//
Photo: O.Mustafin, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
– 50 km. A beautiful site; it was one of the largest Maya cities in ancient times. It boasts the tallest pyramid of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Nohoch Mul. You can still climb it, and the view from the top overlooking the forest for miles around is impressive. A fun and efficient way of exploring the ruins is renting a bike (M$50); just go to the rental place inside the ruins.
Coba is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatán Peninsula, located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The site is the nexus of the largest network of stone causeways of the ancient Maya world, and it contains many engraved and sculpted stelae that document ceremonial life and important events of the Late Classic Period of Mesoamerican civilization. The adjacent modern village bearing the same name, reported a population of 1,278 inhabitants in the 2010 Mexican federal census.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
– 60 km. It's serene and authentic. Entrance fee M$200 per person, M$800 for an hour guided tour.
Very cool mostly cave/underground cenote that is quite popular.
Limestone cave cenote offering snorkling and swimming. Provides life vests, fins and mask for extra charge. Many fish, iguanas, and tropical birds.
One of the most popular cenotes in the region offering many activities. Set aside around 2 or 3 hours total. It's M$350 as of July 2017 for entrance with your own snorkeling. There is a small local restaurant with local dishes for M$70 (Feb 2022). It's at the intersection of the Highway 307 and the road to the cenote, between the minimarket and the ticket booth. They serve lunch until 15:00.
In Cenote Cristal you have a nice platform to jump into the water. On the opposite side of the road is Cenote Escondido. Also nice for swimming and it has a rope to jump into the water. Maybe not so great for diving and snorkeling but a great spot to cool off and have some fun close to Tulum.
Big lagoon with swimming area and hammocks, includes a deep area in the center with different colored water.