TUI collection in Riviera Maya / Playa del Carmen
Guided Tour of Ek' Balam and Valladolid with Cenote and Lunch
Get a close-up look at Maya history and traditions on this off-the-beaten-track tour. You'll visit the ancient Maya city of Ek' Balam – the most recent to be opened to the public – as well as Yalcoba to swim in the cenote and a stop in Valladolid. Francesca, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Archaeologists only began uncovering Ek' Balam in 1985, and they're still digging away today. It's a more complete site than many others, and you can still imagine daily life in the Maya town going on around you as you explore. But the main reason I enjoy Ek' Balam is that there are so few visitors.'We'll start the adventure with a guided visit of Ek' Balam, which translates as ‘Black Jaguar.' The site has more than 40 structures and its walls formed a maze, while the main pyramid, known as the Acropolis, has a well-preserved entrance surrounded by the open jaws and fangs of a jaguar. It's bigger than even El Castillo at Chichen Itzá. Best of all, you can climb to the top – which few Maya sites allow.Afterwards, we'll head to Yalcoba where you can try your hand at chocolate-making and learn how to craft obsidian at a workshop. After a tequila and mezcal tasting you'll have time to enjoy the crystalline cenote, then tuck into a tasty buffet lunch of typical regional dishes. Lastly, we'll have a quick stop in central Valladolid, a city known for its art and architecture and a picture-perfect medley of colourful colonial buildings and historic churches.
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Sian Ka’an Reserve Tour with Boat Trip and Maya Village Visit
The ancient Maya called it ‘Where the Sky Begins' – and there's definitely a touch of heaven to Sian Ka'an. Its mangroves, coral reefs, wildlife and archaeological sites mean that it's both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve, placing in the champions' league of natural parks.
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Tulum Private Tour with a Local Guide and Maya Community Visit
This exclusive private tour ensures you'll be one of the first visitors through the gates to explore the Yucatan's best-preserved archaeological site – the ancient ruins of Tulum. A guided tour is followed by a swim in an underground cave and a stop by a typical Mayan community.
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Private Tulum Tour with Nopalitos Lagoon and Lunch
This private tour has an ideal 50/50 mix of culture and relaxation. First, you'll explore the Maya ruins of Tulum, their only city by the sea, then while away the remaining hours at the Nopalitos lagoon, which only recently opened to the public. Gustavo, one of our local guides, says, ‘Just when you think the Riviera Maya has no surprises left up its sleeve, you discover Nopalitos. Its flat water, with virtually every shade of blue imaginable, changes before your eyes as the clouds drift above the lagoon.'You'll kick off with a guided tour of the archaeological site of the Maya city of Tulum – the only one they built on the coast. As you admire monuments such as the Temple of the God of Wind and El Castillo pyramid, you'll be treated to views over the Caribbean. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to either hit the beach – famed for its turtles – there or take a few more photos. Gustavo says, ‘Tulum is that perfect balance between culture and nature. You see all these iguanas lazing around the ruins of the city and turtles ambling along the beach.'Then, it's on to Nopalitos. This freshwater lagoon gets its name from its similarity to the pads of the nopal cactus, also known as the prickly pear. It's darker in the middle because there's a deep cenote there. It's ideal for relaxing or trying out some paddleboarding and kayaking. After lunch, you can hit the hammocks or dangle your feet over the water from the wooden jetty.
Chichen Itza Private Tour with Transport and Local Guide
The ancient ruins of Chichen Itza are one of Mexico's must-visits. This exclusive experience lets you see the site before the crowds arrive and tour the complex with an expert guide. Then, delve into the depths of the Mayan underworld with a cenote swim and visit a traditional Maya village for lunch.
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ATV Ride, Cenote and Catamaran Cruise from Cancun with Lunch
Adventure-filled days are what holidays in Mexico's Riviera Maya are all about. This exciting tour offers a special combination of thrills on land and the serenity of the water. Paola, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The contrasts are what make this excursion so appealing – the high-octane fun of the ATV ride followed by the peace of the cenote, and the two beautiful locations of Puerto Morelos Park and Marina Maroma.' Kick off the adventure with an exhilarating 45-minute ride through rugged terrain on a powerful ATV. This rip-roaring journey takes you down dirt roads, zipping around curves, and bounding over roots and rocks in the wilds of the jungle. Feel the rush of adrenaline and the wind against your face as you navigate through the green landscape, offering an unparalleled start to your excursion. Then, you'll switch from high-energy thrills to the tranquility of a hidden cenote. These mystical natural pools, integral to the Mayan world, are unspoilt underground water reservoirs. After a leisurely lunch of authentic Mexican cuisine, you'll enjoy a change of scenery as you transfer to the catamaran and sail the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea. Your trip culminates with snorkeling sessions at the Great Mayan Reef, offering a close-up view of vibrant marine life and coral formations. Your memorable day concludes with a return to the marina for the transfer back to base, rounding off a day full of adventure, nature, and culture.
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Holbox Island Boat and Buggy Tour from Chiquila
Holbox Island offers 36km of pristine white beaches washed by emerald green seas. On this exclusive TUI excursion, you'll tour spots like Isla Pasion and Punta Mosquito on a private boat, enjoy lunch at a five-star eco resort and more. And there's also golf buggy tour of the island to look forward to.
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Chichen Itza & Maya Village Tour with a Traditional Lunch
The jewel in the Yucatán crown, Chichen Itza is an archaeological site brimming with ancient Maya ruins, temples and pyramids. An early morning start awaits as you traverse deep into the Yucatán peninsula to tour the site. You'll also journey into the Mayan underworld at a cenote and visit a traditional Maya village. Lunch is included, too.
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Tulum Tour with Nopalitos Lagoon and Lunch
This adults-only tour has a healthy fifty-fifty mix of culture and chilling out time. You'll firstly explore the Maya ruins of Tulum, the only site by the sea, then while away the remaining hours at the exclusive Nopalito lagoon, where you can relax and try out some paddleboarding and kayaking.
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Guided Tour of Tulum and Visit to a Modern Maya Community
Exploring ancient ruins and swimming in underground caves make this an action-packed morning of adventure. A guided tour of one of Mexico's most important historical sites is followed by a visit to a traditional Mayan community. What's more, you'll get the chance to take a refreshing dip in a cenote too.
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