Tulum Cenotes Tours › Tulum Ruins, Turtles and Cenote Tour
The most-reviewed combination on this coast, and the one where the name causes the most confusion. The turtles are in the Caribbean at Akumal Bay. The cenote is a dark, roofed cave inland. They are two entirely different swims on the same day, and no cenote anywhere holds sea turtles.
This is the classic Riviera Maya day out done from Tulum rather than from Cancun, which is the detail that matters: the same three stops from Cancun regularly run to twelve hours door to door, and this runs eight. The saving is entirely transfer time, not time at the stops.
The Tulum archaeological site comes with a bilingual guide and its entrance is included. It is exposed, with very little shade, and heat is a genuine problem there rather than a grumble — going early is worth the alarm.
The cenote is Parque de Cenotes Yax-Muul, and it is worth knowing in advance that it is a cave cenote: roofed, dark, with bats overhead. Several travellers arrive expecting the open turquoise pool from the photographs and are surprised. It is the better swim of the two if you know what you are walking into.
The walled Maya port on the cliff above the Caribbean, guided rather than self-directed. Little shade and more walking than most people expect — water, a hat and an early slot all matter more here than at any other stop on this coast.
A cave cenote: enclosed, dark and quiet, with bats above the water and formations along the passage. Two hours is generous for a single cenote and it is the part of this day that travellers remember. Life jackets and snorkel equipment are provided.
Open Caribbean, not a cenote. Green sea turtles graze the seagrass beds in the shallows here. Visibility is the variable — sargassum can cut it badly in summer, and the cenote on those same days is unaffected.
| Duration | 8 hours |
|---|---|
| Time at the cenotes | 2 hours at Parque de Cenotes Yax-Muul |
| Departs from | Tulum |
| Operator | Ocean Tours Mexico |
| Group size | Maximum 100 travellers |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before the start time |
| Wheelchair accessible | No |
| Infant seats | Available |
No. The turtles are sea turtles, in the Caribbean at Akumal Bay, which is a separate stop. The cenote is fresh water and holds small fish and bats. No cenote tour anywhere puts sea turtles in a cenote, whatever the tour is called.
The listing records it as government fees, per person, collected on the day and excluded from the fare. It brings the real cost to about US$164 per person. It is separate from the Tulum ruins entrance, which is included.
A cave cenote — roofed and dark, with bats. Several travellers expect an open pool and are surprised. You get two hours there, with life jackets and snorkel equipment provided.
This operator asks you not to, including biodegradable brands, and to apply it at your hotel after the water activities instead. Other operators on this coast say the opposite. Follow the rule you are given, and consider a long-sleeved rash guard, which protects you without putting anything in the water.
Eight hours from Tulum, with two of those at the cenote. Pickup is also offered from Cancun, Costa Mujeres and Playa del Carmen, and those departures make for a considerably longer day for the same itinerary.
Yes — Mexican tacos, with vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus bottled water. Souvenir photos and UV shirt rental are extras sold on site.
