This place came highly recommended on social media of moms who have littles in swim diapers. We…read moredidn't book an excursion through the cruise line but found a great option right at the pier before reaching the Cozumel sign. A gentleman had a booth for Playa Mia. You can purchase the $15 day pass to access the beach. There was another package that included food, but it seemed unnecessary since we didn't plan on staying too long. My goal was getting a spot where the kids can play with sand. The weather had been iffy too. It was raining on the taxi ride there, but thankfully it let up by the time we walked to the beach area. Once we arrived, we did have to pay $6 for an umbrella to use with our beach chairs. The umbrella kept closing so we had to get somebody to keep opening it back up. Finally, they told us they had to close the beach umbrellas for 30 minutes due to the wind that was coming. That was my sign to leave since it had already poured on our way there. The bathrooms are located to the left of the open buffet area. They have a feet washing area in front of the bathroom. There are two entrances. The left is for the toilets and the right is for the showers. Inside the shower area they have the baby change table. The beach area itself was clean and well maintained. Once you get there, keep going all the way inside. There were will be stores and excursions you can purchase. The ticket area to show you paid and to get your wristband will be on the left. We purchased a sand bucket that came with a toy from a store there for $10. They offer fun inflatables in the water for the older kids and banana boat rides. We apparently had a server who was helping our area. The gentleman who served us was friendly and attentive. My little one was thrilled to have chicken wings. We asked for the sauce on the side and the wings were crispy. We also tried the fajitas and they were pretty good. The salsa had a nice kick. I would definitely skip on the bean and cheese nachos! Overall, it was a great, affordable way to enjoy some time at the beach without committing to a full day excursion. I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a low-key, budget-friendly beach day with the kids.

I want to caveat this review straight away - we visited on a pretty quiet day. We came in on a…read moreDisney cruise and I checked before booking and only 1 other cruise ship was in port on the day we visited and that ship was a more adult oriented cruise line. Because of that I was fairly confident Playa Mia would not be overly full and I turned out to be correct. After doing some research before going there are other offerings that are better for pure adult visitors and Playa Mia strikes a good middle ground for everyone. We picked this beach park because it was the only one that didn't nickel-and-dime you on every little add-on: for example the obstacle course/water park is included with the all-inclusive package we bought. As I mentioned, we did get the all-inclusive package including travel. Some of the other guests were not on all-inclusive visit and most opted for their own travel. Having already been once, next time I may handle travel myself as I am an experienced traveler and the taxi's were very friendly, however with a young one in tow I must say the friendliness and helpfulness of the people who met us and arranged our travel in both directions was amazing and I absolutely do not regret paying a little extra for the included travel. Ultimately they did just put us in a taxi that they paid for but they met us super close to the boat exit and walked us all the way to the taxi stand and dealt with telling him where to go, etc. That was nice while we dealt with our hyped up kids in a new environment. I can't speak to the non all-inclusive experience but if you don't plan to drink a lot (including water/soft drinks for the kids) I think it can be a bargain. However, with the full package we bought, the only thing I ended up paying for was a deposit on the towels that we ultimately got back. I did tip our server (Alberto was awesome) decently well because of how much work he did during the almost full day we were there - so tipping is an additional expense that happens in any kind of place like this. One note, I did go for the top level all-inclusive package and with that the adults got a Tequila tasting and the kids got a chocolate tasting. Obviously the intent of these is to sell some goods but don't skip out on these if you get them - both tastings were delicious and even though we never buy anything at these things, in retrospect we still wish we had picked up some coffee Tequila. Because the day we visited wasn't super crowded, we had such a great time. The facilities are on the older side and the landscaping isn't perfectly manicured but it's on a beautiful beach and there was at least a little something for everyone: from 5 years old to 40. If it were considerably busier, that might pose an issue but they have a lot of room for people to spread out so except for the buffet being busy, I think it would take a lot of people for it to ruin your day.

Probably the most underwhelming snorkeling experience that I have had. This was my first time…read moresnorkeling in a lagoon and I was really excited because the water looked clear and beautiful on land. We came here with a tour guide around 11am in February, and the water was not only cold, but there were not many fish. When there were fish, it was the same type of fish over and over again. Maybe she just didn't take us to the right places, but I didn't see anything that excited me. I probably wouldn't want to come here again to snorkel. There are probably much better places for it!

