Riviera Maya, Playa has become a popular tourist hub for travelers to base themselves while exploring the Yucatan Peninsula. Can anyone tell me more about it? Rio Secreto was created by part of the Riviera Mayaâs vast underground river system. The stalactites and stalagmites were simply beautiful. Our guide occasionally placed a couple of powerful waterproof flashlights into the water, turning it into a giant glowing river of blue light. Look closely at the inhabitants of the Aviary, the Coral Reef Aquarium, and the Butterfly Pavilion. This ancient underwater world is simply breathtaking to behold. Rio Secreto is located a few miles south of Playa del Carmen, off Highway 307 along the Riviera Maya. One side better than the other? But Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is teeming with incredible caves too. During the expedition, you can enjoy crystal clear waters and marvel at the caverns never-ending orifices. Discover what lies beneath on this ultimate cenote and underground river system tour. The rivers of Xcaret flow about 16.4 ft below the ground. This water is part of an intricate network of rivers that flows beneath the Yucatan Peninsula’s hollow limestone shell. Visits to the portion that are open to the public help finance the preservation of the entire system. Swim in the river and climb your way through these magical caves filled with crystal-clear water creating amazing geological formations. If you have a rental car you can drive there yourself, jump in a local taxi/collectivo van, or arrange for them to pick you up at your hotel. Ancient skeletons, artifacts, and petroglyphs have been discovered in the cenotes and caves that cover the Yucatan Peninsula. It feels like a proper caving adventure! While in Playa del Carmen, donât miss this opportunity to visit one of the worldâs oldest subterranean river systems. Caves like this were often used for human & animal sacrifice, and even today many local Maya keep clear of them. Mexico. Discover what lies beneath on this epic underground river system tour. Move along with the river, and view the colors and mineral forms that lie all around it. Rio Secreto Km. Submit this form. Upgrade your excursion to include a swim in a hidden underground river and lunch at a beachfront restaurant. Enjoy round-trip transportation from your hotel in Cancun via an air-conditioned van on excursion with a small group of only 12 people, ensuring personal attention from your guide. It's like stepping back in time to witness something mysterious and truly spectacular. Drop me a message in the comments below! Don’t forget travel insurance! Rio Secreto provides a wetsuit, water shoes, lifejacket, helmet, and light. If you don’t get too claustrophobic and love exploring caves like me, then Mexico’s Rio Secreto is a pretty awesome experience. One side better than the other? Answer 1 of 4: We are going to be taking a snorkel tour in the underground river cenotes of Dos Ojos during our upcoming vacation. There is something exciting about wandering through the darkness, deep into the Earth, not sure what you’ll discover around the next bend. There are four different Rivers in Xcaret, three where you can swim and snorkel and one that can only be traveled by raft. ➜ BOOK IT HERE. The limestone cenotes and caves of the Yucatan Peninsula are very unique to this area, you won’t find anything quite like them anywhere else around the world. Itâs about an hour south of Cancun, or 40 minutes north of Tulum. The opportunity to walk, wade and swim through an ancient underground cave was truly amazing. This cenote is fairly deep and surrounded by big ferns and tropical plants. What are your thoughts on the relative value of these 2 parks? Answer 11 of 19: Ok, so don't laugh at me but we were there two years ago and never realized that there are two rivers. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance. The Maya consider these caves scared, a portal to Xibalba (aka “the place of fear”) — the Mayan underworld. While the reserve is most famous for its large half-sunken cavernâa popular diving spotâyou can also explore eerie passageways, swim in the river, and admire dripping stalactites, stalagmites, and colorful mineral formations. Our travel specialists are here to help. Rio Secreto has taken great pains to keep the area pristine, without installing concrete paths or tons of cheesy artificial lighting. ★. Ready to go explore some caves in Mexico? Xcaret is the nature park in Playa del Carmen where you and your family will live Mexico in more than 50 natural and cultural attractions. Water drips lightly from the ends of stalactites on the ceiling into the pristine blue pools at our feet. Black holes ready to swallow us into the earth. Make your way around limestone rock and explore cenotes and underground rivers. I’ve hiked and crawled through natural underground passageways in South Africa, Guatemala, Iceland, and more. Get free expert advice! Thanks for reaching out to us. In 2007 Rio Secreto’s owner decided to allow eco-tours through 10% of the natural reserve, in order to fund conservation for the rest of it. Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Discover what lies beneath on this ultimate cenote and underground river system tour. Rio Secreto: Underground river - See 8,420 traveler reviews, 2,575 candid photos, and great deals for Playa del Carmen, Mexico, at Tripadvisor. It’s just you and your headlamp in the darkness. But at Rio Secreto, the water level is shallow — allowing anyone to explore these caves on foot. I'm also a member of other affiliate programs. Swim in underground rivers that come from the heart of the earth. The entrance to this mystical cave can be accessed just 15 km from Playa del Carmen. Tour to a cenote and underground river in Playa Del Carmen. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online. There are a few different entrances to the caves, covered in vines. The water is cold, but the air is warm with humidity too. But there are also massive chambers, large enough to fit a small house inside. It’s about an hour south of Cancun, or 40 minutes north of Tulum. Can anyone tell me more about it? Answer 1 of 6: I understand there are at least 2 underground river parks - rio secreto and xcaret? They’re one of my favorite tourist attractions in Mexico! ). Spelunking, or exploring caves, is one of my favorite adventure travel activities. Book Your Cave Tour We squeeze through narrow cave passages, sometimes with water up to our chests. We walked through the jungle to one of the cave entrances led by our guide “Ro”, who told us camera traps nearby had recently captured images of wild jaguars that call the area home. Amazing Secret River Cave Tour in Cozumel, Mexico After a scenic 45-minute ferry ride to Playa del Carmen from Cozumel, you will board your ground transportation to this awe-inspiring cave system. This cenote has evolved dramatically over the years and formed extraordinary rock formations (stalactites and stalagmites) which adorn the caves. Rio Secreto is a long network of underground rivers in the Riviera Maya. For a cool tour to a Playa Del Carmen cenote that is just outside of town, see our article and video here.. Cenotes near Chemuyil between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum Cenote Xunaan-Ha. Revered as the best-kept secret on the Yucatan Peninsula, Rio Secreto (or Secret River) offers an underground world saturated with a vast collection of caves and cenotes for an unforgettable experience. Meet in the Centro district of Cozumel. This water has slowly filtered through the porous rock, which is why it’s so clean. What about other suggestions? Including transport from Playa del Carmen, the tour costs $109. We'll do our best to get back to you within 24 hours. Journey through the heart of the jungle with your certified guide appreciating the diversity of flora and fauna that exists in the Riviera Maya along the way! Hiking in waist-deep water through dark caves at Rio Secreto, we turned a corner to discover a massive cavern decorated with incredible stalactites all over the ceiling. However trained staff can take photos with special equipment, which you can buy at the end of the tour. Discover the mystic Mayan underworld. A local shaman asks Mayan death gods for permission for us to enter their domain. If you’re wondering where to stay in Playa del Carmen, here are my recommendations depending on your budget. We’re witnessing millions of years of geological history as we hike and swim through different chambers. The three of them flow into the sea, next to mangroves inhabited by pink flamingos. Playa del Carmen, This is one of the top things to do in Cancun and Playa del Carmen during your vacation in Riviera Maya. You are going to get wet. Discover the unique beauty of each one! Make sure to bring a swimsuit and towel. At Xplor, the freshwater will guide the way in ⦠Home » North America » Mexico » Rio Secreto: Exploring Mexico’s Underground Rivers & Caves, Travel Planning Resources For Playa del Carmen, As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This tour is not particularly recommended for children unless they are very strong swimmers. Playa del Carmen Bed and Breakfast Playa del Carmen Holiday Rentals Playa del Carmen Holiday Packages Playa del Carmen Flights Playa del Carmen Restaurants Playa del Carmen Attractions Playa del Carmen Travel Forum Playa del Carmen Photos Playa del Carmen Map Playa del Carmen Guide All Playa del Carmen Hotels; Playa del Carmen Hotel Deals Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Rio Secreto â An Underground River System. Hopefully you found it useful. Limestone cave environments like this are very fragile. I would recommend that you definitely know how to swim or float to take part in this adventure. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next: Have any questions about Rio Secreto? Tranquility at its finest! Planning your dream wedding starts with a phone call... Group travel can be overwhelming. Take extra money for souvenirs or gratuities. We switch on our headlamps and head into the darkness, not sure what lies ahead. It’s actually the 2nd largest underground river system in the world. I hope you enjoyed my guide on Rio Secreto in Mexico! Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights. Natural formations of stalactite and stalagmites are a characteristic of the underground rivers in Cancun and Playa del Carmen thanks to the floor conditions of the Riviera Maya. You're in good hands. I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. 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