Gene~ can't help you with a tour operator that does offer a "Tulum" only tour short of the private transfer route but I would offer this suggestion though costs may be prohibitive.

I'd suggest, that you contact your Hotel's concierge and/ or just a reputable Taxi Driver, and ask about costs via Taxi to Tulum and back for the half day or day, perhaps adding a visit to Playa Del Carmen, on the return. Many of the Taxi Drivers are more than willing to offer a competitive rate or better for this type of outing that will be less than a private van. I'd suggest, one of the drivers with a large A/C Chevy Suburban style vehicle.

Other options, and cheaper would be the Colectivo buses/large vans that run regularly and a rental car.

A good and very inexpensive suggestion would be to take the ADO bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen (34 pesos each way). From the bus station at Playa take the Mayab bus line to Tulum. Visit the ruins (not an all day event), eat in Tulum, tke the bus back to Playa and walk around the beach area and 5th avenue and then the bus back to Cancun. Note....Do not ask for a ticket in Cancun for Tulum. You will end up making the entire trip on the Mayab line and ADO is MUCH better.

Frank in Puerto Morelos

www.vivapuertomorelos.com

Both are excellent suggestions however PuertoMorelosFrank stole my answer, LOL! I would also like to suggest that perhaps you can take a tour to Tulum but instead of visiting Xel-Ha, you may be able to visit the underground rivers at Hidden Worlds. This is an interesting tour that takes you into the jungle and into caves where you snorkel among stalagmites and stalatites (sp, sp). I am not sure off hand if there is a tour that does this but you can check with two very trusted local outfits, CancunValet and Entertainment Plus Cancun Discounts.

212eric V.P.

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