Our Services and Tour Guide Information

Private Tours

At Tours By Mario, we provide PRIVATE tour guide services on the island of Cozumel. Many tour guide companies on the island provide your services as a group, and you may have people outside your group in the van with you.

Your tour can be 100% customized and nothing is mandatory. Whatever you want to do or see, we will try to accomodate.

There are no meeting points. We can pick you up at your hotel, cruise port, condo, house rental, etc. Many companies require you to meet at a central location, and you have to taxi to and from that location. Tours by Mario is unique because we are a taxi and tour service in one.

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Educational and Sightseeing Options

We can help you combine any of these these attractions into a 5 hour custom private tour

Mayan Ruins

We offer a number of different educational guided tours, including Mayan ruins on both Cozumel Island and mainland Mexico. Cozumel is home to a pre-Columbian Maya civilization at San Gervasio.

Punta Sur

Punta Sur is the southern point of Cozumel and is a 247-acre ecological park that covers the reefs, beaches, lagoons and the lower forest of the surrounding area. Punta Sur is rich in wildlife and has 2 beach clubs and has a guided boat ride on the Colombia Lagoon for bird watching, sightseeing, crocodile observation and more.

Monuments

Cozumel is home to a number of historical monuments, including Lighthouses, El Cedral, Iglesia de San Miguel (Church), Coral Reefs, El Caracol and the Cathedral of Corpus Christi.

Mayan Bee Sanctuary

Observe bees interact with nature. Witness the fascinating work of these creatures and understand why they are so important to the earth’s ecosystem. Taste the bee’s honey in all of its different forms.

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Shopping

We can provide you with an excellent shopping experience while on Cozumel Island. If you are looking for souvenirs, jewlery, art, or cultural items, there is no better way to shop than with a tour guide who has spent their entire life in Cozumel.

We can go the the local market (Mercado Municipal) for authentic local items, or visit the black coral shop for beautiful handmade jewlery and items made out of locally harvested black coral.

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Personalized Service

At Tours By Mario, there are no meeting points. We can pick you up at your hotel, cruise port, condo, house rental, etc.

Many tour guide companies require you to meet at a central location, and you have to taxi to and from that location. Tours by Mario is unique because we are a taxi and tour service in one.

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For all tours, please see the following policies below:

  • The Van will hold 12 people maximum. For groups larger 12, we will use a 2nd van to accomodate up to 20 people.
  • Due to insurance regulations, we must charge for all people (Adults and Kids) in the van. For kids 14 and under, we charge a reduce rate.
  • All tours will require a non-refundable deposit of 20%. Deposits can be returned in case of a tropical storm or hurricane.
  • The “Book Now” button will send an email to Tours By Mario, we will respond as soon as possible. We prefer Facebook messenger if possible.
  • Please provide at least 1 week advanced notice to book a tour.
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Your Guide

Mario A. NiñoEspinosa

Hello – I am Mario and I have lived my entire life in Cozumel. I am a taxi driver and provide private, customized tour guide services. Nothing in my tours are mandatory and you can do and/or see whatever you want. I have a few packages you can choose from if you are not sure what you want, or contact me and we can put together a tour that fits your interests. I love this island, have raised my family here, and can’t wait to share the beautiful island of Cozumel with you.

Please visit our extensive list of services, view our tours, and contact me if you want to book something or need more information.

And lastly – please review booking policies tab on the Services page before you book a tour

Contact Mario

Reviews

The best island tour ever

September 10, 2026

We had a family of “6” with very different tastes. Mario and his son took us all to activities that made everyone happy. Great tour guide and a good price

Thank you Mary

Tony Vaz

Perfect day

August 26, 2026

We had such a wonderful day thanks to Mario and Mario. I had a birthday planned, and unfortunately they fell through. I contacted Mario; he was able to make the day even better then I had planned. Shopping, bars, and made sure we had king crab by the end of the day. His son stayed with us and told us the history of the city, never leaving my girls’ side. As for myself, was able to shut my brain off and just enjoy everything.

Thank you, Mario and Mario, look forward to next year.

Luke

⭐ More Than a Tour—It Felt Like Exploring Cozumel with Friends!

August 20, 2026

We had such a wonderful experience with Tours by Mario this morning! Mario was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. He did a great job showing us around Cozumel and sharing interesting information about the island that we wouldn’t have experienced on our own.

Mario was punctual, accommodating, and really listened to what we wanted to see and do. We never felt rushed, and it felt like we were touring Cozumel with a friend who knows the island so well.

His son joined us as well, and it was so nice getting to meet him. He was wonderful too—friendly, personable, and added to the great experience.

If you’re visiting Cozumel and looking for a private tour with someone who genuinely cares about giving you a great experience, I highly recommend Tours by Mario. We had an amazing morning and would absolutely book with him again!

Brian Jana Johnson

Perfect excursion

August 16, 2026

We booked Mario for a 5 hour tour. We immensely enjoyed our time seeing cultural sites, eating local food, shopping, and enjoying the best mojito I have ever had. I am so glad that we chose to have this experience with Mario.

Tawanda S.

