Best Private Tours of The Riviera Maya

These are 8 must do activities in Cancun and Riviera Maya:

Half-day swimming with Turtles in Akumal and exploring Tulum Ruins

Climb the Mayan ruins in Ek-Balam

Swimming with Whale Sharks in their natural habitat

Exploring the best Cenotes around Tulum and Playa del Carmen

Take a private tour to Chichen-Itza ruins early morning

Snorkel in Yal-Ku Lagoon and Akumal Bay

Jungle adventure with Zip-lines, Canoes and Cliff Jumping into Cenotes at a secret Mayan Village

Riding bicycles in the Jungle while exploring ancient temples in Coba

Cenotes are a natural swimming hole or flooded cavern in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. A Cenote is a pit, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes crystal-clear groundwater. The term is commonly used in the Yucatan Peninsula, where Cenotes are used as tourist attractions, also as fresh water supply, and occasionally for rituals and sacred related practices by the ancient Maya culture. The largest underground river system in the world runs underneath the limestone crust of Quintana Roo and Yucatan States. Scuba diving, free diving, snorkeling, cliff jumping or just chilling in the Cenotes, are activities many tourists and locals enjoy all year round. This is a fragile ecosystem which connects underground all the way to the reefs in the sea.

A Custom private tour is a better option because it provides you with far more room for flexibility and changes to your personal itinerary at every step of the way. The flexibility and freedom to make the most of your time are the main reason why most seasoned travelers choose Custom private tours over groups or shared bus tours. Also, the level of service and personal attention is second to none. During our Custom private tours any itinerary tweaks are easier to manage, you will travel at your own pace, and we will focus purely on maximizing your experience, making sure you stop and soak in every single place before moving on, without having to rush or wait for a larger group.

No, the famous Nohoch Mul temple in Coba is no longer climbable since 2020. Visitors are allowed to partially climb some of the smaller structures and one of the best thing to do here is riding bicycles around the jungle. The archaeological site of Coba is open to the public in 2023. Coba is definitely a fascinating site, you should consider visiting!

If you are looking to climb some exciting Mayan temples in 2023, Ek Balam is your best option. We have a great Ek Balam Private Tour!

No, you cannot climb El Castillo de Kukulcan in Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, therefore the National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH Mexico) is protecting this ancient temples for future generations. The best way to visit Chichen Itza is to arrive early and avoid the big tour buses, a private tour is strongly recommended if you are trying to maximize your vacation time or if you are traveling with kids.

Yes, there is a time difference between Cancun and Chichen-Itza: Cancun, Quintana Roo is 1 hour ahead of Chichen-Itza, Yucatan.

Chichen-Itza and Ek-Balam are one hour behind of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

The State of Quintana Roo, operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST). Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are located in Quintana Roo State.

The State of Yucatan, operates on Central Standard Time (CST).

This time difference will be used as and advantage for you when touring Chichen-Itza or Ek-Balam Ruins with us. This means you will start your private tour at 6:00 AM instead of 5:00 AM. This is our suggested pick-up time, for travelers willing to arrive at 8:00 AM at Chichen-Itza (at opening time there’s less crowds and it is better for your photos).

9:00 AM in Cancun (Quintana Roo) means it is 8:00 AM at Chichen-Itza (Yucatan).

Yes! Some of the best snorkeling in the world is located near the shores of Cancun and the Riviera Maya!

Snorkel like never before in a cave underground. The Cenotes are a unique attraction out of this world!

You can snorkel with Whale Sharks and Manta rays. Their natural habitat is located near Isla Mujeres, Holbox and Isla Contoy.

You can snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal.

You can snorkel with tropical fish in Yal-Ku Lagoon.

Snorkel the reefs at the Marine National Park in Puerto Morelos (recommended for advanced snorkelers staying in Cancun or Puerto Morelos).

Freediving courses are available all around Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

You can also practice Spearfishing and become a sustainable hunter.

Scuba Diving is also a very popular activity around Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.

The Whale Shark season officially starts on May 15th, and ends on September 17th, every year. July and August are usually the best months to see these gentle giants near the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Caribbean. If you want to spend more time in the water with the Whale Sharks seasoned travelers recommend booking a Custom private tour, where you will have more flexibility and plenty of time in the water with these majestic creatures, without rushing or having to wait for other parties.

Summer of 2023 Sargasso Update: The coast of Cancun is looking wonderful and clean. The waters are looking transparent and pristine. Sargasso levels are very low in the majority of the Mexican Caribbean including the main beaches of Playa del Carmen and Tulum. This is a great year to plan your next vacation to Cancun and the Riviera Maya!

Yes, climbing the main ruins of Ek-Balam is still possible, in 2023. This is a fascinating ancient Mayan site open to the public, located in the Yucatan State. The best way to visit Ek-Balam Ruins is to arrive early and avoid the big tour buses, a private tour is strongly recommended if you are trying to maximize your vacation time or if you are traveling with kids.

The Hotel Zone in Cancun is a common choice as it is conveniently located just a few minutes away from the Cancun International Airport (CUN).
Travelers also stay in towns nearby such as: Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal or Tulum. Other popular destinations are the islands around the area, like Isla Mujeres, Cozumel or Holbox. Luxury hotels are easy to book online before arrival. Small hotels, vacation rentals and hostels are also available in every Caribbean town of Mexico. Seasoned travelers recommend to stay in a well situated town like Playa del Carmen, especially if your goal is to explore the Yucatan Peninsula and the natural wonders of the Riviera Maya and its beautiful surroundings. Playa del Carmen has great restaurants, shopping and nightlife scene, and it is well connected with all the main attractions. Playa is located just 45 minutes south of Cancun Airport. All the towns mentioned above are located in the Mexican State of Quintana Roo (Eastern Standard Time).

Yes, the ruins at Tulum are open to the public. The facilities around the archaeological site are under construction during the summer of 2023. The main archaeological site remains intact and open to the public. Tickets are available at the main gate. Climbing the temples or structures at Tulum is not allowed. The staircase from the ruins to the beach is not open anymore. You can still enjoy the beaches at Tulum by walking a few minutes south from the archaeological site. The best way to visit Tulum Ruins is to arrive early and avoid the big tour buses, a private tour is strongly recommended if you are trying to maximize your vacation time or if you are traveling with kids.