Rio Secreto Underground River Tour

This was the highlight of our 5-night trip to Mexico. Air Transat arranged the hotel shuttle and everything was excellent. Our tour guide spoke English Spanish and French and was very knowledgeable. You can borrow a wet suit and water shoes. You get a helmet and life jacket which are mandatory. You walk a kilometer into the jungle in those clothes and then enter the water. It was 1.5km of caves to explore. You swim and Walk for different parts. You see a lot of cool stagalites and learn how they form. The water is cold and refreshing. You do need to have good Mobility to do this as there are stairs And rocky parts to navigate A photographer captures the experience and you can buy the photos for $35usd each or all for $99usd. Such a worthwhile excursion.

It was an amazing experience. Hands down the best excursion we’ve been to in Mexico. I would definitely go back. Our tour guide Gustavo was extremely knowledgeable and made sure we were all taken care of.

We opted not to get a wet suit. The outdoor shower water and water in the caves are the same temp. It was hot outside, so swimming in the cave water was refreshing. Consider bring your own water shoes

We booked the Rio Secreto and Tulum Archaeological Zone excursion, and it was absolutely amazing! Our guide, Diana, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating history, cultural insights, and fun facts throughout the day. She made the experience both educational and entertaining. From exploring the underground river system at Rio Secreto to walking through the breathtaking ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea, every moment was unforgettable. Highly recommend this tour and if you get Diana as your guide, you're in for a fantastic experience!"

I am so glad that my husband and I made time for this excursion while visiting Cancun! It was incredibly convenient to book everything online, including the transportation to and from the site all through the same platform. On the day of our tour, the shuttle arrived at our resort right on time. Our driver was very friendly and genuinely excited to talk with us about the tour, cenotes, and what we could expect, which made us even more excited for the experience. Once we arrived at Rio Secreto, our shuttle driver handled the check in process for us, helping us get our bracelets and making sure everything was set. After checking in, we waited a short time for the rest of the group to arrive, and the staff made sure we would have an English speaking tour guide, which we really appreciated. When it was time to begin, we were transported deeper into the park by another shuttle to the starting point of the tour. Our group consisted of 10 people total, two other couples and a family of four. Our guide, Jennifer (Jenny) greeted us as soon as we arrived and immediately made us feel welcome and well prepared. She clearly explained what to expect and made sure our group stayed together from the start. We were each given a locker with a key to store our belongings since nothing can be brought into the cave. We changed into our swimsuits and then were fitted with water shoes, wetsuits, and helmets with attached headlamps. I had never worn a wetsuit before, so putting it on was quite the experience. I could not stop laughing at how much wiggling and adjusting it took to get it just right! The helmets were much easier, and we tested our lights right away, which added to the anticipation. Before entering the cave, Jenny checked in with everyone about their swimming ability and gave clear, thorough instructions. She emphasized the importance of staying together, following her lead, and being mindful in the cave environment. Interestingly, the family of four in our group mentioned they could not swim. At first I thought they were joking, but they were serious! Jenny handled it really well. She provided them with walking sticks for extra balance and reassured them that she would guide them safely through different areas as needed. I thought that was a really thoughtful and accommodating approach. On our way to the cenote entrance, Jenny shared fascinating information about the site. She explained that Rio Secreto was discovered relatively recently in 2006, which made it feel even more special to explore. As a biologist, her passion for the cave system, the limestone formations, and the ecosystem was absolutely contagious. I found myself fully engaged, learning about the geology, the crystal clear water, and the history of the cave formation. One of the most memorable parts of the experience was when we had the opportunity to float in complete darkness inside the cave. Jenny had us turn off our headlamps, and for a few moments we were surrounded by total blackness while gently floating in the water. It was such a unique and almost surreal experience. Quiet, peaceful, and unlike anything I have ever done before. It is definitely something I will always remember. I also want to give a special shout out to Jenny for how well she managed our group. There were definitely moments when we had to pause and wait for others to catch up, which slowed the pace a bit. However, she handled everything with patience, professionalism, and a positive attitude. She worked hard to keep things moving while still making sure everyone felt safe and included, and that really made a difference in the overall experience. Once we were finished with the tour of the cave and swimming in the beautiful water, we exited the cave and walked back to the main location to change out of our wetsuits and into dry clothes. They do have changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers to rinse off, which was really nice. After that, once the group was ready, we were escorted to the cafeteria where we got to enjoy a nice meal that was included in the package. The only downside of the entire experience, in my opinion, was the photo pricing. Since you are not allowed to bring any personal items into the cave, including phones or cameras, the photos taken by their photographer are the only way to capture the experience. While I completely understand that this is how they make money and protect the environment, the pricing felt extremely high. One photo costs around $35, and the full package is over $125. Personally, I think $35 for a single photo is a bit of a ripoff. It did not take away from the experience, but it is definitely something to be aware of going in.