Last Updated on June 17, 2022
Tulum is among the best destinations on the Riviera Maya that provides a myriad of things to do. Between the surf lessons and yoga classes, beach parties, jungle activities, snorkeling and diving, cenotes, and cycling, you’re never short on things to do. While some of us like the control that comes with planning our own Tulum adventures, others are more keen to let the experts do the planning. Which is why we’ve compiled this list of the best Tulum tours to take on the ultimate vacation.
Depending on what tours interest you, you may find that some tours departing from Cancun are more suited to your tastes. If you plan on taking a lot of tours, that may be a deciding factor when deciding whether your base on the Riviera Maya should be Cancun or Tulum.
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Table of Contents
Tulum Water-based Tours
If you’re going to Mexico and Tulum, you have to enjoy the stunningly blue water they have there, and there is no better way to do so than on some of the best Tulum water-based tours.
Best Snorkeling in Tulum
Among all of the Tulum adventures you could possibly have on your trip, snorkeling in its pale turquoise waters is among the top tourist favorites. Spend a luxurious six hours snorkeling alongside vibrantly colored marine life. Keep an eye out for stingrays and sea turtles!
This is one of the best Tulum tours for snorkeling or water enthusiasts. Your expert guide will bring you to a private inlet or bay in order to ensure calm, still waters and high visibility. You’ll also get to snorkel in a cenote and cave, providing plenty of opportunities to experience cave life out of the water as well.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $119 USD per person
Length of Tour: 6 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, sun glasses, swimwear, comfortable sandals, change of clothing, cash, and a towel.
Hotel Pick-up Available: Yes (Check the site to make sure your hotel is listed, otherwise, you will have to go to the meeting point in Tulum)
Know Before You Go: Snorkeling is a great activity for the whole family.
Diving in Tulum Cenote Tour
Your day of diving in Tulum cenotes consists of two different dives in two different cenotes. Given that this is a small-group tour (with a maximum of four people), your expert guide will contact you beforehand in order to determine your experience level and assess which cenotes will be the best for your dives.
You’ll start the day by getting yourself fitted with the right equipment and a short briefing. You’ll spend somewhere around 40 to 45 minutes at each dive site. Following the first dive, you’ll take a break to have a bite to eat and a drink depending on the time. Again, because this tour is limited to four participants, it’s very personalized! You get to call most of the shots!
Please note that you must provide your diving certification in order to take part on this tour!
Approximate Cost: Starting at $190 USD per person
Length of Tour: 5 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, biodegradable insect repellent, swimwear, towel, change of clothes, and comfortable sandals.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: To take your cenote experience up a notch, dive beneath the depths to explore the underwater world. While many people visit cenotes, very few explore the immense areas that can only be reached by divers.
Tulum Catamaran Tour in Bacalar
The Lake of Seven Colors, Lake Bacalar, is among the best Tulum tours to take for a beautiful day in nature. In addition to floating around the lake on a pontoon, on this Tulum Catamaran Tour you’ll also have the opportunity to visit two different cenotes for a dip to cool off – Cenote Azul and Cenote Cocalitos.
Bring your binoculars if you want to get good visuals of the different bird species you’ll encounter on Isla Pájaros. This tour has pick-ups along the Riviera Maya, starting with pick-ups in Cancun. They do make a stop in Tulum, though hotel pick-up is not available, you have to go to the meeting point (Tulum Super Aki).
Approximate Cost: Starting at $119 USD per person
Length of Tour: 13 to 16 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, comfortable shoes, change of clothes, swimwear, sunglasses, and a towel.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: Lake Bacalar is a beautiful lake that has been continually growing in popularity. You won’t believe the water color until you go there!
Private Sailing in Tulum
This private catamaran tour brings you to a secluded cove for a brief snorkeling experience (equipment provided) followed by leisurely sailing in front of the acclaimed Tulum ruins. Take in the salty air on your skin, the sea breeze providing the perfect atmosphere to your afternoon of sailing.
The National Park bracelet is not included, so be sure to bring cash (60 MXN per person) to purchase it.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $55 USD per person
Length of Tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, swimwear, towel, change of clothes, comfortable sandals.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: How about seeing the Tulum ruins from the ocean, just as the Spanish explorers must have done!
Sian Ka’an Lagoons & Cenote Escondido Tour from Tulum
Your first stop on this Tulum tour is to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, where you will have the opportunity to discover the reserve’s incredibly interconnected lagoons and canals. In the biosphere reserve, you’ll also be able to trace the ancient footsteps of an important Mayan commerce trail that begins at Muyil Ruins, following a boat ride to more lagoons and canals.
