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Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins
4.5

Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins

By Cancun Vacation Experts
Recommended by 93% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
See the Rio Secreto underground river and crystal caves on this guided tour. Swim or wade in the underground pools and marvel at the crystals and stalagmites without worrying about getting lost, thanks to your guide. Your excursion includes a hotel pickup, safety briefing, use of equipment, lunch, and time to explore the nature preserve. You also have the option to visit the Tulum ruins which you can add as an upgrade.
from
₱5,338.89
per adult
from
₱5,338.89
per adult
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 4-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 3–8 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English, Spanish
Highlights
  • Explore the Rio Secreto underground river and crystal caves with a guide
  • Equipment and lunch is included 
  • Tour includes the use of showers and time to explore the nature preserve
  • Upgrade for round-trip transportation from most Cancun and Playa Mujeres hotels
  • Upgrade and add a visit to the archeological site of Tulum
  • Professional guide
  • Use of all necessary equipment (wet suit, hard hat, water shoes, life vest)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
  • Lunch
  • Lockers and towels
  • Guided tour in the Archaeological zone of Tulum (if option selected)
  • Entry/Admission - Rio Secreto
  • Entry/Admission - Rio Secreto
  • Entry/Admission - Tulum Archaeological Site
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)
Get picked up at your Cancun or Playa Mujeres hotel (if option selected), or choose to meet directly at the Rio Secreto Nature Preserve. At the preserve, listen to your guide give a safety briefing. Don your equipment, including a hard hat, lamp, wet suit, life vest, and water shoes. Head underground with your guide and make your way past the floor and ceiling crystal formations. Walk along the designated path or swim and wade through the underground river. Move along with the river, and view the colors and mineral forms that lie all around it. Exit the cave and opt for a shower. Enjoy a buffet lunch and spend some time exploring the nature preserve or relaxing. Finish the tour with a ride back to your hotel or Plaza Kukulcan.
Departure details
  • Traveler pickup is offered.
  • If you are staying at a B&B our customer service will inform you of the closest meeting point. PLEASE CONSIDER: The duration of the Rio Secreto Admission tour is 03:30 hrs. Rio Secreto Tour + Transportation is from 06:00 hrs. Important to call or email to provide hotel information Rio Secreto + Tulum Tour is from 08:00 Hrs.Important to call or email to provide hotel information The durations presented may increase due to the vehicular traffic that occurs in the transportation.
  • Río Secreto, 77730 Q.R., Mexico Rio Secreto is located near to Playa del Carmen.
  • Hotel pickup is offered. View the hotel list on our checkout page to see if yours is included among the pickup points.
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3206CUNRIO
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Passengers must weigh less than 250 pounds (113 kg)
  • Minimum age is 4 years
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • The duration for the option Rio Secreto Admission tour is 03:30 hrs. (approximately)
  • The duration for the option Rio Secreto Tour + Transportation is 06:00 hrs. (approximately)
  • The duration for the option Rio Secreto + Tulum Tour is 08:00 Hrs. (approximately)
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
What you can expect during your visit
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Temperature checks for tour participants upon arrival
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Community
Ask a questionWrite a review
  • Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
Which attractions will I visit with Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins?
During this experience, places you will visit include:Discover and book Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins on Tripadvisor
How much is Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins?
Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins price starts from ₱5,181.06. Discover and book Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins on Tripadvisor
What is the Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins cancellation policy?
Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins on Tripadvisor
Which company provides Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins?
Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins is hosted by Cancun Vacation Experts. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Cancun Vacation Experts on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins on Tripadvisor
If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3206CUNRIO
Reserve your spot
from ₱5,338.89
Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    Río Secreto
    Or, you can also get picked up
    See departure details
  • 1
    Rio Secreto
    Stop: 90 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 2
    Rio Secreto
    Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 3
    Tulum Archaeological Site
    Stop: 75 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 4
    Carretera Federal 307
    Stop: 60 minutes
    See details
  • You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator

Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.

