How do you decide right?<\/p>\n
Even if you’ve been here several times or live here like we do<\/strong>, we know it’s difficult.<\/p>\n So how can we help?<\/p>\n To make things easy, here are our favorite 30 Playa del Carmen excursions.<\/p>\n You’ll find prices, duration, discounts and what it includes\u00a0in all of our most popular excursions<\/strong> below.<\/p>\n 1)\u00a0Coba Ruins<\/a> 5) Mayan Xtreme<\/a> 9) Xcaret Park<\/a> 13) Snorkel Adventure<\/a> 18) Playa del Carmen Fishing<\/a> 22) Whale Sharks<\/a> 26) Mayan Village Tour<\/a> Please note that some of the excursions are combo tours, meaning they combine things like Tulum with snorkeling alongside sea turtles in Akumal Bay.<\/p>\n A visit to the Mayan ruins is a must when visiting the Riviera Maya<\/a>.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> You should make your choice in which one(s) to visit based on your enthusiasm for visiting archaeological sites, and how entertained you are by standing in front of pyramids learning about the fascinating culture of the Mayas.<\/p>\n Some tours are longer than others, which is another factor to take into consideration.<\/p>\n As mentioned above, some also combine a visit to Mayan ruins with other activities.<\/p>\n See our blog for more information on where are the Mayan ruins<\/a>.<\/p>\n The excursion itself only takes up to about 2 to 2.5 hours, which leaves you time to do something else.<\/p>\n In this case, you can combine a tour of Coba with a visit to a Mayan village where you can enjoy the town’s beautiful lagoon, cenotes<\/a>, and jungle paths on the Coba Mayan Encounter<\/a>.<\/p>\n That’s for a good reason.<\/p>\n This walled city has beautiful ruins that span out over a cliff with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea.<\/p>\n Visiting the Mayan pyramids in Tulum doesn’t require much time, meaning that it’s a great excursion to combine with other fun adventures.<\/p>\n Recommended tour: Tulum\u00a0Xtreme<\/a>.<\/p>\n It’s the largest ballcourt<\/a> in the Americas, and the Sacred Cenote, among other fascinating sites.<\/p>\n Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to swim in one of the most well-known cenotes in the entire Yucatan Peninsula: Ik Kil Cenote (or another similar cenote, depending on the size of the crowds).<\/p>\n Due to its distance from the Riviera Maya, this is a long and tiring tour. In fact, the Chichen Itza tour from Playa del Carmen<\/a> takes about 12 hours.<\/p>\n However, it’s definitely well worth the visit if you appreciate a close encounter with the amazing history of the Yucatan Maya. One of the best things about Ek Balam is the fact that it is much less visited than the other sites. This is in spite of the fact of its stunning beauty and fact that you can climb the pyramid here for a panoramic view of the surrounding jungle.<\/p>\n The tour we recommend is called Ek Balam & Cenote Maya<\/a>, because it combines a visit with an amazing nearby cenote to cool after the tour.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n The Riviera Maya is not only special because of the eye candy that is its natural beauty.<\/em><\/p>\n The region’s land and seascapes also provide the proper playground for numerous adrenaline-inducing activities such as zip lining, snorkeling, rappelling, underground explorations, and much, much more.<\/em><\/p>\n Here are\u00a0some of our favorites.<\/em><\/p>\n This adrenaline-filled excursion combines a dose of nature with a thrilling ride over the jungle canopy and an underwater exploration of the enigmatic world of cenotes.<\/p>\n Finish it all off with a delicious lunch on the Mayan Xtreme tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n Go off the beaten path on dirt, countryside roads before stopping off to cool down at a private cenote. You’ll also have the chance to explore one section of an amazing underground river.<\/p>\n Make sure to read our Jungle Buggy Tips<\/a> before going!