Tulum Ruins Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

Tulum National Park and the town of the same name are one of the major attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The encounter with the mysticism of these lands, framed by the natural beauty that decorates the landscape, is simply a must-see if you are visiting these Caribbean lands.

Visiting Tulum is one of the many activities you can't miss among the best tours from Playa del Carmen. There are many options and all of them promise a splendid day full of adventures and unforgettable experiences, such as swimming with the exotic marine fauna or diving into the mysterious cenotes. Here are the most outstanding options for these excursions.

This type of tour is ideal if you want to squeeze as much out of your trip as possible and soak up as many experiences as possible. It is also perfect if you are only going for a short time, but you can't miss the opportunity to see one of the most incredible Mayan ruins. Tulum is an impressive stop that you should definitely book on your visit to Mexico.

This style of experience includes a guided tour of the ruins of Tulum, an ancient Mayan port whose architecture is simply breathtaking. You'll learn some of the history of this ancient culture and for two hours you'll walk through these spaces, enjoying the temples of Tulum. Each of the stops is impressive; the Great Palace, Halach Uinic, the Temple of the Wind, the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God, which is one of the most impressive, especially because of the unveiled mystery of the upside down figure.

Once the tour is over, you usually have about an hour to explore on your own and take the best pictures. At the foot of Tulum you have a white beach with a beautiful turquoise sea where you can take a quick dip before returning to the hotel.

Information of interest

• Duration: Approximately 6 hours.
• Price: Approximately 59 euros per person (includes entrance to the archaeological site).
• Advantages: Includes transfer to and from the hotel.
• Disadvantages: Does not include lunch, food or drinks.
• If you want professional photos as souvenirs, they must be ordered for an extra fee.

This type of tour takes you to two of the most interesting cities within the ancestral Mayan culture. First is Tulum, which is the protagonist of this excursion and one of the most interesting destinations for visitors to Mexico. The second is Cobá, where you can explore the ancient pyramids in a most original way. The tour ends with a dip in an impressive cenote.

In Tulum you can't miss the tour with the guides, to soak up the history of this mystical site, full of enchantment and mystery. One of the most impressive destinations to get to know first hand the impressive Mayan architecture. Before saying goodbye and leaving for Coba, known as the city of roads, you can take a dip in the beach and enjoy the warm waters of the sea.

In Cobá you will see the pyramids, which are imposing both for their architecture and their size. You can climb them on foot or by bicycle. After the tour with the guides you can take a walk on your own and take pictures, the tour of both cities is one of the best jungle tours from Playa del Carmen. To end the day, you will visit the crystal clear and fresh water cenote Kuxtal. You can take a swim and have a close look at the stalactites and stalagmites.

Information of interest

• Duration: Approximately 7 hours.
• Price: Approximately 69 euros per person (includes entrance to the archaeological site).
• Entrance fees to Coba must be paid at the entrance and cost approximately 6 euros. Not included.
• Advantages: Includes transfer to and from the hotel.
• Disadvantages: Includes lunch.
• Additional drinks and food can be included for an extra cost.

Swimming with turtles is one of the most incredible experiences, and in Akumal you can live it with professional guides who will teach you how to get close to these unique marine animals. Also, in this region you will have the opportunity to snorkel and enjoy the view of one of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world.

Tulum is a place full of history that leaves you truly enchanted. The architecture competes in beauty with the wild nature that surrounds it and the perfection of the white and turquoise beach that stretches at its feet. Once you get to know this National Park, you will never forget it. The tour includes a guided visit and enough time to fall in love with the place, and even take a dip in its waters.

After saying goodbye to the Mayan ruins, you will go to Akumal. This beach paradise is ideal for relaxing and literally immersing yourself in the world's most exotic seascape of coral, fauna and flora. In addition to the brightly coloured fish, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with sea turtles. An experience like no other.

Interesting information

• Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Price: Approximately 99 euros per person (includes entrance to the archaeological site).
• Benefits: Includes transfer to and from the hotel, refreshments, hydration, fruit and snorkelling equipment.

