Best Excursions from Sandos Playacar and Sandos Caracol

If you’re staying at Sandos Playacar or Sandos Caracol in Playa del Carmen, you’re in one of the most adventure-dense locations in the Western Hemisphere. Within 90 minutes of your resort, you can explore Mayan ruins, swim in underground cenotes, zip-line through the jungle canopy, snorkel with sea turtles, or float through a floating fiesta with mariachi and tequila.

The best part: you don’t have to plan any of it yourself.

Seek & Go — Your Lobby Tour Desk

Both Sandos Playacar and Sandos Caracol have a Seek & Go desk in the lobby. Seek & Go is the official in-house tour company at every Sandos resort in Mexico. Walk up, pick an excursion, and they handle the rest — transportation from the resort, guides, equipment, and return trip. You can also book ahead via WhatsApp at +52 984 152 4671.

Royal Elite vacation club members receive discounted pricing on all Seek & Go excursions.

Xcaret Eco-Parks

The Xcaret Group operates the best eco-parks in the Riviera Maya, and all of them are within 30–60 minutes of Playa del Carmen. These are the flagship attractions of the region.

Xcaret

The original and the biggest. Xcaret is a full day — underground rivers you float through, a snorkeling cove with tropical fish, a wildlife area with jaguars and monkeys, a butterfly pavilion, a tequila tasting village, and the “Mexico Espectacular” evening show with over 300 performers. Arrive in the morning, leave after dark.

Seek & Go pricing from Playa del Carmen: from $158 USD (basic) / from $190 USD (Plus, includes locker, buffet, snorkel gear)

Xplor

Pure adrenaline. Fourteen zip-lines — some over a mile long — amphibious vehicles you drive through jungle caves, underground river swimming with headlamps, and hammock splash-downs. This is the most popular adventure park in Mexico, and it earns it.

Seek & Go pricing from Playa del Carmen: from $175 USD

Xplor Fuego

Same park, same activities, completely different experience. Xplor Fuego runs at night with torches, bonfires, and dramatic lighting. The zip-lines feel faster in the dark. Evening only.

Seek & Go pricing from Playa del Carmen: from $155 USD

Xel-Há

The natural water park. A massive coastal inlet where freshwater rivers meet the Caribbean Sea — the entire thing is a snorkeling playground. Unlimited food and drinks are included. Cliff jumping, floating on inner tubes, snorkeling through mangroves, bike trails. Bring nothing but a swimsuit.

Seek & Go pricing from Playa del Carmen / Cancún: from $155 USD

Xenotes

Visit four different types of cenotes in a single day — rappel into a cavern cenote, zip-line into an open cenote, kayak a semi-open cenote, and swim an ancient cenote. Small groups, jungle setting, gourmet picnic lunch included. This is the best cenote tour available in the Riviera Maya.

Seek & Go pricing from Playa del Carmen / Cancún: from $150 USD

Xenses

A sensory park with optical illusions, underground rivers, mud baths, and zip-lines. Lower intensity than Xplor — great for families or a half-day when you don’t want an all-day commitment.

Seek & Go pricing from Playa del Carmen: from $105 USD

Xoximilco

Evening floating party on colorful Mexican gondolas (trajineras) with mariachi bands, tequila, traditional food, and dancing. Captures the spirit of Mexico City’s famous Xochimilco canals, but in the Riviera Maya.

Seek & Go pricing from Riviera Maya: from $145 USD

Mayan Ruins

Three major archaeological sites are accessible from Playa del Carmen.

Chichén Itzá

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Pyramid of Kukulcán is the iconic image, but the site is massive — the Great Ball Court, Temple of Warriors, Sacred Cenote, and dozens of other structures spread across a huge area. About 2.5 hours from Playa del Carmen.

Seek & Go offers two versions through the Xichén tour brand:

• Xichén Classic — ruins tour with cenote swim: from $150 USD
• Xichén Deluxe — ruins tour with lunch at a colonial hacienda in Valladolid: from $170 USD

Tulum

The only major Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Smaller than Chichén Itzá but the setting is unbeatable — ancient temples on cliffs above turquoise water. Just 45 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Seek & Go’s Tulum Adventure includes ruins access and typically combines with a cenote swim or beach time.

Seek & Go pricing from Riviera Maya: from $139 USD

Cobá

Deep in the jungle, less crowded than Tulum or Chichén Itzá. You can still climb the main pyramid (Nohoch Mul) — 120 steps to a view over endless jungle canopy. Rent a bike or hire a bike-taxi to cover the spread-out site.

Water Adventures

Snorkel Xtreme

Reef snorkeling trip covering multiple sites in the Riviera Maya’s barrier reef system — the second largest in the world. Guided snorkeling with equipment provided.

Seek & Go pricing from Riviera Maya: from $129 USD

Sunset Sailing

Catamaran cruise with open bar as the sun sets over the Caribbean. Some include dinner, some are pure sailing with drinks and appetizers. A standout option for couples and honeymooners.

Seek & Go pricing from Riviera Maya: from $109 USD

Cultural Experiences

Mayan Adventure

Full-day cultural immersion combining Mayan ruins, cenote swimming, and traditional village visits. A deeper cultural experience than a standalone ruins tour.

Seek & Go pricing from Cancún: from $139 USD (available with Cancún or Riviera Maya pickup)

How to Choose

For families: Xcaret (full day, something for everyone), Xel-Há (kids love the water), or Xenses (half-day, sensory fun).

For couples: Xenotes (intimate, small group), Sunset Sailing (romantic), Xplor Fuego (date night adventure).

For adventure seekers: Xplor (adrenaline), Snorkel Xtreme (reef diving), Tulum Adventure (ruins + cenote).

For history and culture: Chichén Itzá (bucket list), Cobá (off the beaten path), Xoximilco (Mexican cultural celebration).

For the biggest bang for your buck: Xel-Há — all-inclusive food and drinks plus unlimited snorkeling from $155.

Booking Details

Seek & Go WhatsApp: +52 984 152 4671 Website: seekandgo.mx In person: Seek & Go desk in the Sandos Playacar or Sandos Caracol lobby

All excursions include round-trip transportation from your resort. Prices shown are reference rates — confirm current pricing with Seek & Go when booking.

Related:

• All Riviera Maya Tours →
• Cancún Airport Transfer Guide →
• Xcaret vs Xel-Há vs Xplor — Which Park Is Right for You? →
• About Sandos Playacar →
• About Sandos Caracol →