13 Fun Tulum Tours From Cancun

Researching the best available Tulum tours from Cancun? 

This article will save you both time and the research. 

It covers 13 of the best day tours to Tulum that Cancun has to offer. It includes tours for history fans, nature lovers and adrenaline junkies on both half-day and full-day tours.

There is a tour in this article for every budget and travel style, ranging from large coach tours to small group minivan tours to private tours with a car and driver. Everything you need to know about day tours to Tulum is in this article. 

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Tulum is a fascinating destination to visit. It offers an incredibly well-preserved 700-year-old fortress and ruins that will provide a glimpse into Mayan life and culture and find out where Tulum gets its name.  

And, if historic ruins aren’t your thing, you can combine a trip to Tulum with a shopping trip to Playa del Carmen, a boat ride in the Bay of Akumal, exploring an underground cave system or swimming in a pristine cenote. 

So let’s find the perfect tour for your upcoming trip to the Yucatan.  

Tulum tours from Cancun

Tulum Tours From Cancun At A Glance

Tulum tours from Cancun vary in size, itinerary and cost. All the tours featured in this article offer transportation to and from Tulum with pick-ups and drop-offs from your hotel in Cancun so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the passing scenery. 

Each tour offers a guided tour of Tulum, so you will learn more about Mayan civilisation than you would on a self-guided tour. Most tours include a traditional Mexican lunch and drinks plus your entrance fees to Tulum. 

Itineraries vary from Tulum-only tours to tours that offer cenote visits, a trip to Coba or Playa del Carmen and other activities such as caving, snorkelling or swimming with turtles. 

Some tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure which is a great option should you experience bad weather in Cancun or your travel plans change. 

Before booking, always double-check the tour length and size, the itinerary (and how long you actually spend in each location) and what is included and excluded in the tour.

Ask if your guide will be bilingual or using your home language and what sort of vehicle you will be travelling in. Armed with a little knowledge, you will be able to book the perfect Tulum tour. 

Tulum tours from Cancun

Tulum Cenote Tours From Cancun

A day trip to Tulum offers the perfect opportunity to also visit some of the idyllic cenotes that this area of Mexico is famous for. A Tulum and Cenote tour will inevitably be a longer day trip allowing you to spend an adequate amount of time in each location. 

Just don’t forget to pack your swimming gear on a Tulum cenotes tour! 

#1 Cancun Jungle Tour: Tulum, Cenote Snorkeling, Ziplining & Lunch

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This Tulum tour from Cancun lasts for eight hours and includes so much more than just Tulum ruins. You will get to see and experience the best of the Yucatán and have lots of fun doing so.

The tour is suitable for anyone over six years old and accepts a maximum of 13 guests. Due to the adventurous and strenuous activities included in this tour, you must have a moderate level of fitness.  

WHAT’S PROVIDED

ITINERARY

The tour starts with a leisurely guided tour of Tulum, after which you will hike into the jungle to visit two cenotes – Sac Actun and Nohoch Nah Chich. You can swim or snorkel at the stunning cenotes, followed by adventurous activities of rappelling into a sinkhole and a seven-line ziplining course.

After a traditional Mayan lunch, you will visit the Mayan community at Rancho San Felipe, where you can learn about the history of Tulum and the ecosystem, flora and fauna found in the Yucatán.

#2 Tulum and Cenote Day Trip From Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This day trip to Tulum from Cancun is accessible to all ages and includes a swim in a cenote as well as a guided tour of Tulum. Also, this is one of the Tulum tours from Cancun, which has an early pickup time of 7 am, so you will arrive at Tulum before the crowds descend and before the heat of the day kicks in. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED

ITINERARY

This six-hour tour starts with a guided tour of Tulum, after which you can spend some free time exploring by yourself. You can expect a total of two hours at the site. 

You will then travel to Chaaktun cenote, where you can swim or snorkel for 50 minutes before returning to your hotel. 

