Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen
Traveler rating
3.2/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen worth booking?
Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen is a 12-hour experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from $111 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.2/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 3.2/5 (5)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $111 per person
Our adventure begins at the breathtaking Tulum Ruins. With a certified guide, we’ll discover the history, legends, and mysteries surrounding this ancient Mayan city while enjoying spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea from the cliffs where the ruins stand. Next, we’ll explore the Coba Ruins, one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites, hidden deep in the jungle and home to one of the tallest ancient Mayan pyramids in the Yucatán Peninsula. We’ll then visit Xikbal Cenote in Tres Reyes, a beautiful underground cenote surrounded by jungle and natural rock formations. Take a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters and enjoy this peaceful hidden gem. To finish the day, we’ll make a visit to Playa del Carmen’s famous Fifth Avenue, where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere and take in a little of the local culture before heading back.
What you get
About this experience
Our adventure begins at the breathtaking Tulum Ruins. With a certified guide, we’ll discover the history, legends, and mysteries surrounding this ancient Mayan city while enjoying spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea from the cliffs where the ruins stand. Next, we’ll explore the Coba Ruins, one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites, hidden deep in the jungle and home to one of the tallest ancient Mayan pyramids in the Yucatán Peninsula. We’ll then visit Xikbal Cenote in Tres Reyes, a beautiful underground cenote surrounded by jungle and natural rock formations. Take a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters and enjoy this peaceful hidden gem. To finish the day, we’ll make a visit to Playa del Carmen’s famous Fifth Avenue, where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere and take in a little of the local culture before heading back.
What's included
Included
- Mayan Ceremony
- Visit at Coba Ruins (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- Bottle water during the ruins
- Swim at the Cenote Xikbal (1 hour)
- Round transportation from Playa del Carmen
- Visit at Tulum Ruins (1 hour guided tour and 1 hour free)
- Mayan Culture Guides (english and spanish)
- Optional drop off at La Quinta Avenida
Not included
- Preservation tax of 30 USD per person
- Drinks at the restaurant
- Life vest at the cenote
What you'll see and do
Our journey begins at the breathtaking Tulum Ruins, where a certified guide will introduce you to the history and legends of this ancient Mayan city. Located on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the ruins offer spectacular views of turquoise waters and white sand beaches surrounded by nature.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Zona Arqueologica De Coba
Next, we explore the Coba Ruins, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan civilization. Hidden deep in the jungle, Coba is home to the tallest pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula and offers a unique connection to the ancient Mayan world.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Discover Xikbal Cenote at Tres Reyes, a beautiful underground cenote hidden in the jungle. Swim in its crystal-clear waters surrounded by natural rock formations, and experience this peaceful Mayan treasure as part of an authentic local adventure.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Altustours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Does not include preservation tax of 30 USD per person
- Life vest is mandatory at the cenote
- Travelers must bring towels, swim suit and a change of clothes
- This is a full day tour
- La Quinta Avenida wont be available for travelers staying between Playacar and Tulum
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Don’t book unless you speak fluent Spanish
We arrived via a shuttle transfer to a coach where we were the only English speaking participants. The tour guide spoke very little English and spent the whole time talking to the 40 other participants in Spanish. We didn’t really know what was happening or going on. Another Mexican gentleman on the tour was very helpful and translated some of the information. Would not recommend unless you speak fluent Spanish. The ruins however were lovely - we toured them by ourselves
Response from the operator: The guides spoke english for all the instructions and information about the ruins, however, you kept falling behind and leaving the group The guide spoke more spanish because other people made comments, asked questions in spanish The guides tried to include you but you refused in a rude way, the guide can speak as much english as you spoke to them
via Viator
Awesome tour guide!
Javier, our guide, was the best! He went out of his way to ensure everyone in our group had a special time and provided a lot of extra details! Spoke excellent French and English! Thank you!
Response from the operator: We appreciate the kind comments towards the guide, we'll make sure to give them the compliments Our staff will be waiting for your next visit!
