10 Awesome Playa del Carmen Tours for Families

When you go on vacation, do you have a hard time finding the right activities for the entire family?

Give me a hell yeah.

Kids can be demanding and you obviously want to make this trip memorable, right?

Keeping everyone happy is next to impossible.

Until now.

Check out this HUGE list of family-friendly tours we have put together for you at PlayaDelCarmen.com.

And…we’ve done every kid-friendly activity and excursion with our kids.

Here are our favorite 10 list of things to do with your family in Playa del Carmen.

Top 10 Playa del Carmen Tours for Families

This list is in no particular order. All tours here are apt for children, are not too long, and are tons of fun.

So without further ado, here are my favorite excursions…

#1 Tulum & Xel-Ha

There are many reasons why I think this is a great tour.

First, you get to visit stunning Mayan ruins at Tulum before the heat of the afternoon and in just about two short hours.

Second, you get to spend the rest of the day at the amazing Xel-Ha eco-park.

See our Xel-Ha review for a list of the full activities. This park definitely has something for everyone. A fun day for all.

Ages: This tour is basically all ages
Duration: +/- 9 hours
Adventure level: Low/Moderate
Suitable for the elderly: Yes
Price: $149 USD per adult / $74.50 USD per child aged 5-11
Reservations: Book Tulum & Xel-Ha

#2 Turtles & Tulum Tour

Who doesn’t love turtles? Besides the hare, of course.

But other than that? We all do.

And on this tour you get to swim with them. Your first stop takes you for a short but sweet tour of the Tulum ruins.

After visiting the Mayan pyramids, you’ll submerge into the tranquil Akumal Bay to swim alongside giant sea turtles. (No touching!) Want to support their conservation? Check out our blog post on the Xcacel turtle sanctuary.

Ages: This is a great tour for kids that have at least basic swimming skills.
Duration: +/- 4 hours
Adventure level: Moderate
Suitable for the elderly: Yes
Price: $99 USD per adult / $69 USD per child aged 4-11
Reservations: Book Turtles & Tulum

#3 Turtles & Cenotes Tour

More turtles! Yeah!

Can’t ever get enough of those!

Especially when snorkeling with sea turtles is accompanied with a fascinating journey into the world of cenotes.

Cenotes are a sort of sinkhole, the ancient Maya considered these mystical bodies of water to be the portal to the Netherworld.

You’ll get to explore three different types of cenotes, two of which you can swim in.

Be sure to check out our 4 tips for the Turtles & Cenote tour on our blog!

Ages: Children aged 2-6 can participate under the responsibility and supervision of a parent or family member. Kid’s prices apply for children aged 5-11 years.
Duration: +/- 4 hours
Adventure level: Moderate/High
Suitable for the elderly: No
Price: $89 USD per adult / $69 USD per child aged 5-11
Reservations: Book Turtles & Cenotes

Important Update: As of February 15 2017, the Mexican Environmental Protection Agency has temporarily closed Akumal Bay, where this tour normally goes, to all guided snorkel activity until further notice. In the meantime, all Akumal snorkel tours will take place in the stunning Yalku Lagoon where there is still a 50% chance of seeing the beautiful and giant sea turtles.

#4 Mayan Xtreme Tour

This one may not be for all ages, but I think it’s an awesome tour for families with an adventurous spirit.

Combine three activities that explore the beauty of Mother Nature backed by a dose of adrenaline.

Fly over jungle canopy, rappel down into and underground river before exploring its ancient rock formations.End the action with some fine-cooked Mexican cuisine.

End the action with some fine-cooked Mexican cuisine.

Ages: Children aged 2-6 can participate under the responsibility and supervision of a parent or family member. Kid’s prices apply for children aged 5-11 years.
Duration: +/- 4 hours
Adventure level: Moderate/High
Suitable for the elderly: No
Price: $89 USD per adult / $69 USD per child aged 5-11
Reservations: Book Mayan Xtreme

 #5 Fat Cat Catamaran

How cool does it sound to set sail aboard a large, modern catamaran as you cruise over the unbelievable mesmerizing blues of the Caribbean Sea?

Then, when the time comes, to get on your snorkel gear and jump into the next part of your adventure: reef snorkeling?

Afterward, it’s chill out time in the calm bay of green turquoise waters outside of Puerto Aventuras with some food, drinks, and swimming.

One of my favorites! See our blog for a Fat Cat review.

