Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links in this article.
Want to enjoy one of the best private tours in Tulum?
I visited Tulum many times and have a good knowledge of some of the best Tulum cenotes, nearby Mayan ruins, and other historic and natural landmarks. Since I’ve toured most of them, I thought it would be a good idea to share my knowledge with you.
✅ Check my complete guide to tipping in Mexico to fin out how much you should tip your tour guide.
While you can visit some of these places on your own, a private tour is a better option, as you will not have to worry about transportation, food, and other logistics.
It’s also a better experience than a group tour, which can often feel rushed and impersonal.
👉 Whether you are traveling by yourself, with friends, or with family, these tours provide an opportunity to enjoy some of the best places in the area, travel at your pace, and allow you to make as many stops as you want.
PRIVATE TOURS IN TULUM: AN OVERVIEW
1. Chichen Itza Private Tour VIP
If you want to avoid crowds, planning a trip from Tulum to Chichen Itza requires careful preparation and planning. 📝
But what if you are busy with other things and still want a great experience?
This private VIP tour of Chichen Itza is a perfect option!
After getting picked up at your hotel early morning, you will arrive at the ruins, where your guide will give you an overview of Chichen Itza’s history.
Following the tour, you will visit the Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman and enjoy lunch in a restaurant on the main square of Valladolid.
What’s included:
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Private transportation
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
- Soda
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
2. Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Tour
This Chichen Itza adventure allows you to see some of the top highlights of Yucatan in just one day. Skip crowds at Chichen Itza – one of the most popular Mayan ruins in in Mexico, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
👉 Read my complete guide to renting a car in Tulum if you want to explore the area on your own.
Customize the itinerary and choose a pick-up time. After enjoying Chichen Itza, you visit Valladolid, a colonial town with pastel-colored buildings and a beautiful San Gervasio cathedral 🤩
As a bonus, you can swim in cenotes Ik Kil, Xcajum, or visit the Mayan jungle.
What’s included:
- Round-trip air-conditioned transportation exclusively for your group
- Entrance fees to Chichen Itza
- Visit to Cenote Ik Kil, Selva Maya or Xcajum
- Buffet lunch with traditional dishes from the Yucatan
- Onboard cooler with beers, sodas, and bottled water
- Bottled water
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
3. Private Tulum Ruins Tour
Many people visit Tulum ruins, but not all of them get to learn the fascinating history behind this place.
Overlooking the Caribbean, Tulum Archaeological Area is one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico. The downside is that Tulum ruins get crowded quickly and have no shade.
If you arrive later than 10 a.m., you will be baking under the hot sun, and sharing the space with hundreds of people.
✔️Read my guide to where to stay in Tulum to learn about the best areas and hotels
The best way to visit Tulum ruins is with a private half-day tour early morning to avoid the mid-day sun and crowds.
At the end of the tour, you will have time to take some photos against the stunning backdrop of the Caribbean before the ruins get busy.
What’s included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- All fees and taxes
What’s not included:
- Lunch
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
4. Dos Ojos Cenote Private Tour with Mayan lunch
Dos Ojos is one of the most popular cenotes near Tulum, particularly for diving and snorkeling, and it can get busy! If you want to enjoy this cenote without the crowds, this early morning private tour is a must!
💛 Learn about the best time to visit Tulum so you can get the most out of your trip.
During the tour, you will have a chance to snorkel in the 2 cenotes under the guidance of a certified instructor and learn more about the underwater rock formations, before enjoying a Mayan lunch at a nearby restaurant.
This tour is perfect if you want to avoid hidden costs and skip the crowds.
What’s included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Playa del Carmen to Tulum hotels
- Private transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Professional guide
- Snorkeling gear
- Lunch (one meal a la carte)
- Beverages water, soda, and beer included
- Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and wetsuits
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
- Camera fee at the entrance if you bring a professional underwater camera.
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
5. Cobá Ruins Tour (Private, Half Day)
A guided excursion of the ancient Mayan city of Cobá is one of the best private tours in Tulum. Located deep in the Yucatán jungle, this archeological site was once a major trade zone.
Translated as “waters stirred by wind” in the Mayan language, Coba ruins are famous for the largest network of sac-be’s (or white road in the Mayan language).
They connect various areas of Coba to the main Pyramid Nohoch Mul – the largest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, and the nearby lake.
It is also a bigger archaeological area with plenty of shade, so you will not have to bake in the sun the entire time you are here. 🌞
What’s included:
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
What’s not included:
- Lunch
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
6. Tulum Express Private Tour
If you want to visit Tulum, but don’t want to do a group tour, you will love this option!
