both filters.
Eat where Playa eats
Most visitors never leave 5th Avenue. Our walking food tours go a few blocks inland, to the family-run spots where we eat every week. This one is ours: we run Eating With Carmen Food Tours, so you book with us directly.
Top 1%Tripadvisor Best of the Best 2026
4,000+five-star reviews
30,000+guests since 2017
Vegetarian options on every tour. Dedicated vegan tour available.
Not sure where to start?
Pick how many days you have free. We'll tell you what we'd do.
That evening
Food tour on the local side
Walk a few blocks inland and eat where the city eats. The 5 pm tour is the perfect sunset plan.
Book this tour (from $74)Day 1
Food tour to get your bearings
Start with the morning food tour: you learn the town and get a list of places to eat for the rest of the week.
Book this tour (from $74)Day 2
Tulum, cenote and turtles
The classic day out, with the turtles at Akumal as the highlight for most people.
See dates and prices (from $109)Day 3
Jungle buggy and a slow afternoon
Three hours of mud and a cenote swim, then the beach. You are on vacation.
See dates and prices (from $105)Day 1
Food tour
Find your favorite taco spot on day one, not day five.
Book this tour (from $74)Day 2
Tulum, cenote and turtles
Close, varied and great for every age.
See dates and prices (from $109)Day 3
Beach day and Cozumel
Take the ferry, rent a scooter and ride the wild east coast.
See dates and prices (from $38)Day 4
Chichén Itzá
The big one. Long day, so plan a slow evening.
See dates and prices (from $93)Day 5
Sian Ka'an canals
End with the calmest, wildest place on the coast.
See dates and prices (from $160)The big day trips, side by side
The question we get most: which one is worth it? Here's the honest version.
| Day trip | Time from Playa | Best for | Skip it if | Our pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulum + Akumal | 50 min | First-timers, families, mixing ruins and swimming | You only care about big pyramids | From $109 |
| Chichén Itzá | 2 h 45 | The famous pyramid, history lovers | You have kids under 6 or hate long bus days | From $93 |
| Cobá + Chichén | 1 h 45 – 2 h 45 | Seeing two very different sites in one go | You want time to linger at either one | From $96 |
| Sian Ka'an | 1 h 30 | Nature, quiet, photographers | You want beach and party | From $160 |
| Holbox | 3 h 30 | Postcard beaches, a slow island vibe | You can only spare one day (stay overnight if you can) | From $128 |
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and pickup order.
Why book here and not on 5th Avenue
Street sellers earn on whatever pays them the most, not on what you'll enjoy. We only list tours with a strong track record, and you pay through a platform that protects you.
- Secure booking, instant confirmationThird-party tours are booked through GetYourGuide, with 24/7 support and free cancellation up to 24 hours before on most tours.
- Real reviews, high barEverything listed has at least 4.5 stars, and almost all have hundreds of verified reviews. Nothing pays to be on this page.
- Locals, not a call centerWe've lived and worked in Playa since 2017 and run one of the best-reviewed food tours in Mexico. This list is what we recommend to our own guests.
Questions we get asked every day
What is the best day trip from Playa del Carmen?
For a first visit: Tulum's ruins plus a cenote and the sea turtles at Akumal. It's close (under an hour), varied, and works for families. Chichén Itzá is the bigger icon, but it's a 12-hour day, so save it for when you have time to spare.
Can I cancel if my plans change?
Most tours on this page offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. Each tour page shows its exact policy before you pay.
Is it safe to book tours online here?
Yes, and safer than paying cash to sellers on 5th Avenue. You get a confirmed operator, reviews from real guests and a refund path if something goes wrong.
When can I swim with whale sharks?
The season runs roughly from June to mid-September. Outside those months, the turtles at Akumal are the best wildlife swim nearby, and they're there all year.
Do tours pick me up from my hotel?
Many day trips include pickup from hotels in Playa del Carmen. The pickup details and times are on each tour page before you book.
What should I bring to a cenote?
Biodegradable sunscreen (or none: many cenotes ban it), water shoes, a towel and some cash for lockers or life jackets. Most cenotes ask you to shower before swimming to protect the water.