Tulum and Dos Ojos Turquoise Waters: Day trip from Cancun

Discover Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) Cenote, one of the Yucatan's most spectacular underwater cave systems where crystal-clear freshwater creates an otherworldly swimming experience in caverns that the Maya considered sacred gateways to the underworld (Xibalba). Snorkel or swim in the perfectly clear water where dramatic stalactites and stalagmites create cathedral-like chambers illuminated by shafts of sunlight filtering through openings in the limestone ceiling, creating an almost spiritual experience of floating in liquid crystal surrounded by millions of years of geological formation. Learn about the cenotes' role in Maya cosmology as sacred pools where offerings were made to gods and where souls traveled after death, while understanding the geological processes that created the world's largest underwater cave system stretching for hundreds of kilometers beneath the Yucatan Peninsula. Experience the unique sensation of swimming between freshwater and saltwater layers in this natural aquarium where tropical fish, turtles, and unique cave-adapted species create an underwater ecosystem that exists nowhere else on Earth, while respecting the fragile environment that provides freshwater to coastal communities and supports unique biodiversity found only in these sacred Maya pools. Entry to the cenote costs $18, and the site is open from 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

Explore Tulum, the only major Maya city built on the coast, where ancient limestone buildings perched on 12-meter cliffs overlook the turquoise Caribbean Sea in one of Mexico's most photogenic archaeological settings. Discover El Castillo, the site's iconic clifftop temple that served as a lighthouse guiding Maya traders navigating coastal waters, and explore the Temple of the Frescoes with its intricate murals depicting Maya gods and astronomical observations that guided agricultural and ceremonial cycles. Walk through the compact walled city that served as a major port for trade in jade, obsidian, and other precious goods that connected Maya civilization to distant regions, while learning about the sophisticated maritime culture that enabled the Maya to become master seafarers as well as jungle dwellers. Relax on the beautiful beach below the ruins where iguanas bask in the sun and sea turtles nest in season, experiencing the same stunning coastline that attracted Maya settlers over a thousand years ago and continues to draw visitors seeking the perfect combination of cultural heritage and natural beauty that makes the Riviera Maya one of the world's most desirable destinations.