#3 Tulum Cenote And Swim With Turtles From Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This 9 – 10 hour Tulum day trip from Cancun offers excellent value for money as you will fit a variety of locations and activities into your day. There is a maximum of 18 travellers on this Tulum Ruins and Cenote tour, and it allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

The tour starts with a 1 hour 30 minute guided tour of Tulum ruins, after which you will travel into the jungle to visit a cenote for swimming and snorkelling. You will spend around one hour at Cenote Zemway. 

On the way back to Tulum, you will stop at the stunning Bay of Akumal for 1 hour and 30 minutes for the chance to sunbathe, swim and snorkel. Turtles flock to the Bay of Akumal to eat its seagrass, so you will have a good chance of seeing one whilst swimming. You will be served a packed lunch before starting your journey back to Cancun. 

Tulum tours from Cancun

Tulum Ruins Tour From Cancun

If you do not want to visit the jungle or cenotes, you can take Tulum tours from Cancun, that only visit the world-famous Mayan ruins. 

The following Tulum ruin tours all offer a professional guide, so you will get the most out of your visit to the ancient ruins. 

#4 Tulum Express Half-Day Tour from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This tour has an early pickup time of 7 – 9 am, depending on your location, and you will be travelling in a coach with a maximum of 25 other travellers. The larger size of the group means that the cost to you will be cheaper than many other Mayan ruins Tulum tours. 

This Tulum half-day tour from Cancun is ideal if you are short of time. Plus, 

you will also get to spend three hours at Tulum, which is longer than the time offered by many other Tulum Mayan ruins tours. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

After all the pick-ups in Cancun are completed, you will drive to Tulum, where you will spend two hours exploring the site with your professional guide. You will then have an additional hour to explore by yourself or to relax on the beach before returning to Cancun. The tour lasts around six hours in total. 

#5 Full Day Guided Tour to Coba and Tulum from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This small group Tulum ruins tour has an early departure time of 8 am and includes two of the most important historical sites in Mexico; Tulum and Coba. It is a must for history fans and for those interested in the Mayan civilisation. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

You will start your seven-hour full-day tour with a one-hour 30-minute visit to Coba, an ancient Mayan site which is home to the tallest Mayan temple on the Yucatán Peninsula. You will then visit Tulum, where you will spend one hour exploring the site with your guide. 

In the afternoon, you will spend three hours at Maya Native Park, where you can swim and snorkel in crystal clear cenotes or take part in a traditional Maya ceremony in one of the dry caves. 

Tulum tours from Cancun

Best Tours From Cancun To Tulum For History Lovers

If you like history, the Yucatan is a fantastic destination to visit. It is packed with historical sites such as Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Ek Balam, Mérida, Izamal and Coba and Tulum. 

The following Tulum day trips include visits to two of these world-renowned sites. 

#6 Tulum and Coba Ruins full-day tour from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This 12-hour day Coba Tulum tour from Cancun starts early in the day and offers free cancellation 24 hours before departure. Not only does it include Coba and Tulum, but it also includes a swim in a cenote and time in Playa del Carmen. 

If you want to see a lot of the Yucatan in one day, this is the tour for you. Note that this tour is often combined with other tour groups, so you may travel as a large group. The upside of this is an affordable tour price. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

The first stop on the tour is Coba, where you will spend one hour and 30 minutes exploring the site with your guide. You will have the chance to admire Coba’s Nohoch Muul – Yucatán’s tallest Mayan pyramid. 

After Coba, you will spend one hour and 30 minutes at Tulum, being shown around by a professional guide. After walking around in the heat, you can cool off with a swim in Cenote Kuxtal, where you will spend 45 minutes before tucking into a hot buffet lunch. 

In the afternoon you will spend one hour visiting Playa del Carmen where you can shop for souvenirs, sunbathe or go for a swim. 

