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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy a 45-minute exotic camel ride tour in the Caribbean landscapes and follow your guide throughout the jungle and white-sand dunes. Ride along the beach and capture magnificent photographs. This is a family friendly tour that includes safety equipment, free snacks and beverages, and a round-trip transfer from your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya.

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!

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.

Combine a visit to the Tulum ruins with an ATV ride and snorkeling in an underground river during this adventurous trip from Riviera Maya. Start off with a guided tour of the Mayan ruins and listen to commentary from your guide. Then zoom through the jungle to reach a cenote—underground pool—for a refreshing swim. Lunch buffet and round-trip hotel transportation 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.

Experience extreme adventure with a dash of culture on this combo tour from Playa del Carmen. Soar through the canopy on a zipline, rappel your way down to the Maya jungle floor and snorkel at a cenote. Visit Tulum, a walled Maya city perched on top of a bluff that offers spectacular views of the Caribbean. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and hotel transport on this 6-hour tour.

Leave Cancun crowds behind for an all-day adventure tour to Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres aboard a high-speed catamaran. Discover an untouched paradise island that’s home to sandy white beaches, palm trees and an extraordinary population of migratory birds. Spend the day snorkeling along Isla Contoy’s thriving coral reef, where you’ll find bright tropical fish, swaying fans and sea stars, then go to shore at picturesque Isla Mujeres before returning to Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Spend a day exploring the Yucatan's natural cenotes on an adventurous tour from Playa del Carmen that combines rappelling, ziplining, snorkeling, and kayaking. You'll visit a series of two gorgeous cenotes draped with lush vines and plants, pausing for an elegant, included picnic lunch accompanied by beer, wine, or non-alcoholic drinks. And since this tour combines adventure with culture, you'll also learn the legends of the Maya Aluxes, spirits associated with the Yucatan's jungles and sinkholes.

Swim alongside whale sharks in the Caribbean Sea on this 6-hour tour from Cancun. These gentle giants arrive in large numbers around the Yucatan Peninsula every summer. Slip on snorkel gear and marvel at your proximity to these fish that can grow as long as 43 feet (13 meters)! After your memorable swim, sail to Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte for a beachside lunch. Hotel transport from Cancun and the Riviera Maya included. Don’t miss this unique experience available from May to September only.

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. 

Snorkel, zipline, and rappel in the Riviera Maya on a 6-hour, small-group adventure tour that’s specially designed for adrenaline lovers. You’ll explore Caribbean marine life, the jungle canopy, and an underground river system on this full-day tour, which includes hotel pickup and drop-off, all activities, and a buffet lunch of Mexican cuisine.

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.

The sighting with sea turtles is a unique activity in the world, and it can only be done in Akumal since it is in their natural habitat; With the mandatory equipment by the authorities and with my experience, I guarantee an extraordinary visit in a natural and sustainable activity.

Dive the spectacular coral reefs off Playa del Carmen on a 2-tank dive trip that includes a deep dive and a drift dive. You'll descend to the coral reef at two different sites and depths, enjoying a 40-minute surface interval aboard the dive boat. With both morning and afternoon departures available, this 2-tank dive is great way to experience the gorgeous reef, fish, and wildlife of the northern hemisphere's largest reef system.

Fly over sandy beaches and take in expansive ocean views as you soar above the waves with the sea birds. An experienced parasailing crew makes sure you are safe the entire time. As your parasail leaves the boat, relax and feel the wind push you high into the sky. See Mexico from a quiet and unique perspective. Snacks and beverages are provided, as is hotel pickup and drop-off.

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.

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.

You don't need any diving experience to enjoy the beautiful coral reefs and marine life of Playa Del Carmen. On this half-day snorkeling adventure, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a boat ride, and get tips from your multilingual guide as you cruise to the reef. Take a dip in Caribbean Sea's blue waters, and see the colorful aquatic ecosystem up-close.

Combine snorkeling at two fantastic sites on this day trip from the Riviera Maya to Cozumel. After a ferry ride from Playa del Carmen, you’ll take a boat to Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park. Explore the warm waters of this protected coral reserve located off Cozumel’s southern coast. Marvel at the abundance of butterflyfish, parrotfish, snapper and more. Snorkel gear, buffet lunch, refreshments and round-trip hotel transport from the mainland are all included.

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.

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.

If you’re a water lover, this guided day of fantastic snorkeling is for you. Discover three different biosystems as you explore an ocean inlet, an underground river and a Maya cenote. From the Caribbean’s sparkling blue waves to river waters in the jungle, witness an array of exotic marine life. Refuel with a delicious buffet lunch between snorkeling stops and capture incredible photos of your adventure throughout the day. Hotel transport from Cancun is included.

After a short scuba diving lesson, head out on a boat to the second largest barrier reef system in the world, where you can see the colorful corals and abundant marine life of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. All equipment, including tanks, wetsuit, and gear, is included. After the dive, have snacks and refreshments at a local restaurant before heading back to your Riviera Maya hotel.