
Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 16 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup worth booking?
Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup is a 7-hour experience in Cancun, Mexico, from $98 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 16 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (16)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $98 per person
Combine two natural experiences of the Riviera Maya into one excursion. Snorkel in Akumal Bay to observe sea turtles in their natural habitat and then explore a private cenote in the jungle, selected between Ix Balam or Yum Balam depending on the day's operation. Includes pickup at selected hotels or meeting points, shared transportation with air conditioning, certified guide, drinking water, light snack, snorkel equipment, life jacket, and entrance to the cenote park. The pickup and total duration vary according to the accommodation's location.
What you get
About this experience
Combine two natural experiences of the Riviera Maya into one excursion. Snorkel in Akumal Bay to observe sea turtles in their natural habitat and then explore a private cenote in the jungle, selected between Ix Balam or Yum Balam depending on the day's operation. Includes pickup at selected hotels or meeting points, shared transportation with air conditioning, certified guide, drinking water, light snack, snorkel equipment, life jacket, and entrance to the cenote park. The pickup and total duration vary according to the accommodation's location.
What's included
Included
- Snorkel with Turtles
- activity guide
- Access ticket to cenote park
- Shared air-conditioned transportation from your nearest hotel or meeting point.
- Snorkeling in Cenote
- Snorkeling gear and life jacket mandatory
- Snacks
- Bottled water
Not included
- Government fees
- Professional photographs available for purchase
What you'll see and do
Akumal
Guided snorkel in Akumal Bay to observe sea turtles, tropical fish, and reef. Snorkeling equipment and life jacket are provided and mandatory.
45 minutes here
Tulum
Explore a private cenote in the jungle and swim in its crystal-clear waters. Ix Balam or Yum Balam is visited depending on the day's operation.
75 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cancun
Meeting point
Cancun
Meeting point
Cancun
Meeting point
Cancun
At the front door of Coco Bongo
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
At the front door of Coco Bongo
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Quality Tours Riviera Maya
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 16 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
16 verified traveler reviews for Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Poor Viator Service
Spent $200 on an activity I was not able to attend nor receive credit to my account due to Viators website malfunctions. First, the website for the activity said I could not be picked up from my hotel. Then, when I went to cancel the activity, the website and my account showed I had nothing booked (despite already having paid). Viator refuses to give me credit because the viator tour emailed me back saying they would pick me up from my hotel (they emailed me the night prior to the activity, I don’t receive email notifications).
Response from the operator: Hi Yadira. We’re sorry for the confusion and frustration surrounding your pickup. The time displayed on the platform may differ from the specific pickup time assigned to each hotel. In your case, the corresponding hotel pickup information was sent to you by WhatsApp and the schedule was confirmed. We understand that seeing a different time on the platform may have caused confusion. We remain available through WhatsApp or the platform for any questions or comments you may have, and we truly hope to have the opportunity to assist you as you deserve on a future visit.
via Viator
Cenotes are a must see/experience
This was a fun family activity the the whole family really enjoyed. Our 17, 15 & 8 yr old all said it was great. The cenotes are a must see if visiting Playa del Carmen.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted that your whole family enjoyed the activity and that the cenotes were a highlight of your visit to Playa del Carmen. Thank you for choosing Quality Tours. We hope to welcome your family again for another adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing guide
Cesar was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. Everyone was so helpful making sure we all saw turtles.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words, Paige! 🐢💙 We’re thrilled to hear you had such a wonderful experience snorkeling and that César made the day unforgettable with his knowledge and attention. We’ll be sure to share your lovely feedback with the excursion provider so they can recognize his great work 🙌 We hope to welcome you again soon for another amazing adventure with Quality Tours! 🌿✨
via Viator
am i not turtley enough for the turtle club
This was an amazing experience. I will be recommending this to friends and family. I did hotel pick up and they were on time. We picked up more travelers than headed to Akumal beach. It was a small group about 7 of us total. We took pictures before snorkeling and tested out the gear. We took a boat out to the water then snorkeled back to shore. We saw about 7-10 turtles. There was a photographer in the water taking pictures of us. Then we left to the cenote. It was cool swimming around the cenote with bats flying around the caves. We had lunch after and that’s where you can buy souvenirs and the pictures if you wanted. I ended up buying the photograph package and it was good price.
Response from the operator: Hi Amara_K! Thanks for the awesome (and very turtley 🐢) review! We’re so happy to hear you had an amazing time snorkeling with the turtles and exploring the cenote caves — sounds like a perfect day of adventure! 🐢💦🌿 It’s great to know the hotel pickup was smooth and that you enjoyed the small group vibe. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with the excursion provider — they'll love hearing this. Thanks again for recommending us — we hope to see you on another tour soon! 🏝️✨
via Viator
It's an experience that I recommend 100%. It's clear that if I added that they did some show on the catamaran.
The best tour I've ever done was great if I added that they did some show on the catamaran to spend the most comfortable time
Response from the operator: ¡Hola Alejandra! 😊 Muchas gracias por tu reseña y por recomendar la experiencia al 100%. Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste del tour y lo calificas como el mejor que has realizado. 🌟 Tu sugerencia sobre incluir un show en el catamarán nos parece genial, ¡la compartiremos con el proveedor para que la consideren! 🛥️✨ Esperamos verte pronto en más aventuras inolvidables. 🏞️🐢
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Quality Tours Riviera Maya, who run 5 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.6.
See everything Quality Tours Riviera Maya runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cancun.
How much does Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup cost?
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Prices start at $98 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cancun usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cancun is not rushed.
Is Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 16 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cancun, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cancun can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cancun and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cancun within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cancun?
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On Outty we rank every Cancun experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Chichen Itza from Cancun : Cenote, Valladolid and Mayan Cuisine, Early Access to Chichen Itza with optional pick-up, Small-Group 3 Hidden Cenotes Adventure with Tequila Tasting. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cancun?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup?
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Included: Snorkel with Turtles; activity guide; Access ticket to cenote park; Shared air-conditioned transportation from your nearest hotel or meeting point; and Snorkeling in Cenote. Not included: Government fees; and Professional photographs available for purchase. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 79 listed pickup locations in and around Cancun. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup offered in?
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It is offered in German, Russian, Portuguese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Half-Day Tour: Turtles in Akumal and Cenote with Pickup?
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Across 16 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, good for families, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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