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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

Do you feel adventurous? Thousands of explorers recommend this excursion. Enter our mysterious caves that formed thousands of years ago and be amazed by the wonders hidden underground.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the underwater world of the Riviera Maya on this PADI Discover Scuba Diving course in Playa del Carmen. Learn scuba diving theory, complete a pool session, and do your first dives in the company of an experienced instructor. All equipment and instruction provided, no experience necessary. Hotel pickup and drop-off 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.

Go way off the beaten path on a full-day adventure into Sian Ka'an, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with mangroves, coral reefs, and thriving marine wildlife. You'll hop into a truck for the bumpy ride through the reserve, then continue by boat on a marine safari, watching for crocodiles, dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and more. Get a closer look by snorkeling the Sian Ka'an reef, and follow the road all the way until it ends in the far-flung fishing village of Punta Allen.

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. 

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.

Journey into the heart of the jungle for an afternoon of Maya culture and adventure activities. Start your day with a Maya purification ceremony in a local village, then set out into the rainforest on foot en route to a vast underground river network. Snorkel along its waters and through its Suess-like caves, then depart via 4X4 for a ziplining and rappelling experience. Wind down from your thrill ride with a buffet lunch of traditional Maya cuisine. Includes round-trip Playa del Carmen transport.

Explore Rio Secreto in Playa del Carmen, including additional access to new features with a Rio Secreto Plus admission ticket. Visit the new 'Dry Route', which includes a visit to the Salón de la Paz for a fantastic sound and light show and a 25-minute guided walk on the interpretive nature trails. Bike through the forest and go rappelling, then continue to Rio Secreto's natural underground rivers and impressive caves filled with unique rock formations. Fuel up with a buffet lunch and refreshing non-alcoholic beverages. Use of all equipment and transport from the welcome center are included.

Swim alongside tropical fish, manta rays, sea stars, and more without investing time and money into a PADI certification with this Discover Scuba Diving experience from Playa del Carmen. Learn the basics of scuba diving through a theory class and a pool dive, and then head out to the open ocean to explore the underwater marine world alongside a PADI-certified guide.

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.

Combine ancient temples with a cenote and sea turtles on a full-day, private tour that includes an a la carte lunch at a local restaurant. An early morning departure means cooler temperatures and fewer crowds during your private tour of Tulum archeological site, which is followed by stops to snorkel in a cenote and swim with sea turtles.

Río Secreto is the new ecological inspiration of our region. It has recently been designated as one of Mexico’s most distinct and alluring nature reserves, and this unique destination is quickly becoming the pride of all Mexicans. Visitors often feel transformed by their journey deep inside Río Secreto. It’s a rare and exotic opportunity to admire the unequaled beauty of our beloved Mexico and Mother Earth

Discover both Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres on this day trip departing from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Enjoy snorkeling in a coral reef location, watch the birds in a nature sanctuary, and work on that tan on the beach. At Isla Mujeres, explore the shops and the beach at your own pace. Breakfast, lunch, and hotel transport are 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.