This service is offered at the protected beaches. I have already described that if you book this service, parking on the beach will be free of charge. But don’t be too happy, because you will still get it included in the price, that’s why my lifehacks will be useful for you.

We are 2 adults and 4 children. At the first parking lot I was offered $110 for a boat ride. A few days later I stopped by another beach and was quoted a price of $30 for an adult and the older kids and $15 each for the younger kids, so my budget would be $150 and free car parking.

I stopped by Paraiso beach in Tulum, left the car there and walked along the beach to negotiate the price. In the end, for my whole family, the same boat ride cost me $70 ( and remember I don’t pay for parking at Paraiso either). The cost of a boat ride with snorkeling – 250 pesos per person, the younger children were counted at 50%, that is 1250 pesos (we agreed on 70 dollars).

Is it worth going?

We loved it. First, they take you to the archaeological beach and you take pictures from the boat. Normally you have to walk to the archaeological beach, as the passage by car is closed and you can’t walk along the shore, the beach line is cut off.

Swimming in the open sea was great too, stingrays and turtles swam by all the time, as well as, various fish. Walking time is about 60 minutes. It is best to go before lunch, after lunch there are often few fish.

How to get to the turtle and archaeological beaches in Tulum

If you want to get to a turtle beach or archaeological beach in a protected area, there are only a few ways to do it.

1.   View it from a boat by booking a snorkeling service
2.   Drive in from the highway, you’ll have to leave your car and walk some of the way.
3.   Drive in from the side of the reserve (there are 2 entrances), but also part of the way will have to overcome on foot.

What to see on the beaches?

On the archaeological you will see the remains of Mayan buildings. And on the turtle beach, you’ll see turtles. I liked the turtles more when visiting the cenotes, but the Mayan buildings were interesting to see on the tour.