The Top 6 Tulum Ruins Tours To Book: An In-Depth Guide
Dreaming of exploring the famous Tulum ruins and sacred cenotes of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula? I curated a list of 5 of the best Tulum ruins tours.
As one of the top things to do in Tulum, visiting these majestic coastal Ancient Mayan ruins should be at the top of your Mexico itinerary.
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But with so many tour options to choose from, how do you decide which Tulum ruins tour is right for you?
I’ve personally vetted the tours showcased in this guide. After careful evaluation, I selected only options consistently rated 5 stars that have accrued overwhelmingly positive reviews from fellow travelers. So you can trust that any of these curated top Tulum tours you choose will provide a quality experience. Now, all that’s left is to simply book tour and get ready to sit back and enjoy discovering these magnificent ruins!
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Book this private Tulum Ruins tour— a convenient and comfortable experience with a near-perfect 5 Star rating.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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This comprehensive guide breaks down the top 5 best-rated Tulum tours to help you discover these magnificent vestiges of ancient Mayan civilization.
Our Top Pick: Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Private Tulum Ruins Tour
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The Top 5 Tulum Ruins Tours To Book: An In-Depth Guide
No time to read it all? Here are the highlights:
- Small Group Day Trip to Chichen Itza, a Cenote and Colonial Valladolid
- All-Inclusive Small Group Tour with Tequila, Cenotes and Tulum Ruins
- Half-Day Private Tour of Tulum Ruins
- Private Tour Combining Tulum Ruins and a Cenote Cave
- Full Day Expedition to Coba Ruins and Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Keep reading for an in-depth overview of each top-rated tour, including price, # of reviews, highlights and tips for getting the most of your experience. Or, jump ahead to the section you’re most interested in learning about.
Tulum Ruins Tours from Tulum
Mayan Ruins Tulum Tours with Small Group to Chichen Itza, a Cenote and Colonial Valladolid
- Rating: 5 stars (1,297 reviews)
- Starting Price: $$
- Highlights: Guided tour of Chichen Itza, Swim in a cenote, Lunch in Valladolid
Escape the Tulum heat on this 10-hour small group day trip showcasing the magnificent ruins of Chichen Itza alongside less-visited gems. A knowledgeable guide illuminates the fusion of Maya and Toltec influences in Chichen Itza’s dramatic architecture. After, plunge into the crystalline waters of a cenote for a refreshing swim before continuing to the laidback colonial city of Valladolid for an included lunch.
Tips: Bring a swimsuit and towel to enjoy the cenote, leave big bags behind, and wear good walking shoes. The early start beats both crowds and midday heat.
Small Group Tulum ruin tours & Tulum cenote tours with Tequila tasting
- Rating: 5 stars (97 reviews)
- Starting Price: $$
- Highlights: Tour Tulum ruins, Tequila tasting, Swim in 3 cenotes, Tulum & Mexican lunch
Discover Mayan ruins of Tulum tours of ancient ruins, sample tequila at a jungle ranch, and swim in 3 secluded cenotes on this fun 6-7 hour small group tour. A guide shares Tulum’s fascinating history and you’ll beat the crowds when visiting the dramatically situated seaside ruins. Continue to a private ranch for tequila tasting and a chance to snorkel in open, semi-open and cenote cave pools. End with a feast of Yucatecan and Mexican dishes in Tulum.
Tips: Bring a swimsuit, towel, biodegradable sunscreen and an adventurous spirit! Travelers should have moderate fitness.
Tulum half-day tour Best of Tulum Mexico excursions
Half-Day Private Tour of Tulum Ruins
- Rating: 5 stars (118 reviews)
- Starting Price: $
- Highlights: Beat crowds with early access, Knowledgeable private guide, Transport and refreshments included
Discover Tulum’s seaside ruins before daytrip crowds arrive on this convenient 4-hour private morning tour. An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from Tulum or Akumal hotels, then your personal guide expertly brings ancient history alive, explaining key structures and innovations at this fortified Maya port city. Enjoy included beverages and capture sunset photos overlooking the Caribbean without crowds.
Tips: Bring a hat, sunglasses and reusable water bottle to beat the midday heat. Wear good walking shoes for the ruins’ unpaved paths.
Tulum mayan ruins tour with Tulum cenote excursion
Private Tour Combining Tulum Ruins and a Cenote Cave
- Rating: 5 stars (32 reviews)
- Starting Price: $$
- Highlights: Private bilingual guide, Access Tulum ruins before crowds, Snorkel in a magnificent cenote cave
Discover the archeological gems of Tulum on this 4.5 hour private tour combining the famed coastal ruins with a magical cenote cave perfect for swimming and snorkeling. A private guide illuminates Tulum’s history and you’ll beat daytrip crowds exploring the site. Then plunge into a captivating cavern cenote for a refreshing swim surrounded by limestone formations dating back thousands of years. Lunch included.
Tips: Bring biodegradable sunscreen, water shoes for the cenote, towel and swimsuit. No disposable water bottles allowed inside ruins.