In this style of tour you will depart from your hotel in Playa del Carmen and arrive at Tulum as your first stop. I won't tire of telling you that the sheer imposing architecture is definitely worth a visit at least once in a lifetime, although I know you'll want to come back. In this case, from there you'll take a tour of one of the most spectacular cenotes and finish with a snorkel on a paradise beach - a perfect day out!

The second stop on this adventure tour is the Gran Cenote, one of the most popular with tourists. This cave has open and closed parts where you can explore and enjoy the unique scenery. The Mayans used these places as sacred sites, and it is easy to imagine why. You can snorkel, swim or just walk along the wooden walkways. However you want to experience them, you'll be fascinated.

The adventure ends with a stop at Playa Paraiso, which is another jewel on the shores of the Yucatan Peninsula. Swimming here is a pleasure and that's why it is included among the best snorkelling tours, where you can easily get carried away by the spectacular seascape- the best way to end the adventure!

Interesting information

• Duration: Approximately 6 hours.
• Price: Approximately 99 euros per person (includes entrance to the archaeological site).
• Advantages: Includes transfer to and from the hotel. Includes hydration and snorkelling equipment.
• Disadvantages: Does not include lunch.

This is a truly adventurous day tour where you will combine the mysteries of the Mayan past with the magic of a modern theme park. Both places will leave you deeply in love and wanting to return at every opportunity.

The most beautiful landscapes, turquoise waters and white sands are just a part of all its wonders.

Be sure to take the guided tour and learn about the culture and history that surrounds this place. Be sure to visit the Temple of Frescoes, which is one of the best preserved spots with beautiful art displays. After soaking in the knowledge and taking a stroll along the beach of these ruins, it will be time to make your way to Xel-Ha.

Xel-Ha is a natural aquatic theme park where there are endless things to enjoy and spend a different kind of day, enjoying nature and the magic that surrounds it.Adventures are around every corner and you decide how you want to experience them. You can snorkel, jump off the giant water slide, take advantage of all the water games, learn about fish and land fauna, ride a bike, jump off a cliff or cross a suspension bridge - and there's even more!

Interesting information

• Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Cost: Approximately 150 euros per person (includes entrance to the archaeological site and theme park).
• Includes transfer to and from the hotel.
• Includes meals and drinks at Xel-Ha, lockers, snorkelling equipment, bicycle, hammocks and all activities, except those requiring an additional cost, informed at the park entrance.

I have spent the whole article telling you about Tulum and its wonders, but what is it all about? Well, to give you a clearer idea of what you will see on these excursions, I dedicate this section to tell you about these magnificent ruins. The first thing I must point out is its location, which is privileged, since it faces the rising sun, which is why it was initially known as Zamá, dawn in the Mayan language. Tulum, which means wall, is the name it was later given and by which it is known today.

Today Tulum is the only ancient Mayan coastal city that remains, despite the high tourist demand. Moreover, the whole area has been declared a National Park, which confirms its great value for humanity. In their times, the Mayans performed important religious rituals here, as well as maritime trade. In fact, the huge monument functioned as a lighthouse to guide sailors through the coral reef.

It was the site of an astronomy school, which is presumed to have been attended by important personalities, who were also housed in the most monumental buildings. Among the many temples you will find, one of the most striking is that of the Frescoes, where important samples of art that transport you to the times when the powerful Mayas ruled the region abound.

Along the Yucatan Peninsula, and close to Tulum, you will find the cenotes. These wells are sheltered by the jungle, preserving mysterious and magical landscapes that are hidden in caverns full of fresh water, product of the rains. For the Mayas they were sacred places, where they performed rituals to honour their gods. In some cases, they believed that they were the entrance to the underworld, so they treated them with great respect.

Cenotes can be open, closed or semi-open. In each one of them you will find a different landscape that stands out for being small paradises in the middle of the dense jungle. The experience is very different, so to live them to the fullest, I recommend you to take one or more of the incredible tours to the cenotes and get to know at least one of each type.

You can swim in them, dive or snorkel, or simply observe them and be intoxicated by their beauty. Tulum is close to some of the most impressive ones, so it is ideal to include a stop at a cenote when visiting the Mayan ruins. Something I have already recommended in one of the tours above.