Tulum: Day Trips and Tours from Playa Del Carmen

Tulum is a stunning rainforest resort town less than 1 hour from Playa Del Carmen. The Caribbean destination is best known for its 13th-century Mayan archaeological site that overlooks the ocean.

Take a day trip to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen to be immersed in the tropical jungles, picturesque beaches and lush lagoons of Quintana Roo. The coastal town is perfect for visitors who enjoy both nature and beach relaxation.

Here's all you need to know about Tulum, one of the best destinations for day trips from Playa del Carmen.

How to get to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen?

From Playa Del Carmen to Tulum by car

The drive from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum takes less than 1 hour on coastal highway 307. Leave the beach town on 50 Avenida Nte. toward Tulum and ride for about 10 minutes before merging onto Cancun - Chetumal/Mexico 307.

You’ll continue on this highway for about 45 more minutes and turn on Calle Polar Pte. to finish the journey.

Guided tour from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum

Take a guided tour of Tulum from Playa Del Carmen to add ease to your trip and learn valuable information from an expert chaperone. There are many different options for guided tours, but all include either a private vehicle or a meeting point minivan pickup for the drive south.

There are half-day and full-day excursions, and most include a swim in a natural cenote or an adventurous activity like zip lining. Most guided day trips also feature a visit to the Mayan archaeological site of Tulum before the drop-off back in Playa Del Carmen.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen?

A day trip to Tulum typically begins with a hotel pickup by an air-conditioned vehicle. A professional guide will escort you on the hour-long journey to the resort town. Once you arrive, you will start off with a fascinating tour of the Tulum archaeological site where a Mayan city once thrived.

You’ll explore 13th-century ruins built on a cliff overlooking beautiful Pacific Ocean. Most tours also allow for free exploration of the hidden beach nestled behind the great castle.

Afterward, you’ll head to one of the greatest wonders of Riviera Maya, the natural cenote sinkholes with crystal clear blue water. Tour the cave lagoons that are filled with ancient rock structures from prehistory. Some excursions allow for snorkeling in the natural estuaries that are filled with fascinating marine life.

Following a dip in Tulum’s magnificent freshwater pools head to the famous white sand beaches that line the coastal town. Most tours include a stop at an exclusive beach where visitors can stop for food and drink while overlooking the flawless turquoise water. From there, the tour will conclude with a drop-off back in Playa Del Carmen.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Tulum?

Guided tours to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen

Take a guided tour of Tulum from Playa Del Carmen to see as much of the resort town as possible during your visit. On this day trip, you’ll visit the iconic Mayan castle overlooking the Pacific Ocean and explore the ancient relics left behind in stone.

Your expert guide will fill you in on the magical mystery of the Mayan people, a civilization that ominously disappeared around 900 A.D. You’ll take photos atop a massive cliff of ocean views before entering the lush rainforest of the region.

Peruse caves filled with cenotes and head to the beach for a snorkeling activity where you might catch sight of some sea turtles. Most guided tours include hotel pickup and drop-off as well as one meal.

ATV tour of Tulum from Playa Del Carmen

On this adventure, you will be picked up by your guide who will escort you to the archaeological zone of Tulum. After exploring the Mayan castle, you will head to the jungle for a thrilling ATV ride through the bumpy, unpaved forest roads at top speed.

The four-wheelers can accommodate up to two people with a minimum driving age of 16. Most ATV excursions include a stop at an underground lagoon for snorkeling before ending with a traditional Mexican buffet and drinks.

Day trip to Tulum Xtreme plus Rappelling from Playa Del Carmen

This tour is for visitors that want to live life on the wild side. Join your guide for a snorkeling tour in Playa Del Carmen before continuing on the 1-hour car ride to Tulum. Once you arrive in the resort town, you’ll visit the Mayan archaeological zone before you embark on an extreme jungle adventure.

Glide over the rainforest on a speedy zip-line ride, rappel 18 meters straight down off the side of a cliff and sample a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine before heading back to Playa Del Carmen.

Sailing tour to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen

If you’re hoping to spend the majority of your day trip on the turquoise waters of the Quintana Roo coastline, opt for a sailing tour from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum. On this luxury excursion, you’ll meet your captain of the day and board your catamaran for a nautical treat.

You’ll have the chance to snorkel at a beautiful coral reef to see sea turtles and sting rays in their natural habitat. You’ll learn fascinating details about the region from an experienced crew while you enjoy unmatched views sailing along the coast.

Private tour to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen

Choose a private tour of Tulum from Playa Del Carmen to personalize your jaunt to the resort town. You’ll join an expert guide in a private air-conditioned vehicle for the 1-hour drive south, where you’ll head straight to the Tulum archaeological site.

You’ll visit two cenotes with ample time to swim, snorkel and explore the winding caves and underground river lagoon of Taak Bi Ha. Private tours allow for schedule flexibility and typically include all entrance fees and snorkel gear for the trip.

How much does a tour to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen cost?

There are guided tours to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen for every budget and itinerary. For a day trip to the jungle resort town that includes a visit to the Mayan archaeological site, a lagoon and the beach you can expect to pay about $150 per person with a meal included.

For an ATV adventure through the jungle with a visit to a cenote, you can prepare to spend between $100 and $150 per person.

A day trip to Tulum that includes extreme sports such as zip-lining and rappelling will cost between $120 and $150 per person.

A catamaran tour of the resort coast plus snorkeling in the reef will be priced around $150 per person with a meal and all equipment included.

A private excursion to Tulum with luxury pick-up and drop-off starts at $180 per person and can reach up to $250 per person if a stop at the cenotes and a meal is included.

For a private yacht rental, you can expect to pay around $1500 for the entire day for 8-10 people with a professional captain and all meals and drinks included. A private group tour with an expert guide costs between $350 and $600 with availability for two to four people.

What will you see and do on a Tulum day trip from Playa Del Carmen?

Mayan archaeological site

This 13th-century landmark is filled with history of the region and overlooks the stunning turquoise-blue Pacific Ocean. Explore the stone castle and learn about the incredible history of the lost Mayan civilization. Behind the site is a hidden beach, open for free exploration.

Cenotes

Tulum is filled with beautiful natural cenotes and lagoons that allow for swimming and snorkeling. One of the most famous is Taak Bi Ha, an underground networks of caves and rivers filled with mystery.

Beaches

The white sand beaches of Tulum look out over the vast blue Mexican Caribbean, painting a beautiful picture for all who visit. Spend some time at the beaches along the coast to snorkel and enjoy the unique ecology of the rainforest region.

When is the best time to visit Tulum?

Tulum is best visited between February and May before the summer temperatures arrive. Most visitors save travel for winter because by late spring, temperatures can rise to 33 degrees celsius.

Tulum experiences a rainy season in the fall, with the most condensation in October. Fight the heat in late summer or early fall to avoid the most crowds.

Are there any tours to Tulum from other cities in Mexico?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Mexico:

• Day trips to Tulum from Cancún
• Day trips to Tulum from Cozumel

Travel tips

• Wear athletic clothing on your tour to Tulum to prepare for adventurous activities such as ATVs, zip-lines and rappelling.
• Most excursions include a stop at the beaches or cenotes so make sure to pack a bathing suit and towel.
• Bring along plenty of sunscreen and bug spray for tours that include a jungle trek.