I took this tour during May 2021. Because of that, we were unable to visit Tulum, as it was shut-down by the government due to the pandemic.
Instead of visiting Tulum, we visited Muyil. This is not as grand as Tulum, but it was an acceptable replacement! There was a surprise tour through a swamp, which ended at a lagoon. While I had a complaint about not knowing about this beforehand (see bottom of review), it was well-worth it because I was able to walk up a platform and lookout over the swamp and lagoon. This was BEAUTIFUL. If you aren't afraid of heights, make sure you do this!
Don't touch the green-covered trees! Apparently these are poisonous!? Scary, but cool!
After Muyil, we visited Coba (now back on schedule regarding original itinerary). Coba was cool. I thought we'd be able to walk up Coba, but it seems that's been ended sometime recently. :( However, I don't think our tour guide would have given us any free-time if I hadn't asked at the first set of ruins. Even so, we were only given 10 minutes at that section. We should have been given around 45 minutes to wander all of the ruins on our own. It was very hurried.
Afterwards, we went to lunch. Lunch was not good.
Then we went into the cenote (same location as lunch). The cenote was small and cute! There is a "bat cave", but the bats don't bite or come near you -- so don't worry about going in there! The cenote also had three swings that seat underwater, which was my favorite part of the cenote! Life vests are strongly encouraged, and if you don't want to wear one, make sure you inform the tour guides. They will watch you for a little while to make sure you are a good swimmer (I understand, re: liability issues!), but otherwise will leave you alone. Be careful swimming around, as the cenote is a little rough and different levels all throughout the cenote. Don't jump in or swim too quickly, as you might hit the rough rocks at the shallower areas!
Someone else on a different review recommended water-shoes. It wouldn't hurt at this cenote, but don't bring them or buy them if you don't already own them OR have space in your bag. They aren't necessary.
Make sure to bring small bills to tip the Shaman. I didn't end up buying anything here (even though there were cool things there) because everything seemed really over-priced at the shopping hut!
My only complaints regarding this tour are:
1. that I wasn't informed about Tulum's closing until the day or two before (I wondered if this was on purpose, since we wouldn't have as much time to cancel and find another trip?)
2. lunch was not good. I was hoping for a traditional Mexican meal or options, but instead we were offered pork, hamburgers and pizza type of options (very American). The pizza was clearly frozen and was undercooked. Very underwhelming.
3. lack of information about Muyil -- while I liked this location, we didn't know we'd be wandering through a swamp and we were bitten by several mosquitos. It would have been nice to be told to bring bug-spray.
4. no free-time to wander Muyil or Coba (even 30 minutes at each would have been appreciated!)
Packing list:
Since the cenote is at the end of the day, I did NOT wear my bathing suit underneath my outfit. There is a changing room at the cenote.
I wore jean shorts and a casual work-out top with tennis shoes. I don't think you'd need tennis shoes if you actually go to Tulum or Coba, but if you end up going to Muyil -- definitely wear tennis shoes!
Then I packed a towel, waterproof case for phone, bathing suit, water-proof shoes/flip flops, iPad (to read on the bus while driving), sun screen, sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
All in all, it was a good tour! Just a few areas were underwhelming and not what I expected.