Enjoy floating in stride with the canal currents lazy river-style with the warm sun on your face and cool water lapping at your body.
After you’ve explored the Sian Ka’an lagoons and canals, you’ll stop at Cenote Escondido for a bite to eat and snorkeling.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $199 USD per person
Length of Tour: 6 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, comfortable shoes, change of clothing, and a towel.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: The canals, lagoons, and cenotes of the Yucatan are especially unique, and here you will learn all about them and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
Whale Shark Encounter
One of the absolute best Tulum tours and most incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experiences to have in Riviera Maya is to swim with whale sharks. While there are certain guidelines you should abide by in order to make it a sustainable and non-invasive experience for these gentle (endangered) giants, this tour hits all the marks.
Between the months of May and September, you have the unique opportunity to get (semi) up-close-and-personal with these amazing creatures. Although this tour doesn’t guarantee sightings, that’s part of what makes it sustainable and eco-friendly – guaranteed sightings mean that the tour guides use illegal methods (such as chumming) to lure the whale sharks to you. In addition, you should not use flash photography, touch, or get too close to the whale sharks.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $180 USD per person
Length of Tour: 7.5 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, comfortable shoes, change of clothing, and a towel.
Hotel Pick-up Available: Yes (the tour picks up from different locations along Riviera Maya – Tulum is first, so be prepared for an early pick-up at 5:45 AM).
Know Before You Go: Whale sharks are fascinating creatures, however you will have to plan this tour quite far in advance as they only visit the area during half of the year.
Not sure how to fit it all in? Check out our 3 day, 5 day, and 7 day Tulum Itinerary!
Tulum Adventure Tours
If you’re one that doesn’t like to sit around, these Tulum adventure tours are sure to hit the mark! Each one gets you active, outside, and highly involved.
ATV Tours Tulum
One of the most popular Tulum adventure tours is to take an ATV ride amid the pristine jungle! Brave the uneven terrain of the jungle roads as you traverse the lush landscape. You can either drive your own ATV or ride with a friend or family member in a double.
Following your jungle ATV ride, you’ll head to a secluded cenote to cool off and take a swim. Enjoy the Tarzan-inspired rope swing or use the access ladder.
After the cenote experience, you’ll head to a zipline circuit, in true Tulum jungle form. The tour company really prides themselves on the high level of security and safety equipment with their ziplines, which is always comforting!
Finally, after you’ve worked up quite the appetite, you’ll head to a restaurant for a taco lunch before returning to your original meeting point.
It’s worth noting that the weight limit for the zip lines and ATV is 250 lbs. Additionally, only adults over the age of 18 are permitted to ride single ATVs – those under 18 years of age must ride with a legal adult.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $65 USD per person
Length of Tour: 5 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, close-toed shoes, swimwear, change of clothes, towel, and cash.
Hotel Pick-up Available: Yes (Select hotels only; check the site to confirm pick-up is available at your hotel – otherwise, just meet at the designated Tulum meeting point at the scheduled time).
Know Before You Go: Don’t forget your swimwear for the refreshing dip in a cenote after your ATV Tour.
Nature Reserve Jungle Tour Tulum
One of the best Tulum tours you can take, particularly if you want to be one with nature, is to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. This natural wonderland is ideal for escaping the crowds, going wildlife spotting, jungle trekking, swimming and snorkeling, exploring ancient civilizations, and more.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore the Muyil Ruins, learn from your expert guide about all the local flora and fauna that call Sian Ka’an home, take a leisurely boat ride through its many lagoons, and explore the mangroves by water as you cool off. It’s perfect for relaxing while fully immersed in nature! Following your half day of exploring the biosphere reserve, you’ll have the opportunity to sit back and take it all in over a vegetarian lunch.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $135 USD per person
Length of Tour: 6 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, biodegradable insect repellent, swimwear, towel, comfortable shoes, and change of clothes.
Hotel Pick-up Available: Yes
Know Before You Go: Tulum is so much more than beach clubs and partying, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve preserves this are of nature and offers a wonderful learning experience.
Tulum Zipline Adventure Park
This is a great tour for families who want to spend an exciting day bonding over adrenaline-filled jungle Tulum adventures! At the zipline adventure park, you’ll have the opportunity to zipline, snorkel, swim, and take jungle treks with your expert guides.
After you’ve worked up a sufficient appetite, enjoy a traditional lunch of Mayan specialties and fresh juices – the perfect way to recharge.
In addition to the jungle activities, you’ll also have the opportunity to swim in a cenote to wash the day away and cool yourself off.
