Xcaret to Xel-Ha Attractions
Río Secreto: Wondrous Cavern
More spiritual than commercial, this community-based ecopark teaches visitors about Maya beliefs regarding the "underworld" as they explore a 600m-long (less than a 1/2 mile) cavern hidden from view for centuries. As the story goes, a local campesino was chasing a meaty lizard into the brush and under a rock pile. The campesino followed, digging through rocks, until he heard a splash. The lizard, it seemed, had discovered a hiding place. The man found the entrance to a cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Local naturalists discovered a dazzling series of chambers with rock formations dating back 2.5 million years. The area was declared a nature reserve and opened to the public in April 2008.
Visitors must be accompanied by guides and wear short wetsuits and helmets as they walk and swim through the cavern. At times, it is so dark you feel like you're totally blind. Other times, sunshine streams through holes in the roof, illuminating the blue and pink striations caused by mineral-rich water dripping over earth-toned stone. An occasional swim through an emerald green pool adds to the fun, as does the guide's banter and knowledge. From donning your wetsuit to downing a filling lunch after the 90-minute underground tour, it will take about 3 1/2 hours. Hot showers and lockers are available. The basic tour without transportation costs $59. Call ahead for reservations. Río Secreto is located off Hwy. 307, 5 minutes south of Playa del Carmen (between Xcaret and the Calica Port). For more info, call tel. 877/357-4242 in the U.S. or 984/877-2377, or go to www.riosecretotours.com.
10 Results
- Natural Attraction
Actun Chen
This is one of Yucatán’s best caverns, with lots of geological features, good lighting, several underground pools, and large chambers, all carefully preserved. It has thrived under management by the local community rather than outside tour companies. The cavern tour takes about 90…South of Akumal
- Natural Attraction
Cenote Azul
Situated close to the highway with several large pools, Cenote Azul has a fun jump-off point on a section of overhanging rock, and a wooden lounging deck jutting over the water. Walkways along the edge make it easier to get in and swim with the abundant catfish. Families and timid… - Natural Attraction
Hidden World Cenotes
Hidden Worlds Cenotes offers an excellent opportunity to snorkel or dive in caverns that are part of a vast network that makes up a single underground river system. The water is crystalline (and cold), and the rock formations impressive. These caverns were filmed for the IMAX… - Natural Attraction
Jardín del Edén
"“El Edén" is one of my favorite cenotes because it’s run by an accommodating family and has lots of rocky outcroppings where you can lounge in the warm sun after the freezing water leaves you covered in goose bumps. There’s plenty of room along the edges of the cenote, which looks… - Natural Attraction
LabnaHa Ecopark
Less crowded than other parks in the area, LabnaHa restricts entrance to small guided groups. The 200-hectare (492 acre) complex includes three cenotes linked by eco paths through dense foliage. Two zip lines soar above the cenotes, and paths and boardwalks lead through underground… - Natural Attraction
Sac Aktun
Named for the larger cave system, this small park is located down a rutted dirt road but worth the effort. You can float and snorkel through two caves and cenotes here with a guide. The first requires a somewhat scary climb down into the cavern; the second has an above ground… - Park
Xcaret: Tribute to the Yucatan
You can’t miss the billboards, tricked out buses, and ads plastered everywhere for this something-for-everyone attraction. Xcaret (“eesh-ca-ret”) is the biggest deal in these parts and even has its own resort. Thousands visit every week; stay away if you like solitude but give it a…South of Playa del Carmen - Park
Xel-Ha
Prices to visit this water park are high, similar to other parks affiliated with Xcaret. Unless you’re willing to splurge on more than one park, skip this one in favor of the more extensive offerings at Xcaret. But, if nature is your main interest, choose Xel-Ha. The centerpiece is… - Park
Xplor
The people who created Xcaret have another park called Xplor next door. The adventure park has a zip line, four-wheel-drive track, and an underground river ride. There are two versions of the park, one for the daytime hours and one at night. XPLOR Fuego includes all the activities…South of Playa del Carmen - Natural Attraction
Xunaan Ha
Gaining popularity because of its sense of authenticity, this one is reached by winding through a Maya village and growing town that is home to locals who work in and around Akumal. Signs point to the small cenote nearly hidden in the jungle, where you can swim, float, or snorkel…
