About this activity
Editor's Note
Look, I’ve been in this game long enough to know that "eco-tourism" in the Riviera Maya is often just a buzzword used to drive revpar (revenue per available room) for the big conglomerates. You usually end up in a concrete park that feels more like a shopping mall than nature. But Rio Secreto? This place actually justifies the ticket price. It hasn't been overly sanitized for the mass market, which is rare when you look at the sheer volume of pax moving through Cancun annually. Instead of a manufactured lazy river, you're getting the real geological deal. It's the kind of high-yield experience that actually stays with you after the sunburn fades. At Tour Comp (Compare. Book. Save.), we try to filter out the tourist traps, and this one makes the cut because it respects both the environment and your intelligence. It's raw, it's quiet, and it's definetely not your average bus tour.
About the Tour
If you are ready to ditch the hotel pool for a few hours, this excursion immerses you in an ancient world that feels completely detached from the hustle of Playa del Carmen. Rio Secreto is essentially a massive underground network of rivers and caves, offering a labyrinth of dramatic rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. It is a visual lesson in geology without the boring textbook.
The logistics are handled pretty smoothly. Upon arrival at the reserve, you’ll link up with your guide to get prepped. They provide all the necessary technical gear—wetsuits, wet shoes, a lamp, and a helmet—so you don't need to worry about bringing specialized equipment. Once you are geared up, you enter the cave system.
The core of the experience covers roughly 1,968 feet (600 meters) where you are free to walk and swim through the crystal-clear waters. It’s not an intense athletic feat, but it requires some mobility. You spend about an hour and a half navigating the enchanting beauty of the surroundings, surrounded by silence that you just can't find on surface level.
After the tour, when your adrenaline drops and hunger kicks in, you are taken back to ground level. The operator includes a light lunch of local food, which is a nice touch compared to the overpriced snacks usually sold at these venues. A quick word of advice from the field: tread carefully with the green salsa if you're not used to heat. Afterward, you have time to relax in the jungle habitat, wash up, and change before the transfer back to your hotel.
Highlights
- Spend some time exploring the underwater world of Rio Secreto
- Travel through the network of rivers and caves
- Enjoy a light lunch of local food after your adventure
Know before you go
- For hotels located in the Costa Mujeres area only: Pickup is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- This is a small group tour with a maximum of 12 participants with a knowledgeable guide
- Children under 4 are not permitted on this tour
- Guests must be able to walk without assistance and weigh less than 250 pounds (120 kilograms)
- Before the tour of the underground routes, please store the following items inside lockers: hats, glasses, sandals that are not secured at the ankle, watches, jewelry that could get tangled or fall off, cameras or video cameras, band-aids, backpacks and handbags
- For safety reasons, pregnant women are not permitted to participate in this tour
- For cruise ship passengers, it is strongly suggested that you book your tour through your cruise line. You can do this directly through their website or on board through one of their shore excursion managers. Ask for the Amazing Secret River option
What to bring
Not allowed
Includes / Excluded
Itinerary
Starting/pickup location
Depends on the selected option
Van
(1.5 hours)
Rio Secreto Nature Reserve
Safety briefing (30 minutes)
Rio Secreto Nature Reserve
Guided tour (1.5 hours)
Rio Secreto Nature Reserve
Lunch, Regional food
Van
(20 minutes)
21 drop-off locations:
Blvd. Kukulcan Lt40-A, Punta Nizuc - Cancún, Punta Nizuc - Cancún km 7.5, Boulevard Kukulcan, Rtno. del Rey 36, Río Secreto, Boulevard Kukulcan, Blvd. Kukulcan MZ51 LT7, Unnamed Road, Bahia de Petempich mz 31 lt14-02, Blvd. Kukulcan 8, Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas, Unnamed Road, Unnamed Road, Oasis Palm Beach, Unnamed Road, Blvd. Kukulcan 5, Cucumatz, Unnamed Road, Blvd. Kukulcan 5, Calle Jose Maria Morelos M4 Lt502 SM2 See more