Top Playa del Carmen Outdoor Activities

Depart Playa del Carmen for a day of cultural experience and adrenaline-inducing activities. Begin with a visit to Tulum, an ancient Maya coastal city that's home to archaeological remains and sandy beaches. Then visit a modern-day Maya community before entering the jungle to explore two vast underground river systems. Snorkel their cavern waters and afterward, board a 4x4 Unimog for a thrilling ride toward a series of ziplining and rappelling adventures. Wind down with a buffet lunch of delicious Maya cuisine.

Take an off-road romp in the jungle beyond Playa del Carmen on this half-day excursion. Drive or ride in a 2-person buggy and follow a guide first into scenic parts of the Playa del Carmen not frequented by tourists, before bouncing and bumping your way into the jungle. Wash off the grime during a swim at a gorgeous underground cenote and journey to an authentic Maya village. This small-group tour is limited to 14 passengers, ensuring you’ll receive personalized attention. Hotel transport is included on this family-friendly outing.

Explore the Rio Secreto Nature Reserve outside of Cancun on this full-day excursion, where you swim and wade in one of the most spectacular underground caves in Mexico. See the famous crystal caves on a tour that showcases the spectacular natural wonders of the Yucatán. Choose round-trip transportation from your Cancun hotel, or meet your guide at Rio Secreto directly.

Journey deep into the Riviera Maya on this guided jungle buggy tour from Playa del Carmen. Steer a 4x4 buggy for about 18 miles and admire the lush forest scenery during this thrilling drive. Make a stop at a ranch for a refreshing swim and snorkel at a cenote. Hotel transport included.

Enjoy a 45-minute exotic camel ride tour in the Caribbean landscapes and follow your guide throughout the jungle and white-sand dunes. Ride along the beach and capture magnificent photographs. This is a family friendly tour that includes safety equipment, free snacks and beverages, and a round-trip transfer from your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya.

Combine a visit to the Tulum ruins with an ATV ride and snorkeling in an underground river during this adventurous trip from Riviera Maya. Start off with a guided tour of the Mayan ruins and listen to commentary from your guide. Then zoom through the jungle to reach a cenote—underground pool—for a refreshing swim. Lunch buffet and round-trip hotel transportation included.

Learn about ancient Mayan culture, marvel at natural wonders, and get your adrenaline pumping on this Emotions Native Park Adventure from Playa del Carmen. Ride through the jungle on an ATV, soar through the trees on a zip-line, swim in a cenote, and take part in a traditional Mayan blessing ceremony. A typical snack is included.

If you can’t get enough of the water and you’re a fan of snorkeling, this full-day snorkeling tour from Playa del Carmen is for you. Immerse yourself in three different ecosystems as you discover an ocean inlet, an underground river, and a Mayan cenote. From the Caribbean’s tantalizing blue waves to river waters in the Riviera Maya jungle, an array of exotic marine life awaits you. Enjoy a hearty buffet lunch between snorkeling stops and snap memorable shots of your jungle and ocean adventure. Hotel transport included.

Explore the tropical forest and Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on an adventure tour: ride an ATV through the jungle then head to Maroma Beach, where you can skim across the water in a wave runner or speed boat. This 3-hour tour includes snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as pickup and drop-off at hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya.

While in Playa del Carmen, don’t miss this opportunity to visit one of the world’s oldest subterranean river systems. Make your way around limestone rock and explore cenotes and underground rivers. Then, snorkel in Yal Ku lagoon, a mixture of seawater and freshwater. Back on land, stroll along the landscaped grounds surrounding the lagoon. This half-day tour includes hotel transport from select Riviera Maya locations.

Swim alongside whale sharks in the Caribbean Sea on this 6-hour tour from Cancun. These gentle giants arrive in large numbers around the Yucatan Peninsula every summer. Slip on snorkel gear and marvel at your proximity to these fish that can grow as long as 43 feet (13 meters)! After your memorable swim, sail to Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte for a beachside lunch. Hotel transport from Cancun and the Riviera Maya included. Don’t miss this unique experience available from May to September only.

Combine ziplining, snorkeling, and ATV-riding during a single 8-hour adventure from Riviera Maya. Supervision from an outdoors guide will ensure your safety and comfort during all activities. Lunch and round-trip hotel transportation included.

Set off into the warm Caribbean Sea on this half-day catamaran sailing adventure from Playa del Carmen. Your luxurious boat cruises along the Riviera Maya coastline, stopping at the Inah Reef — one of the best locations in the region for snorkeling. Try stand-up paddleboarding while you’re out there too. After your water activities, enjoy a gourmet lunch and an open bar, as well as attentive service from your crew. Hotel transport included.

