Dive Center Tank-Ha
Tank-Ha is one of Playa’s oldest and most respected dive centers. All of the dive leaders and instructors are SSI or PADI certified, so your safety is assured. The shop offers daily 3-hour snorkeling tours (complete with snacks, equipment and instruction), as well as dive tours and diving lessons. If you plan to dive more than once during your visit, ask them about the package deals that can save you money.
Muyil / Chanyaxche
This small ruin is known by two names: Muyil or Chanyaxche. It is just down the road from the Tulum ruins but is much more quiet, so you can tour at your leisure. Muyil was a trading post for the ancient Mayan people and the structures at the site date from 1100-1200 AD.
Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park
You might recognize Hidden Worlds from the IMAX movie “Journey into Amazing Caves” which was filmed here. Cenotes are large sinkholes filled with fresh water. Snorkeling or diving allows a visitor to explore the beautiful underwater stalagmites and rock formations. Hidden Worlds offers professionally guided snorkeling and diving tours, and beginners are welcome.
Cobá
Unlike Chichen-Itza, you can still climb the ruins of Coba. The name of these Mayan ruins means “water stirred by wind,” probably because the site is located between several lakes. At one point Cobá was a city covering 27 square miles with a population estimated at 55,000. Fewer tourists visit these ruins since they are farther away from Playa than the more popular Tulum site.
Altournative Tours
This eco-tour company has been offering excursions since 1999 and is helping towns use what they have to improve their way of life. Their specialty is Mayan adventures that combine outdoorsy activities such as kayaking and biking, with cultural tours of the local ruins or exploring the jungle or caves around Playa.