Hi all happy new year! My friend and I are going to Tulum in two weeks and looking to see the ruins and cenotes. I know there are several and I'm wondering if anyone can recommend which to check out. Also, what's the best way of booking these day trips? I know the resort probably offers packages but I wonder if it's better to go into town and shop around? We are staying at the Grand Bahia Príncipe Tulum and planning to bring pesos with us. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

We rented a car and drove ourselves. It's was cheaper than the tours and then you can go wherever you want and on your own schedule!

How did you rent the car? Did you have to take a taxi into town first?

When I was there staying at the same resort we rented a car from on site at the hacienda. Super easy.

Natalie Tabakman we rented a car from the resort we were staying at. I loved being on my own schedule and coming and going as I wanted

If you are doing the Tulum ruins, I would take a taxi or a collectivo and pay for admission to the ruins, way cheaper than booking a package. When we were there last, the collectivo used to park right by the Hacienda, we took them everywhere.

What's a collectivo?

Natalie Tabakman it is usually a white van that holds between 8-12 people and you pay per person, price varies depending on where you are going. They run down the main highway and you can flag them down. At Bahia Principe they are parked out front of the hotel waiting to take people places

Dos Ochos Cenotes are pretty amazing.

We stayed at the same resort. Loved it.
Would highly recommend Cenote Santa Cruz. Best one out there. Natural, not touristy.

If you're a diver, don't pass up the opportunity to dive a few cenotes if you're not claustrophobic. Just beautiful

We took a tour out there and there and shouldn't have. Waste of time. If you are that close, just take a cab to the ruins and pay to get in. Way cheaper and you can stay as long as you like without being rushed by the tour. Wished we had know that but didn't

We took the local bus to the ruins, walked the little ways in and did the self tour. Cost us about $20 for two of us. And it was awesome! And people were very helpful on the local transit.

Hey there! My husband and I just came back from that area.
I highly recommend renting a car for a day and driving yourself around. (It cost us about $80 CAD) We went to the Coba ruins (those are the only ones you're still able to climb) and went to several cenotes in the area. We also drove to Valladolid which is an adorable little town with great shopping and isn't very touristy. The roads are good in the area so I wouldn't be concerned about that either. Happy planning!

How did you rent the car? Did you have to take a taxi from the resort into town?

Natalie Tabakman the hotel rented it for us! We stayed in Dreams Tulum and they had an Avis set up there, but they were closed/all out for the day that we wanted. They ended up calling Hertz for us and they (Hertz) drove the car to the resort for us to pick up the next day! It was super convenient!

My advice is always to go into town & explore & shop. Perhaps rent a car for touring around. That way at least some of your money can benefit the locals. Enjoy your trip!

I stayed there and took a taxi to Akumal beach. Rented a snorkel and mask/fins. Swam with turtles and sting rays without paying for a tour! So beautiful

We also rented a car for the day right from that resort

Kate we did the same thing

Go to Koba and Muyil (shh) There are many cenotes.. too many!
Spring for dinner at Heartwood if you can, or Posada Margarita in Tulum. You can snorkel at Yal Ku, and Akumal Bay in one afternoon. Just north of you...

The collectivo bus on the main highway is cheapest. At the ruins you can book with a private person to give you the entire site tour. Take a swim suit and go for a swim on the gorgeous beach below the ruins. If you want to do a few other things you can rent a car for a few days go to Gran Cenote and then onto the ruins at Coba. Closer to cancun there are a group of cenotes called Ocho Bocos (8 eyes) for great snorkelling and ruins just north of the city of Valliodid called ek baa'lam. Also there is a great day with zip lines into cenotes at 'Hidden Worlds' near Tulum

Are the zip lines part of a tour or do you just pay a fee when you arrive? Also is there snorkeling equipment available onsite?

Natalie Tabakman it's an all day package they provide everything you need. I think they've got a website.

TIP: All archeological sites are free for Nationals on Sundays, meaning the lines are extra long. And most are closed Mondays.

Thanks everyone for all the great tips!

Stayed at that resort, take the tour to the ruins but make sure your room has proper air conditioning. They didn't make switching rooms easy and the service was sub par

I'd save the cash and hassle on renting. Use the collectivo, they will pick you up anywhere on the road, just flag them down. Take it to Playa to Tulum. Local bus to Coba Ruins. Rented bikes to many cenotes. Each so different. Akumal snorkel with turtles, then walk 5 min north To Yal Kul natural reserve river type open cenotes meets the ocean to snorkel with 3 ft parrot fish, tangs etc.
$ well spent on Chitzen iza ruins, cenote, supper and show. Also "Shell ha"? Was great.
You will love the Mayan Riviera area.

For the snorkeling was the equipment available to rent when you got there?

Not sure,but I would assume yes. Usually 5$ set a day when I have noticed. I take my own
Yal Kul yes! Just take a cheap set with you ( snorkel n' made) don't bother with fins, esp if on budget. If on a boat trip it's always included.

I would never rent a car in Mexico! All hotels have an activities centre that you can book conveniently through them. They need the business and rely on tourists - I'm sure you can get a deal. We did an ecotour through our hotel and it directly helped the locals

we rented and did a 3500 km trip around the Yucatan Peninsula. it was a fabulous way to see that part of Mexico. not one problem in 4 weeks.

Walmart. If you want to book packages, go to Walmart. Best prices.

There is a Walmart in Mexico???

Yup!

But booking tours through them is kind of icky. Stick w the locals who can use your dollars way more than the Waltons.

Sure, but it’s a commission based system so the employee (local) gets paid just the same.

The Tulum ruins are super busy, get there by 8 to avoid the crowds. At 10 all the tour buses start to arrive. Rent a car or take the collectivo. Coba ruins are so fun.. 45 min west of Tulum - rent bikes when you get there, cheap... $4?. Coba is a small town and has roads between each part of the town, takes a long time to walk. have change for the public washrooms, you need to buy your toilet paper.
There are 3 cenotes near Coba, they are all underground, super clear water and they have dive platforms. Open air cenotes are more beautiful, but both are neat experiences.

I stayed at the same resort in 2014. Grab a taxi or collectivo to Akumal beach and rent snorkel gear for about $15. We swam with turtles and sting rays for a fraction of the cost of a tour!