Tulum excursions to see Tulum Ruins and Nearby Ruins from Tulum
Full Day Expedition to Coba Ruins and Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
- Rating: 5 stars (333 reviews)
- Starting Price: $$
- Highlights: Zipline & hike jungle reserve, Canoe ride with Maya community, Bike & climb Nohoch Mul pyramid at Coba
Venture inland from Tulum to explore little-visited Coba ruins alongside Punta Laguna Nature Reserve’s lush jungles and serene lagoons on this full 8-hour tour. Brave exhilarating ziplines, then paddle traditional dugout canoes through the jungle waterways. Next, cycle past ancient stone homes en route to climb highest Yucatán pyramid Nohoch Mul for panoramic views. Authentic Mayan lunch included.
Tips: Bring adventure spirit, biodegradable bug spray & sunscreen. Entrance fees extra.
Book this top-rated Coba & Punta Laguna expedition here
Tulum Ruins tour from Cancun & Tulum tour from Cancun
Tulum Ruins Tour with Cenote Swim from Cancun
- Rating: 4 stars (565 reviews)
- Starting Price: $
- Highlights: Visit Tulum & Coba ruins, Swim in a cenote, Yucatan buffet lunch, Transport from Cancun hotels included
Make the most of your day exploring famous seaside Tulum ruins and swimming in a refreshing cenote on this convenient Cancun day trip. The ultimate tulum and cenotes tour from Cancun. An expert guide illuminates Tulum’s mysterious history on a walking tour of the dramatic clifftop site and time is allowed afterwards to wander on your own. Later, float weightlessly in an underground cenote cave before continuing to Coba ruins deep in the jungle for biking and climbing fun. Roundtrip transport and buffet lunch included.
Tips: Bring sun protection, a swimsuit/towel for the cenote and snacks as lunch is late. Entrance fees and bike rentals are extra costs. It’s a long day so pace yourself.
Choosing the Best Tulum Ruins Tour For You
When picking amongst the top Tulum ruins tours, it helps to consider a few key factors:
Group Style: Do you prefer exploring independently or joining a small group? Guided tours often access less crowded areas and guides enrich sites with commentary. Private tours allow customization and flexible timing. Small groups keep prices down while meeting travelers.
Sites & Activities: Beyond the coastal Tulum ruins, tours incorporate inland Coba’s lofty ancient pyramids, colonial cities like Valladolid, and swimming in sacred under-water caves (cenotes). Pick multi-site tours for variety or specialized (e.g. tequila tasting).
Accessibility & Physical Ability: Walking over uneven ancient pathways is involved in visiting archaeological zones. For accessible options, some sites offer wheelchairs. While not strenuous, having moderate fitness helps for activities like ziplining, swimming and biking.
Timing: Beat the midday heat and crowds by starting Tulum tours early. Allow plenty of time to explore without rushing. Full day tours let you see multiple sites while avoiding exhaustive long days.
Price: Look for added-value inclusions like meals, transportation, etc. when comparing tour prices. Expect extra costs like park entrance fees too. Group size impacts prices, as do extras like private guides.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tulum Ruins Tours
How should I dress for visiting Tulum archaeological site?
Opt for lightweight, breathable clothing in layers as it gets hot, especially midday. Bring walking shoes for gripping crumbling pathways, plus a hat and sunglasses for shade. Many tours provide lockers to store belongings. Wear a swimsuit under clothes for cenotes.
Should I hire a private guide or is a group tour better?
Private Tulum guides allow flexibility for special interests, personalized timing, ability to customize sites, and avoid crowds. Small group tours offer a fun way to meet fellow travelers while keeping costs down through trip-sharing. Guides enlighten sites with commentary individual travelers would miss through exclusive group access. Evaluate group size too when choosing.
How strenuous is exploring the Tulum ruins?
The ruins itself involves following rough pathways, climbing some stairs and walking in hot sun which requires moderate fitness, but isn’t considered strenuous, especially with frequent rest stops. However, combo tours can intensify the activity through additions like ziplining, biking long distances, extensive hiking or swimming in underground cenotes. Check tour fitness ratings.
Are entrance fees included in Tulum tour prices?
Entry tickets providing access to archaeological zones and nature reserves often carry extra cost on top of the tour prices listed. Guides will indicate which tickets are prepaid vs payable locally in cash only. Meals, transportation, optional activity costs may also be additional so read inclusions closely.
Should I book Tulum tours ahead of time or once in the destination?
Advance reservations lock in spots on popular top-rated tours that routinely sell out and prevent disappointment after long flights. Booking tours locally allows checking weather first. Compromise by reserving a few key small-group tours ahead online, leaving remaining days open for local agencies able to customize private tours last-minute based on weather, crowds, group interests, etc.
No matter which of these top-rated Tulum ruins tours you choose, come ready to explore exotic landscapes and discover remnants of the ancient civilization that once thrived here. With turquoise waters shimmering beside white sand beaches fringed by jungle foliage, this is one coastal destination that looks as mysterious and intriguing as the Maya culture itself.
