The 10 Best Private Shore Excursions in Mexico

1.5-Hour Sightseeing Tour with Private Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 325 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) Our pick

Explore Cozumel by private air-conditioned minivan with a driver such as Gerry, Sergio, or Luis. Visit a chocolate factory, taste tequila, tour San Gervasio, stop at El Mirador, and finish at Playa Palancar. You can adjust the pace, but ruin admission, beach costs, food, and drinks are extra.

“The perfect experience with a very personable and knowledgeable guide/driver. Thank you so much, Gerry”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Playa Uvas Private Beach Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 133 reviews · from $48Best value

Spend up to six hours at Playa Uvas Beach Club near Chankanaab National Marine Park. Your pass includes lunch, four hours of open bar, a 30-minute guided snorkel, safety gear, and a 30-minute guided kayak tour. Guides such as Angel and Roberto help beginners spot fish, stingrays, squid, and other sea life.

“Very choppy so kayaking was a little rough and not a lot of fish because of the rough seas . My Waiter was very attentive toour need needs. The food was delicious”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Bacalar Private Charter Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Travel from Costa Maya to Bacalar in a private vehicle with an English-speaking guide, bottled water, soda, snacks, and fresh fruit. Spend time at the Seven Colors lagoon, San Felipe fortress, and Cenote Azul. A boat ride costs an extra $20 per person, and the group returns to the port on schedule.

“This was a wonderful tour! It was an hour drive but the tour guides explained the culture and stopped for treats along the way! And the lagoon was amazing! We also stopped at a Cenote to swim and eat!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $60

Spend four hours seeing Acapulco’s Chapel of Peace, La Quebrada cliff divers, and the Diego Rivera mural at Casa de los Vientos. An English-speaking guide, air-conditioned minivan, and port pickup keep the day simple. Guides have included Jose, Poncho, Jesus, David, and Roger. A private upgrade adds a cocktail stop.

“Excellent tour. Jose, the English speaking guide provide amazing tidbits of Acapulco glorious past. Think about Tarzan, John Wayne, Diego Rivera, etc The best part of the tour is the in between anecdotes between the major attractions. Seeing the everyday life of the citizens was interesting. This tour covers a lot of area in a short period of time. Great lunch (not included in the price) was wonderful. Highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Private Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Shore Excursion from Costa Maya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $119

Travel about an hour from Mahahual to Chacchoben with a private group, then explore Templo 24, Plaza B, Gran Plaza, Las Vasijas, and Temple One with a certified site guide. Jhoana, Charlie, Israel, and other local guides have led this outing. Expect snacks, drinks, air-conditioned transport, jungle paths, birds, and possible spider monkeys.

“Tour guide used the N word and drank beer. Had little knowledge about ruins. Very inflexible and would not listen to our requests.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Private Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Leave Costa Maya in a private air-conditioned vehicle for Kohunlich, where an expert English-speaking guide leads a 90-minute tour of the ancient city. You’ll also glimpse Bacalar’s Seven Colors Lagoon. Snacks and bottled water are included, and the private format suits families or groups of up to 12.

“The guide was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The tour was fantastic. We traveled with a group of 12 of us. My mother was in a wheelchair. The driver of the van took my mother on her own private tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Jeep Tour Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6 reviews · 5 hours

Spend five hours touring Cozumel in a private jeep with an English or Spanish guide. Visit Rancho Alejandra for tequila tasting, stop at San Martin and El Mirador, explore El Cedral and Jade Cavern, then enjoy lunch and guided snorkeling at Tortugas Beach Club. Guides such as Miguel and Ricardo may lead the trip.

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Private Cruise Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $130

Travel from Costa Maya to Chacchoben in a private group with a bilingual guide, 50-minute van ride, drinks, snacks, and a two-hour archaeological tour. Guides such as Joseph and Serveljano have offered detailed Mayan history, while the forest paths may reveal birds and spider monkeys.

“We had a private tour - six family members - 6 year old, 16 year old and four adults -- Joseph, our guide, was amazing -- He gave a power-point presentation the whole road trip to the ruins, and during our time there. Pictures, examples, historical data/info, etc. - Allowing us to have a full understanding of what we were experiencing -- incredibly informative. He supplied cooler with drinks (beer/soft/water) -- We observed/viewed other guides while at the ruins - NONE compared to him - he was only one who seemed to take upon himself to go way above and beyond - We are elated he was our guide -…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private Shore Excursion City & Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

This private Huatulco tour takes you from Santa Cruz Pier to Playa La Bocana, Playa La Entrega, and La Crucecita. You’ll see the sea meet the river, visit a church with a huge Virgin of Guadalupe painting, and sample mezcal. Guides such as Fermin and Emanuel offer clear local context, with commentary in English, French, or Spanish.

“Nice overview of Huatulco..beautiful resort town. Fermin..was excellent!! He customized for us perfectly. Saw the beautiful bays and beaches and the main town. Fermin was raised in Georgia so is English was easy for us to understand and he was extremely knowledgeable of the history of the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Huatulco Shore Excursion: Seven Bays Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $308

Spend about five hours aboard New Adventure, a shaded 25-foot fishing boat, visiting seven of Huatulco’s nine bays. Your private captain can stop for swimming, wildlife watching, and beach time. Water, beer, and soda are included, while lunch and snorkel equipment cost extra. Port and hotel pickup are offered.

“What a great day!!! It was a day of one highlight after another. Dolphins. Snorkeling. Day on the water. Amazing lunch. It could not have been better!!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review