EXPLORE BENEATH THE RIVIERA MAYA AT RIO SECRETO
Just five minutes south of Playa del Carmen lies one of the most incredible cave systems that you'll ever see. Rio Secreto (meaning "Secret River") forms part of the Yucatan Peninsula's famous underground river system, covering thousands of miles under the jungle in a maze of caves, tunnels and cenotes so extensive that it may never be fully explored.
Rio Secreto is so hidden away that it wasn't even discovered until 2006, when the owner of the land chased an iguana until he stumbled upon one of the entrances into the watery caves. By 2008, Rio Secreto had been partially explored and opened up to the public for once-in-a-lifetime tours.
When I had the chance to go, I have to admit that I was scared to go underground. Visions of claustrophobic panic entered my brain on the drive to Rio Secreto, but the experience ended up being quite different from what I had pictured.
After a quick safety briefing by the ticket office, a van drove us 15 minutes down some dirt roads into the jungle. I started to think it would be a rustic experience due to the isolated location so far off the highway, but when we pulled into the main Rio Secreto tour area I was surprised by nice bathrooms, lockers, palapas and beautiful tropical gardens. After a quick outdoor shower to rinse off any lotions or perfume I might have on my skin (to protect the pristine environment of the caves), I strapped on a wetsuit, water shoes, a life vest and a helmet as the guide told our group all about the history of Rio Secreto.
The river has several entrances, so visitors can choose from different tours. None of them are particularly difficult, and only 10% of Rio Secreto is open to the public for tours.
The route we took began as a cave with small pools and a low ceiling, gradually transforming into larger and larger caverns the deeper we went into the ground. After half an hour learning about all the fascinating cave formations, we came across part of the river where the water was deep enough to swim. The rest of the tour was spent swimming through cathedral-size caves and narrow passages, everything so beautiful and peaceful that I quickly left all of my fears behind.
Along the way, we saw a variety of stalactite formations, tiny white fish, floors made of calcium, ceilings made of fossilized coral, and even a few bats.
When the tour was over (all too quickly), we walked back along a jungle path to the main garden area, where we were greeted with a beautiful buffet lunch filled with traditional Yucatan cuisine. If you go, make sure to drink the agua de chaya and try the hot sauce!
Cost of admission: $69 USD for adults, $35 USD for kids 4 - 11 ($99 USD with transportation)