Ages: For all ages as snorkeling is not a must
Duration: +/- 4 hours
Adventure level: Low/Moderate
Suitable for the elderly: Yes
Price: $110 USD per adult / $78 USD per child aged 3-11
Reservations: Book Fat Cat Catamaran

#6 Xcaret Park

It seems like I am always mentioning parks run by the group known as Experiencias Xcaret.
If you’ve gotten that impression, you’re right.

That’s because they have some of the most professional operations you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Combine that with Mexican charm, colors, and flavors, and you’ll understand why their parks such as Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xenses, and Xoximilco are such popular attractions.

As for Xcaret, plan for a long day, because you’ll never make it through all the great activities.
For more details, see our top 5 Xcaret tips.

Oh, and by the way, make sure to stay for the evening show called Spectacular Mexico.

Ages: All ages.
Duration: +/- 10 hours
Adventure level: Low/Moderate
Suitable for the elderly: Yes
Price: $149 USD per adult / $74.50 USD per child aged 5-11 (Playa del Carmen) $159 USD per adult / $79.50 USD per child aged 5-11 (Riviera Maya)
Reservations: Book Xcaret Park

#7 Xel-Ha Park

I love Xel-Ha. It’s such a great place for a fun day of activities and relaxing.

While you can combine a visit to this eco-park with a discovery of the Mayan pyramids of Tulum, there’s enough to do here to keep everyone busy and happy for a full day.

Plus, Xel-Ha is an all-inclusive park, meaning that food, drinks, and all equipment are already included. A treat for kids and grown-ups alike!

Ages: Great for all ages and plenty of options for families with small children or babies too.
Duration: +/- 10 hours
Adventure level: Low/Moderate
Suitable for the elderly: Yes
Price: $129 USD per adult / $65 USD per child aged 5-11 (includes transportation)
Reservations: Book Xel-Ha Park

#8 Xoximilco Dinner Cruise

I think this entertaining activity forms part of the Playa del Carmen nightlife scene and is a great complement to a day at the beach.

Located halfway between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, this tribute to Mexican folklore is held aboard wooden gondola-like boats that fit up to 20 people.

Food, song, dance, folk tales and lots of colors will accompany your smiles and laughter down these man-made jungle channels.

Ages: This tour is basically all ages
Duration: +/- 6 hours
Adventure level: Low
Suitable for the elderly: Yes
Price: $119 USD per adult / $59.50 USD per child aged 5-11
Reservations: Book Xoximilco Cancun

#9 Rio Secreto Tour

I find Rio Secreto to be an amazing underground journey through a beautiful cave system.

Together with an expert guide and all the necessary equipment, you’ll swim, float, and walk through this mesmerizing maze of ancient history.

With special lighting used to illuminate the cave, Rio Secreto is not only fun; it’s some of the most spectacular eye candy you’ll see on your Riviera Maya vacation above or below ground.

See our Rio Secreto review for more details.

Ages: Children ages 4-11 can take part in the Rio Secreto excursion and pay half price.
Duration: +/- 4 hours
Adventure level: Moderate
Suitable for the elderly: Depending on health conditions
Price: $99 USD adults & $49.50 USD kids (w/ transport from Playa del Carmen); $109 USD adults & $54.50 USD kids (w/ transport from Riviera Maya )
Reservations: Book Rio Secreto

#10 Snorkel Adventure Tour

There’s no age limit in terms of who can find join slipping on a mask and snorkeling in the open sea.

With the Mesoamerican Reef, the second longest barrier reef system in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, stretching from Isla Contoy northeast of Cancun down south all the way to Honduras, Riviera Maya snorkeling is a real treat.

You’ll have the chance to snorkel in both shallow and deep water at three different spots before finishing up with lunch on the beach.

Ages: This is a great tour for kids that have at least basic swimming skills.
Duration: +/- 7 hours
Adventure level: Moderate
Suitable for the elderly: Depending on health conditions
Price: $87 USD per adult / $55 USD per child aged 6-12
Reservations: Book the Riviera Maya Snorkel Adventure

Still Unsure??

We can help? Call us at PlayaDelCarmen.com at 888-537-9797.

We live in Playa and have done these tours. Most of us have kids too so we get it 😉

See our entire list of family-friendly tours here. Enjoy!

Questions? Comments? Doubts? Revelations? Let us know in the comment section!