Home/Destinations/Playa del Carmen/Playa del Carmen in 1 day
1 day · Playa del Carmen itinerary

Playa del Carmen in 1 Day: The Perfect One-Day Itinerary

Only have one day around Playa del Carmen? Mix ruins, cenotes and turtles. Here is how to spend one perfect day on the Riviera Maya — plus the best-rated tours to book.

At a glance

  1. 1Tulum ruins
  2. 2Cenote swim
  3. 3Akumal turtles
  4. 4Beach time

Morning: Tulum

Explore the clifftop Mayan ruins.

Midday: cenote

Cool off in a crystal-clear sinkhole.

Afternoon: Akumal

Snorkel with sea turtles.

Book the experiences in this itinerary

Top-rated tours for exactly what this plan recommends in Playa del Carmen — prices per person.

Turtle Snorkeling Private Tour - Sea Turtles & Cenote i Tulum
Tulum
Turtle Snorkeling Private Tour - Sea Turtles & Cenote i Tulum
5.0(10)·5 timer
fra$197/ person
via Viator
Chichen Itza, Cenote og Valladolid Tour
Cancun
Chichen Itza, Cenote og Valladolid Tour
4.7(25,118)·12 timer
fra$49/ person
via Viator
Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal og Cenote tour
Tulum
Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal og Cenote tour
4.9(2,096)·8 timer
fra$129/ person
via Viator
Sea Turtle Snorkeling Ecofriendly Tour fra Cancun og Riviera Maya
Cancun
Sea Turtle Snorkeling Ecofriendly Tour fra Cancun og Riviera Maya
4.4(16)·5 timer
fra$149/ person
via Viator
Chichen Itza, Cenote og Valladolid Tour med frokost
Cancun
Chichen Itza, Cenote og Valladolid Tour med frokost
4.4(142)·14 timer
fra$110/ person
via Viator
Chichen Itza, Cenote og Valladolid Tour, fra Riviera Maya
Playa Del Carmen
Chichen Itza, Cenote og Valladolid Tour, fra Riviera Maya
3.7(10)·12 timer
fra$39/ person
via Viator
Chichen Itza Maya Wonder Tour fra Cancun og Riviera Maya
Playa Del Carmen
Chichen Itza Maya Wonder Tour fra Cancun og Riviera Maya
3.7(13)·12 timer
fra$169/ person
via Viator

Playa del Carmen in 1 day — FAQ

Can you see Playa del Carmen highlights in one day?
Yes — explore the Tulum ruins in the morning, swim in a cenote at midday, and snorkel with sea turtles at Akumal in the afternoon, covering the Riviera Maya’s best in one day.
What is the best one-day tour from Playa del Carmen?
A combined Tulum, cenote and Akumal sea-turtle tour is the most rewarding way to spend a single day, mixing ruins, swimming and wildlife.
How much does one day from Playa del Carmen cost?
Budget roughly €40–€90 per person for a Tulum, cenote and turtle tour with transport.

Explore more in Playa del Carmen

Chichen ItzaTulum RuinsCenotes & SnorkelingEco-Parks