The 10 Best Tulum Ruins Tours to Experience Mayan Culture
LOOKING TO GO ON A TULUM RUINS VISIT?
You’re in the right place because the Top 10 Best Tulum Ruins Tours are all featured here. How do I know they’re the best? I have lived in Mexico since 2018, and visit Tulum frequently.
I have also been on Ruins Tours in Tulum, Mexico, so I used my insider knowledge and vetted all the tours in this article to make sure they’re highly rated and well-reviewed — so all you have to do is book a Tulum ruins tour and enjoy!
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Don’t have time to read the whole article? I recommend booking this All-Inclusive Tour of Tulum Ruins & Cenotes — a top-rated experience with a near-perfect 5 Star rating.
If that one’s not for you, don’t worry! There are plenty of other great Tulum Ruins tours so you can explore these unique cliffside ruins with a top-notch guide, experiencing a place that once belonged to the ancient Mayans.
No matter your preferences, interests, time constraints, or budget, you’re sure to find a Tulum Mayan ruins tour to love on this list. From all-inclusive offerings, to group Mayan Ruins Tulum tours and private ventures — we’ve got you covered.
If you’re wondering which of these Tulum ruins tours is best for you then please read on to find out — but now matter your choice, get ready to make fabulous memories and have the time of your life in Tulum Mexico.
Top 3 Picks: Best Tulum Ruins Tour
#1 TOP PICK
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All-Inclusive Tour of Tulum Ruins and Cenotes
✔️ Private Tulum Ruins tour
✔️ Cave cenote swim
✔️ Entrance fees included
#2 PICK
Tulum Ruins Private Tour With Turtle Swim & Cenote Dos Ojos
✔️ Private guide and driver
✔️ Snorkeling with turtles
✔️ Lunch and beverages included
#3 PICK
Tulum Ruins, Swim With Turtles in Akumal & Cenote Tour
✔️ Tulum Ruins group tour
✔️ Snorkel with turtles
✔️ Traditional Mexican buffet lunch
The 10 Best Tulum Ruins Tours
1. All-Inclusive Tour of Tulum Ruins and Cenotes
⭐️ RATING: 4.94 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? If so, join a super storytelling guide for an incredible Riviera Maya adventure on this Tour of the Tulum Ruins in Mexico .
During this tour, you’ll visit multiple locations and learn the mysteries, secrets, and fascinating and rich history of The City of Dawn.
Julio and Henry were very knowledgeable and personable, the cenotes were incredible and so refreshing after a hot tour of the ruins. Definitely recommend!
rachel (see more reviews)
After pickup from your hotel, you’ll be treated to a private guided walking tour of the Tulum ruins. Walk around for 1.5 hours learning incredible information, taking pictures, and soaking in the splendor.
Next, head to three different cenotes and either swim or float your way through them. Refreshing. End with a mouth-watering Mexican lunch from a casual and authentic eatery.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
2. Best Tulum Ruins Private Tour with Turtle Swim & Cenote Snorkeling
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7-8 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
This Tulum Private Tour of the Tulum Ruins and Beyond ensures you get a top-notch personalized experience! Learn Tulum Mayan Ruins history, visit a cenote, and go snorkeling at Akumal — all with a private guide.
This private tour was superb. Our tour guide, Alex, was fun, educational and professional. By booking a private tour, you control the pace and exactly what you want to do.
mike (see more reviews)
If you’re thinking this amazing tour can’t get any better, it does! Your lunch is included as well, and so is round-trip hotel transportation. Also, the guides are excellent, informative, and very accommodating.
🤿 Note: You will be spending a lot of time swimming on this tour, so keep that in mind as you might want to bring extra clothing and this handy quick dry towel.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
3. Tulum Ruins Tour, Swim With Turtles in Akumal & Cenotes
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
If you love snorkeling, coastal ruins, and freshwater cenotes, this is the best Mayan Ruins tour Tulum has to offer.
We had a wonderful experience. Our Tulum Ruins tour guide, Victor, was excellent, very knowledgeable and patient.
richard (see more reviews)
Spend 1.5 hours exploring the archaeological site, then head to Turtle Bay for snorkeling. Don your mask and swim with tropical fish above coral beds, and maybe even see some sea turtles.