Approximate Cost: From $82 USD per person
Length of Tour: 4 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, swimwear, change of clothes, towel, biodegradable insect repellent (if you wish), and comfortable shoes.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: The tour includes nine different ziplines where you will fly through the air above the jungle.
Need to relax after a day of adventure? Try out one of the 20 best Tulum Beach Clubs!
Tulum Day Trip Tours
While the day trip possibilities from Tulum are almost endless if you decide to DIY, there are a number that are easily done as part of a guided tour. This takes the hassle of planning, finding public transportation or driving unfamiliar roads, or overall stress and overwhelm out of the equation so that you can sit back and relax while taking in the nearby sights.
Chichen Itza and Valladolid Tour from Tulum
The magic of Chichen Itza and the underrated beauty of Valladolid comprise one of the best Tulum tours offered. The day begins with a hotel pick-up in Tulum, where you will head off to the world-renowned archaeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Get up-close-and-personal with the Pyramid of Kukulkan as you step back in time to what life was like in this ancient Mayan city.
Next, you’ll make your way to Valladolid. Valladolid is one of our favorite day trips to take from Tulum, and the convenience of its proximity to Chichen Itza makes for an ideal day on the Yucatan Peninsula. You’ll definitely want to head to Valladolid before word gets out about this incredibly vibrant colonial city!
In Valladolid, you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch in a picturesque courtyard. After which, you can wander around on your own through the town square and maze of surrounding streets. Life in Valladolid is much more relaxing than in other cities on the Riviera Maya, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or even Tulum – take it all in as you enjoy the chance to slow down a bit.
Before making the journey back to Tulum, you’ll visit a neighborhood cenote, providing the perfect end to your day and a chance to cool off in the healing waters.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $155 USD per person
Length of Tour: 11 hours
What to Bring: Biodegradable sunscreen, swimwear, change of clothes, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sun hat, and a towel.
Hotel Pick-up Available: Yes
Know Before You Go: Do not miss out on visiting the charming town of Valladolid, you won’t want to leave this undiscovered gem! Both Chichen Itza and Valladolid are on our list of the most Instagrammable places in Tulum!
Isla Holbox Day Trip from Tulum Tour
Situated in the Yum Balam Reserve, Isla Holbox is a magical day trip and one of the best Tulum tours on our list. In addition to exploring Isla Holbox, you’ll have the opportunity to explore neighboring islands Isla Pájaros and Isla Pasión as well! This is one of the top Tulum adventures for nature enthusiasts. Given that the islands are nestled in the confines of a protected area, you’ll have ample opportunity to observe local wildlife. See sea creatures, reptiles, and a multitude of different bird species.
In some areas, the surroundings are so protected that access on foot is not permitted, and you can take it all in from a designated view point. You’ll also visit Cenote Yalahau, which offers a great view point. You can swim here if you want to cool off from the Mexican sun. You’ll stop at a local restaurant to recharge your batteries with some delicious, authentic food before having the opportunity to explore further on bike or on foot.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $199 USD per person
Length of Tour: 12 hours
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, change of clothing, swimwear, and a towel.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: Isla Holbox is one of the most special location in the Yucatan Peninsula for outdoor nature enthusiasts.
Cenote Adventure Tour from Tulum
Beyond the vibrant happenings in Tulum Pueblo lies the lush, verdant jungle. On this Cenote Adventure Tulum tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit four different Tulum cenotes – Naval Cenote, Pirañas Cenote, Large Cenote Naval, and Cenote Azul. At the different cenotes, you’ll have different opportunities for extra activities such as zip lining, canoeing, hopping off of platforms into the cool, clear water, snorkeling, and jungle trekking.
Following your Tulum adventures, you’ll feast on traditional fare in a Mayan village. Among the food options include Chicken Pibil, Poc Chuc, salads, rice and beans, guacamole, handmade tortillas, and a variety of flavored natural waters.
This Tulum tour is an absolute must for adventurers and those who want to experience the different atmospheres that the different cenotes in the region provide.
It is worth noting that, on this tour you are not permitted to bring a professional camera. Cell phone cameras are allowed!
Approximate Cost: Starting at $150 USD per person
Length of Tour: 6 hours
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, swimwear, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen, towel, and a change of clothes.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: Have you really been to Tulum if you haven’t jumped into a cenote? Explore some of the best Tulum cenotes all in one trip.
Looking for more Tulum cenotes? We have the 10 top cenotes in Tulum!
Unique Tulum Tours
If you want to try something different that can only be found in Tulum, check out some of these unique Tulum tours to make the most of your vacation.
