Tours & Activities in Riviera Maya / Playa del Carmen

Discover the main archaeological site of the Yucatan Peninsula on this full-day tour to Chichen Itza. Also, you will swim in a sacred cenote, and explore the colonial town of Valladolid.

As evening draws in, Xcaret awakens with their Mexico Espectacular show – a night where colours and textures aren't just for your eyes, but also for your palate. With an exclusive meal included, you'll journey through the heart of Mexican-cuisine, indulging in dishes crafted from sustainably-sourced, organic ingredients. Treat your taste buds to an experience just as exciting as the show itself. Menu as follows:Appetisers: House salad, smoked cream cheeseStarters: Mexican truffle mushrooms, prawn and Spanish sausage salbut, tuna aguachileMain courses: Caribbean lobster, roast pork tacos, duck magret with sauceDessert: Xcaret flower pot (sponge cake)Drinks: Glass of white wine, glass of red wine, glass of sparkling wine, flavoured water or soft drink

Explore the wonders of the Mesoamerican Reef System on this exclusive National Geographic Day Tour. Led by marine specialists, you will have the unique opportunity to snorkel and witness the impact of humanity on the reef and see coral bleaching. This is followed by an insightful talk on actionable steps for reef restoration.Setting sail when the waters are at their calmest, you'll venture to two different reefs, each affected by bleaching due to global warming, water pollution, and microplastics. Visit the reef known as “El Meco”, which boasts the youngest corals, making it a particularly special attraction.The boats used for the tour are certified by Blue Flag for sustainable tourism, ensuring your voyage aligns with eco-conscious practices. Along the way, you'll also get to know the local fauna and savour samples of traditional snacks including Kibi.During this tour, you will be inspired to protect these marine ecosystems, which is the aim of the National Geographic-sponsored Pristine Seas project. This project has carried out expeditions to Banco Chinchorro, a significant part of the Mesoamerican Reef System. This project's work underscores the importance of safeguarding marine environments from human influence while protecting the last wild places in our oceans.By joining this tour, you will engage with the vital importance of preserving and protecting the precious Mesoamerican Reef System. See for yourself the marvels of the ocean and gain a profound understanding of coral reefs and their critical role in the biosphere.

Dive into Mexico's premier snorkelling spot at Puerto Morelos. Explore the reef and savor local cuisine in a beachside restaurant.

There's nothing quite like that ‘you've made it' holiday feeling, and this adults-only boat trip features all the little luxuries and a new perspective on Mexico. Crafted and designed with you in mind, this cruise is offered exclusively by TUI – among the unique touches are fresh fruit, lunch and, of course, swim stops and water sports.

Turn up the romance with this evening cruise around Cancun lagoon. Climb aboard an authentic sailing ship for a night of dinner, drinks and live music served up with a side course of spectacular Caribbean sunset.Step on board in the late afternoon and your captain will steer a course around the lagoon's gentle waters.Sipping on wine from the all-inclusive bar as you watch a radiant Caribbean sunset, you'll be served dinner and drinks to a soundtrack of lapping waves and soft saxophone music – the atmosphere couldn't be more romantic. If you're looking to escape the crowds and share some quality time with your partner, you'll be in your element.

The ultimate Riviera Maya day sailing adventure. You'll cast off in a luxury catamaran along Mexico's Caribbean coastline to snorkel, paddleboard, swim and soak up some tropical sunshine. An open bar and lunch on board complement your day out.

A journey deep into the Yucatán jungle to discover the ancient Maya city of Coba. You'll learn about their enigmatic culture, see the Great Pyramid, meet local villagers and swim in a sacred cenote

Swathes of white sandy beaches, tropical bird sanctuaries and dazzling coral reefs – these are just a few characteristics of Contoy and Mujeres islands. And, on this full day boat trip, you'll hop across the sea from Cancun for a day of snorkelling, sunbathing and wildlife spotting.

Training dolphins is one of those jobs that sound beyond our reach – until now. This dolphin trainer experience in Playa del Carmen is your chance to get to know dolphins in a hands-on way. You'll spend the entire day learning about these incredible animals while teaching them new tricks. Food and drinks included.