#7 Private Tour to Muyil Ruins, Tulum and Coba from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

As this is one of the private Tulum and Coba tours from Cancun, you will have the benefit of a private guide for the duration of the tour. If you are a history fan, you will be able to ask as many questions as you like. English and Spanish-speaking private guides are available.

Although a private tour has a high price tag, you will be able to move at your own pace and not waste time on multiple pick-ups and drop-offs. This 10-hour tour leaves at 8 am, but unfortunately, it is non-refundable.  

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

After picking you up from your hotel, the tour starts with a one-hour stop at Zona Arqueologica de Muyil. This fascinating and lesser visited archaeological site is located on the side of a lagoon in the stunning Sian Ka´an Biosphere. 

You will then move on to Coba, where your guide will give you a one-hour tour of the ruins and time to marvel at Nohoch Mul. Unfortunately, it is no longer allowed to climb to the top of the Yucatan’s tallest pyramid.

The final stop of the day is a one-hour guided tour of Tulum ruins before returning to your hotel in Cancun. 

Tulum tours from Cancun

Best Combo Tours To Tulum From Cancun

If you want to take Tulum tours from Cancun that add an extra element of fun, the following recommendations are for you. 

#8 Tulum Ruins, ATV Extreme and Cenotes Combo Tour from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This seven-hour tour combines history, leisure and fun, so it is one of the best day trips to Tulum from Cancun if you are travelling with older children or teens. The tour is limited to 14 people and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. 

This tour takes safety and conservation seriously, so there are height and weight limits for some of its activities. Plus, the operators ask that travellers only bring and apply biodegradable and reef-safe sunscreen and mosquito repellent. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

The tour starts with a two-hour guided tour of Tulum ruins, after which you will spend four hours in the jungle doing a range of activities. 

You can drive or ride on an ATV, weaving through jungle foliage on an off-road trail. After this bumpy ride, cool down with a swim or snorkel in a cenote which leads to an underground river system where you can see stalactites and stalagmites. 

Your final stop before a cooked buffet lunch is a snorkel stop on the Caribbean coast before returning to Cancun. 

#9 Tulum Ruins + Akumal Turtles

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This large group tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, plus an alternative tour should this tour be cancelled due to poor weather. If you like wildlife, this Tulum excursion from Cancun is for you. You will get great value for money on this day tour. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

After everyone has been picked up from their hotels, you will have a continental breakfast en route to Akumal Beach. Here you will spend one hour 30 minutes swimming, sunbathing or snorkelling. Keep your eyes open for turtles in the clear water. You will also take a scenic boat ride for an additional chance to see and swim with turtles.

After lunch in a local restaurant, you will then travel to Tulum, where you will spend two hours exploring the site with a guide (and afterwards independently on your own) before returning to Cancun.   

#10 Tour 4×1 Coba, Tulum, Cenote & 5th Avenue from Cancún

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This 12-hour tour has an early 7 am start and packs several varied attractions into one day. This Tulum Mayan ruins tours visit two archaeological sites, plus you will have time for swimming in a cenote and shopping. 

If you want to experience a little bit of everything the Yucatan has to offer, this tour is a good option. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

The tour begins with a two-hour guided tour to Tulum ruins followed by a one-hour 45-minute visit and tour of Coba. 

After all this sightseeing, cool off with a one-hour swim or snorkel in Cenote Kuxtal before enjoying a freshly cooked buffet lunch. 

In the afternoon, you can spend one hour wandering or shopping in Playa Del Carmen before returning to Cancun. 

Tulum tours from Cancun

Private Tulum Tours From Cancun

Private Tulum tours from Cancun will cost more than a large or small group tour but have many other benefits. 

You will have a guide to yourself which is ideal if you are keen to learn a lot about Mexican culture and Mayan history. Although the tour will still have a schedule, you will be able to move at your own pace, so if you like a slower pace to your day, have kids in tow or have mobility problems, a private tour is a good option. 

