TULUM & TURTLES PRIVATE TOURS

Your English-speaking local expert will be waiting for you at your hotel or Airbnb lobby from Riviera Maya (between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen) with a great smile at 7:00 a.m. We recommend this time so we arrive early and avoid the crowds and the midday sun.

We take the highway straight to our first stop in Akumal, arriving at Tsúuk Natural Park at 8:45 a.m. — we want to be the first to arrive and the first to jump in the water. On the way, your local expert shares stories about Mexico, the Riviera Maya, Mexican traditions, local life and the Akumal area, and gives you space to relax — or sleep — during the 1 hour 45 minute ride. The van carries plenty of cold water for you.

This tour is planned so you enjoy the morning with us and the evening relaxing at your hotel, in the pool or on the beach. It's called "Wake Up the Turtles & Visit Tulum" because it combines an early snorkel with the turtles and a visit to the only Mayan ruins by the Caribbean Sea.

Your guide keeps you safe and protected at all times — if you don't know how to snorkel, he'll teach you, and even if you're a pro, he'll give you tips to improve your experience. We use professional, no-fogging, leak-proof snorkel equipment, deep cleaned and sanitized every day. If you wear glasses, we have graduated masks — just tell us your prescription when booking.

Akumal means "place of the turtles" in Mayan — the bay is home to loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. Since 2017, federal and local authorities run a protection program for the Akumal Bay refuge area to preserve its flora and fauna through research, environmental education and controlled access.

We arrive as early as possible to fit you with snorkel gear and go over the protection program's guidelines before you swim with the turtles in their natural habitat, just a few meters from the beach. The park has restrooms and changing rooms, so bring your swimsuit, towel and dry clothes. By regulation, time in the water is limited to about 60 minutes, though you can stay enjoying the beach as long as you want. Photos from your guide are included.

After Akumal, we head to Tulum — the only Mayan ruins facing the Caribbean Sea. Its old name, Zama, means "dawn," and we arrive around 10:45 a.m. to explore this ancient walled city; its current name, Tulum, means "between walls."

From the citadel's viewpoints you'll see the Caribbean flash in seven shades of blue. Everything runs at your pace and you can stay as long as you want — your guide, fluent in English and certified by the INAH, gives an extensive narrative about the site and Mayan culture and loves answering questions.

After an active morning you'll have a big appetite. If you'd like, we can take you to a local, authentic restaurant in Playa del Carmen — fresh fruit, enchiladas, tacos de guisado, whatever you're craving. If you'd rather skip it, we'll take you back to your hotel or Airbnb as fast as possible so you can keep enjoying the pool or the beach. You decide if and when you want brunch — we adjust the schedule to what works best for you.

This tour is planned so you arrive at brunch around 1:30 p.m. in Playa del Carmen, or skip it and arrive at your hotel around 2:30 p.m. Since everything runs at your pace, the exact return time depends on you — you're free to head back early or skip any activity. If you do have brunch, add roughly 1 to 1.5 hours; you should be back at your hotel or Airbnb between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.