Tulum Akumal Turtle Snorkel and Cenote Tour from Cancun

Tulum ruins on the Caribbean cliff

Tulum is a walled Maya port city set on a limestone cliff above the Caribbean. Its buildings, including El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God, are small compared with Chichen Itza, but the setting above turquoise water is unmatched. The city was an important trading post in the late period of Maya civilisation.

Your guide leads a tour of about two hours and explains how the site was used. Guided Tulum tours are the easiest way to understand the layout, and the sea views make this stop one of the most photogenic of the day. The best time to visit Tulum is early, before the heat builds, which is why we start the day promptly.

Cenote Mariposa swim

After the ruins, we continue to Cenote Mariposa, a semi-open freshwater cenote surrounded by trees. The water is clear and cool, with plants growing along the edge and light reaching the surface through the open roof.

The cenote stop is combined with lunch and free time, about two hours in total, with a life jacket and a locker provided for your belongings. If you are looking for a Tulum cenote tour from Cancun, this is a relaxed introduction for first-time swimmers, and swimming is optional. Leave valuables in the locker and keep a towel close, since the next stop is Akumal Bay and the day moves along steadily.

Akumal Bay and the sea turtles

Akumal means "place of the turtles" in the Maya language, and its sheltered bay is known for green sea turtles that graze on the sea grass beds. Our guide leads a snorkel of around an hour in the shallow water, with a life jacket and a briefing about how to behave around these protected animals.

Sightings depend on nature and cannot be guaranteed, but turtles are seen on most days. Never touch or chase the turtles, and use only biodegradable sunscreen or cover up with a rash vest to protect the reef. Visiting Akumal with a guide is the responsible way to see them.

A relaxed shared day from Cancun

The trip is a long day, with about an hour and a half of driving in each direction between Cancun and Tulum. The bus is air-conditioned, and you have time to rest between stops.

Because it is a shared tour, the programme is set, and the order of stops can change with weather or traffic. Site and park fees are paid on the bus, so carry cash. Bring swimwear, a towel and a reusable bottle, as plastic bottles are not allowed inside the Tulum site. Keep a light layer for the bus, where the air conditioning can feel cool after the heat outdoors.