<\/p>\n Rev ’em up and head on out on a 4-wheel, all-terrain ATV through the verdant jungle surrounding the Riviera Maya on the ATV & Zip Line tour<\/a>!<\/p>\n You’ll make several stops along the way, including one to zip line into the water before continuing on for a zip line course over jungle canopy and an exploration of an amazing underwater river. Must be 16 years old to drive an ATV.<\/p>\n The Jungle Maya<\/a> is another great tour that combines zip lining, rappelling, and an exploration of an underground river.<\/p>\n Ride along bumpy jungle trails aboard 4×4 Unimog vehicles while making stops to cool off in the refreshing cenotes.<\/p>\n A Mayan purification ceremony is also included in this tour.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Cancun and the Riviera Maya are home to a wide range of fun eco-parks that provide a host of exciting activities for the entire family.<\/em><\/p>\n Some are more land-based, such as Xplor and Rio Secreto, while others such as Xcaret and Xel-Ha are located right on the sea. Here are some of the most popular Riviera Maya parks.<\/em><\/p>\n Xcaret Eco-Park<\/a> is one of the biggest and most impressive eco-parks in all of Mexico.<\/p>\n The expansive grounds are home to a number of diverse activities, exhibitions, shows and dining options.<\/p>\n Highlights include:<\/strong> Jaguar Island, an aviary, the House of Whispers, the “Mexican cemetery”, Paradise River, an Orchids Greenhouse, a Manatee Lagoon, and much, much more.<\/p>\n The Xcaret admission price includes all of the above, plus great underwater activities such as snorkeling and swimming in an underground river, among others.<\/p>\n Make sure to check out our top 5 tips for Xcaret Park<\/a>!<\/p>\n This fun-filled park offers up a thrilling zip line course, amphibious all-terrain vehicles, and a float down an amazing underwater river.<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a great option for tweens and teenagers looking to get dirty and have some fun!<\/p>\n There’s also an evening version called Xplor Fuego<\/strong> which allows guest to experience this thrilling park under the cover of dark.<\/p>\n Rio Secreto<\/a> is a fascinating subterranean world in the Riviera Maya.<\/p>\n Explore the amazing underwater rivers and cenotes which the ancient Maya considered to be the portal to the Netherworld: Xibalba<\/a>.<\/p>\n The guides at Rio Secreto are friendly,\u00a0knowledgeable, and well-versed in the history and geography of the region. A great tour for nature lovers!<\/p>\n This all-inclusive park, which is part of the Xperiencias Xcaret group, offers fun-filled activities for groups of all ages and adventure levels.<\/p>\n Activities include:<\/strong> unlimited snorkeling, inner tubes for river floating, cliff jumping, a Children\u2019s World, aquatic zip-lines, areas of relaxation with hammocks and lounge chairs, and much more.<\/p>\n Breakfast and lunch buffets are included together with a domestic open bar and unlimited non-alcohol beverages.<\/p>\n Another tour also combines Tulum & Xel-Ha<\/a>.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Right off the coast of the Riviera Maya stretches the second longest barrier reef on the entire planet: the Mesoamerican Reef. <\/em><\/p>\n Teeming with marine life and spectacular colors, the coral formations are not only a vital part of the local ecosystem, they’re also the ideal spot for snorkelers and scuba divers to experience the fascinating underwater world of the Caribbean Sea.<\/em><\/p>\n Here are some of our top snorkel tours. <\/em><\/p>\n Snorkel at three distinct eco-systems and discover different species of underwater flora and fauna on this Snorkel Adventure<\/a>.<\/p>\n You’ll snorkel at an ocean inlet for fish and coral reef, an open lagoon where fresh water meets salt water, and a cenote with beautiful rock formations and crystalline waters.<\/p>\n30 Best Playa Del Carmen Excursions<\/h2>\n
Mayan Ruins<\/h5>\n
\n2)\u00a0Tulum Ruins<\/a>
\n3)\u00a0Chichen Itza<\/a>
\n4)\u00a0Ek Balam<\/a><\/p>\nAdventure Tours<\/h5>\n
\n6)\u00a0Jungle Buggy\u00a0Adventure<\/a>
