Easily one of my favorite experiences during a trip to Tulum. This stop was a part of a guided tour…read moreso I'm not sure different it would have been if we popped in on our own. There was a stand where you could buy your ticket and gear, if needed. Snorkels and flippers are a must! The walk through the trees was lovely and there are plenty of benches by the lagoon entrance to put on your gear, take off shoes, etc. We were there in Dec, the water was a bit chilly, but you quickly got used to it. We swam for like an hour and the life jackets made it so easy to rest as needed. I saw so many colorful fish and it was a beautiful, sunny day. I literally felt like alot of the fish I saw were the same ones I see at aquariums sometimes. So cool and such a great day!

Probably the most underwhelming snorkeling experience that I have had. This was my first time…read moresnorkeling in a lagoon and I was really excited because the water looked clear and beautiful on land. We came here with a tour guide around 11am in February, and the water was not only cold, but there were not many fish. When there were fish, it was the same type of fish over and over again. Maybe she just didn't take us to the right places, but I didn't see anything that excited me. I probably wouldn't want to come here again to snorkel. There are probably much better places for it!

My husband booked Carey tours for swimming with the whale sharks before our vacation in Riviera…read moreMaya. We got picked up on time from our resort, got to the boat and was served a little breakfast before we headed out. It was a rough day on the ocean (choppy), but an amazing day. We were supposed get two jumps in with the whale sharks. It was our lucky day! First we swam with a whale shark, then we got to swim with a Manta Ray! So great! Then they let us do another whale shark jump. In our group, my husband and I were the only ones who got to swim with the Manta Ray. They don't see them that often. After our jumps, they took us to isla mujeras for fresh ceviche prepared by the captain. We got to hang out in the Caribbean blue water. This was such a great experience!

We booked a Cenote tour with this company as an activity for a bachelorette party. The prices vary…read morebased on the group size. We ended up paying $125/person before tip. Our tour guide picked us up from our place of residence and we visited 3 different cenotes. The first one was a popular one called Gran Cenote which was beautiful! Our tour guide (I wish I remembered her name!!) was very nice and so much fun! She was engaging, knowledgeable, patient, and very accommodating. The second Cenote was tak-bi-ha. This was a cave with bats in it! The third cenote was a completely open one called Xunan ha. It was really fun to explore these different cenotes. They also provided snorkeling gear and we were able to snorkel in each of the cenotes. It was nice to have our guide guide us through the closed/dark areas of the cenotes with lighting. In the middle of the day we also had lunch at a local place. The food here was just ok and very greasy. Also several people in our group got sick later that day so not sure if there was an issue with the food or how clean the water was at the lunch spot...would be careful especially with drinking water here. Other than that we had an amazing time. I'm sure it would've been cheaper to go to these cenotes on our own but it was worth it to have this tour group organize everything for us, provide transportation, etc. Plus both our driver and your guide were amazing and made the day even more fun!

This is the coolest thing we've ever done. We spent the afternoon walking, wading and swimming…read morethrough massive cenote water caves deep undeground. The exquisite formations are 1.5 million years old. There is art on the walls that's 4,000 years old and predates the Mayans. All of the animal life here - arachnids, catfish, shrimp and others subsist solely on bat guano. This was a magical experience.

Rio Secreto was an amazing experience!…read more I went to Cancun for a girls' trip, and honestly, I was very nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I tend to get anxious about new experiences, but I always try to push myself--knowing I'll be happy I did afterward. When you arrive, check-in takes place in a hidden, lush area with benches. A short video plays so you can get an idea of what Rio Secreto is all about. After that, you check in, sign your waivers, and meet your guide for the day. We totally lucked out--our guide, George, was incredible! The guide makes all the difference. George was full of life, personality, and knowledge. He truly immersed us in the caves and shared so much about Mayan culture. I can't say enough nice things about him! Your guide then takes you by van to the Rio Secreto caves, about a 15-minute drive on an unpaved, natural, and bumpy road. I don't get carsick, but if you're prone to it, you may want to take something beforehand. The ride itself is scenic and surrounded by lush greenery. Once you arrive, you'll find lockers, showers, bathrooms, and seating areas. Be prepared to remove all jewelry, as it's not allowed in the caves--the water must remain pure. You'll take a quick shower before putting on your wetsuit and water shoes (they provide them, or you can bring your own). You'll also wear a helmet with a light. The facility is extremely clean and well-maintained. I was genuinely impressed by how often they sanitized the equipment, floors, and bathrooms. Once you're geared up, you take about a 10-minute walk to the caves. Before entering, you'll participate in a beautiful Mayan ceremony meant to cleanse your spirit--and take a quick group photo. Important tip: You cannot bring your cell phone! Let it go and just enjoy the moment. A photographer will take pictures throughout the tour, and trust me, it's worth it. Walking and swimming through the caves while listening to George share stories about the Mayans, the legends, and the discovery of Rio Secreto was truly magical. The water is cool at first, but you get used to it quickly. Floating through the crystal-clear water surrounded by stunning cave formations took my breath away. After the tour, you're treated to a delicious meal--including handmade tortillas! An amazing day and an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend Rio Secreto!