Plus, every minute of your day will be used effectively, and you won’t waste time driving all over Cancun picking up and dropping off other travellers to their hotels.  

#11 Tulum Private Tour from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This short Tulum trip from Cancun only lasts 4 – 5 hours, so it is ideal for anyone who is short on time. It is a straightforward return transportation and guided tour trip. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

You will be picked up by your driver and driven in a private vehicle to Tulum. You will have a one-hour guided tour followed by one hour of free time before returning to Cancun. 

#12 Private Tour: Coba and Tulum Ruins from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

Another Viator Cancun to Tulum tour, this highly rated private tour, lasts around 10 hours. There is no wasted time on this trip, so it is a good option if you like to explore at your own pace and on your own timetable. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

This tour visits two of the most important archaeological sites in the Yucatan, Coba and Tulum. 

You will have a guided tour with additional free time at each site, totalling around two hours in each location. With a private guide, you can ask any and all the questions you would like to ask.

After a buffet lunch, you will be driven in comfort back to Cancun. 

#13 Private Tour: Tulum and Cave Adventure from Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

If you don’t like the idea of large group Tulum trips from Cancun, this private tour is a good alternative. It has excellent reviews and visits Kantun Chi Ecopark, which very few other tour operators choose to include in their trips. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

ITINERARY

This 7 – 8 hour tour starts with a private guided tour of Tulum ruins, after which you will have free time to explore by yourself or to spend some time on the beach. 

You will then spend three hours at Kantun Chi EcoPark, where you will have a buffet lunch. After lunch, you take a guided underground tour to explore the cave system. Your guide will tell you how the cave was formed and will point out different cave formations and fossils embedded into the rock.

If you fancy doing something a little different – and escaping the heat of the day in a cave –  this tour is a good option. 

Tulum tours from Cancun

Practical Tips For Your Tulum Tour From Cancun

What to wear 

Whether you join a large or small group tour or are on a private tour, it is essential to wear comfortable walking shoes. Ideally, wear trainers or well-supported sandals on your Tulum excursions from Cancun – beach flip-flops won’t cut it on rocky, dusty jungle paths or uneven stone ruins. 

Tulum and Coba are exposed to the sun and offer very little shade, so a good-fitting sun hat that covers your face and neck is essential. As you will most likely be sightseeing in hot, dry weather, try to wear loose-fitting cool linen or cotton clothes that will give you some protection from the sun. 

What to bring

Sightseeing is hot and thirsty work, so it is essential to bring water with you on your day trip. Ideally, try to bring a reusable water bottle so you don’t add to the plastic waste at Mexico’s historic sites. 

If you are someone who needs to eat regularly (or if you are travelling with ever-hungry kids), bring some snacks in your daypack. Bring all your rubbish away with you. 

If your tour includes swimming or snorkelling, don’t forget to pack your swimming gear, a towel and maybe a sarong or extra towel to sit or lie on. You will also need to bring mosquito repellent if you are venturing into the jungle and water-repelling sunscreen if you are swimming. 

Try to pack reef-safe sunscreen so you don’t contribute to damaging the fragile ecosystems in the water. Some tours will only allow their guests to use eco-friendly creams and repellents. 

Finally, Tulum and Coba are once-in-a-lifetime destinations. Don’t forget your fully charged camera or phone, and consider bringing a spare battery, just in case. 

Tulum tours from Cancun

Tulum Tours From Cancun: FAQ

Can you take a helicopter ride from Cancun to Tulum?

Yes, you can take a helicopter from Cancun to Tulum. Some companies offer helicopter transfers whilst others offer full-day tours by helicopter. 

If you wish to use a helicopter to transfer to Tulum, you will leave from the helipad at Cancun International Airport and land 45 minutes later at Tulum helipad. From here, you  need to catch a taxi to the ruins or to your Tulum hotel. 

If you travel by helicopter Cancun to Tulum, you can expect to pay around $1000 per person if there are four people travelling. There is one company offering a cheaper flight in a 12-person Sikorski, which works out at around $395 per person if there are 12 passengers. 