via Tripadvisor
Average tour for tourists in Cancun or Playa del Carmen
Since we where staying in Tulum, we were getting picked up last and dropped off first. We also where never taken to Playa del Carmen and missed many important directions. like water upgrade and renting bikes. The bus was about 40 minutes late. First stop was the Tulum ruins and visitor site. After short shopping stop we where led on foot to the ruins. On our own pace we headed back just in time for the bus, in fact we took a wrong turn in the parking lot looking for the bus and were maybe 4 minutes late but the bus waited for us. Then the bus took us to a buffet. There we had to pay for drinks because we were never told about upgrades and getting a wristband. After eating we took the bus to Coba pyramids, that is where we realized the upgrade included a bike ride to Coba, but we walked quickly on foot. Spent little time at each pyramid but made it there and back early. I think we walked 5km in 50 minutes. Everyone else had a bike or a tricycle. A young boy who took photos of us before the buffet, gave us a tiny shot of liquor on the bus and sold us a bottle with the photo on it for $350 pesos, the bus crew told us he was earning money for school. After the pyramids we took the bike to a nearby cenote. Not everyone went swimming, some of us waited and cooled of in the shade. It was an average tour but I recommend something else if you are in Tulum. I DO recommend going with a tour guide and signing up ahead of time if you go to any archeological sites you go in Mexico. that way you are covered. Not related to this tour... We took a rental car to Chichen Itza the next day, were pulled over by Mafia in uniforms, and had to buy a tour from them anyways. Then on the way back Mexican Police pulled me over and wanted to write me a ticket for $3000 pesos. The ticket was basically for going there on the rental car. Told me I didn't have the right papers from rental car company. I bribed them $40 USD to get my license back and went on my way. Sign up for tours!!! Don't go without a guide!
Response from the operator: As it is display on the product, the travelers that are staying at Tulum will have to go back by their own if they want to do the stop at Playa del Carmen. we are sorry for the confusion with the tour and with the cops pulling you with no reason We will work in order to avoid this situation again
via Viator
Save your money and pick something else
This tour description is completely misleading. The Tulum ruins is NOT a guided tour. Basically the tour guide leaves you in the ruins and let’s it be self guided, which is really bad because it’s extremely hard to understand what is going on without a guide. It was really annoying because we were led to believe there would be a tour guide. Then, the tour of Coba ruins was barely a tour. We just saw the main pyramid and received a mediocre description of it from the tour guide. The men that give you a ride on the bikes knew more and told us more info than our guide. Make sure to tip the bike boys because they barely make any money. Then we visited a Mayan village and it was probably the most informative part. The man there was very well versed in everything he explained. After we went to the buffet and it was unorganized and not COVID-guideline compliant. There was no one serving you. Everyone was touching the utensils and for sure somewhere you’d get COVID from so sanitize your hands before and after serving yourself. Drinks weren’t included but weren’t that expensive. The tour guide kept emphasizing we didn’t upgrade which was annoying because he could have just said it once. Then, the cenote was SO sad. You don’t visit two like the description, you only visit one and it barely classified as a cenote. It’s not really a hole in the ground, it’s more like someone dug out the rocks from the ground and threw water in there. Not deep either. We spent 1 hour and 50 minutes there which was a huge waste of time because it was so boring. Then it was around 7pm and we left to Playa del Carmen and arrived there at 8pm. You DO NOT get to see the beach. You’re dropped off for 1 hour on the Main Street (quinta avenida) and told you could shop but by that point, you’re starving so it’s better to find some quick food. And then it’s another 2 hours back to Cancun. So you’re back at your hotel around 10:30pm. AVOID AVOID AVOID this tour. Really unorganized, confusing, and the tour guide doesn’t care about providing a fun, engaging experience.
via Viator
Coming back !
The ruins were amazing . The bus was comfy. The Cenote was breath taking , will definitely be back to visit again .
Response from the operator: Thank you for your comments , we are glad that you enjoy it , we wait for you in your next visit happy holidays
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Altustours, who run 73 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.2.
See everything Altustours runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa del Carmen.
How much does Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen cost?
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Prices start at $111 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Playa del Carmen usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen take?
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Plan for about 12 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 Playa del Carmen is not rushed.
Is Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.2/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Playa del Carmen, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen?
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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 Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen?
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Around 2 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 Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen?
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On Outty we rank every Playa del Carmen experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Ride to a life changing cenotes tour, Chichén Itzá, Cenote and Valladolid with Lunch and transportation, From Playa del Carmen ATV Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote. 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 Playa del Carmen?
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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 Playa del Carmen?
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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 Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen?
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Included: Mayan Ceremony; Visit at Coba Ruins (1 hour and 30 minutes); Bottle water during the ruins; Swim at the Cenote Xikbal (1 hour); and Round transportation from Playa del Carmen. Not included: Preservation tax of 30 USD per person; Drinks at the restaurant; and Life vest at the cenote. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 35 listed pickup locations in and around Playa del Carmen. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen offered in?
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It is offered in English 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 Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen?
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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 Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen 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 Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen 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 Tulum, Cenote Xikbal, Coba Ruins! Mayan Day From Playa del Carmen?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 3.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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