Pick up from your hotel, or other accommodation
We pick up from any accommodation in Cancun, Riviera Maya, or Tulum for this private tour of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. Pick-up time may depend on the hotel the travelers are staying. The tour usually starts with a visit to Tulum, depending on how the hotel is to Tulum. Please scroll to the FAQ section for additional information on ferry and airport pickups, and the vehicle types that we offer.
A morning visit to Tulum
Depending on where your accommodations are located, we often begin this private tour at the Tulum archaeological zone, a well-preserved Mayan city that dates to the 13th century. Your tour guide takes you on an easy walking tour of the grounds, where you learn about the incredible
Temple of the Frescoes and the Castillo, among other areas.
On this approximately 2-hour stop, you do have time for pictures on the cliffs overlooking the Caribbean, as well as some free time on the beach below. The steps leading down to Tulum Beach are unfortunately not wheelchair friendly.
This part of the tour includes tickets to the Tulum train which takes guests from the parking lot to the entrance of the archeological site, saving you approximately 1 mile (2 km) of walking.
Late morning pedicab rides and exploration of Coba
After a morning visit to Tulum, we headed to the beautiful (and lesser known) ancient city of Coba for 2 hours exploring sites on included pedicab rides.
Coba is an ancient Mayan city located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It is known for its large network of elevated stone roads, known as sacbeob, which connected various structures and settlements within the city. Coba was a major center of trade and commerce in the Mayan world, and at its peak, it is estimated to have had a population of around 50,000 people. Coba is also known for its impressive pyramids, including the Nohoch Mul pyramid, which is one of the tallest in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Other notable sites you see include the Mayan Ball Court, a symbol of wealth and power, as well as Xaibé (a nearly fully restored building also known as the observatory).
A refreshing cenote swim and lunch
After a morning of walking and exploring, it’s time for a much-deserved break to cool off and relax with one of the top things to do on a trip to the Riviera Maya: swimming in a cenote! This stop is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours of free time.
Arrive at the Ik-Kil cenote, a stunning natural wonder. It is conveniently located on our route to our final stop of the day archaeological site of Chichen Itza. The cenote is a natural swimming hole that is surrounded by lush jungle vegetation and cascading vines. The crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and the natural beauty of the area is truly breathtaking.
There are changing rooms and lockers you can use at the cenote. We always recommend bringing a change of clothes for after your cenote swim. During your swim, you can leave your personal belongings in your private car, it is completely safe.
Once you’ve dried off after your swim, we head over to lunch on the site of the cenote. Lunch is a typical Mexican buffet lunch consisting of in usual rice, beans, some chicken, pork, and seasonal vegetables and fruit.
Behold the iconic Chichen Itza
After lunch, jump in your private vehicle for a relaxing, temperature-controlled ride to the final Mayan site of the day: Chichen Itza.
Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. On this approximately 2.5-hour walking tour, expect to hear untold secrets and illuminating facts as you visit the impressive pyramid of Kukulkan, the great ball court of the ancient game of pok-a-tok, and the hieroglyphics inscribed by ancient people predicting and calendaring astronomical events. Throughout your walking tour, there are plenty of places to sit and listen to your guide explain the significance of these places to the ancient Mayan people who lived here. As an example, Chichen Itza is believed to have been used for various purposes, including as a temple for the warriors of the Mayan civilization.
End your day with hotel/accommodation drop-off
Typically, you can expect to be back at your hotel between 8–9 pm, depending on accommodation.
3 Comments
4.8
I had an incredible day exploring the archaeological wonders of Coba and Chichen Itza, which exceeded my expectations in terms of historical depth and beauty. The private tour aspect made it feel more personalized, allowing me to soak in the stories without rush. Lunch was a delicious experience, featuring local dishes that provided a nice pick-me-up after climbing the ancient ruins. While I loved swimming in the cenote, the time there felt a bit short compared to the overall tour length. Nevertheless, the stunning views and rich culture more than made up for it. Overall, this adventure was a perfect way to immerse myself in the region’s heritage.
4.4
Exploring the ruins of Tulum and Coba was a fantastic way to delve into the region’s history, but the highlight for me was definitely the refreshing swim in the cenote. Lunch was included, although I wished there had been a bit more local flavor to really capture the essence of the area.
4.2
The cenote swim was a refreshing highlight of our long day exploring ancient ruins, though the lunch provided could have used a bit more flavor.