Activities and day trips in the Riviera Maya
From cenotes to Mayan pyramids: the best Riviera Maya activities, to compare and book online.
Playa del Carmen is more than its beach. Between jungle cenotes, the ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá, the reefs of Cozumel and boat trips to Isla Mujeres, here is a selection of activities area by area, bookable directly online.
Playa del Carmen
Cooking classes, snorkeling trips, sunset catamaran and Quinta Avenida nightlife: the ideal base to explore the Riviera Maya.
Riviera Maya cenotes
Swim in crystal-clear fresh water in the middle of the jungle: open cenotes, caves and underground rivers, under an hour from Playa.
Tulum
Mayan ruins facing the Caribbean, white sand beaches and nearby cenotes: the most photogenic day trip.
Chichén Itzá & Mayan sites
The Kukulcán pyramid, a wonder of the world, often combined with a cenote and the colonial town of Valladolid. Cobá and Ek Balam complete the picture.
Cozumel
45 minutes by ferry, the island of reefs ranked among the world's finest: scuba diving, snorkeling and a jeep tour of the island.
Isla Mujeres & boat trips
Catamaran to Playa Norte, reef snorkeling and, in season, swimming with whale sharks: the Caribbean, open-sea side.
FAQ about activities in Playa del Carmen
Should I book activities in advance in Playa del Carmen?
For Chichén Itzá trips, diving in Cozumel or whale shark swims, booking online a few days ahead guarantees availability and a clear price. Nearby cenotes can be visited freely, no reservation needed.
What are the must-do activities in Playa del Carmen?
A cenote swim, a day in Tulum, the Chichén Itzá trip and a snorkeling or diving outing in Cozumel top the list. Xcaret and Xel-Há parks round out a family stay. Our guides go into each one.
How much does an activity cost in Playa del Carmen?
Expect 100 to 300 pesos ($6 to $18) for a cenote entry, 265 pesos for the Tulum ruins and 697 pesos for Chichén Itzá. A guided Chichén Itzá trip starts around $80 including entry and transport, two dives in Cozumel run $105 to $150, and a day at Xcaret $160 to $200.