By: Cancun Vacation Experts
1,488
SeniorCindy
SeniorCindy
00
Fun time
This was a fun trip. We loaded quickly and they had a continental breakfast waiting for us. Got to sea quickly. The…
Angela M
Angela M
00
Wonderful tour guide Edmundo
Wonderful trip to Tulum and Coba with Edmundo our experienced, informative and engaging tour guide. Edmundo made th…
129aditis
129aditis
00
Awesome
We were a family of 4. Cheno and his team took great care of us. My daughter is 3 yrs old and she was scared for th…
Shawn M
Shawn M
00
Best dancing party Catamaran with a trip to Isla Mujeres
This is the best catamaran party, snorkeling beach day, boat in Cancun. I would recommend this to anyone wanting h…
Realistic_travellers
Realistic_travellers
00
Good tour of coba and Mayan people / culture
This was approx. 8-hour tour (picked up in a small min-bus from Riviera Maya area) and we visited a Mayan place whe…
F1590OYmarkr
F1590OYmarkr
00
What an amazing experience
Absolutely stunning area and an amazing experience. We booked this as an excursion from our cruise. Pepe is an outs…
alissam257
alissam257
00
Great fun! Super safe & high energy!
We loved our time on the zipline extreme canopy tour! As a person that's been zip-lining in several countries, I wa…
iliass324
iliass324
00
Awful
WORST EVER EXPERIENCE. Initially booked for the 28th of April. They haven’t showed up to the place they have sent m…
Mbcatfan
Mbcatfan
00
Highly recommended, and I’ve done it in the past.
Ari was awesome. He was not only a fantastic guide on this excursion for the Sonoma taste but one of the best guys…
B T
B T
00
Spot on transfers
Receiving a call to ensure we were still coming was great, especially given we were last ones off the plane when we…
Omer B
Omer B
00
Money hungry tour guides
At every stage of this trip the tour guides will try to get money out of you. Whether or not it’s at the souvenir s…
O5178LHanas
O5178LHanas
00
Problem with transport
I never got my voucher even though paid. I got confirmation of payment but no voucher. Fortunately the taxi driver …
Tiffany K
Tiffany K
00
Rio Secreto
Rio secreto tour The Rio Secreto tour was a blast! Our tour guide Diana was great! She knew a lot about the cave/c…
Shao02
Shao02
00
Beautiful cenote, amazing experience
Worth every cent! The centoe was beautiful and the waters were very clean. Our guide Imelda was very nice and patie…
brendadC8960XH
brendadC8960XH
00
Secret, sacred, natural, a must!
Benito was very knowledgeable about the cave system. He did not rush us which I appreciated as I’d had ankle surger…
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
266 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
24
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
10
TRIPOPOTOMIS
Calgary Alberta150 contributions
A must do!
This tour was recommended by fellow guests at our hotel. It was superb, a once in a lifetime treat. We were picked up at our hotel and taken to the site. Note, there will be a possible wait at the site, while the previous tours are finished. They divide people in tour groups of 12 to 14, each with their own guide.
Key lockers are provided. You will also be provided with a wet suit, life jacket, lighted helmet and water shoes (we brought our own). A plastic cane is optional, and I highly recommend it for the older crowd. It came in very handy for some areas where the ground is uneven. There is a requirement to bend low and scramble down uneven rocks, and to swim. The guide will indicate the specific route to follow, do not digress!
Afterwards we had a special Mexican shot and a very good Mexican buffet lunch.
We loved this adventure! I think it’s a must do!
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucas V
Dear Customer. Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience with us, this will help us to continue improving and be able to provide you with the best activities and tours for your vacations. rest assured that we will send your comments to your tour guide.
Written 14 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DigsInNY
Brooklyn, NY175 contributions
Long day, big adventure!
Mar 2023 • Friends
This is a big day from Cancun particularly if you hit traffic coming from the city. We got picked up at 7:10am on the dot. Took almost 3 hours with intense traffic to get to Rio with one bathroom stop. Traffic is in no way fault of the outfitter! Once we reached Rio Secreto it was on to big adventure! Tons of activities to enjoy. The cave tour was awesome. We were fitted with wetsuits and water shoes. Our guide, Diego fantastic, friendly, professional, knowledgeable and cared for everyone in our group. You can’t take your own camera into the cave. If you want photos, it’s a hefty $99USD awfully pricey. The photos came out great plus a generic folder of photos floral and fauna. My friend and I splurged but can’t say everyone would have that luxury. The cave is truly spectacular. Buffet lunch was served. We were then off to Tulum ruins with sufficient time to explore with Diego and on your own. The drive back to Cancun was quick without traffic. I’d love to revisit on the next trip. Thank you Diego for a wonderful day!
Written 6 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucas V
Dear Customer. Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience with us, this will help us to continue improving and be able to provide you with the best activities and tours for your vacations. rest assured that we will send your comments to your tour guide.
Written 14 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ernesto Q
Homestead, FL9 contributions
Magnificent mother nature, phenomenal guide!
Dec 2022
Wonderful experience! We visited Tulum, then the underground river, and closed with lunch. The Tulum ruins were impressive and the setting beautiful. The underground river was fantastic, and our guide, Casandra, was phenomenal and a credit to this tour operator. One member of our group can't swim and got a bit anxious even though there are no deep points in the river tour; Casandra stayed with her the whole time keeping her relaxed and able to enjoy the tour like the rest of us did. It is one thing to learn about these geologic formations in books and photos, and another thing entirely to be there to see it in person. Casandra's description of the magnificence of these formations, the water and the organisms that live there is fantastic. The water was very cold, so it was good that a cold shower is provided before starting to decide if one needs a body suit, which almost all of us did. The photo service is good too, and although it costs as much as the tour itself it provides for memories we would not otherwise have of this wonderful tour. Well done, Rio Secreto!
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica G
Thanks for the awesome review! We work hard to meet expectations like yours, and we’re happy to hear we hit the mark for you. Come back and see us soon we will love to have you again.
Written 27 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mike C
3 contributions
Ehhh...
Aug 2022
We recently experienced the Rio Secreto Plus tour. Please keep in mind that we also enjoyed an experience like this in Belize.
The beginning is a stroll through the dry cave - interesting and insightful. The 'plus' portion of the tour was riding bicycles 1/2 mile? on dirt road to the rapelling portion. You then repel 30 or so feet down. Walk up some stairs and then ride the bike back. I wouldn't spend the extra money for this 'excursion'. We thought maybe we would be walking through some other caves after the rapelling however, it is just down and walk back up.