Rinse off the salt in a freshwater cenote at the Xtun Cavernas. Lunch and hotel pickup are included in this top rated Tulum Mexico Ruins tour.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
4. Tulum Ruins & Tulum Cenote Tour Combo
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
If you’re looking for a tour with excellent value and an awesome storytelling host, this Cenotes and Tulum Ruins Mexico Tour is the perfect choice.
Explore the ancient Mayan city of Zama (which is now called Tulum) with an expert guide. Along the way, you’ll learn about Mayan ceremonies and their calendar system, Spanish invaders, and basics about the Mayan culture.
Awesome adventure! Informational, interesting and absolutely fun. This is a very comprehensive trip, composed of many different and great activities.
veronica (see more reviews)
Next, you’ll enter the magical Tankah Park. Here you’ll get to snorkel, zip-line, go out on canoes, dive into lagoons, and more.
Travelers adored this experience, from the great information and tour of the ruins to the adrenaline-pumping fun and delicious food at Tankah.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
5. Private Half-Day Tulum Ruins Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
If you’re pressed for time, or full-day adventure tours wear you out, this half-day Tulum tour from Playa del Carmen or Tulum is sure to deliver.
Tulum is absolutely beautiful! The history of the city is fascinating and Eli was the best tour guide ever! He was very knowledgeable and entertaining.
susan (see more reviews)
Enjoy all the benefits of a private tour: an expert guide, specialized attention, great refreshments, and an early start — but only invest in four hours of your precious travel time. If your Tulum itinerary is only a few days, a half-day tour is the way to go.
On this Tulum express tour, you’ll beat the crowds and the heat as well as enjoy informative guided Tulum parks tours, snacks, drinks, and a roundtrip transfer from your hotel.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
6. Cenotes and Tulum Ruins Tour from Cancun
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
Looking for the best day trips to Tulum from Cancun? Then look no further because this Cancun to Tulum Ruins Tour is it. Kick-off your Cancun adventure tour directly from your hotel in Cancun, then travel to the archaeological site in Tulum.
Staff was awesome! Camilla was a fantastic tour guide and Asha was a terrific photographer. The Tulum ruins were a must see and the cenotes were magical.
melanie (see more reviews)
Once there, you’ll have 1.5 hours of free time to explore, take pictures, and read about the ruins. Next, you’ll visit several amazing cenotes of different styles and with different colored water.
This Tulum Tour from Cancun finishes off with a delicious, traditional Mayan meal. Cancun Ruins Tulum tour — here we come!
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
7. Deluxe Mayan Tour: Tulum Ruins, Coba Ruins & Cenote
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
Hit three major stops in one day on this Deluxe Mayan Tour in Tulum. Enjoy time exploring the Tulum archaeological site, then head to the Coba Ruins, and end the day with a refreshing dive in Cenote Tamcach-Ha — one of the best Tulum cenotes.
It was perfect just as described. Just be prepared for an all day adventure. The ride was a little long but gave us time for a nice nap in between.
xavier (see more reviews)
You can also add an additional trip transportation to Playa Del Carmen if you’re up for an extra stop. ⭐️ Tulum Ruins Tips: Bring water, snacks, and a bunch of extra cash for this and all
Tulum Mexico excursions to the ruins.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
8. Walking Tour: Tulum Ruins & Brunch
⭐️ RATING: 4.95 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
Get ready for an awesome morning on this Mexican Ruins Tulum Tour with Brunch Included.
You’ll meet your super storytelling host at the archaeological site at 9:00 am and spend the next couple of hours wandering the ruins and listening to stories that will bring the history of the place to life.
Roger gave us incredibly detailed historical context for everything we were seeing. It was fascinating and greatly increased my appreciation for an already amazing site.
avril (see more reviews)
Travelers loved the host on this tour. He is super knowledgeable, speaks incredible English, and answers questions like a pro.
Travelers also appreciated the small group size and the amazing brunch. This is hands down one of the best Tulum Mayan ruins tours.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
9. Tour Tulum Ruins Without Crowds
⭐️ RATING: 4.95 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
Join this small, intimate Tulum Mexico Mayan Ruins Tour — which lets you visit minus the crowds! An early start makes all the difference on this tour, and yes, setting your alarm is 100% worth it for this.
On this tour, you’ll spend about 2.5 hours visiting the ruins with a top-notch guide. Hearing the stories of the place from an expert will make all the difference in enjoying these ruins to the max.