Party the night away at Playa del Carmen's legendary Coco Bongo nightclub, where a Vegas-style extravaganza awaits. In a four-hour show featuring dancers, performers, acrobats and singers, you'll be swept away by the club's dazzling nighttime atmosphere. There are five options to choose from – Regular, Gold Member, Silver Member, Front Row and Ladies Night.The fun starts as soon as you're dropped off at Coco Bongo. Well-known for its glittering performances and music that's sure to keep you on the dancefloor. Once the lights are dimmed, the show truly gets started with glittering confetti falling from the sky and tribute acts taking to the stage bringing the best of Madonna, Michael Jackson and Beyoncé to you.Choose from five options:Regular – Standing only entry ticket with snack and open barGold Member – Separate fast-track Gold Member entrance, with reserved seating, snack and open barSilver Member - Silver Entrance, premium bar with one snack to choose, no seat (one mini hamburger, one hotdog, french fries or nachos)Front Row Ticket – Reserved front row seating area with snack and open bar

Cancun is an ideal place to get up close with nature – and what better way to do so than with an immersive and fun dolphin encounter? You'll get into the water with one of these wonderful creatures and learn to communicate with them while getting to know their habits and behaviours.Head to Isla Mujeres via boat, and you'll have an interactive experience with one of the world's friendliest mammals – dolphins. Learn all about these loveable creatures as experts tell you about their unique characteristics. You'll even be taught some special signals to communicate with them and witness their intelligence.To top it off, your experience includes a buffet lunch and unlimited local drinks so all the family will be catered for. You'll have access to the beach club terrace to relax in, too.

Spending the day as a dolphin trainer is a dream job for many, and this excursion turns those dreams into a reality. You'll travel to the beautiful Isla Mujeres, just off the coast of Cancun, for a close-up encounter with dolphins. Learn how to train them and get to know their cheeky personalities in this immersive experience.On arrival at Isla Mujeres, you'll get stuck in right away with a 40-minute dolphin encounter. Tour the facilities to understand the research and breeding programmes before getting back into the water. During the training session, you'll take part in exercises used to train the dolphins every day, and you'll see for your own eyes how clever these animals really are.We'll then break for a buffet lunch before getting back in the water for a 60-minute Royal Swim where you'll be able to swim alongside these incredible creatures. At the end, you'll be presented with your very own trainer diploma before returning to Cancun.

A family day out to beat all others. You'll swim and play with dolphins in this silver swim experience. Get up close and personal with these friendly sea creatures – it's immersive, fun and a sure highlight of your holiday in Cancun. You'll also have access to the beach club terrace to relax before or after your 40-minute interactive experience.

Garrafon Natural Reef Park is just a short distance away from Cancun. On this excursion, you'll be whisked off to Isla Mujeres for a day of activities, snorkelling, a dolphin swim and some beach relaxation. There'll also be plenty of activities to choose from such as snorkelling, ziplines, kayaking and more.

Holbox Island offers 36km of pristine white beaches washed by emerald green seas. On this exclusive TUI excursion, you'll tour spots like Isla Pasion and Punta Mosquito on a private boat, enjoy lunch at a five-star eco resort and more. And there's also golf buggy tour of the island to look forward to.

Just off the coast of Cancun, set off on a sun-kissed catamaran cruise to the serene Isla Mujeres. Delight in an exhilarating snorkelling session at 'El Meco' marina park, weather permitting, with all gear provided. Post-dive, toast the day with an open bar onboard. Stroll and shop at your leisure in the heart of Isla Mujeres, then cruise back to Cancun, unwinding with more drinks, music, and unmatched relaxation. A splendid day out at sea.

Spend an evening with a small Mayan community to learn about their lifestyle and traditions on this half-day tour. You'll begin with a tour of the village, before learning how to make tortillas the traditional way. Next, you'll take part in the temazcal ceremony, a sacred purification ceremony which takes place in a volcanic stone steam bath. Then, you'll have time for a nighttime dip in the community cenote, and, to round the evening off, you'll tuck into some traditional Mayan dishes for dinner.

The ancient Maya called it ‘Where the Sky Begins' – and there's definitely a touch of heaven to Sian Ka'an. Its mangroves, coral reefs, wildlife and archaeological sites mean that it's both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve, a rare double that puts it in the Champions League of natural parks. Manon, one of our expert local guides, says, “I first came to Sian Ka'an as a visitor on holidays from Normandy and totally fell in love with it – now I work in this paradise. I come here every day and have never lived the same experience twice.” The adventure begins the moment you step onto the boat to explore the dense mangroves. As you navigate through the reserve, you'll be surrounded by flora and fauna – over 300 species call this place home, including birds, crocodiles and dolphins. As the boat drifts along, your guide will point out unique plant species that thrive in this wetland ecosystem, explaining their vital roles in maintaining the ecological balance. Then, you'll head out into the Caribbean Sea to snorkel in one of the best-preserved reefs in the area. You'll also drop the anchor at a shallow stretch of sand with low tides and crystal-clear waters, known locally as La Piscina. Then, the afternoon is all about unwinding. You'll head to Punta Allen, a small Mayan fishing village, where you can savour some local dishes, before having some time to sit back and relax. It's an idyllic end to a day spent immersed in some of Cancun's most stunning natural scenery.