You can also book a full-day tour to Tulum from Cancun travelling by helicopter. The tours include your helicopter transfer, a guided tour of Tulum, lunch, a swim and then a helicopter flight back to Cancun. 

Prices for a full-day tour to Tulum by helicopter start from around $4000 if there are five people travelling. 

Can you take a boat ride from Cancun to Tulum?

No, it is not possible to take a public boat or tour boat from Cancun to Tulum. 

Is Tulum worth visiting from Cancun?

Tulum day trips from Cancun are absolutely worth doing!

It is an easy two-hour drive from Tulum to Cancun, and once you are there, you will see some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins Mexico has to offer. 

In addition to the ruins, the setting alone makes Tulum worth visiting. Tulum ruins are situated on 12-metre-tall cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, which creates a spectacular backdrop.  

A guided tour is the best way to understand the buildings and dwellings you will see, but even a self-guided tour will introduce you to the culture and history of the Mayan civilisation. 

Even if you are not into history, Tulum is 100% worth visiting from Cancun. 

How much is a day trip to Tulum from Cancun?

The cost of a day trip to Tulum from Cancun varies on the tour company you choose to go with, the type of tour you do, how you will travel to and from Tulum and how many people will be in the tour group. 

Generally speaking, the larger the tour group, the less you will pay for the tour. Plus, if you only visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum tours will not cost as much as an action-packed tour that also visits Coba or a cenote. 

The cheapest, most basic tours to Tulum start from as little as £23 / $28 per person, with private guided tours starting from around £150 /$186 per person, depending on the group size.  

How much is the Tulum ruins tour?

If you just want to visit Tulum ruins and do not need a guide or transportation to and from Cancun, you will need to pay an entrance fee of 85 pesos (around $4 USD) to enter the ruins site. 

You will need to pay extra if you want to hire a guide on-site or if you wish to take video footage of the ruins. If you self-drive to Tulum, you will also have to pay for parking.  

Can you do a day trip to Tulum from Cancun?

Yes, day trips to Tulum from Cancun are doable and also very easy to do. Whether you self-drive, join a Tulum tour or a Tulum cenote tour, the journey along the coastal 307 Highway from Cancun to Tulum only takes two hours. Tulum from Cancun is a driveable 135 kilometres. 

You will need 2 – 3 hours to adequately and comfortably explore the historic site, so in total, your return day trip to Tulum from Cancun will take between 6 – 7 hours if you do not visit any other locations. 

Why is Tulum so famous?

Tulum was one of the last settlements that was built by the Mayans between the 13th and 15th centuries. It was a living, breathing town until the Mayans abandoned it at the end of the 16th century. 

As a result of its relatively recent past, Tulum ruins are the best preserved Mayan ruins in Mexico, and they give interested visitors a fascinating glimpse into Mayan history and culture. 

The best-known structures still standing today are the Temple of the Frescoes, the Temple of the Descending God and the impressive 25-foot high pyramid, El Castillo.  

Tulum tours from Cancun

Tulum Tours From Cancun: Final Word

If you are visiting Cancun on vacation, it is well worth tearing yourself away from its sandy beaches and party atmosphere and joining one of the many Tulum tours from Cancun. 

To learn about the Mayan civilisation is to learn about and understand Mexico today.

At Tulum, you will see the best-preserved Mayan ruins in Mexico, with a jaw-dropping cliff-top location against the backdrop of the turquoise Caribbean. 

You could make the most of your day trip from Cancun to Tulum by combining a visit to the ruins with a trip to Coba, swimming in a cenote or challenging yourself to an adventurous activity in the dense jungle, such as ziplining. A day trip to Tulum does not have to be just about Tulum. 

Whatever your travel style, timetable, budget or interest, there is a Tulum tour from Cancun to suit you, and you should seize the opportunity to join one.