The final portion was the wet cave. It was a fun experience HOWEVER, you are constantly stopped (at nearly every turn) for the photographer to snap a photo of you. It almost felt a bit like Disney Land. We would have loved to get photographs of the caves/systems but you are not allowed. It was just a professional photographer stopping you every 25 feet for some staged shots. The tour could have taken half as long without so many photo stops. The buffet afterwards was average - about what one would expect after a tour like this. I might recommend if you have children - they would enjoy the water cave but overall we didn't think it was too exciting.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adib_Amin_Sanchez
Thank you very much for the time you took to write the review, we will take your comments about the stops at the photos to enhance this opportunity.
Written 5 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Duncan M
27 contributions
Best trip we booked in Playa del Carmen
Booked at our hotel, through travel desk in lobby, not through TUI rep. Hotel pick up was 8am, travelled via minibus shuttle to rio secreto, there we swapped shuttles so each language had they're own rep. Snacks and water were provided.
We got to Tulum around 10 and arranged to leave at 12. Our guide was very knowledgeable and was the star of the whole experience. You can't come to this area of Mexico and not visit a myan site. Whilst Tulum isn't the biggest or best, it satisfied our interests.
Next the transfer to Rio Secreto, about 30 mins. Then another 15 minute, very bumpy ride 8km through the rain forest to the underground cave kit area. Here you get water shoes, life jacket and helmet. I was brave and gave the wet suit a miss, I'd suggest you put one on. The cave waters can be a little chilly.
Short walk to the cave entrance. Wow amazing! Uneven under foot and varying depth of water. Most of the time you can stand up. The adventure through the cave is around a mile. We were in there for about 90 minutes, again our guide was very informative. We also slowed on occasion for Rio Secreto photos. You're not allowed to take any photographic device with you.
Once outside, kit was handed back and time to change, towel provided.
Next you were invited to view the photos the official photographer took. The quality was pretty low, with bad framing and lots of red eye. And for this they wanted $99. It's a case of overpricing. No-one from our group of 10 bought any. $9.99 would have been a better price point and I'm sure everyone would have bought. instead they're greed generated zero, they're marketing needs looking at.
We had a buffet meal there, not much choice, but filled a gap as walking through water can make you hungry.
Transfer back to hotel took 45 mins, why are we always last?
Overall a 4 out of 5 trip, only let down by inability to take cameras into the caves and the poor "professional" photos. Trip cost us around £200 or $230. Recommended.
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica G
Many thanks for your review, we really appreciate your time and feedback. We are glad to read about your experience in Rio Secreto, you had a great time, which is the most important to us!
Written 5 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Skye S
6 contributions
Fantastic experience, add on 2+ hours if you have other plans- it runs over
Beautiful experience! Pictures are fantastic but very expensive in comparison to other excursions! Mich was a great tour guide- bring cash with you for tips for the tour guides, as you do not end by the parking lot. It runs over too, it says 4 hours but it takes 6. They make you wait over an hour to start- says check in is 815am & we didn’t start until 945am. They need to work on timing as a company but the tour guides and photographer were fantastic
Written 10 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global47427625848
Thank you very much for your review, as you mention this is the best option in case if you have anything to do in the afternoon, we will work on the time improvement in order to avoid confusion
Written 10 December 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alessandro D
1 contribution
Awesome Experience Highly recommend!
Mar 2023 • Friends
The excursion was well worth it! Would definitely recommend this trip. Our tour guide Anna was amazing; informative, funny and seemed to truly care about the caves and was super responsive to all questions and was a highly personable guide overall. If you get her you are lucky, we had a great time. The caves themselves are gorgeous, the water is so clean, and being in the cave is unlike anything I have ever done. The Tulum excursion was also great, a rich history and interesting past coupled with beautiful views and ruins made for a perfect cap of the days trip. Highly recommend.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica G
Thank you for sharing your experience, we really appreciate and are so glad you enjoy and had a good time.
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adrian B
2 contributions
Fantastic with sticker shock.
Dec 2021 • Couples
This was an experience too "remember". Everything is provided for you. The guide was knowledgeable and every time I asked a question there was an answer. Cave is beautiful with lots too keep you engaged. Gets tight in some areas but most was spacious. As with any trip, there are draw backs. First for me was the light: it doesn't show you what's underwater. Very easy to trip or smash legs on stone. Second is the no pictures thing. You have a photographer with you so expect some nice shots but the price for one shot is 25us 100us for all (not that many). Honesty, I could have taken better pics. There was a big emphasis during tour to stop and take pictures and thinking back it did ruin it a little.
Would have just enjoyed the cave more had I known the price. Food at end was nothing special but something for every taste.
Written 4 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adib_Amin_Sanchez
Many thanks for your review, we are glad you enjoyed the experience. We are really sorry about the photo prices, we know that this is not part of the tour, however, we will share this information with the photographer staff.
Written 10 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kytten13
Tucson, AZ43 contributions
A must do experience
Sep 2020 • Family
My family took this tour yesterday and visited the cave Enchanted (there are 5 different caves apparently). We are a family of 4: 2 out of shape parents with 4 and 7 year old boys. Due to those specifics, we elected for the most basic tour that does not have bike riding or rappelling. We walked to the cave and out of the cave and took a bus in and out. Our tour guide was Anna and our photographer was Hector. The tour was very nice and I can’t say enough about how helpful and supportive Anna and Hector were in helping to navigate the boys through the cave. There were supplies that fit small children (Wet suits and swim shoes), which was one of my concerns. There were 6 people in our group exclusive of guide and photographer, our family of 4 and another family of 2. In addition to the beautiful cave formations we saw a family of bats hidden in a rock hole, tiny shrimp, and cat fish. There is apparently another species of blind fish, blind scorpions and crickets, but we didn’t luck into seeing any of them. There are strings strung up in the cave and the tourist in me assumed that they were to restrict access but they are actually there as a guide in case you got lost or your lights went off.

