How To Choose a Tulum Tour

Race your kid through the Yucatan jungle on curvy dirt roads, testing your handling of a souped-up all-terrain vehicle before rappelling down a rock and jumping into a cenote (swimming hole). And we didn’t even mention the zipline through the jungle! This is a Tulum tour option that checks the boxes for those whose priority is adrenaline—or whose kids are getting a little tired of sitting around the pool. The experience also includes transport from central Tulum, which takes the headache out of planning.

Sian Ka’an means “origin of the sky” in the Maya language, and a visit here will help you see why. The 75 miles (120 kilometers) of spectacular coastline are a wonderland for nature lovers and birdwatchers, and the reserve is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its importance to the local ecosystem. This full-day tour comes with the possibility of spotting manatees and includes a snorkel on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—the largest in the Western Hemisphere. You’ll also enjoy lunch in the charming fishing village of Punta Allen.

Embrace the awesome scale of nature on a whale shark–spotting and snorkeling tour. The largest fish on Earth often swims just off the coast, and you’ll be ferried in a boat to where the marine biologist on staff thinks the group will have the best luck of spotting these leviathans. Don’t worry, though—whale sharks are harmless to humans, and they may not even notice you’re around. But you’ll never forget the experience. The tour includes free transfers from most area hotels.

Unfortunately, the rise of mass tourism has made it difficult to find authentic flavors in the Riviera Maya, as there's so much demand for food that meets diverse, international palates. That’s where a knowledgeable guide comes in: A major Tulum tour tip is to find experts that can lead you to what you’re looking for amid a jungle of experiences that want your business. This tour highlights four longstanding taco stands in Tulum that know their stuff, and even caps it all off with a local dessert. But you might not have room after 2.5 hours full of delicious local tacos.

It’s easy to slip into the beach lifestyle in Tulum, drink one too many margaritas, and forget about those who call the town home. Instead, choose a Tulum tour that foregrounds interactions with locals, such as this cooking experience that leads you through a 3-course meal and teaches you skills you can bring back from your vacation. The mezcal may be the highlight, though, as the local experts in whose home you’ll be cooking also will walk you through the tasting notes of several glasses of the spirit.

On the other side of the spectrum from local immersion, you've got Tulum's internationally recognized bar and club scene, which has grown spectacularly over the past decade and now sees visits from some of the world’s best DJs. A great way to experience some of the nightlife is on a pub crawl, which comes with a free shot or drink at several bars and also makes mingling easy—many reviewers mention being on a solo trip and having no trouble making new friends. A complete night out for less than the cost of a couple cocktails? Sign us up.

No judgment—sometimes you want to make sure you return from your trip with plenty of photos to show off. This tour makes sure of that, thanks to its two professional photographers and plenty of engaging locales in which to capture the perfect shot, whether you want to pose in snorkel gear or in front of some of Tulum’s trippiest public art. You’ll also travel around in a comfortable car and eat an included lunch while enjoying relaxed beach vibes.

If you’re not scared of small spaces, choosing a Tulum tour is made easier with this incredible two tank dive in the Yucatan sinkholes known as cenotes. Alongside a small group of a maximum of four divers, you will explore two separate cenotes based on skill level. Swim past stalactites and stalagmites with an attentive, safety-conscious guide. Transport from central Tulum and lunch are also included.

Insider tip: Previous diving certification is required.

This is one of the best guided tours to explore the Tulum ruins because it prioritizes your group’s comfort. Start early to avoid the midday crowds that swarm the archaeological site overlooking the sea and explore at your own pace, letting the private guide tell you how Tulum’s status changed over the course of the Maya civilization. Thanks to that private guide, as well as fewer crowds, you’ll be able to tap into your inner history nerd and appreciate the natural beauty of the site, as well.

If you’re wondering how to choose the best Tulum tour for your trip and you have a lot of different tastes and ages to please, a day trip to Xenses may be a crowd-pleasing bet. Located in nearby Cancun, Xenses is an absolutely bonkers fun house slash amusement park that’s supposed to stimulate your senses with the help of optical illusions, upside-down rooms, and ziplines. This priority ticket option means you’ll skip the lines at the park and also get round-trip transport provided from your hotel in Tulum.