Enjoy One of the Best Cenotes in Riviera Maya: Rio Secreto 2024

Río Secreto is one of Mexico’s best cenote experiences.

Even a short stay in Mexico’s Riviera Maya requires a visit to a cenote or cavern system. Thanks to the water-permeable limestone bedrock, there are over 10,000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula alone! While there are many cenotes that beckon, we recommend starting with a tour of the extensive cavern system at Río Secreto (“Secret River”). One of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya, it’s an easy day trip from Cancún, Tulum, Playa, even Cozumel. It offers a tantalizing trip to the Xibalbá (the Mayan underworld) and should NOT be missed.

We’ve been here two times – first in 2015 and, more recently, in 2024. Both were terrific experiences. It reminded us in a way of our visits to the other large local parks – Xcaret and XPLOR, located just across the highway (both highly recommended). Like them, it was extremely well laid out and organized so as to ensure the best experience without compromising safety.

What is a Cenote?

A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole where limestone has collapsed, thus exposing the groundwater, which is typically crystal-clear, mineral-rich freshwater. The cenote can be fully-collapsed, like an open swimming hole, or partially collapsed and overhung with rock. Sometimes it’s completely underground with light entering from a small hole in the rock above. Always, they are magical.

History of Río Secreto

The caves and underground river at Río Secreto were discovered fairly recently, in 2004, when a farmer chased an iguana into a hole in the ground. Since then, around ten percent of the 24-mile extensive cavern system has been used for ecotourism, opening as a guided tour in 2008. It has become one of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya. All of it is protected as a nature reserve.

The Tours

There are a variety of different tours to choose from:

• The Río Secreto Classic Tour is their most popular tour and the one we’ve done twice. Approximately 3 and a half hours, this includes access to the Nature Reserve in groups of 10 people max, a specialized guide and photographer, lockers, wetsuit, water shoes, life jacket, helmet with lamp, towels, optional walking stick, and the regional buffet with non-alcoholic drinks. $89 for adults, $44.50 for kids 4-12, transportation NOT included. They also have packages that include round-trip transportation from either Cancún or Riviera Maya.
• The Río Secreto Plus Tour includes the Rio Secreto Classic Tour + rappel + bike + Salon de la Paz (“Room of Peace, where you will enjoy an interactive experience that will take you back in time.”) Slightly more than the Classic, this tours lasts 5 and a half to 6 hours.
• Río Secreto Wild Tour is an all-day tour that includes bicycle, walking and snorkeling in the crystal-clear cave waters, plus breakfast and box lunch snack in addition to the buffet at the end.
• Combo Packages: Three other packages are 8-hour tours combining the Classic or Plus Río Secreto Tours with either Tulum (archeological site) or Cobá (the highest pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula).

The Río Secreto Experience

Arrival

Upon arrival by car or bus, the staff will collect you and transport you by van to their check-in area. Here you will present your tickets or reservations, then you will hang out until they are ready. You can explore the surrounding jungle or lounge in a hammock as you wait.

Gearing Up

The next stop in the process is an assembly line for your gear. They will issue you a neoprene wetsuit, a safety helmet with headlamp, a life jacket, water shoes, towel and a locker to store your clothes and belongings. You are unable to take a phone or camera with you into the caves. Leave them here and don’t worry – their photographer will capture all the great memories. You have the option of using a walking stick, which we first balked at. However, it can really help stabilize you as you navigate through uneven rocky terrain and water with hidden holes and large rocks.

Mayan Blessing

Prior to entering the cave, we gather in the jungle as a local Mayan shaman performs a blessing ritual using smoke. It offers us protection as we embark on our subterranean adventure.

The Descent…

Once we receive the blessing, we were led down the path to the entrance of the cave. It was one of five potential cave paths which they assign at random. There are steps leading into and out of the cave. Otherwise, it is all naturally formed. This is one characteristic that makes it one of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya. Pretty much the only manmade feature is a wire that runs through the entire cave path that can potentially guide you out in the event of an emergency.

Throughout the walk, we encounter uneven, rocky terrain, shallow water, deeper water in which we are submerged to our torsos and often floating freely, and stalactites and stalagmites on a vast spectrum of styles, sizes and colors. Watch for the ribbon stalactites that look just like bacon when the guide shines his light from behind it. He will tell you all about the formations and entertain you with anecdotes and cultural tidbits.

…Into Darkness

While the water is pretty cold, the wetsuit keeps you from getting so cold that you can’t enjoy yourself. There comes a point, while you’re floating together in a cavern, that the guide will have everyone turn off their headlamps. The first time we did this, back in 2015, it was just for a moment. The last time, in 2024, we kept them off for about five minutes, just bobbing gently and quietly in ABSOLUTE DARKNESS. When you’re in an underground cave without light, your eyes do not adjust. It is a bit unsettling, but also extremely cool.

The Return: Lunch and Photos

Upon exiting the cave, you head to your locker to shower, change into your dry clothes, and collect your belongings. Then they direct you into the photo office, where they first soften your resolve with a shot of Xtabentún, a delicious Mayan honey liqueur. You’ll be able to review all the photos of your party and decide if you want none, one, or all.

The photo package isn’t cheap. It was $120 for all the photos, delivered digitally, or $30 for one. Steep. However, they are the only photos you’ll get from one of the best best cenotes in Riviera Maya, so you’ll need to decide how important they are to you.

Once you make your decision, you can continue into the food hall. Here you’ll enjoy an authentic Mexican buffet lunch. A couple of women stand at a giant cooktop making fresh corn tortillas for your table. There is a nice variety of grilled and slow-cooked meats like chicken, steak, cochinita pibil pork. You’ll also find rice, guacamole, salad, grilled vegetables, aguas frescas and other non-alcoholic beverages from which to choose. Overall, a delicious lunch not at all mailed-in like we sometimes see at popular attractions.

Getting to Río Secreto

Río Secreto is located just 6 miles south of Playa del Carmen, right off the highway. It’s an easy trip from anywhere along the Riviera Maya by taxi, Uber or rental car. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket from Río Secreto that includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel in the Cancún Hotel Zone or Riviera Maya.

What to Bring or Wear

The staff will issue you all the gear you need in order to enjoy Rio Secreto. Just bring or wear your swimsuit and a dry change of clothing (including underwear if you wear your swimsuit!) It’s also helpful to bring a plastic bag for your wet swimsuits after you change so everything else in your bag stays dry.

Summary: Experience One of the Best Cenotes in Riviera Maya: Río Secreto

Río Secreto is one of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya. It’s an easy day trip from Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and even Cózumel. We’ve done this tour twice over a ten-year period and they impressed us with their degree of organization and the experience they provided. It offers a tantalizing trip to the Xibalbá (the Mayan underworld) and you should NOT miss it.

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