After the tour we went back to the main area and were shown the pictures which were $100. I feel that they were worth the price and some of the pictures were great. I do wish that we would have had the opportunity to do the circle floating picture with just my family and that there were a few more pictures of the kids. We also ate a selection of different tacos and other foods after the tour and they were good. For the adults, they give you a shot of a Mayan honey rum after the tour.

My only complaint about the entire experience has to do with the transportation not the experience. We elected to purchase these tickets with transportation from our resort. This is a mistake - do not do this. We spent 1.5 to 2 hours on the bus each way (which doubles the time of the experience) because you go around to several resorts until every seat is filled. At one resort we waited for over 20 minutes for 2 people. For the amount of money that we spent allocated for transport ($24 per adult ticket), it would have been a smarter financial and time decision to take a taxi direct. In addition bring water - beverages are not offered until the end and my youngest child was so thirsty. They did make people wear masks on the transport, which I appreciated (although one of the workers sitting in the front was not wearing his mask and was eating.)
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha M
Norwood, MA2 contributions
Absolutely amazing! A must see!
Sep 2021 • Friends
This was an absolutely incredible experience. We booked the half day tour, which included a tour of Rio Secreto and lunch. Our tour guide, Aaron, was incredible. He made sure that everyone in the group was comfortable at all times, and was incredibly knowledgeable about the nature reserve. The caves are amazing and absolutely worth seeing.

The lunch provided was buffet style and none of the food was great. That said, is was nice to have a little something to eat before getting back on the shuttle to our hotel. We were staying in Cancun and it was about an hour drive.
Written 21 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins provided by Cancun Vacation Experts