REVIEW · COZUMEL
ATV Excursion: Discover El Cedral Town & Ruins, Cenote Swim
Book on Viator →Operated by Hi Travel Tours · Bookable on Viator
Fast engine noise. Cool water next. This tour strings together ATV time and a cenote swim in about three hours, with a stop at El Cedral ruins along the way. You’ll start in Cozumel, hit jungle trails, then cool off in Cenote Jade and finish with a tequila tasting for those 18+.
Two things I really like about this outing are the personal ATV format (you’re not just watching) and the way the day mixes adrenaline with a real swim break. The El Cedral stop also gets you a guided walk-through of the area, plus time in the town setting.
One consideration: it’s not just one price. There’s an extra 20 USD per person fee listed for Ejidal Tax and Cenote Ecotax that isn’t included, and that can be a shock if you show up expecting a completely all-in deal.
In This Review
- Key Things I Think You’ll Care About
- ATV + Cenote Jade in Cozumel: The Real Vibe
- Getting There: Royal Village Meeting Point and Cruise Reality
- El Cedral Village and Ruins: ATV Riding With a Story
- Cenote Jade Swim: Water Time, Bats, and the Best Reset
- Tequila Tasting for 18+: A Fun Add-On If You’re Into Spirits
- Price and Value: $35 Sounds Great, But Read the Fine Print
- ATV Rules, Shared Vehicles, and the Mud Factor
- Group Size and How It Feels On the Ground
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want to Skip)
- Should You Book ATV Excursion to El Cedral & Cenote Jade?
- FAQ
- How much does the tour cost?
- How long is the ATV excursion and cenote stop?
- What’s included in the $35 price?
- What extra fees should I expect?
- Is there a tequila tasting?
- Can I swim at Cenote Jade?
- What should I know about shared ATVs?
Key Things I Think You’ll Care About

- El Cedral on ATV: You ride through the village and get a guide explanation of the ruins and area.
- Cenote Jade allows swimming: You’ll get actual time in the water, not just photos from the edge.
- Tequila tasting is 18+ only: It’s included for adults, tied to the cenote stop.
- Short schedule (about 3 hours): Expect a fun burst, not a long archaeological day.
- Shared ATV rules can affect cost: Even number of riders is required for shared vehicle reservations.
ATV + Cenote Jade in Cozumel: The Real Vibe
This tour is built for people who want an active Cozumel day without spending half their vacation commuting. The rhythm is simple: ride first, then swim, then taste tequila, then ride back. The whole thing is designed to fit into an easy time block—about three hours—which matters a lot if you’re on a cruise day.
The value here is in variety. You get a chance to feel the island’s texture—dust, jungle tracks, and mud—then shift to cool, still water at the cenote. One guide (Papi) is specifically mentioned by name in a top review, and the common thread is that guides do real work: giving details and taking photos along the way.
The flip side: you’re moving quickly between stops. If you’re hoping for a slow, deep ruins experience, you might find the El Cedral time brief.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cozumel
Getting There: Royal Village Meeting Point and Cruise Reality

You’ll meet at the Royal Village Shopping Center on Av. Rafael E. Melgar 1, in Cozumel. It’s described as near public transportation, so if you’re already in town, you’ll likely be able to get there without a big production.
If you’re arriving by ship, plan for an extra step. One reviewer specifically flagged that Hi Travel Tours had their meeting point near a sports store outside the older cruise port area, while their ship (MSC) docked a couple miles away. Their fix was a taxi to reach the meeting spot on time. That’s the kind of detail that can make or break a tight cruise schedule.
My advice: build buffer time into your day. Arrive early, then confirm the meeting point with staff if anything looks off. Also, keep a taxi option in mind even if it feels like overkill. Five minutes saved is priceless when schedules are tight.
El Cedral Village and Ruins: ATV Riding With a Story

El Cedral is the “before the water” part of your day, and it’s where the tour earns its nickname: an ATV excursion that’s more than just a track around town. You’ll start with ATV time through historic El Cedral, guided as you ride rugged terrain and jungle trails.
The tour includes time in the El Cedral town and then the El Cedral ruins. Guides provide history and context while you’re there, and at least one review mentions a local history lesson during the village stop. That helps because El Cedral isn’t just a photo stop—it’s a place where understanding what you’re seeing makes the visit click.
What I like about this section:
- You’re not trapped on a bus. The ATV route creates a sense of place.
- The ruins stop feels guided, not random. You get an explanation as you move through the area.
- You may end up with some extra cultural moments depending on the day. One review notes cultural events during the El Cedral stop.
A realistic expectation: this is not an all-day archaeological walk. One person came in expecting more ruins time and left feeling it was lighter on ruins than they hoped. Translation: you’ll see ruins, but the stop is still part of a packed three-hour schedule.
Cenote Jade Swim: Water Time, Bats, and the Best Reset

Cenote Jade is where the tour shifts gears. You’ll head to the cenote and get time to swim because swimming is allowed. This matters: many tours show you a cenote, then send you back fast. Here, you’re meant to actually get in the water and enjoy it.
The experience is guided with an explanation about cenotes, and you can count on that talk to make the setting feel more meaningful. One review highlights that there were lots of bats at the cenote. That’s not a reason to skip it—just a heads-up that cenote environments can feel alive and a little wild.
Here’s what you should plan for during your swim window:
- Water can be cool, especially if you’ve just been riding in dust.
- You’ll want footwear that handles wet ground safely and lets you walk comfortably.
- Keep your camera accessible, but don’t let it become the mission. The water time is the payoff.
Also, the cenote stop is where the tour includes the tequila tasting for adults. So your day has a built-in “reward moment” right after swimming—like a gentle cooldown followed by a local drink education.
Tequila Tasting for 18+: A Fun Add-On If You’re Into Spirits