This private tour picks you up from your hotel 🚗 early morning before the crowds and the heat of the day. Your guide will give you an overview of Tulum ruins, where you can learn about the history of the excavated sites in the area.
What’s included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Private transportation
- Professional guide and entrance tickets
- Beverages (Water and sodas)
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
- Tulum truck shuttle
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
7. Private Tour: 2 Mayan cities in one day, Tulum and Coba
This private tour allows you to visit some of the most famous ruins in Mexico in one day.
Learn about ancient history and see spectacular archeological ruins on this private tour to two Mayan cities – Tulum and Coba. You can also choose a start time that works for you and customize the itinerary.
You can also choose how long you spend at each site, then round off the trip with a home-made buffet lunch in Coba 😃
This tour allows you to skip long ticket lines, and learn about some of the most Mayan ruins in Yucatan from a professional guide on a fun day tour.
What’s included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Lunch
- 1 Soft drink with the lunch
- Bottled water on the transportation
- A local guide
- Transport by private vehicle with AC
- Access to the Tulum Archaeological site
- Access to Coba archaeological site
What’s not included:
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
8. Private Cenotes and Underground River Exploration Tour
One of the best private tours offers an insight into Tulum’s subterranean cave system during a half-day adventure. Swim, wade, and snorkel your way around semi-submerged sections filled with striking rock formations, as you get the undivided attention of your guide.
Take your time and enjoy your experience in Tulum’s otherworldly underground caverns.
What’s included:
- A licensed guide
- Beverages
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- All activities
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
9. Private Tour: Tulum and Cave Adventure from Cancun
Leave the beaches of Cancun for a day and explore Tulum and the underground ecological park of Kantun-Chi on this private full-day tour.
You will visit the spectacular Tulum ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and learn about the city’s role in the Mayan commercial trade route. Move on to discover a cavern network of stalactites and stalagmites at Kantun-Chi.
This tour is an alternative to popular Tulum excursions because it feels more personal, and you don’t need to rush, as you have all the flexibility of a private tour.
What’s included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Buffet lunch and round-trip hotel transport included
- Private bilingual certified guide in Tulum
- Free time in Tulum (to take photos, go to the beach, etc.)
- Expert guide at Kantun Chi
- Special shoes to walk in the cavern
What’s not included:
- Towels
- Souvenirs
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
10. Private Sian Kaan, Muyil and Lazy River Tour
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most spectacular places in Yucatan that covers 350,000 square acres of wildlife habitat 🦋.
A trip to Sian Ka’an is one of the best private tours if you want to escape the busy destinations of Rivera Maya and spend your day in nature relaxing and watching animals like dolphins, manatees, and many types of birds. 🤩
You will also explore Muyil, one of the best archeological areas near Tulum, one of the earliest and longest inhabited Mayan cities on Quintana Roo’s east coast, before enjoying a relaxing river cruise on the turquoise waters of the Chunyaxche. 😎
Make sure to avoid wearing sunscreen before swimming not to damage this fragile ecosystem!
The tour offers pick-ups in Playa del Carmen and Cancun.
What’s included:
- A professional guide
- All entrance fees
- Transportation
What’s not included:
- Sunscreen
- Biodegradable insect repellent
- Gratuities
There is a pick-up fee of 42 USD from Puerto Morelos to Cancun
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
11. Private tour to Tulum and cenote with Mayan Lunch
This all-day tour offers a glimpse into the fascinating history of Tulum ruins from a local guide before enjoying a traditional Mayan meal included in the price.
Round up your adventure with a refreshing swim in a cenote where you can take photos, snorkel and marvel at the surrounding rock formations.
What’s included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Playa del Carmen
- Private transport
- Professional guide
- Lunch (one meal a la carte)
- Beverages water, soda, and beer
- Snorkel equipment including life jackets and wetsuits
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
- Tulum truck shuttle
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
12. Chichen-Itza Private Express Tour
Your trip to Yucatan isn’t complete without a visit at Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World 🌍
Another stop on this trip is Valladolid, a colonial city, and one of the most beautiful pueblos magicos in Yucatan, where you can spend some time learning local history and exploring the landmarks at your own pace.
Round up your adventure with a swim in Cenote Ik-Kil before enjoying an a la carte lunch at a local restaurant.
What’s included:
- A professional guide
- All fees and taxes
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
- Regional food a la carte
- Snorkeling equipment
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
13. Wild monkey tour
The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse regions of Mexico with thousands of species of flora and fauna.