Super fun experience. On a recent trip to Cancun for a wedding my friends and I decided to book an…read moreexcursion from our hotel and decided upon one that takes you to both a cenote and a laguna for snorkeling. Yal Ku happened to be the lagoon our guide took us to. Didn't get to explore the area too much but theres a parking lot, small changing rooms, bathrooms, and a small restaurant. Several other groups were there trying to snorkel at the same but it wasn't overly crowded. We first went and got our supplies...lifevests, goggles and fitted them. Once everyone was fitted we jumped into the water and were instructed to go to a certain area of the lagoon. Some areas had slightly poor visibility--I mean, it is a lagoon, can't expect too much. Some cool things I saw included this huge school of sardines swimming right next to me and some rainbow colored fish in another area. Almost didn't want to leave the water because I was so excited to explore. Made me want to book a snorkeling trip to an island asap... Anyway, when you do come out to the parking area, you might run into the ice cream man with those pinwheel crackers~get some!

Our group of 8 friends booked the excursion with the cenote and sea turtle snorkeling recently…read more Booking was easy through Viator, a bit pricey but worth the experience. We were picked up from our resort right at 7 am and then we made our way to the Cancun Adventures office to wait for two other couples from other resorts. This ended up taking quite a bit of time, but thankfully there is a coffee shop next door where we got some caffeine and a snack. They did offer us cold bottled water and bananas on the bus (I would bring extra snacks because by the time we finished at the cenote I was starving and had to pay $6 for a small bag of chips at the cenote). The bus was pretty crowded with 12 people, and driving back into the jungle to the cenote was VERY bumpy. Be sure to take some dramamine if you get car sick! Omar was our guide and he was amazing. He told us about the area of Mexico we were in, and talked about the cenotes and what we could expect at each stop. Once we got to the cenote, we were offered a Mayan blessing, showered off, and headed into the cenote. They do not allow any photos or devices in the cenote. (They provide a locker for your stuff.) Once you get into the cenote they take your photos, which was kitschy and VERY expensive ($50 for one photo), but I get it's part of the tour. I absolutely loved the cenote experience itself - it was so cool to learn about and Omar's background in biology made it very informative. This part was about an hour, then you could shop a bit (they are pretty pushy but you can politely decline). Then we headed on to the snorkeling portion. I personally don't really love snorkeling, but it was fun to see the turtles! We saw about 4 or 5, but it was a bit chaotic with other groups everywhere. Then we headed to the beach club for lunch. This private beach was peaceful and the food was delicious. I personally loved the beef burrito. Mix the hibiscus and lemonade half and half for a tasty beverage. There are some areas to relax and changing rooms, so bring dry clothes to change into if you want. Pack a towel! Overall the tour took much longer than I was expecting, so be sure to plan for that if you have a dinner reservation or other evening plans. But I loved the experience and Omar was awesome.

Catamaran tour! This was so much fun! Cancun Adventures…read morecame and picked us up at the hotel, drove us waaay across town to a beach, where we boarded a catamaran, which took us to and from Isla Mujeres, while they jammed American rock music, and served up free beer and tequila shots. Along the way, we stopped at the underwater museum, where we snorkeled up to some of the artwork, and took in the sights of bright, vibrant coral reefs and amazing fish. On board, they served up sandwiches, and sweets, and snacks. The staff was super friendly, and got through the drunk as touristas as fast as possible. They provided all the equipment needed for snorkeling. There were more people on board than expected. I'd say maybe 65 people on board each catamaran. It wasn't exactly a private tour.

Up early again for our 2nd excursion organised by Kay Tours Mexico, this time was to Isla Mujeres,…read morevia a luxurious catamaran with a snorkelling tour in the world's 2nd largest reef, beaten only by the great barrier reef. Never seen so much colour under the sea before, felt so privileged especially when an inquisitive turtle swam up to have a nosy at us. On Isla Mujeres, instead of staying in the north of the island (where we docked), John was excited to rent a golf cart and so we toured the less touristic, south part the island. The north also had it's own charm, street vendors, Playa Norte (rated in the top 10 of the world's best beaches) plus it was also home to a phenomenal dulce de leche icecream, so much so I had 2 of them in about half hour

I would highly recommend Kay tours. It was easy to book, and change the booking when more of our…read morefamily decided they wanted to come. We took the tulum/cenote tour and it was great! David was our tour guide, and on the ride to tulum gave us a lot of history about the mayas. At tulum, he took us around and told us about each site. The cenote was awesome. Again, David had tons of information about the ecobiology of cenotes, led us around, helped my son when he got scared, etc. highly recommend! Great tour and easy company to work with.