The Real Cozumel with a Guide Who Feels Like Family

August 4, 2026

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Mario and Tours by Mario! From the moment we met him, he was personable, friendly, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable about Cozumel. He truly listened to what we wanted from our day and created the perfect customized experience for our family.

We like to think of ourselves as travelers rather than tourists. We wanted to experience the real Cozumel beyond the typical tequila tastings, nachos, and crowded attractions around the cruise port, and Mario absolutely delivered.

Our day began with a short drive and an introduction to his city before stopping for tacos at an authentic local restaurant where there was not another tourist in sight. The tacos were nothing short of amazing! Mario guided us toward the best foods to try and even showed us how to prepare and eat our tacos like locals. We then stopped at a neighborhood convenience store to pick up water and snacks for the day, which made the experience feel even more relaxed and genuine.

From there, Mario took us to the San Gervasio Mayan ruins, the most important archaeological site on Cozumel. He shared the history of this sacred Mayan center, its importance to trade and political development, and its connection to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of the moon and fertility.

We then traveled to the island’s beautiful east side, where Mario helped us discover the natural beauty of Cozumel. We spotted different birds and wildlife and even saw sea turtle nests along the beach. It was peaceful, beautiful, and completely removed from the crowded tourist areas.

Our next stop was the Municipal Market, which may have been my favorite part of the entire day. The local vendors, shops, food, and friendly people gave us a true feeling for everyday life in Cozumel. Everyone was welcoming, the prices were reasonable and fair, and there was none of the aggressive sales pressure commonly found near the ports.

Mario also took us to Plaza de las Dos Culturas, where he showed us the reproduction of a Mayan temple and shared even more of the island’s Mayan history. We finished our adventure at Cenote El Aerolito, a fascinating natural location known for its underwater tunnels connecting to the ocean. As we walked along the water, we spotted native birds, fish, and other wildlife.

What made the day truly unforgettable was Mario himself. He treated us more like visiting friends or family than customers. He was patient, thoughtful, funny, and genuinely passionate about sharing his island with us. His knowledge of Cozumel’s history, culture, food, wildlife, and local community made every stop meaningful.

Mario will customize your day around the places and experiences that interest you rather than taking you through a standard, rehearsed tour. By the end of the day, we felt as though Mario had become part of our family. We cannot wait to return to Cozumel and spend another day exploring his beautiful island with him.

Thank you, Mario, for giving us an experience we will never forget. Tours by Mario is the only way we will explore Cozumel from now on!

William Schaper

Cozumel done Right…

May 23, 2026

If you are spending time in Cozumel, Tours by Mario is an absolute must. Mario took us on a 5 hours custom tour for what would have cost us atleast triple if we did excursion.

He was very resourceful in the history of the island and everything about it.

We got to have the best Margarita I have ever had and multiple stops at the local bars and beaches.

Ended with an amazing dinner in downtown.

Run don’t walk to book your tour with Mario.

Brian Angie

Showed ten of us the best time….

May 7, 2026

If you’re visiting Cozumel and looking for an unforgettable experience, Mario is your guy! He took our group of 10 all around the east side of the island for beach views, bar hopping, local spots, and some of the best memories of our trip.

What makes Mario special is that he doesn’t just “drive you around” …he makes you feel like family. He shared stories about the island, stopped for group photos everywhere, and even had his children stop by to say hello, which made the whole experience feel incredibly genuine and personal.

At the end of the day, he took us to an amazing local bar we never would have found on our own, then dropped us downtown to explore and made sure we had everything we needed to contact him later for pickup. The entire day felt easy, safe, fun, and completely customized to our group.

My husband and I actually met Mario years ago on a previous trip, and over time he’s truly become a friend. This time, seeing how incredible he was with our entire group just confirmed why we keep coming back to him.

He absolutely helped make our Cozumel trip unforgettable. Highly, highly recommend!

Mel Hoehner

When you get much more than you pay for

March 26, 2026

It’s been 8-10 years since we let Mario show us around the beautiful island of Cozumel. One of the best travel decisions. He was expensive back then, but in hindsight….. what price is too high for a new long-term friendship? I think no price 😉 Thank you my friend for being you, blessings to you and your family. I wish you many satisfied customers, may I welcome you at least once in the Czech Republic.❤️

Robert , Czech Republic

Best Cozumel Tour Guide

March 18, 2026

We always have the absolute best time with Mario in Cozumel, whether it’s just my husband and I or our whole clan. He’s friendly, entertaining, and just genuinely fun to be around. From the start, he made us feel comfortable and like we were in great hands.

Mario has honestly become like a family friend. Every time we come to Cozumel, we make sure to spend the day with him. Whether it’s hitting the best bars and beaches on the island, going out to beautiful Punta Sur Park or enjoying tequila tastings and cultural shows, there’s always something new and fun to do with Mario.

He’s an excellent driver and very professional. We always feel safe, relaxed, and taken care of.

Highly recommend… seriously, don’t hire anyone else!

Nilda Serrano

My Amigo!

March 18, 2026

Started out with a tour of the island and turned into a friendship. Whether you to want to visit the tourist hotspots or hangout where the locals go, Mario is your guy. Over the years I’ve had countless great memories with him, both on his tours and just hanging out around the island.

Blake