Best Private Tours of The Riviera Maya

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.

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 and fully operational. Coba is definitely a fascinating site, you should consider visiting!

If you are looking to climb some exciting Maya Ruins, Ek Balam is your best option. We have a great tour to Ek Balam and Valladolid!

Summer 2024 Sargasso Update: The beaches of the Riviera Maya are getting moderate amounts of sargasso. Sargasso doesn’t impact the Cenotes you will visit during your excursions with The Custom Tour. Our private tours are perfectly designed to be sargasso free! The water of the cenotes you will visit and the areas we will take you snorkeling are looking great and pristine. Sargasso levels are very low and under control at Turtle Bay and Yal-Ku Lagoon. There might be some lines of sargasso in the open ocean, during the Whale Shark Tours, this doesn’t affect the visibility or the swimming activities in a negative way. It is a great year to plan your next vacation to Cancun and the Riviera Maya!

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.

Yes, there is a time difference between Cancun and Chichen-Itza.
9:00 AM in Cancun = 8:00 AM at Chichen-Itza.

Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Bacalar, Mahaual, Holbox and Isla Mujeres are on the same time zone as they are located within the State of Quintana Roo.

Chichen-Itza, Ek Balam, El Cuyo, Progreso, Sisal, Celestun and Uxmal are located in the State of Yucatan, one hour behind of Cancun and Tulum.

The State of Quintana Roo, operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST). While 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).

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 these ancient structures 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! 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.

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.

Yes, climbing the main ruins of Ek-Balam is still possible, as of June 2024. 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).

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

Yes, the ruins at Tulum are open to the public. The main archaeological site remains intact and operational. Some facilities around the archaeological site are still under construction during the summer of 2024. Tickets (and new bracelets) are available for purchase at the main gate. In 2024 visitors are required to pay a separate eco-tax charged by the Tulum National Park (tickets and bracelets are included with your Custom Tour). Climbing the structures at Tulum is not allowed. Bring a reusable water bottle, plastic, drones and smoking products are not allowed on-site. The wooden staircase from the ruins to the beach is not open (remodeling works). 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.