After your cenote swim, adults (18+) get a tequila tasting. The tour describes a selection of premium tequilas, plus background on the history and craftsmanship behind the drink.
One review mentions that the presenters were well versed, which is a big deal. A tasting can go two ways: either it’s quick and scripted, or it actually helps you taste with purpose. If the guides are explaining what you’re sipping, you’ll come away with more than just a buzz.
A practical note: you can treat this as optional depending on your priorities. It’s included, but it’s only for 18+. If you’re traveling as a mixed group, expect that adults will participate while others will likely wait during tasting time.
Price and Value: $35 Sounds Great, But Read the Fine Print

The listed price is $35.00 per person, for about three hours. On paper, that’s a solid deal because the tour includes:
- ATV jungle circuit (with fuel)
- El Cedral town and ruins visit
- Cenote Jade entry with swimming allowed
- Bottled water
- Tequila tasting for adults
But here’s the part that can change your math: Ejidal Tax and Cenote Ecotax are not included. The tour lists 20 USD per person for those fees. So your real all-in cost is likely closer to $55 per person once that’s added.
How I think about the value:
- If you compare it to separate tours (ATV + cenote + ruins + tasting), the bundle is where you gain.
- If you were hoping for a totally all-inclusive price, the extra fee can feel like a late surprise.
- Still, the cenote entry and ATV fuel are real costs, and they’re included here—so even with the extra fee, you’re usually not getting nickel-and-dimed at every step.
Bottom line: treat $35 as the base, then budget the extra 20 USD per person.
ATV Rules, Shared Vehicles, and the Mud Factor

ATV logistics can be the difference between a smooth day and a stressed one. Here are the rules you should know before you go:
- If you choose the Shared ATV option, your group size needs to be even.
- Each vehicle can carry a maximum of 2 passengers.
- If you reserve for an odd number and select shared, the difference is charged to the individual ATV at check-in.
That rule matters most for families and mixed groups where someone might assume they can squeeze in without changing anything. Plan your rider count ahead of time so check-in stays calm.
Also, get ready for messy fun. One review says the ATVs were in great condition and they went through mud. That means you should dress like you’re going to get dirty, not like you’re heading to dinner right after.
Practical packing tips (simple, not fancy):
- Wear closed-toe shoes you’re okay with getting wet or dusty.
- Bring a small bag (zip-top if possible) for phones and cash.
- Expect bottled water, but don’t count on extra supplies.
Group Size and How It Feels On the Ground

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers, which usually keeps things manageable. Smaller groups can move together better on ATV routes, and you’re more likely to get personalized attention from the guide.
Guides also matter. In the reviews provided, guides are described as helpful and attentive, including Papi taking pictures. Even if you don’t care about photos, a guide who watches safety and keeps the group on track makes the whole experience more relaxing.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want to Skip)
This tour is a great fit if you want:
- A quick active day in Cozumel without a full-day commitment
- A true cenote swim (not just viewing)
- ATV riding through village and jungle trails
- Adults who want a tequila tasting as part of the fun
It might not be ideal if:
- You want a long, slow ruins deep dive (this schedule is compact)
- You’re strongly budget-focused on a fixed price without any extra fees
- You prefer low-movement, minimal-risk activities and don’t enjoy getting dirty
If you’re traveling with mixed ages, keep in mind the tequila tasting is 18+. The cenote swim is allowed, but you’ll want to make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with water and the short time on site.
Should You Book ATV Excursion to El Cedral & Cenote Jade?
I’d book this tour if your goal is an energetic Cozumel hit: ride first, cool off in a cenote, and end with a tequila tasting. The $35 base price is attractive, and the included ATV circuit plus cenote swimming time are the kind of value that’s hard to replicate with separate bookings.
Just do two things to protect your day:
- Budget for the 20 USD per person Ejidal/Cenote taxes that aren’t included.
- If you’re on a ship (especially if you dock where the meeting point is a bit of a taxi ride away), plan extra time to reach the Royal Village Shopping Center and confirm where the operator is meeting.
If you want action with a real payoff—and you can handle short stops—this is the kind of tour that leaves you feeling you actually used your time.
FAQ
How much does the tour cost?
The tour price is $35.00 per person.
How long is the ATV excursion and cenote stop?
The duration is listed as about 3 hours.
What’s included in the $35 price?
It includes ATV jungle circuit (with fuel), visits to El Cedral town and El Cedral ruins, a visit to Cenote Jade where swimming is allowed, bottled water, and a tequila tasting for travelers 18+.
What extra fees should I expect?
Ejidal Tax and Cenote Ecotax are not included and are listed as 20 USD per person.
Is there a tequila tasting?
Yes, tequila tasting is included only for travelers 18+.
Can I swim at Cenote Jade?
Yes. The tour lists Cenote Jade swimming is allowed.
What should I know about shared ATVs?
For the shared ATV option, the number of participants in the reservation must be even, and each vehicle can carry a maximum of 2 passengers. If you book an odd number and choose shared, the difference is charged for the individual ATV at check-in.






