I don't give out that fifth star easily... but these guys EARNED it!…read more My wife and I tend to avoid pre-packaged ANYTHING. We choose AirBnB's over hotels, never stay at resorts, eat where the locals do, and avoid tourist traps like (place your favorite cliché here.) That said, we also want the skinny on what makes a World Heritage Site a... well, World Heritage Site. So after lots of soul-searching (and Web browsing), we opted to give these guys a shot ....and they hit it out of the park! First: Communication. Emails were plentiful and articulate. Important information (what to bring, where to meet, etc.) was highlighted in yellow. Second: Customer service. From the moment we met at the pick-up point (two minutes before the appointed time) until the drop-off, the staff was absolutely gracious, knowledgeable, helpful and just nice to be around. Third: The ambiance. Everything about the tour (this one to Chichén Itzá) was outstanding. There were 15 tourists and two staff in a late-model, well-maintained 21-passenger van. The air conditioning made the ride very comfortable (as did the shock absorbers!). Edér, our guide and a native of Tabasco, was clearly well-versed on the history of the Yucatán Peninsula, the history of the Maya, and the cultural artifacts that really add "color" to a tour. His English was accented but flawless... and he spoke at a volume that really made everyone WANT to listen... modulating his voice the way I do in my classroom, and I teach 6th grade! ;-) The extras. Our trip included, beside the stated objective of visiting Chichén Itzá, a sandwich on the way to the site (yummy!); a visit to a cenote (a flooded sinkhole where you may swim in a cave - we went to one called "Xkeken"), a luncheon (an over-the-top buffet at a hacienda near the cenote) and some free time in the colonial city of Valladolid - where we had been promised no pressure to shop anywhere - and were rewarded with a drop off in the city plaza, and 40 minutes to wander aimlessly (or do whatever called to you, even if it was to go shopping). The necessaries: Many Americans are advised not to drink tap water in Mexico... to stick to bottled water. These guys had enough 1/2 liter bottles on board for each of us to have a dozen apiece, if we'd wanted! (Soft drinks, too) ...and that water has got to go somewhere - so please pardon my indiscretion, but the restroom stops were strategically located as often as necessary, and even several were skipped simply because no one had needed them. So don't worry about being trapped in a van, having drunk your fill with no relief in sight! These guys have planned it WELL. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our driver, José: the consummate professional. He negotiated every speed bump, every parking lot and every tight squeeze with aplomb. Kudos to José, and to Edér! WELL DONE, YUKATREKS! We'll certainly use your services the next time we visit the Mayan Riviera!

My hubby and I have been to Mexico before, and once took a 40 person bus to the Tulum Ruins…read more.. never again! My review closely resembles Ruben G, so take a look at his review. It was an intimate group of about 12 or so, and we learned so much from Eder. The ride to the ruins felt like nothing since we were so entrapped with all of the information he provided to us about Mayan culture on the way there. This trip was well worth every penny! I know many people recommend to rent a car and drive to the ruins, but our history lesson made all the difference. And we obviously don't know the roads that well, so this made us feel safer. This was the best tour company I've ever used in Mexico and would recommend them to anyone!