Tulum Archeological Tour
This Tulum Archeological tour guides you through two ancient Mayan cities, followed by a visit to a traditional Mayan village. You’ll stop at Coba Archeological Site first, with ample time to explore the ruins and take in the otherworldly views from the high temple. You’ll then explore a bit of Tulum en route to the Tulum ruins, where you will be able to take a quick swim at the small beach below.
After you’ve had the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in what Mayan life was like in ancient times, you’ll visit a Mayan village to see how life has evolved since then. It’s a fully immersive experience in which you can learn about daily life, traditions and the long-held cultural beliefs of the community. In the village you’ll have the option for a quick dip in a cenote to cool down, if you wish.
Lunch follows a jaunt across a suspension bridge that crosses over a cenote – don’t look down!
Approximate Cost: Starting at $149 USD per person
Length of Tour: 10 hours
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, change of clothing, swimwear, and a towel.
Hotel Pick-up Available: Yes
Know Before You Go: Did you know that the word ‘tulum’ in Maya means wall? Unfortunately, cameras and video recording are not permitted on this tour.
Local Food Tasting Tour Tulum
Want to experience the best of the best Tulum cuisine as hand-picked by a local? Look no further. For sure, one of the best ways to experience local cuisine is to get your recommendations from a local. This way, you can be sure to avoid tourist traps and anything that might be, shall we say, less than stellar. And, let’s face it, you can’t go wrong with a day filled with a myriad of tacos!
On this local food tasting tour of Tulum, you’ll get to sample local specialties such as tacos de guisado, tamales and mole, different regional tacos, fresh fruit juices, as well as make a stop at a fresh fruit market to experience the local produce selection.
Approximate Cost: From $55 USD per person
Length of Tour: 3 hours
What to Bring: A healthy appetite, comfortable shoes, sunhat, sunglasses, camera, biodegradable sunscreen, biodegradable insect repellent, cash for gratuities and extras.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: Finding the authentic local food in a tourist hotspot like Tulum can be a challenge. Let a local show you the best eats in town!
Classic Tulum Bike Tour
Explore Tulum’s sleepy roads, beach trails and forest paths as you embark on this Tulum bike tour. You’ll spend the day discovering the magic that is Tulum by bike as you get a perfect mix of seaside and city cycling. It’s perfect for those who are looking to get a little taste of everything!
You’ll explore the Tulum ruins by bike, cycle along the Caribbean coast, and then head inland to Tulum Pueblo, where you’ll explore the local street art and street food scenes. You’ll even get the chance to learn about local beekeeping efforts!
After you’ve worked up enough of a sweat, hop in a cenote to cool down and let your muscles soak in the refreshing waters. It’s an incredible experience to have your heart rate pumping while you float about in these healing waters.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $79 USD per person
Length of Tour: 5 hours
What to Bring: Sunglasses, swimwear, change of clothing, and a towel. Best to wear comfy shoes!
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: Biking around Tulum is one of the best ways to explore this magical area.
SUP Yoga Class in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Visit this incredible biodiverse reserve while checking in with yourself in the ultimate test of balance – a stand up paddleboarding yoga class! This experience on Laguna Nopalitos is one-of-a-kind, perfect for people seeking a bit of spirituality and connection on their vacation!
You’ll have a 15-minute introduction to yoga and to the nature reserve itself, along with a brief introduction of the local ecology. The class itself is 75 minutes long (which is considered a moderately long yoga class, though it is appropriate for practitioners of all levels), after which you’ll have the opportunity to explore Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve at your leisure.
Though you don’t get an actual lunch included with this experience, you are provided with a detox juice, water, and a vegan energy ball.
Approximate Cost: Starting at $200 USD per person
Length of Tour: 4 hours
What to Bring: Sunglasses, swimwear, change of clothing, and a towel. Best to wear comfy shoes! Bring biodegradable sunscreen and biodegradable insect repellent if you wish to use them.
Hotel Pick-up Available: No
Know Before You Go: During your free time after the yoga class you can use the paddle board to explore the lagoon!
Looking for more tour options? Cancun has even more amazing tours available!
Best Tulum Tours for the Ultimate Vacation
There are so many great tours available from Tulum that you could spend weeks exploring all of the wonders that the are a has to offer. Whether you are visiting Tulum for a long weekend or a two week break, you will definitely make some life-long memories with any of these Tulum Tours.
Be sure to pin this post to your Tulum Pinterest board so that you have all of the best Tulum Tours ready for your next adventure to Tulum. Have you been on any of these Tulum tours? If so, let us know how you enjoyed it in the comments!