Cocktails, delicious cuisine, wines, tequilas and mezcals. What better way to spend an evening at Punta Venado luxury beach club than this gastronomical journey from Maya times to the present. And experts will be on hand to help you pair your dishes with the wines, tequilas and mezcals.

Exploring ancient ruins and swimming in underground caves make this an action-packed morning of adventure. A guided tour of one of Mexico's most important historical sites is followed by a visit to a traditional Mayan community. What's more, you'll get the chance to take a refreshing dip in a cenote too.

For an amazing underwater adventure, this half-day tour into the heart of the Mexican jungle and the Caribbean reef is a must-do. You'll swim in the mystical surroundings of a cenote and snorkel with turtles in the Caribbean during an action-packed morning in the Riviera Maya.

Experiences for all the family, traditional food, jungle trails, culture and nature – Xcaret has it all. This eco-archaeological park is like nothing else in the Riviera Maya. Located by the sea near Cancun, Xcaret boasts more than 50 attractions that take you through the heart of the jungle in many different ways.

Xel-Há is the stuff of fantasy. Limpid lagoons with shades of sapphire, jade and aquamarine surrounded by tropical jungle and mangroves. It's bursting with natural beauty and exciting things to do, making it one of the most appealing Riviera Maya destinations. Swim, snorkel, zipline and soak up the atmosphere of this tropical adventure park.Discover mystical caves in the jungle, snorkel down the river as you admire the surrounding wildlife, jump five metres into the water beneath you and zipline across the river – Xel-Há is 100% pure excitement. You'll also be able to relax in the calming surroundings of unspoiled nature or walk, cycle and take the mini-train along jungle paths to admire species of flora and fauna in their natural habitat.Last but not least, there are four restaurants serving local dishes. And you can learn all about the Maya legends surrounding Xel-Há, too. It's a place of wonder and beauty, where you and all the family can experience a wild time immersed in nature. You can also take advantage of up to 50% off selected Dream activities such as Zip Bikes and Ray Encounters, as well as photo packages. And with exclusive tour, you'll enjoy an exclusive transfer and priority access.

If you're ready for an adventure like you've never known before, then come and set foot in Xenses adventure park near Cancun. You'll be thrown into different ecosystems and activities, and embark on a voyage of discovery through air, land and water as you bring your senses to life on this half-day trip.

You'll be caught up in the party spirit as soon as you step on board a colourful trajinera in Xoximilco. Navigate canals, float past musicians and feast on an authentic Mexican dinner – all washed down with tequila. And with door-to-door transfers included, your evening in Cancun is taken care of.

If you're in search of a holiday experience that'll get your heart pounding, then a day at Xplor is just what you need. Ziplines, 4x4 jungle trails, underground pools, rafting through caves – and that's only the beginning. Bring out your inner Tarzan and enjoy an action-packed day in Cancun.Heading deep into the Riviera Maya jungle, you'll discover a land of adrenaline-pumping opportunities. Soar through the treetops on ziplines as high as 45 metres – the height of an 11-storey building – then back on solid ground, you'll get behind the wheel of a 4x4 to rev your way through the rainforest.Your journey will also bring a few surprises along the way, with a chance to swim and raft in an ancient cenote – an underground cavernous pool – where you'll use your hands to propel you through the water as you admire stalactite spears that have formed on the roof. To bring your day to an end with a splash, you'll zoom through the sky in a hammock and land in the refreshing cenote water. Make sure to bring a digital copy of your voucher to get a 50% discount on your photo package. That way, you can prove to anyone you've overcome your greatest fears.

An evening to indulge your thrill seeking side with a trip to Xplor – Riviera Maya's natural adventure park. You'll whizz above the treetops on any of the 14 ziplines and explore the jungle, caves and caverns that hide within the park. There's even some river rafting thrown into the mix, too.

Enjoy a full-day guided tour with lunch that gives you the chance to visit the spectacular archaeological site of Chichen Itza and swim in a cenote.

Eat your way through Mexican classics on this hands-on, multi-stop taco adventure. Meander through the back streets sampling a variety of top-quality tacos with different fillings. Each is made to the original recipe, bursting with flavour and history. Try your hand at making margaritas, tortillas and salsas, whilst sampling Mexico's oldest alcoholic drink, Pulque. Finish this taco-fest with a decadent dessert surprise before your free time to shop or explore Playa Del Carmen.