My wife and I can't recommend My Quest Concierge Private Tours enough. Shout-out to our amazing…read moreguide, Heriberto Lopez. He took excellent care of us for the day. It was just us three. We loved having a guide all to ourselves. We stayed at Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen. My wife found out about My Quest from Tripadvisor. We booked a "VIP Tulum Private Tour" over two months in advance through Viator. It cost $340, prepaid online, and we tipped Heriberto $75 in cash after the tour ($415 total in US dollars). We thought it was worth it. The preferred method of communication for My Quest, like most of Mexico, is WhatsApp. Two days before our tour, we got a WhatsApp text message from Carolina to confirm details. Our only gripe with My Quest came in this message. The company wanted to change our pickup time from 7:30am "to 6:45am since we have found more people due to the season." We were a bit annoyed with that because we booked and prepaid with My Quest in order to get a private tour at the time we specified months ago. I politely replied and asked if we could keep the original reservation time. I received a prompt response, yes. Around 8:30pm the night before our tour, we got a message from Fernanda. She confirmed our pickup time, told us that Heriberto would be our guide, and gave us his phone number so that we could message him via WhatsApp. Once again, I had to correct the pickup time from 6:45am to 7:30am. I messaged Heriberto to make extra sure. Heriberto showed up on time at 7:30am. He picked us up in a company car, a GMC Acadia, I believe. It could've been a GMC Terrain. I don't remember exactly. The SUV had a transmission issue where it would downshift unexpectedly, usually after we got going on the highway. This mildly concerned both us and Heriberto. He reported the issue to My Quest. Heriberto is local to Playa del Carmen, where My Quest is based. He's friendly and intelligent. We could tell he is passionate about his job. He loves his family, Mexico, and the environment. We felt safe when we were with him. Our tour consisted of three stops, each of which I reviewed on Yelp. In order, they were: 1. Zona Arqueologica de Tulum 8:45am to 10:00am (times approximate) https://www.yelp.com/biz/zona-arqueol%C3%B3gica-de-tulum-tulum-2 Zona Arqueologica de Tulum is the famous ruins of Tulum. This is a popular tourist attraction. Heriberto and My Quest proved to be very valuable here for two main reasons: First, Heriberto knew the most efficient route through the ruins and he was terrific at timing our stops so we were rarely around other people. He made our tour of Tulum feel special and intimate. Second, Heriberto was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Tulum and the Maya people. He brought an iPad to show us pictures and diagrams, which added another layer to his history lessons. 2. Cenote Xunaan Ha 10:30am to 11:45am (times approximate) https://www.yelp.com/biz/cenote-xunaan-ha-ciudad-chemuyil 3. Cenote Taak Bi Ha 12:15pm to 1:45pm (times approximate) https://www.yelp.com/biz/taak-bi-ha-zona-hotelera-tulum Cenote Xunaan Ha is an open, above-ground cenote. Cenote Taak Bi Ha is a closed, underground cenote. At both cenotes, Heriberto provided us with life jackets and snorkeling gear. Life jackets came from the cenotes and snorkeling gear came from My Quest. Xunaan Ha was a leisurely swim and snorkel. Taak Bi Ha was a guided tour. We absolutely loved both. Cenotes are some of the most beautiful natural occurrences on earth and they must be experienced in person. No hiking was involved, but the swimming, especially in the cold water of Taak Bi Ha, did take some energy. Eat a good breakfast and bring snacks for the car. Heriberto had bottled water for us. We arrived back at the resort around 3:45pm. We were gone for over eight hours. Due to highway traffic, it took over one hour to get from our resort in Playa del Carmen to Tulum and it took over one hour to get from Taak Bi Ha back to our resort. Therefore, there was a lot of drive time. We also made a pit stop at a Pemex gas station on the way back. At all three stops, Heriberto took care of everything: translation, parking, restrooms, escorting, tickets, access, etc. He was also great at taking pictures and videos of us, and knew all the best spots and angles. He knew how to make the pictures look as if there weren't other people there, especially at Tulum, which had large groups of tourists. We appreciated that even though we didn't ask for it. He just made it happen. Heriberto was fantastic. Tips: - Both Viator (via an emailed link to a web page) and My Quest (via WhatsApp messages) will tell you what to expect, what you can and cannot bring, and what's included and not included (e.g., lunch was not included on the tour we booked). - Don't wear sunscreen to the cenotes. It's generally not allowed because it harms the cenote ecosystems. - Strongly consider bringing water shoes. Ours came in handy at Taak Bi Ha.

This tour was the highlight of our trip to the Yucatan Peninsula and will forever be one of my…read morefavorite travel memories. Our guide, Manuel, was not only communicative and informative but went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and relaxed the entire day. He even stopped at a pharmacy on the way out to find a good medicine for my mom's back, which she hurt a few days before our trip. Without that she would have been miserable and unable to enjoy any of the activities at our stops. The pyramid at Chichén Itzá was breathtaking and Manuel took amazing pictures of us from the perfect vantage point. I have been interested in and studied Latin American history for several years so I found his knowledge about new and relevant information only just being released in academic circles incredibly fascinating. Our lunch at Paladar De Cura in Valladolid was the best meal I had our entire stay, and we also did a tequila tasting and some souvenir shopping in town. After lunch we headed to Cenote Chukum where we swam in the cool waters of a cavernous sinkhole with small catfish flitting beneath our feet. It's no mystery why this tour is rated the #1 activity on Tripadvisor out of 700 others. You will not regret booking it.

