Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$249
per adult
Best Maya Tours
Best Maya Tours
5
Multi-day ToursCultural ToursScuba & SnorkellingArchaeology Tours
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
We offer a variety of cultural and adventure tours in the Yucatan Peninsula, including tours to the Mayan ruins of Coba and the Spider Monkey Sanctuary, snorkeling in Tulum and Akumal with the turtles, exploring the sacred cenotes, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza and exploring the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. Our tours are perfect for families include kayaking and swimming in the Sian Kaan Muyil Lazy River, as well as visits to many local tourist attractions. Our experienced English-speaking guides will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Best Maya Tours
Day Trips
6 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$179
per adult
Day Trips
5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$199
per adult
Private Sightseeing Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$179
per adult
Bus Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$199
per adult
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
134 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
VBS
Gainesville, Florida19 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
We booked a three day tour of six ruins and a cenote. We had Salvador as a guide. He was terrific. We found him knowledgeable, accommodating and exceedingly well prepared. He put us up in a fabulous hotel in Vialladolid with a gorgeous courtyard restaurant. We ate there both nights, and had breakfasts made especially for us. It was located right across the square with all the shops, the church, and all kind of cafes and nightlife. He drove a comfortable, air conditioned van, which we appreciated because it was very hot, and showed us all the local sights. He was punctual, yet flexible with what we wanted to do, and picked us up promptly when he said. We are convinced our experience was enhanced by the Best Maya tours and recommend it highly.
Written November 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
locallinda
Panama City Beach, FL89 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We had a private full day tour with Quetzal to Chichen itza, the cenote and lunch in Valladolid. Our guide spoke excellent English and was a certified guide with years of experience. He was very informative and flexible and an excellent driver! This tour company offered the best value for a private tour compared to the 10-15 I looked at.
Written May 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your tour with Quetzal and that our guide exceeded your expectations. We strive to provide the best value and are glad you found our services top-notch. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Written June 16, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bigtimetraveler2014
Washington DC, DC14 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
My husband and I did a private Yucatan tour for four days with Salvador of Best Maya Tours in January of 2024. Our only request prior to the trip was that we see Mayan ruins. Salvador arranged a wonderful tour for us, as well as arranged our hotels in Merida and Valladolid. We toured five different ruin sites, swam in two cenotes, and toured a hacienda from the 1700s. Our hotels were exactly what we wanted--boutique, beautiful, and very special. Salvador was an excellent guide--he is very knowledgeable on the history and culture of the Mayan people, and we learned so much. We toured at our own pace, and he was patient with our million questions and comments. Salvador took multiple pictures on his own camera and later emailed them to us, which was so helpful. At the ruin sites he handled the tickets/passes, and we walked right in avoiding the crowds. He also took us to his favorite local specialty restaurants for lunch, and we loved that part of the experience. We are so thankful we were able to have a private tour--there was so much to see and Salvador made it easier and fascinating!
Written February 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your detailed and glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your husband had such an incredible experience with Salvador on your private Yucatan tour. It's wonderful to know that the itinerary, including the Mayan ruins, cenotes, and the hacienda, as well as the boutique hotels in Merida and Valladolid, met your expectations perfectly. Salvador's extensive knowledge, patience, and personalized touches, like taking photos and handling logistics, truly enhanced your experience. We're delighted that you enjoyed the local specialty restaurants and had a memorable and fascinating tour. We look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures with Best Maya Tours!
Written June 16, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aaron B
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Family
This was a great day for my whole family. My youngest is 8 years old. It was great to have a guide, just for us so we could modify the day to our needs. The monkey sanctuary is a hidden gem. Not commercialized. Best Maya Tours offers several other options which I wish we would have tried vs. Excaret.
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lostboynh
New Hampshire20 contributions
From start to finish, this tour was perfect. Salvatore is a knowledgeable and experienced guide who made me feel safe and comfortable. Highly recommended!
Written February 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle
6 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
We had an amazing day with Salvatore! He picked us up on time and took us on a boat ride to the ruins and then we snorkeled. We saw lots of big sting rays! We then went back to Playa Paraiso to lounge for a bit. We loved it there so much we didn’t want to leave and Sal was flexible with us. He let us skip the seafood lunch and brought us beers/offered snacks so we could lounge on the beach longer. We ended up having a nice relaxing last day. This was our first private tour and we appreciated the option to customize the tour around what we wanted to do the most.
Written December 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard Lovell
30 contributions
Aug 2020
Went on this tour in August 2020 and would highly recommend it. There is a lot to do in one little area and each one was special. My tour guide, Salvador, was great. He picked me up right in front of the condo I was staying in. During the trip to our destination, he explained a lot of things about history and the cultural of the Mayans. Once we got there, I was introduced to authentic Mayan families. I quickly learned that the Mayan speak a very different language than Spanish. In fact, they are miles apart from each other. Some Mayans only speak Mayan, but others speak Mayan and Spanish. I was fortunate enough to not only have an English speaking guide, but a Mayan guide who spoke all three languages.
The first thing we did was participate in a Mayan welcome ceremony. This was a first time experience for me but was a very respectful act. I won't give away the details but they will explain what everything means and what is going on.
Second, we began a small hike through the jungle to find Spider Monkeys. There are a ton of them so it would be difficult not to spot some. I had seen a momma and some babies. They like to eat the leaves from the trees (I forgot the name of these leaves). By the way, Salvador took plenty of pictures and shared them with me, included in the price of booking. I had hoped to capture some pictures but figured it would cost extra so that was great.
Next week got in canoes and paddled across a very calm and peaceful lake. The scenery was beautiful and I love being out on the water so this was very nice. Once we got to the place we were going to, we hiked up the hill (small incline) and through the jungle while keeping an eye out for nature's creatures. We spotted an unusual spider (can't remember what kind) and a little farther up we spotted a tarantula. Salvador attempted to pick it up so I cold let it crawl on my arm, but it wasn't interested and eventually crawled into his home and slammed the door! Ok, so it's more like a hole but if it had a door, I'm sure it would have been slammed on our faces.
Next, we spotted the howler monkeys. Unlike the spider monkeys which are brown, very long tails, and jump several feet from tree to tree, the Howler monkeys are black and are typically positioned higher up in the trees. By the way, you rarely see any of the monkeys come down from the trees because of the jaguars. Oh did I forget to mention them? Yes there are jaguars in the jungle, but good luck seeing one. You are more likely to see one of the alligators in the lake than a jaguar. Oh, I forgot to mention them as well. At night you can see their eyes pop up out of the water. But don't worry, they won't get near you. All of these jungle creatures I mention are more intimidated by us than we are of them. So don't feel like your life is in danger. These Mayan children live among them and as long as you respect the jungle and its inhabitants, you will be respected as well. Anyway, also unlike the spider monkeys, who number in the thousands, the howler monkeys in this particular area is limited to a family of four. Later on when we were paddling back to the dock, we were able to get close to them along the shore and they eventually came down closer to us to get a better look at us which gave us the opportunity to get a better look at them.
Finally, we reached our destination in the jungle where we could zip line back to the canoes were docked. The two things that made me want this tour were the monkeys and the zip line. I love both. Salvador went first so he could get video of me coming in. It was a lot of fun.
The last thing we did there was to stop along the way back at a cenote. This I wasn't even expecting so that was really nice. Not all cenotes are the same, so if you've been to one, you might like another even better. One thing different about this particular cenote was that it's a hole in the ground and the only way in or out is a rope ladder with wooden steps. However, you do keep your harness of that you used to zip line and they attach a rope to you to assist you in getting up and down. Keep something in mind, if you are a large person, you may want to consider whether or not you can make it up because they are pulling you by hand, not a machine. I admit, I'm 53 and 230 lbs, so it was really difficult. Once I was down in the water, it was so refreshing as it was a hot day and the water was cold. I needed something to cool me down and this was perfect. The cenote is created by part of the rocky ground falling through. The was is partly from rain as well as from an underground river that eventually leads to the ocean. There were several bats hanging from above so if you are freaked out about that, another reason to consider sitting this one out.
Once the swimming was over it was time leave and grab some lunch. The Mayan people were very friendly and even though I tipped a little, I really wished I had left more. Salvador gave out a few tips which came from my share of the booking fee, but I felt I should have done more. I did leave a tip in a tip basket at the welcome ceremony and also left one to a small 11 year old Mayan boy named Sabastian who went with us to assist. He only speaks Mayan but was the son of the main Mayan tour guide there learning the family trade. Salvador had someone take a picture of us with the Mayan family which I'm sharing here but the other pictures are being uploaded tonight and so they are available. Perhaps tomorrow I can include them.
Lunch was a different place than where the tour usually going because that place was still under restrictions. But we had a great tasting chicken dinner. They take a whole chicken, flatten it out, and grill it perfectly. They have their own seasoning which was delicious. The habanero sauce was fresh but not overly spicy, but it was served in a side bowl in case you don't want something spicy. The meal also came with rice, pasta, and a salad that looks a bit like coleslaw. The meal is included but any drinks are at your expense. I got the pineapple water, or agua fresca which totally amazing. There were other tropical fruits to choose from. This was my first agua fresca and I will definitely be getting more.
The tour lasted about 6 hours and when I got home, I immediately took a shower and fell asleep for about 4 hours. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent although I didn't have any and really didn't experience a problem. If you chose to swim then obviously bring or wear your swim suit and your own towel because they don't supplies for you. If you decide to tip, $20 to $50 pesos per person is a good amount There were three men plus the boy. I also gave Salvador a $50 pesos tip.
P.S. by the time I was finished writing my review, the pictures had been uploaded so I can include lots of them.
The first thing we did was participate in a Mayan welcome ceremony. This was a first time experience for me but was a very respectful act. I won't give away the details but they will explain what everything means and what is going on.
Second, we began a small hike through the jungle to find Spider Monkeys. There are a ton of them so it would be difficult not to spot some. I had seen a momma and some babies. They like to eat the leaves from the trees (I forgot the name of these leaves). By the way, Salvador took plenty of pictures and shared them with me, included in the price of booking. I had hoped to capture some pictures but figured it would cost extra so that was great.
Next week got in canoes and paddled across a very calm and peaceful lake. The scenery was beautiful and I love being out on the water so this was very nice. Once we got to the place we were going to, we hiked up the hill (small incline) and through the jungle while keeping an eye out for nature's creatures. We spotted an unusual spider (can't remember what kind) and a little farther up we spotted a tarantula. Salvador attempted to pick it up so I cold let it crawl on my arm, but it wasn't interested and eventually crawled into his home and slammed the door! Ok, so it's more like a hole but if it had a door, I'm sure it would have been slammed on our faces.
Next, we spotted the howler monkeys. Unlike the spider monkeys which are brown, very long tails, and jump several feet from tree to tree, the Howler monkeys are black and are typically positioned higher up in the trees. By the way, you rarely see any of the monkeys come down from the trees because of the jaguars. Oh did I forget to mention them? Yes there are jaguars in the jungle, but good luck seeing one. You are more likely to see one of the alligators in the lake than a jaguar. Oh, I forgot to mention them as well. At night you can see their eyes pop up out of the water. But don't worry, they won't get near you. All of these jungle creatures I mention are more intimidated by us than we are of them. So don't feel like your life is in danger. These Mayan children live among them and as long as you respect the jungle and its inhabitants, you will be respected as well. Anyway, also unlike the spider monkeys, who number in the thousands, the howler monkeys in this particular area is limited to a family of four. Later on when we were paddling back to the dock, we were able to get close to them along the shore and they eventually came down closer to us to get a better look at us which gave us the opportunity to get a better look at them.
Finally, we reached our destination in the jungle where we could zip line back to the canoes were docked. The two things that made me want this tour were the monkeys and the zip line. I love both. Salvador went first so he could get video of me coming in. It was a lot of fun.
The last thing we did there was to stop along the way back at a cenote. This I wasn't even expecting so that was really nice. Not all cenotes are the same, so if you've been to one, you might like another even better. One thing different about this particular cenote was that it's a hole in the ground and the only way in or out is a rope ladder with wooden steps. However, you do keep your harness of that you used to zip line and they attach a rope to you to assist you in getting up and down. Keep something in mind, if you are a large person, you may want to consider whether or not you can make it up because they are pulling you by hand, not a machine. I admit, I'm 53 and 230 lbs, so it was really difficult. Once I was down in the water, it was so refreshing as it was a hot day and the water was cold. I needed something to cool me down and this was perfect. The cenote is created by part of the rocky ground falling through. The was is partly from rain as well as from an underground river that eventually leads to the ocean. There were several bats hanging from above so if you are freaked out about that, another reason to consider sitting this one out.
Once the swimming was over it was time leave and grab some lunch. The Mayan people were very friendly and even though I tipped a little, I really wished I had left more. Salvador gave out a few tips which came from my share of the booking fee, but I felt I should have done more. I did leave a tip in a tip basket at the welcome ceremony and also left one to a small 11 year old Mayan boy named Sabastian who went with us to assist. He only speaks Mayan but was the son of the main Mayan tour guide there learning the family trade. Salvador had someone take a picture of us with the Mayan family which I'm sharing here but the other pictures are being uploaded tonight and so they are available. Perhaps tomorrow I can include them.
Lunch was a different place than where the tour usually going because that place was still under restrictions. But we had a great tasting chicken dinner. They take a whole chicken, flatten it out, and grill it perfectly. They have their own seasoning which was delicious. The habanero sauce was fresh but not overly spicy, but it was served in a side bowl in case you don't want something spicy. The meal also came with rice, pasta, and a salad that looks a bit like coleslaw. The meal is included but any drinks are at your expense. I got the pineapple water, or agua fresca which totally amazing. There were other tropical fruits to choose from. This was my first agua fresca and I will definitely be getting more.
The tour lasted about 6 hours and when I got home, I immediately took a shower and fell asleep for about 4 hours. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent although I didn't have any and really didn't experience a problem. If you chose to swim then obviously bring or wear your swim suit and your own towel because they don't supplies for you. If you decide to tip, $20 to $50 pesos per person is a good amount There were three men plus the boy. I also gave Salvador a $50 pesos tip.
P.S. by the time I was finished writing my review, the pictures had been uploaded so I can include lots of them.
Written August 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Richard! Thanks for your detailed review it really helps! And also through your reservation for supporting tourism in these challengin times and also the Mayan communities that really need it. And thanks for choosing Best Maya Tours. Keep in Touch. Cheer!
Written August 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
snazzysnaps
Kent175 contributions
Sep 2019
Having contacted the hotel where we were staying for information on tours which received no response I worked my way through the many pages on the internet of agents selling tours and found Best Maya Tours. Salvador responded to our request immediately and I was soon booking with him.
We did 3 series of tours with him and found him energetic, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable on a wide range of things. From the history and culture of the Mayans to the abundant nature surrounding the area.
He was exactly what we were looking for which was a small group tour that did not have the excessive pricing of some of the operators. In fact his pricing model was possibly less than the large tour operators at the hotel
He joined in the activities with us, worked his way around the sites avoiding crowds leaving us to enjoy and take pictures unbothered.
I thoroughly recommend this company to everyone book without fear and enjoy his experience.
We did 3 series of tours with him and found him energetic, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable on a wide range of things. From the history and culture of the Mayans to the abundant nature surrounding the area.
He was exactly what we were looking for which was a small group tour that did not have the excessive pricing of some of the operators. In fact his pricing model was possibly less than the large tour operators at the hotel
He joined in the activities with us, worked his way around the sites avoiding crowds leaving us to enjoy and take pictures unbothered.
I thoroughly recommend this company to everyone book without fear and enjoy his experience.
Written September 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nitin S
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
Wonderful experience with Salvador on this full-day tour. He was reliable, efficient, and very adaptable to our family's requests. Even on the day prior to our excursion, he made some requested changes without hesitation. We would very much recommend Best Maya Tours to anyone, and will absolutely be reaching back out to them for future travel to the area.
Written January 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas S
5 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We recently took Best Maya Tour's Private Yucatan Discovery Tour and it surpassed our expectations. The guide was excellent, striking the perfect balance between being informative and giving us personal space. The hotels were of good quality and conveniently located. We felt safe throughout the trip. Valladolid was our favorite city, while Merida impressed us with its size and history. Ek' Balam, a less crowded site, allowed us to climb the buildings. The cenotes were a magical and refreshing experience. Highly recommend Best Maya Tours for an unforgettable Yucatan adventure.
Written June 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas, thank you for your kind words! We are so glad that you had an unforgettable Yucatan adventure with us. We strive to provide the best experience for our customers and we are delighted that we could do that for you.
Written June 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi there! What is the best way to contact you? Thank you!
Written June 24, 2018
Hi there! You can msg me via whats up at +52 55 44 98 51 84 or via the form on the webpage bestmayatours Thanks. Have a good day!
Written June 24, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.