Rio Secreto was an amazing experience!…read more I went to Cancun for a girls' trip, and honestly, I was very nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I tend to get anxious about new experiences, but I always try to push myself--knowing I'll be happy I did afterward. When you arrive, check-in takes place in a hidden, lush area with benches. A short video plays so you can get an idea of what Rio Secreto is all about. After that, you check in, sign your waivers, and meet your guide for the day. We totally lucked out--our guide, George, was incredible! The guide makes all the difference. George was full of life, personality, and knowledge. He truly immersed us in the caves and shared so much about Mayan culture. I can't say enough nice things about him! Your guide then takes you by van to the Rio Secreto caves, about a 15-minute drive on an unpaved, natural, and bumpy road. I don't get carsick, but if you're prone to it, you may want to take something beforehand. The ride itself is scenic and surrounded by lush greenery. Once you arrive, you'll find lockers, showers, bathrooms, and seating areas. Be prepared to remove all jewelry, as it's not allowed in the caves--the water must remain pure. You'll take a quick shower before putting on your wetsuit and water shoes (they provide them, or you can bring your own). You'll also wear a helmet with a light. The facility is extremely clean and well-maintained. I was genuinely impressed by how often they sanitized the equipment, floors, and bathrooms. Once you're geared up, you take about a 10-minute walk to the caves. Before entering, you'll participate in a beautiful Mayan ceremony meant to cleanse your spirit--and take a quick group photo. Important tip: You cannot bring your cell phone! Let it go and just enjoy the moment. A photographer will take pictures throughout the tour, and trust me, it's worth it. Walking and swimming through the caves while listening to George share stories about the Mayans, the legends, and the discovery of Rio Secreto was truly magical. The water is cool at first, but you get used to it quickly. Floating through the crystal-clear water surrounded by stunning cave formations took my breath away. After the tour, you're treated to a delicious meal--including handmade tortillas! An amazing day and an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend Rio Secreto!

I don't even have the correct words for this trip. Let's start at the beginning of the trip...We…read morechose the Rio Secreto Classic Tour. Cost was roughly $109 usd per person. We got in touch with Lomas Hospitality and set up the tour with them. They got us our tickets and told us when to meet the driver from Rio Secreto. This all happened as per normal and we took a short 20-30 minute drive to get to the location (we stayed at El Dorado Maroma). You get a wrist band when you get to the reception area (our driver got ours for us) and then you're told to go to the area where everyone is sitting and there is a person at the podium that asks what language you speak so they know which form to have you fill out. We are English speakers so we filled out the waiver and handed it back in. A quick 5 minute wait and they let us know that our guide would be Guillermo (Memo) and we learned Charles was our photographer. There were 10 of us in our group and Memo let us know what to expect and what was coming up. He let everyone know we'd need to change into our swimwear, get their water shoes on (they have some there if you need them), and lock our things in the locker (each couple/family received a lock and key to wear on the wrist). There were restrooms and changing rooms for whatever was needed. We then met out front and were told that we needed to rinse off to get the oils off of our skin so as to reduce the damage to the cave we were going to be traipsing through. He also let us know that when we got done with the rinse (it is all outside), at that point, if we would like to wear a wetsuit, just line up and they'd get that for us. My husband and I chose to go without the wetsuits, while the other people in our group chose to wear them. Every person MUST wear a life vest and a helmet. No way around it, and it is a darn good thing! They also offer a PVC walking cane/stick for people that wish to have it. I'm going to highly suggest that if a person is even a little bit wobbly on their feet...use it. We then took a short 10 minute walk to the cave entrance after some pictures (Thank you Charles!!!) in front of signs and other things, we started the tour. There is a good reason this is considered in the top 10 of National Geographic. I can't even explain in words how amazing this whole trip was for us. The knowledge that both young men had regarding the cave, its exploration, how it is created, the animals inside and out...they were amazing. We walked, we swam, we crouched, we enjoyed, we were in awe of the beauty of the system itself. You DEFINITELY need the helmet (crouching isn't always fun when you get older or are taller and you will bump your head), and the life vest (swimming is awesome, but floating in one area and looking up at everything around you takes your mind from treading water and you MUST see everything!). We saw bats, we saw blind cave fish, we saw tiny catfish, cave crickets, we saw isopods, we saw 1mm shrimp, we saw stalactites, stalagmites, fossils from corals, tailless whip scorpions, isopods, and beauty. So much beauty all around us. And it is cold water...70 - 75 degree's Fahrenheit was about normal apparently. It was cold but when you're in it, it isn't so bad. This is a must if you are in the area. 100% After we finished the tour, you can buy the photos they take ($120 usd) and there is a buffet style meal for you if you wish. The soda's need to be bought in the gift shop (on the side you came into the meal area) and are 1 for $3.00 or 2 for $4.00 each, they obviously can change that. The photos are delivered electronically, and I know our guy did phenomenal for us! A ride back to our resort and we were sad to see it go. I wish my words could be more descriptive, but you should just go and see it for yourselves. It is a whole other world down there.

