Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience worth booking?
Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience is a 8-hour experience in Cancun, Mexico, from $109 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (9)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $109 per person
Two of the most remarkable experiences in the area, snorkeling with turtles at the beautiful Akumal beach and visiting the Tulum Archaeological site. Your journey starts with a smooth ride directly to Akumal Beach, morn
What you get
About this experience
Two of the most remarkable experiences in the area, snorkeling with turtles at the beautiful Akumal beach and visiting the Tulum Archaeological site. Your journey starts with a smooth ride directly to Akumal Beach, mornings increase the chances to spot turtles at Akumal. Once you arrive at Akumal beach, your local tour guide will give you a safety briefing, you will gear up as you are about to enjoy a beautiful and remarkable experience, snorkeling with turtles in Akumal is an outstanding experience. The snorkel experience, will provide you not only with the opportunity to see turtles but also a to enjoy Akumal´s clear waters, a wide variety of colorful fish and beautiful corals. As you say goodbye to the beautiful Akumal beach, the next leg of the journey will be Tulum Archaeological Site. Enjoy skip-the-line access and be led by a local tour guide whom will teach you everything you always wanted to learn about one of the most advanced civilizations the world has ever seen.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from most centrally located hotels
- Box lunch and soft drinks if you select the premium option
- Snorkeling gear at Akumal Beach
- Guided tour of Akumal beach and Tulum Archaeological site
- Admissions and skip-the-line access to Tulum Archaeological site
Not included
- Food and beverages if you select the regular option
- Mandatory fees (Govt tax 420MXN, Tulum fee 100MXN and natural reserve 230MXN)
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Akumal Beach
One of the most popular attractions in the area, snorkeling with turtles at the beautiful Akumal beach. Gear up and after a safety briefing you will be ready to snorkel and see the amazing marine life that mother nature has to offer. Turtles in this area can be seen, be captivated by their smooth swimming on their natural habitat and enjoy a remarkable experience. Led by a local tour guide, your activity will be as pleasant and safe as it could be, ideal for all ages.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Tulum
The Mayans were one of the greatest Civilizations that the world has ever seen. Tulum was a port city of great relevance for the Mayans, within its walls, there is a lot learn about them. Your local guide, will teach you everything you always wanted to learn about the Mayans, their findings, their advanced knowledge and their deep understanding of all things that surrounded them. Visit the castle, the observatory and their main temples on a guided tour through the archaeological site that promises to be an enrichening experience.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Private Tour
Regular: This option does not include food & drinks. Pickup included
Private Tour - Premium
Premium: Select this option to upgrade your reservation and include a box lunch and soft drinks. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cancun Travel Experience
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children 2 and younger are complimentary.
- This is a private activity, only you and your party would travel together.
- An additional surcharge of Mandatory fees of 750MXN per traveler. (Government tax 420MXN, Tulum fee 100MXN and natural reserve 230MXN) is payable in cash on the day of your activity.
- You will confirm your exact departure time with the local tour operator.
- Please note that as of January 2nd, 2025, Mexican federal government has imposed a new additional mandatory tax for all visitors attending Tulum Archeological Site (Mayan Ruins). As a result, a mandatory surcharge of 750MXN pesos per passenger is payable in cash on the day of your activity.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
4 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good experience but expensive
We arranged for a private tour to be more intimate and have a personalized experience. Our driver Adrian was fantastic, we felt safe with him and made the travels in the van enjoyable. Our two tour guides were less than helpful. The first guide at the snorkel with turtles stood on the side, we were unclear of her purpose. Our guide for snorkeling was fantastic, the water conditions were less than ideal but made the experience memorable especially for our 10 yr old. The third guide at Tulum offered a very limited tour then gave us our own free time. While the guides might not have been perfect, they were there and we felt safe. The last stop was lunch and visit to cenote. Lunch was very good and cenote was beautiful. Overall, glad we did the private tour but it was very expensive.
via Tripadvisor
Fun!
Super experience for the entire family. Absolutely loved swimming with the turtles in their natural environment versus a tank. Highly recommend 👌
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that the whole family had such a great time swimming with the turtles. It’s truly a magical experience, and we’re so glad you loved it! Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re excited to hopefully welcome you and your family back for more unforgettable adventures in the future!
via Viator
Terrific Time In Tulum
This was s prefect choice. The 4 hour adventure was just the right amount of time! With a pickup that was easy to find, a tour that was helpful and personable and amazing tacos at the end! Definitely recommend!!
via Tripadvisor
Everything and everyone taken care of!
We spent the week on Isla Mujeres and took the ferry over for the day for this tour. Setting up our day was easy and our driver, Adrian, picked us up at the Puerto Juarez terminal, so convenient. Our guide, Mary, contacted us the night before with reminders of what to bring and what to expect as well as that morning to make sure we met each other. Mary was so knowledgeable and we got lots of information on the drive to Tulum. Be prepared for a day in the car, but it's worth it. Our 12-year-old son slept on both drives, but younger kids may need other entertainment. Mary took such good care of us. Don't be afraid to ask for pit stops. Adrian and Mary were happy to oblige. Mary even switched out our experiences making the turtle swim first so we could spend more time in Tulum. Turtle swimming can get crowded, but this VIP tour is allowed into an area with fewer people. Our guide there (Liz) was also great and took amazing videos which she shared with us. She also took care of our locker, let our son put his shoes with her things on the beach and gave us so much cool info about the turtles and the particulars of why they hang out in this area. The guides are mostly careful about conservation and you are not allowed to touch the turtles. Also, be aware, that you are not allowed to put on sunscreen right before getting in the water (even if its reef safe), so make sure you're screened up more than an hour in advance. We spent about an hour in the water and saw many turtles and one swam right up to our son. Awesome experience. We had our own snorkeling gear, but they'll fit you if you don't have it and you're required to wear life vests. (It is a lot of swimming, so I preferred that anyway.) Mary and Adrian made sure we had food after swimming and we needed it! Sandwiches were just perfect. Tulum was beautiful! This tour includes all admissions and Mary took care of everything. She gave us so much information as we walked in and through the site. Be prepared for heat! It was recommended that we bring water and, thankfully, I had frozen our water bottles (only metal, refillable allowed into the site) the night before. I had been on several ruin tours in the past and this is by far the most beautiful site, but the smallest. Touring the ruins took about an hour and a half and there is some shade for breaks, but no place to sit or eat inside the site. We would do this tour again! It was so nice just to have our family and not be trying to gather a bunch of different groups. Everything, every detail, was taken care of which made this tour well worth the time and price.
via Tripadvisor
Experience
Jerry and his driver gave us a lovely tour. Swim with turtles was great, could have done a demo how to use snorkel 1st though. Tullum tour was interesting, but would have been good to go around the ruins and give info rather than too much chatting at the start
Response from the operator: Dear figujjjvffcf Thank you for such a nice review! We truly appreciate it. Both Jerry and our drivers, along with the rest of our staff, work tirelessly to ensure our guests have a lovely and memorable experience. Being able to get up close and personal with the turtles is a one of a kind experience! The briefing at the start of the guided visit to the Mayan City is to properly explain our route and to offer information that during the hustle and bustle within the site might get lost. Hasta Pronto! The Cancun Travel Experience Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $109 to $179
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cancun.
How much does Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience cost?
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Prices start at $109 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 Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 9 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 Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience?
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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 Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience?
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Around 3 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tulum Mayan Ruins & Swimming with Turtles Experience 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 Early Access to Chichen Itza All Inclusive with Valladolid and Cenote Swim, Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya, 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.
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