Day Trips in Riviera Maya: The 7 We Would Rebook

1.Xcaret Park Day Trip, transportation and Cultural Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,899 reviews · 6 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $167Our pick

Spend a full day at Xcaret Park with shared transport from Cancun, water activities, wildlife areas, Mayan and Mexican cultural displays, and the Xcaret México Espectacular evening show. Basic admission covers most park attractions. Xcaret Plus adds a buffet lunch, snorkeling gear, and a private changing area. Extra-cost activities include Sea Trek, Snuba, dolphin encounters, and jet boats.

“Excellent tour . Xcaret is a phenomenal place and is worth every penny. The tour guide and driver was very professional and courteous.”

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2.Sian Ka’an Adventure Full Day Trip to Punta Allen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,179 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $254Top rated

Travel from Tulum into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve with a guide such as Miguel, Kenya, Niko, or Lea. Expect a bumpy road, lagoon wildlife, mangroves, birds, dolphins, manatees, and a weather-dependent reef snorkel, followed by lunch in Punta Allen. The small group is limited to 12 people.

“Great tour at the Sian Ka’an with this company. The guide Pablo was a great and knowledgeable guide with his extremely humour and charm. The pick-up was on time and the time schedule was perfect. Pablo and his crew took car”

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3.Xplor Park Day Trip with Lunch and Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 638 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $184

Spend a high-energy day at Xplor Park near Cancun with round-trip hotel transport, cave rafting, jungle ziplines, amphibious vehicles, lockers, drinks, and an all-you-can-eat buffet. The park is self-guided, so you choose your order and pace. Expect wet clothes, stairs, walking, lines, and a full day of physical activity.

“I enjoyed myself. I got over my fears of heights zip-lining. I can’t believe I did it smh. I always felt if I was designed to be in the air. The lord would have blessed me with wings. Food was ok. Nothing to brag on. But what I spent on the whole package. I’m not mad at it. I would do it again.”

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4.Riviera Maya Jungle Half-Day Tour: ATV, Ziplines, Cenote Swim, Rappel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 339 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $127Best value

Spend about four hours in the Riviera Maya jungle riding a single or double ATV, tackling several zip lines including a 1-kilometer run, rappelling, and swimming in freshwater cenotes. Gear, snacks, and water are included. Guides such as Sergio, Julio, Pedro, Victor, and Javier have earned strong praise, though pickup and activity timing can vary.

“I was given a faulty ATV that kept losing power. I was told by the instructor that when it start losing power to just give it gas. As I was going up a bump it started losing power again and when I hit the gas I was thrown off the Atv. I hurt my back and couldn’t do the rest of the excursion and was suppose to refunded and that still has not happened.”

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5.Xcaret Plus Full-Day Tour from Cancun with Transport

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 57 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $235

Spend 11 to 12 hours at Xcaret with roundtrip air-conditioned transport from Cancun, Plus Area access, underground rivers, jungle trails, a buffet lunch, and the Xcaret México Espectacular show. You will need to confirm your pickup time and print the operator’s white boarding pass. The Adrenaline boat ride is not included.

“Pl don’t make the same mistake as me - I was looking for the river float with stalactites. This one that we see in the pictures is in X plor park!! Recommendation form future visitor - pl do the river float before lunch. In this way you will get to the opposite side of the park where the river ends and they bring your stuff. Please eat lunch at the seafood peninsula buffet. Best location!!!! Pl reconsider Adrenalina boat ride. Hurts your neck. I have been taking a lot of Advil. Next time I would choose dinner with the evening show. 7 course meal with alcohol and premium seating for…”

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6.Sian Ka’an Half Day Tour w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 54 reviews · 6 hours · from $204

Spend six hours exploring Sian Ka'an by van and small boat, with lagoon wildlife viewing, mangroves, possible reef snorkeling, and lunch. Guides such as Ursula, Marco, Pablo, and Martin have led recent outings. Snorkeling depends on weather, and an open cenote visit may replace it.

“If they can’t take you snorkeling (which happens very often!), then this trip essentially consists of 30 minutes of wildlife viewing and a lunch. We spent 3 hours in a van for transportation and another 2 hours just riding in a small boat. Stopped to view wildlife at several spots, amounting to maybe 30 or 45 minutes of viewing. Lunch is just OK. The guides were fantastic, the excursion was absolutely not.”

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7.Snorkeling & Private Cenote Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 5 hours · from $169

From Tulum, you’ll follow an expert guide into a Mayan cenote, swim through cool limestone caves, then snorkel among reef fish, rays, lobsters, and sea turtles. Groups are limited to 10, with equipment, snacks, lunch, drinks, and hotel transfers included. Guides speak English, Spanish, or French.

“Excellent guide and exceptional trip I thoroughly recommend it.”

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