An excellent, excellent experience that I would highly recommend. Tania was a phenomenal host who really respects the location, and brought the ruins to life.
katy (see more reviews)
Skip reading the guidebook and hear about Mayan history from a gifted storyteller on one of the best Tulum Ruins tours from Tulum.
Travelers loved the guides on this tour, the insight into culture, history, and fauna, and the early start to beat the crowds and the blazing hot midday sun.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
10. Sightseeing Tour of Tulum Ruins National Park Mexico
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | 🏛️ Check Rates and Availability
Looking for a group tour of the Mayan ruins near Tulum? If so, this Highly-Rated Sightseeing Day Tour is the optimal choice.
Enjoy private transportation to the site and spend time seeing Tulum’s El Castillo, the Temple of the Descending God, and the Temple of the Frescoes.
We had a wonderful trip to Tulum ruins and the Cenote Tak Be Ha. Thanks a lot to David who shared his enormous knowledge about Mayan history with us.
tamara (see more reviews)
You can choose between an 8:30am and a 12pm departure from Tulum, which is great for travelers who like to get up early as well as those who want to sleep in. Once you arrive, you’ll have one hour of free time to enjoy all the ruins Tulum offers.
All your entrance fees, snacks, and water are included with the cost, so there’s no hidden fees or extra charges. With so many positives, it’s easy to see why this is the best no frills tour Tulum Ruins has to offer.
Tulum Ruins Tour: FAQs
Where are Tulum Ruins located?
The Mayan Ruins of Tulum Mexico are located just 2 miles (three kilometers) from downtown Tulum. They are accessible by scooter, bicycle, on foot, taxi or by rental car, and it only takes 10 minutes to drive there in normal traffic.
🗺️ Tulum Ruins Map
Where is Tulum located?
Tulum is located in Quintana Roo State, which is in the Yucatan Peninsula on the east coast of Mexico. It is about two hours south of Cancun by car.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Are the Tulum Ruins Mayan or Aztec?
Mayan — The Tulum Ruins, and all ruins located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, are part of the Mayan culture.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
What do I need to know before visiting Tulum Ruins?
Arrive early — If there’s one great Tulum Ruins tip, it’s that you want to arrive early to beat the crowds, and also explore the whole site before the midday sun starts beating down 🥵
Can you bike to Tulum Ruins?
Yes — You can ride a bike to the Tulum Ruins. It’s actually one of my favorite Tulum trip ideas because the ruins are located on Tulum Beach, so you can continue exploring the beach by bike after you visit the ruins.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Is there parking at Tulum Ruins?
Yes — There is a parking lot at Tulum Ruins. You’ll need to walk about a half-mile (one kilometer) from the parking lot to reach the entrance. You can rent a bike for that short journey, but the walk is nice.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
How much is parking at Tulum Ruins?
$160 pesos — While parking fees can vary, it’s usually $160 MXN pesos, or about $10 USD. You will have to pay for parking if you come on a scooter or in a car; bike parking at Tulum Ruins is free.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Are the Tulum Ruins worth seeing?
Yes — The Mayan Tulum Ruins are definitely worth seeing. They are the only Mayan Ruins located on a cliffside, and many will say this makes them the most beautiful ruins in Mexico.
The location is stunning, the Tulum Mexico Ruins history is fascinating, and the Tulum Ruins beach is so beautiful!
The ruins are in excellent condition despite being over eight centuries old! This ancient city, called Place of the Dawning Sun, was strategically situated to act as a trading port. It also acted as a religious center.
The site is located within Tulum National Park, which serves as a haven for wildlife.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
What is the difference between Chichen Itza and Tulum Ruins?
While Chichen Itza is the more famous of the two, it is located about 2.5-3 hours from Tulum. Tulum Ruins are located in Tulum itself, so they are much easier to access for those staying in Tulum Mexico.
The ancient ruins of Tulum are the most iconic archaeological site in the state of Quintana Roo Mexico. Not only are the ruins well-preserved, but they are also unique for their striking cliff-side location on the coastline.
While Tulum Ruins is a relatively small site, Chichén Itzá is a massive complex in the state of Yucatán Mexico. It is a much bigger site that takes hours to see, versus Tulum Ruins which you can tour in a few hours.
Of course, Chichen Itza is much more famous. Considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is home to the famous El Castillo Pyramid (AKA Kukulkan Pyramid), and sees about two million annual visitors.
When planning a trip to Tulum, know that both archaeological sites are worth seeing.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Can you visit Tulum Ruins on your own?