\n7)\u00a0ATV & Zip Line<\/a>
\n8)\u00a0Jungle Maya<\/a><\/p>\nEco-Parks<\/h5>\n
\n10)\u00a0Xplor Park<\/a>
\n11)\u00a0Rio Secreto<\/a>
\n12)\u00a0Xel-Ha<\/a><\/p>\nSnorkeling Tours<\/h5>\n
\n14)\u00a0Snorkel Xtreme<\/a>
\n15)\u00a0Turtles & Cenotes<\/a>
\n16)\u00a0ATV & Snorkel<\/a>
\n17)\u00a0Turtles & Tulum<\/a><\/p>\nFishing & Boat Tours<\/h5>\n
\n19)\u00a0Luxury Catamaran<\/a>
\n20)\u00a0Contoy Island & Isla Mujeres<\/a>
\n21)\u00a0Catamaya Catamaran<\/a><\/p>\nEco-Tours<\/h5>\n
\n23)\u00a0Xenotes<\/a>
\n24)\u00a0Horseback Riding<\/a>
\n25)\u00a0Sian Ka’an<\/a><\/p>\nCulture & Nightlife Activities<\/h5>\n
\n27)\u00a0Cirque Du Soleil – Joya<\/a>
\n28)\u00a0Coco Bongo<\/a>
\n29)\u00a0Xcaret at Night<\/a>
\n30)\u00a0Rauxa Restaurant & Show<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMayan Ruins<\/h2>\n
1) Coba Ruins<\/h3>\n
![\"Coba](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coba-updated-min.jpg\")
\nCoba<\/a> is one of the cooler Mayan ruins to visit due to its location set off in the jungle.<\/p>\nWhy is it the coolest?<\/h5>\n
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2) Tulum Ruins<\/h3>\n
![\"Tulum](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-1.jpg\")
\nTulum<\/a> is the 2nd most visited archaeological site in the region… just behind\u00a0Chichen Itza<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
3) Chichen Itza<\/h3>\n
![\"Chichen](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/chichen-itza-lores-5-1.jpg\")
\nA 7\u00a0Wonder of the World<\/strong>, these impressive Mayan ruins include the stunning Kukulkan Pyramid.<\/p>\n
\nSee our blog for\u00a0more information to know before you go on the Chichen Itza tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
4) Ek Balam<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ek-balam-from-above-1024x681-1.jpg\")
\nEk Balam<\/a> is another tour that will take up an entire day of your vacation, but like its sister city Chichen Itza, a visit to these stunning ruins is well worth it if you’re interested in culture and sightseeing.<\/p>\n\n
\nAdventure Tours<\/h2>\n
1) Mayan Xtreme<\/h3>\n
![\"Tulum](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-xtreme-zipline-1.jpg\")
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2) Jungle Buggy\u00a0Adventure<\/h3>\n
![\"dune](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/dune-buggy-5.jpg\")
\nPut the pedal to the metal on this exciting jungle buggy tour through the lush jungle surrounding Playa del Carmen on the Jungle Buggy Adventure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
3) ATV & Zip Line<\/h3>\n
![\"ATV](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/atv-tour-1.jpg\")
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4) Jungle Maya<\/h3>\n
![\"jungle](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/jungle-maya-rappel-1.jpg\")
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\nEco-Parks<\/h2>\n
1) Xcaret Park<\/h3>\n
![\"xcaret](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/xcaret-aerial-1.jpg\"){kind=icon}
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2) Xplor Park<\/h3>\n
![\"Xplor](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Xplor-Mexico-1-1.jpg\")
\nXplor<\/a> is the rugged eco-adventure park owned and operated by the same group that brings you Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Xoximilco, Xenotes, and most recently, Xenses.<\/p>\n\n
3) Rio Secreto<\/h3>\n
![\"Rio](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/rio-secreto-7-1.jpg\")
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4) Xel-Ha All-Inclusive Park<\/h3>\n
![\"Xel-Ha](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/xel-ha-river-min-1.jpg\")
\nXel-Ha<\/a> is one of the top attractions in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.<\/p>\n\n
\nSnorkeling Tours<\/h2>\n
1) Snorkel Adventure<\/h3>\n
![\"swimming](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/eagle-ray-swim-1-1.jpg\")
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