Up early again for our 2nd excursion organised by Kay Tours Mexico, this time was to Isla Mujeres,…read morevia a luxurious catamaran with a snorkelling tour in the world's 2nd largest reef, beaten only by the great barrier reef. Never seen so much colour under the sea before, felt so privileged especially when an inquisitive turtle swam up to have a nosy at us. On Isla Mujeres, instead of staying in the north of the island (where we docked), John was excited to rent a golf cart and so we toured the less touristic, south part the island. The north also had it's own charm, street vendors, Playa Norte (rated in the top 10 of the world's best beaches) plus it was also home to a phenomenal dulce de leche icecream, so much so I had 2 of them in about half hour

I would highly recommend Kay tours. It was easy to book, and change the booking when more of our…read morefamily decided they wanted to come. We took the tulum/cenote tour and it was great! David was our tour guide, and on the ride to tulum gave us a lot of history about the mayas. At tulum, he took us around and told us about each site. The cenote was awesome. Again, David had tons of information about the ecobiology of cenotes, led us around, helped my son when he got scared, etc. highly recommend! Great tour and easy company to work with.

This excursion was the highlight of the trip for myself and my 3 girlfriends. We were staying in…read moreCancun and it took us about an hour and half to get to Alltournative but it was so worth it! Our guide, Erik, could not have been more of a delight. He was so friendly and made the whole experience that much more incredible. His knowledge of the site and his safety tips helped us at each event. While we were there we went through several ziplines, snorkeled through ancient cenotes, rappelled, and got to eat some delicious and authentic Mexican food. I absolutely recommend this excursion for anyone looking for something exciting on their trip.

During our time in Rivera Maya, we booked an excursion with Alltournative to check out Coba ruins…read moreand the Mayan area. First, we started off in a Mayan town where we began our adventure. We did 2 ziplines, canoed, swam in the Cenote, and ate a delicious meal. Our tour guide Tonica was outstanding, explaining to us the culture of the Mayans and the history of the area. No phone are allowed during this portion, but there are lockers available to store your things. Our 2nd stop was at the Coba ruins, where we saw the Mayan temples in the town of Coba. It was a long walk to the main temple, but it was a cool experience and beautiful architecture to see. The whole trip was an all day adventure, but well worth it! Definitely recommend if your looking to learn about the culture of the area and the people who live here! :-)

I booked the Chichen Itza Deluxe Tour with The Custom Tour for my group of 12. We traveled during…read moreThanksgiving week 2021. Our group comprised of three families with adults, teens, and young children. It was all of our first times traveling to Cancun so I wanted to find a private tour for my large group. Booking with them through their website was easy and they were very quick to communicate via email. Leading up to the tour, we had some travel delays, but after updating Rod and their team of our situation, they were very accommodating. Kat was our guide and Pepe was our driver. Kat was informative during our guided walk of Chichen Itza and also accommodating of our last minute concerns and needs. Pepe was a great driver and got us to our destinations swiftly and safely. Marveling at the ruins at Chichen Itza and learning more about the history of Mayan culture and the way life might have been like at the time was very interesting. Kat took photos during our entire tour and later shared them via Google. A plus for our group as we LOVE photos. On our way to Cenote Samaal, we requested a stop for some fresh coconut water. They were quick to find a vendor on the side of the road. Pepe also got out and helped cut the coconuts for the 12 of us. Very impressed with his initiative and helpfulness. The coconuts were so refreshing after walking around in the sun at Chichen Itza! Admission, locker access, life jackets, and lunch were provided for us at Cenote Samaal. Everyone in our group enjoyed swimming in the cenote. The lunch buffet was a favorite among the adults in our group as we got to get a taste of Yucatan cuisine. There was something for everyone on this tour and I would highly recommend this company to anyone traveling to Cancun and wanting to get more than just a tour of Chichen Itza, but an experience of what the Yucatan area has to offer. We will definitely be touring with them again when we're back for our next Cancun adventure!

What an amazing trip with Limbert and Luis. My wife is not…read morea confident snorkeller but with help from Luis and Limbert she went out into quite a rough sea to see the turtles and then snorkelled over some deep water in the cenote/caves. We both thoroughly enjoyed the half day trip and would recommend it to anyone. Limbert was a very knowledgeable guide and told us a lot about the history of Mexico on the drive down. Both were quite close to Playa Del Carmen/ Playacar so the longest drive was around thirty minutes. I got some great photos and at the end of the trip we were sent a Google Drive of the photos that Limbert had taken.