While you can get lucky to spot these animals in the wild, it’s never a guarantee. If you want a better chance of seeing wildlife, book a guided wildlife-watching tour 🙈 to enjoy a close encounter with the native flora and fauna through the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve.
Your guide will help you to spot monkeys and other animals in the jungle, as you wander through the jungle reserve. Some of the animals that call this place home are monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds.
What’s included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Snacks
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
- Lunch
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
14. Private 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour to Mahahual
Mahahual is a hidden gem near the Great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef – the second-largest reef in the world. Many travelers come to Mahahual because of its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and world-class diving.
This private tour is a great introduction to Mahahual if you want to get away from the crowds in Rivera Maya and enjoy this quiet town free from huge resorts and mass development. 💛
You can also request stops in places like Muyil Archeological Area, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, or Laguna Ka’an Luum for an additional fee.
What’s included:
- Air-conditioned, clean, and comfortable private vehicle
- Qualified local English-speaking driver
- Accommodation/Airport pickup and drop-off
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
What’s not included:
Entrance fees (optional). Muyil-3 USD; Sian Ka’an-4 USD; Kaan Luum Lagoon-6 USD
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
15. Private Tour Cenote Taak Bi Ha and Nicte Ha
This private Tulum tour is great for travelers who want to visit less crowded cenotes near Tulum including Cenote Taak Bi Ha and Cenote Nicte Ha where you can snorkel 🤿 and swim. 🏊♀️
Nicte-Ha is an open cenote that looks like a small lake and also has a zip line, and Taak Bi Ha is an underground cenote with impressive stalactites and stalagmites that’s popular for diving and swimming.
You can even spot some bats 🦇 here.
Don’t forget to bring your camera, because both of these cenotes are gorgeous! 📸
At the end of the tour, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a Mexican restaurant. The price covers the use of snorkeling equipment, lifejackets, and wetsuits.
What’s included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Snorkeling gear, life jackets, and wetsuits
- Beverages: water, soda, and beer
- Lunch (one meal a la carte)
- Private transport by air-conditioned minivan
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
16. Private Tour at 7 Great Cenotes
If you want to explore some of the best cenotes near Tulum, you will LOVE 🤩 this private tour of 7 cenotes where you can swim, snorkel 🤿 and observe wildlife like turtles and fish. 🐠 Your guide will also provide a historic overview of these cenotes and explain their significance to the Mayan culture.
One of the best cenote tours, this adventure includes stops at all types of cenotes – underground, semi-open, and open where you will see beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, and underwater life.
Unlike group tours, this adventure offers a more personal touch, as you get to spend time purely on its activities & sightseeing: no visits to souvenir shops and restaurants (unless you ask).
If you are traveling in a small group, you have a couple of options: the price of the tour is fixed and varies just slightly depending on the size of the group. Your tour guide can adjust the program and route to your interests and extend the duration of the tour for an extra fee.💰
What’s included:
- A pick-up and drop-off from your hotel
- A professional guide
- Entrance tickets and a visit to Gran Cenote
- Entrance tickets and a visit to Cenote Dos Ojos
- Entrance tickets and a visit to Cenotes Casa Tortuga
- Non-alcoholic drinks & snacks
What’s not included:
- Pick-up from areas other than those mentioned in the description might involve an extra fee
- Personal travel insurance
- Meals
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
17. Jungle Bike Adventure Private Tour
One of the best Tulum tours for adventure lovers 😉 takes you through the lush Sian Ka’an Biosphere via foot and boat.
After riding a bike, you will enjoy floating in a natural lazy river framed by gorgeous mangroves of Sian Ka’an. You will then take a boat ride through the biosphere, and visit the Mayan ruins of Muyil, an isolated temple that’s often missed by tourists.
During a tour, you will have a chance to spot a variety of fauna up close like monkeys, dolphins and manatees 😃, but keep in mind that it’s not a guarantee.
It’s a full-day tour, which means you can spend hours exploring one of the largest biosphere in Mexico and watch the sunset before returning to Tulum.
What’s included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Tulum city and Tulum Hotel Zone
- Professional guide
- Use of bicycles
- Bottled water and snacks
- Lunch
- All fees and taxes
What’s not included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off outside of the immediate Tulum are at an extra cost
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
18. Private Magical Cave Cenotes Exploration
One of the most popular cenote tours from Tulum, this fun adventure allows you to visit three cenotes off the beaten path at Chemuyil and at the Parque Dos Ojos, with the chance to swim to an underground river. You’ll access a part of the river that is only semi-underground, making it possible to go for a swim without diving equipment.