Hike, bike, and swim at the Río Secreto Nature Reserve. This adventure includes admission to Río Secreto Plus, which includes a light and sound show projected on the impressive geological formations inside the Salón de la Paz (Room of Peace). Snorkeling gear plus light refreshments, a buffet lunch, and round-trip hotel transport are provided from Cancun or the Riviera Maya.

Spend a day exploring the Yucatan's natural cenotes on an adventurous tour from Playa del Carmen that combines rappelling, ziplining, snorkeling, and kayaking. You'll visit a series of two gorgeous cenotes draped with lush vines and plants, pausing for an elegant, included picnic lunch accompanied by beer, wine, or non-alcoholic drinks. And since this tour combines adventure with culture, you'll also learn the legends of the Maya Aluxes, spirits associated with the Yucatan's jungles and sinkholes.

Leave Cancun crowds behind for an all-day adventure tour to Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres aboard a high-speed catamaran. Discover an untouched paradise island that’s home to sandy white beaches, palm trees and an extraordinary population of migratory birds. Spend the day snorkeling along Isla Contoy’s thriving coral reef, where you’ll find bright tropical fish, swaying fans and sea stars, then go to shore at picturesque Isla Mujeres before returning to Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum, swim in a refreshing underground cenote and snorkel with sea turtles in this Riviera Maya tour. Discover the majesty of the ancient Maya at the archaeological site of Tulum. Your certified guide will lead you through the immaculate ruins with incredible views of the Mexican Caribbean Sea. You’ll learn about the history of the site and the culture of the Maya civilization. You’ll then head to the jungle and descend into a cave for a refreshing swim in a cenote surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites. Finally you’ll enjoy a snorkelling experience with sea turtles in the calm clear waters of Akumal Bay. Includes lunch, guide, gear and round-trip transportation.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, consider this comprehensive PADI certification course in Playa del Carmen. The three-day program includes classroom training, two pool dives, two cenote dives, and two open water dives in the Caribbean Sea. Trainings take place in the mornings, leaving plenty of time to explore more of the area in the afternoon and evenings. After completing the course, you are qualified to dive anywhere in the world up to 60 feet. Hotel pickup and drop-off every day is included. 

Snorkel and swim in the Caribbean Sea and a freshwater cenote on a half-day tour from Cancun. Your guide first takes you to a snorkeling spot in the Caribbean to look for sea turtles and colorful tropical fish. Next, you continue into the rain forest to a nature park with an extensive underground river system. There you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the cenote for a quintessential experience in the Yucatan of Mexico. Includes snacks, guide, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Drive an all-terrain vehicle through the Maya jungle on an adventure tour of Tulum. Ride off the beaten path to sugar-white beaches alongside the Caribbean Sea and go swimming in a crystal-clear cenote. Select a single or double ATV, or upgrade to extend your tour with a full-day itinerary and explore Tulum’s surroundings like never before.

Experience extreme adventure with a dash of culture on this combo tour from Playa del Carmen. Soar through the canopy on a zipline, rappel your way down to the Maya jungle floor and snorkel at a cenote. Visit Tulum, a walled Maya city perched on top of a bluff that offers spectacular views of the Caribbean. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and hotel transport on this 6-hour tour.

Snorkel in an underground cenote and swim with sea turtles in Akumal in this express tour to the Riviera Maya from Playa del Carmen. The Riviera Maya is home to some of the most beautiful and unique natural landscapes in the world that are simply made for adventure. This express tour from Cancun brings you to two of these remarkable places to swim and snorkel and be surrounded by nature. With an expert guide and all the gear you need, you’ll delve into the jungle and descend into an underground cenote for a snorkel experience amidst stalactites and stalagmites! After exploring the crystalline waters of the underworld, you’ll head to Akumal to snorkel with sea turtles in the calm bay, an extraordinary encounter in nature!

The sighting with sea turtles is a unique activity in the world, and it can only be done in Akumal since it is in their natural habitat; With the mandatory equipment by the authorities and with my experience, I guarantee an extraordinary visit in a natural and sustainable activity.

Glide alongside whale sharks and then soak up the sun on Isla Mujeres on this guided day trip from Cancun. A speedboat takes you to a prime viewing location, where you slip on snorkel gear and hop into the water. Marvel at the gentle giants floating by. Then, relax on the white-sand shores of Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte (North Beach). Lunch and hotel transport from Cancun and Playa del Carmen included.