A private Tulum yacht rental puts you somewhere most visitors never reach — the Mayan ruins from the sea, a private reef, open water with no crowd in sight. Here's exactly what it costs and what you get.
The question most people ask before booking a charter is a straightforward one: how much does a Tulum yacht rental cost? The answer depends on a few variables — duration, vessel size and group size — but the pricing is more transparent than most travellers expect. More importantly, what's included in that price is what separates a private charter from every other experience available on this stretch of Caribbean coast.
Riviera Charters has been delivering luxury charter experiences throughout Mexico's Caribbean coast for more than a decade, departing from Puerto Aventuras into some of the region's most extraordinary water. This guide covers pricing across the full range of Tulum yacht rentals, exactly what every charter includes, and the practical things worth knowing before you book.
Tulum Yacht Rental Pricing: What to Expect
Private yacht charters are priced by the vessel and duration — not per person. Your group pays for exclusive use of the boat, and that price covers the crew, food and open bar regardless of whether you have four guests or fifteen. Below is a guide to the main charter options departing from Puerto Aventuras.
| Charter Type | Duration | Starting From | Max. Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulum Snorkel Charter | 4–5 hours | USD $1,650 | Up to 20 |
| Full-Day Tulum Charter | 8 hours | USD $2,600 | Up to 20 |
| Large Group Charter | 5–6 hours | USD $3,300 | Up to 30 |
| Tulum Dinner Charter | 3 hours | USD $850 | Up to 4 |
| Luxury Diving Charter | 10 hours | USD $3,600 | Up to 12 |
| Sleep-Aboard Tulum | 36 hours | USD $6,500 | Up to 2 |
A dock fee of USD $20 per person applies at boarding, and a 10 per cent service charge — the standard gratuity convention on chartered vessels — is collected on arrival. Beyond those two additions, what you see in the charter price is what you pay.
Split across a group of ten guests, an 8-hour full-day charter with food, open bar and crew works out from around USD $260 per person — comparable to many shared tours, but entirely private.
What's Included in Every Charter
Every Riviera Charters Tulum departure includes the same core standard: professional captain, steward and deckhand, a chef onboard preparing fresh food throughout the day, an unlimited premium open bar, snorkelling equipment, paddle boards, towels and insect repellent. The vessel is yours exclusively — no other guests, no shared decks, no compromises on space or timing.
The food is a genuine part of the experience. Freshly prepared fish and shrimp ceviche made on deck during the cruise, grilled food served as a second course, guacamole, chips and fresh fruit throughout — the menu reflects the quality of the setting rather than treating food as an add-on. The bar runs from departure to return.
"From the moment you step aboard, the day belongs entirely to your group — open bar, fresh food, and a horizon that's yours to sail toward."
— Riviera Charters, Puerto AventurasWhat the Full-Day Tulum Charter Looks Like
The 8-hour charter is the signature Tulum experience and the one most guests book for groups, celebrations or first-time visits. After boarding at Puerto Aventuras marina, the yacht heads south along the Riviera Maya coastline — a largely undeveloped stretch that most visitors only ever see from the land, if at all. After roughly two hours of open-water cruising, the Tulum ruins come into view: the Castillo rising above white limestone cliffs, jungle behind and Caribbean blue in front. It is one of the more extraordinary perspectives available in Mexico, and it is accessible only from the water.
Guests swim and snorkel while the crew prepares food and keeps the bar running. The return leg stops at La Bocana, a semi-sheltered reef area ideal for snorkelling the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the second largest reef system in the world. Troll fishing is available on request. The 4-to-6-hour snorkel charter covers the reef and beaches without the full southern run — a strong option for groups with limited time or those visiting with children. For occasion-based events, a Tulum dinner charter offers a more intimate evening format for couples or small groups.
Planning Your Charter: Group Size, Timing & Extras
Group size determines which vessel suits your booking. Smaller yachts — the 43-foot Azimut, for example — are suited to groups of up to 12 and offer a more intimate on-water experience. The 51-foot Leopard Catamaran comfortably handles up to 30 guests and is the natural choice for larger celebrations. Confirming your group count before selecting a vessel is the single most practical step in the planning process.
High season on the Riviera Maya runs from November through April. Charters book quickly during this window, particularly for weekends. Booking two to four weeks ahead is advisable in peak season; shoulder months offer more flexibility. The premium upgrades page covers add-ons worth considering — a private photographer, DJ, personalised birthday cake, or champagne by the bottle (Moët and Veuve Clicquot are both available) — all of which can be arranged at the time of booking. Ground transport from Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum to Puerto Aventuras can also be coordinated through Riviera Charters directly.
The company maintains a 5-star Google rating backed by more than 846 verified reviews, and holds Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Award — signals that reflect a decade of operational consistency rather than a single good season. Customer reviews regularly highlight repeat bookings, attentive crew and the quality of the food as the most memorable parts of the experience. To check availability for your dates and enquire about the right vessel for your group, visit the Tulum yacht rentals page or contact the team directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Private yacht charters from Puerto Aventuras start from around USD $1,650 for a 4-to-5-hour snorkel charter and from USD $2,600 for the full 8-hour Tulum charter for up to 15 guests. Evening dinner charters for couples start from USD $850. A $20 per person dock fee and 10 per cent service charge apply at boarding.
Every Riviera Charters departure includes professional captain, steward, deckhand and onboard chef; freshly prepared food (ceviche, grilled dishes, snacks and fruit); an unlimited premium open bar; snorkelling equipment; paddle boards; towels and insect repellent. The vessel is exclusively yours for the full duration.
The 12-person rule refers to a maritime safety regulation limiting some unlicensed vessels to 12 passengers. Commercially licensed charter vessels operating in Mexico are authorised to carry larger groups. Riviera Charters operates fully licensed vessels ranging from intimate yachts suited to 4 guests up to catamarans with capacity for 30.
The 10 per cent rule refers to the standard crew gratuity convention — guests typically tip around 10 per cent of the charter fee, collected as a service charge on arrival. This is separate from the charter price and dock fee, and reflects the service provided by the full crew throughout the day.
Superyacht-style charters in the Tulum and Riviera Maya corridor start from USD $4,200 for a 6-hour experience on a 60-foot luxury vessel. The 36-hour sleep-aboard charter — which extends into Cozumel and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve — starts from USD $6,500 for up to two guests.
During high season (November to April), booking two to four weeks ahead is recommended, particularly for weekend dates. Shoulder and low season months offer more availability, though advance booking is always advisable for occasions like birthdays or proposals where specific add-ons need to be arranged.
Your Private Tulum Charter Starts Here
Browse available vessels, check your dates and plan the day around your group — from snorkel charters to full-day Tulum runs.