This is a great quick tour that doesn’t take up all day, unlike some other longer tours, which means you will have plenty of time to enjoy other activities by the time you get back to your hotel.
What’s included:
- Round-trip transfers from your hotel
- A professional guide
- Snorkeling equipment
- Snacks
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All entry fees
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
19. Mayan Inland Expedition – Coba Ruins, Punta Laguna, and Mayan family
Want to learn about the Mayan culture? 🌿🗿
This private full-day tour is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the Mayan world, both ancient and contemporary, where you get to interact with the Mayan community and visit the impressive ruins in the heart of the jungle.
During the tour, you will take a bike ride around the archaeological site of Coba, and have a chance to climb to the top of one of the tallest pyramids in the Yucatan. As you explore the jungle, your guide will provide context by sharing historical and archaeological facts.
You’ll also visit the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve and meet the Mayan community that manages it to learn more about its culture and history.
What’s included:
- A bike ride in Coba
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Tulum or further for an additional fee
- Professional archeological historian guide
- Bottled water
- Lunch and snacks
What’s not included:
- Extra transportation fees
- Gratuities
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
20. Private Photo shooting session
Want to have some spectacular photos from your trip to Tulum? This private photoshoot 📸 allows you to choose from many scenic locations in the area, or have your photographer come straight to your hotel.
The package includes 20 high-resolution images, with the option to purchase additional photos for an extra fee.
You can choose from morning or evening photo sessions and also include add-ons like makeup, and additional photo packages are available
What’s included:
- Professional photographer guide
- The photo session includes 20 high-resolution photos professionally edited for lighting and color.
What’s not included:
- Gratuities
- Round-trip transportation from your resort is available upon request
✅ CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY
Tulum private tours: FAQs
Can you go to Tulum without a tour?
You can visit Tulum on your own if you want to travel independently and have more flexibility, or with a guided tour if you like a more curated experience and round-trip transportation to your hotel.
Can I customize Tulum tours?
Many tours allow you to customize your experience and add extra stops for an additional charge. If you want to customize your tour, make sure to discuss it with your tour operator before booking a tour.
What are the best Tulum private tours for families?
Tulum has many great private tours for families like private Maya ruin tours and private cenote tours. Private Sian Kaan Muyil Lazy River Tour is one of the best private tours for families.
Are private tours in Tulum expensive?
The price of Tulum private tours can range depending on the activities, the length of the tour, and customization. Private tours are more expensive than group tours because of private guidance, added comfort of private transportation, and customized experiences.
Are Tulum ruins open to the public?
The Tulum ruins are open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week. As one of the most popular places to visit in Tulum, this archaeological area gets busy quickly. For the best experience consider a private guided tour of Tulum ruins or early morning by the opening time.
Are Tulum ruins worth it?
Located on the cliff above the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Tulum ruins are one of the most beautiful ruins in Yucatan. However, visiting them requires some preparation, as the area can be very crowded.
Private tours in Tulum: final word
Private tours in Tulum are better than group tours if you are looking for more personalized attention and customizable options. From snorkeling in cenotes to learning about Mayan ruins and snorkeling, there are many fun tours that you can choose from!
One of my favorite private tours from Tulum is the Private Sian Kaan Muyil Lazy River Tour. It’s a great choice if you want to spend time in nature and explore one of the most beautiful places in Mexico’s Caribbean.
Private tours in Tulum are worth the high tag, as you will have a better experience and enjoy the undivided attention of your guide. I hope you have a lot of fun on your Tulum tour, but if you have any questions before booking, let me know!
More resources for your trip to Mexico
- Agoda – a great website for budget hotels
- WorldNomads – Great service for insurance coverage that will keep you safe on the road.
- Safety Wing – Excellent insurance plan for long-term travelers that offers competitive rates is you are planning to stay on the road several weeks in a row.
- iVisa – the best website for getting help with your Mexico visa.
- GetYourGuide – This is one of the best platforms for finding the best private tours in Tulum. Get Your Guide is my favorite platform that offers awesome tours and top-notch guides in many destinations in Mexico.
- DiscoverCars – Consider renting a car at Discover Cars if you want to travel around Tulum and explore Mayan ruins and other landmarks.
- CheapoAir – One of the best platforms for saving money on flights within Mexico and beyond.
- Booking – a popular website with tons and tons of options for accommodations of all sorts.