Yes — While the Mayan Ruins of Tulum tours are some of the best tours in Tulum, you can absolutely visit the Tulum ancient ruins on your own.
To get there from Tulum, you can drive a scooter, your rental car, or a bicycle. You can even walk two miles (3 km) to the ruins from downtown Tulum if you choose.
If you go in a motorized vehicle, you’ll need to leave them in the parking lot, pay the parking fee (about $10 USD), then walk about a half-mile (1 km) further to the entrance.
Once you pay the entrance fee you can hire a guide here if you wish. Note that guides are booked on a first come, first served basis, so if you want to make sure you get one, arrive early.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Is there a dress code for Tulum Ruins?
No — There is no dress code at Tulum Ruins. However, you’ll want to wear sneakers or sandals because the ground is rocky. Also, opt for comfy clothing that keeps you cool because you’ll be walking a lot under the sun.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
What at the Tulum Ruins hours of operation?
The Tulum Ruins are open daily, from 8am to 5pm. The last admission to Tulum Ruins is at 4pm.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
How much does it cost to see the Tulum Ruins?
The Tulum Ruins entrance fee costs $90 Mexican pesos (about $6 USD) per person for adults. Children under 12 are free.
If you bring a video camera, you’ll need to pay an extra $30 pesos ($2 USD) for the video permit.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
How much is the Tulum Ruins tour?
Tulum Ruins tour cost about $50-$150 USD per person. The higher-priced guided tours also include boat rides to go snorkeling or a visit to the Tulum cenotes so you can swim.
Do you need a tour guide for Tulum Ruins?
No — You can visit Tulum Ruins on your own and just admire the beauty of this important Mayan site.
However, if you want to understand their history, significance and symbolism, a qualified guide can bring the ruins to life! Personally, I prefer the to tour the ruins with a guide, at least on my first visit.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
What time of day is best for Tulum Ruins?
It is best to visit the Mayan Ruins at Tulum as early in the morning as possible. The ruins open at 8:00 am, and if you start your Tulum excursion close to opening time, you can enjoy the ruins with fewer crowds and get better pictures.
Temperatures will also be cooler in the mornings as well, which is always a plus. Since there’s very little shade at Tulum Ruins, you will really appreciate being done touring the site before the midday sun arrives.
💡 Tulum Ruins Tips: Try to avoid going on Sundays when the entrance is free for Mexican residents. The site tends to be super busy that day, as well as holidays.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Can you swim in Tulum Ruins?
Yes — There is a beach located just below the ruins that’s known as Tulum Ruins Beach (Playa Ruinas).
There is a staircase from the ruins that you can take down to the beach, but it is not always accessible during high tide. Once when I visited the ruins in the summer, we weren’t able to access the beach because of this, but I don’t think that’s common.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Are Tulum Ruins worth visiting?
Yes — The Mayan Ruins in Tulum are spectacular and fascinating. Not only are the Tulum pyramids the only cliffside Mayan archaeological site in existence, but it is also the perfect size place for a half-day, couple-hour visit.
The scenery is spectacular and the buildings brim with secrets of the ancients. Whether you’re a first-time visitor from Europe or an annual visitor from Canada or the US, Tulum Ruin tours and Tulum tour packages are a great choice for any traveler.
Final Thoughts: Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Now that we’ve reached the end of the article, Which Tulum Ruins tours from this article caught your fancy? While I hope this article helped you pick the best Tulum Ruins tour packages for you — if you’re still undecided, I’m here to help!
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Still unsure which is the best Tulum Ruins tour? I recommend this Tour of Tulum Ruins & Swim in 3 Cenotes — which has a near-perfect 5-Star rating.
On a Tulum Ruins excursion, you’ll gain amazing insight into the ruins. You can also opt to do additional activities like snorkeling in Turtle Bay to cool off in the sun, swimming through cenotes, and visiting a fun-packed jungle park to round out your Tulum trip.
Not staying in Tulum? Remember there are a lot of day trips that come to Tulum, including Tulum tours from Riviera Maya, Cancun and Playa del Carmen — so wherever you are, you can still visit this unique place by just coming to Tulum for the day.
Want to book more Tulum Mexico Tours?
Looking to take more tours in Tulum during your visit? Tours are so convenient because you don’t have to worry about planning anything — you just show up and enjoy!
Here are all of my recommendations for the top-rated Tulum tours: