Marielena66, Mar 2026
An outstanding experience for first time travelers
We took the private Mayan Underworld tour with our college-aged daughter and her friend during our first trip to Mexico. While most of our time was spent relaxing at our resort in Riviera Maya—by the pools and beach with books and cocktails—we wanted one excursion that would give us a meaningful introduction to the region.We specifically chose a private tour to avoid crowds and the feeling of being rushed, and this experience delivered exactly what we were hoping for. While I don’t have a comparison point, I would highly recommend this tour—especially for first-time visitors.
Niko was our driver and guide, and he was outstanding. Every aspect of the day—from booking to pickup, guiding at each stop, lunch, and drop-off—was seamless and thoughtfully handled.The day began with an on-time, accommodating pickup at our resort, followed by a smooth drive through morning traffic to Tulum in a clean, comfortable, and well-maintained vehicle. We stopped for coffee upon arrival and then headed into the archaeological park (with parking and admission included). Niko guided us through the major sites with clear, engaging, and well-informed commentary.
Next, we went snorkeling in Akumal. Rather than the most crowded areas, Niko took us to a quieter, protected inlet with rocks and coves and a nice diversity of fish. Unfortunately, the weather cut this portion short due to thunder and lightning, but we appreciated the location—it felt safe, manageable, and not overly crowded. Snorkeling equipment and flotation vests were provided.Our final stop was a semi-private cenote about 20 minutes inland. For roughly 90 minutes, we had the cave entirely to ourselves. This was a highlight of the day. Niko guided us through with great care, explaining both the geology and the significance of cenotes in Mayan culture, and even pointing out bat habitats along the way. We walked about half a mile through waist-deep water before reaching an open cenote approximately nine feet deep, where we swam and enjoyed a rope swing. We exited via a short, scenic walk.
The day ended with an excellent lunch at a small restaurant in Akumal (included in the tour), followed by a comfortable return to our resort.Overall, this was a beautifully paced, well-organized, and memorable experience. We felt taken care of at every step and came away with a much deeper appreciation for the region. Highly recommended.This time of year, we did not suffer from the mosquitos (though we were prepared!!). Advice-bring cash. Paying the balance of the tour, providing a tip for the driver, and having beer and margaritas at lunch require cash. We had both pesos and US dollars. Also, we wore our bathing suits under our clothes, and brought towels, which made it easier to transition from the ruins to the snorkeling. We did change at the restaurant, though it is very much a beach town restaurant and we would have been fine staying in our suits with a coverup had we wanted.