The trips with Underwater Mexico were incredible! Rolien and Antonio are wonderful people who…read morereally care about their guests. We enjoyed every trip and we gained two new friends. We had a fantastic time! We did 3 trips with Underwater Mexico. We went on a Cenotes tour and visited Chichen Itzá, and Sian Ka'an. In addition to these trips, we did several dives with Antonio (including our Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Cozumel, etc). Antonio is a great diver and a natural teacher. If your dive skills are a little rusty, diving with Antonio is great! Since we're now done with our certifications, we're going bull shark diving with Antonio next week and we're looking forward to that. The private trips were customized for what we wanted to do. We had so much fun on the Cenotes tour that we booked the others. I highly recommend Underwater Mexico if you're looking for a personalized and private tour. We've been in Mexico now for 3 months and I haven't found another company that offers the services of Underwater Mexico for the price. Rolien speaks at least 4 languages (English, Spanish, Dutch, German) and there are probably others. She is a thoughtful host and a fantastic planner. The trips felt like you were traveling with an old friend who happen to know the area very well. I can't wait to come back to Mexico and do more trips with Rolien. The dry cenote was jaw droppingly stunning. At Chichen Itza, we had the right amount of history from Kristel and were able to imagine how people lived in the Mayan civilization. At Sian Ka'an (Mayan for where the sky is born) saw a lot of dolphins and turtles and got very close.. it was an amazing experience to see a dolphin family go hunting and turtles surface multiple times in the wild. Rolien planned the trips so that they are eco-friendly. They care about animals and the environment. She brought reusable lunch boxes and reusable water bottles. She loves animals and protects them (makes sure that tourists don't touch them, feed them, or step on reefs). Some tours allow a lot of these things to happen so that the guests will write a great review and post that "instagram" picture. I like that it's more important for Rolien to do the right thing than get these "instagram" pictures. Underwater Mexico is more expensive than big bus tours because of the personalized experience, but still affordable. For an extra $50-100 per person vs. what you get from the mass tour sellers (depending on the type of tour), the quality of the experience and service was well worth it. When on vacation, the last thing we wanted to do was to be packed in a big bus and feel like we were being herded through the different sites. Some of the private tours that we got quotes for were absurdly expensive. Underwater Mexico is extra vs. the big bus tours, but not as expensive as the luxury private tours that just have insane prices. The private tour was even more invaluable in these times of COVID-19. In the tours, we were able to stay longer at the places where we wanted and skip ahead of parts that we had less interest in. No random shop pit stop. For breakfast, there were different menus and they made a vegan breakfast for my fiancé. Rolien wants every single guest to have the best time and she customized the trip for what people want to do. When we had bad weather coming, she was proactive in rescheduling for days with better weather, so we would enjoy the day more (which we did). I think Rolien's level of service is nothing I've seen before in Mexico where it feels like people just want to take your money without care for the quality of the experience. We can't wait to come back in the spring and book more excursions!

Absolutely fantastic trip to swim with whale sharks! Great communication with the company and it…read morewas a small group. Everything is included so I didn't need to worry about fees, lunch, or even drinks. I'm so excited to get the photos and videos back that show us swimming with the sharks. I was taken care of and will recommend this company to everyone who wants to see whale sharks up close!

We were looking for Paddle Board Rentals or SUP as everyone back home calls them. My friend Tori…read moredid the research as she also needed a Private Paddle Board Lesson and she found Playa Standup Paddle. The cool thing was we really didn't want to Paddle Board on the beach in Playa mainly because of all the boats and Jet Skis. So they offered us an option to go Paddle Boarding offsite. Well, then we started talking and we found out that they do custom tours. Which was incredible because we didn't want to rent a car and we didn't want to be stuck on a bus touring around as we would not have control of our time. So, get this they took us to Tulum in the morning, they let us go at our own pace. They told us, this is your day, your time, you choose how to spend it. Come on, who does that... They do. After Tulum we went to this place that was like a screen saver to Paddle Board called Xpu-Ha. We had lunch there also because after doing some SUP and walking Tulum, we were all Hangry, haha. From there we went to Yal Ku, OMG another breathtaking place. It's a Lagoon with crystal clear waters and tons of fish. We snorkels there. So we went to some amazing Ruins, Paddle Boarded on an insane beach and Snorkeled in a beautiful lagoon. Plus they provided transportation, lunch and Cerveza... It was 4 of us, and only $129 each which was all inclusive. Looking back at it, we all agreed we would have paid double as they gave us such a memorable experience and allowed us to dictate our own schedule. Great company, we feel we made memories and friends for life. Give your business to this boutique agency, Great choice...