




“Best tour we did on our whole trip” I was a little nervous when my husband said he wanted to do this one...but I thanked him afterward! It was just amazing. It is something you probably won't find anywhere else. We had a great guide named Fernando. You could tell he really loved his job and was very knowledgeable. I think he was just excited to show us everything as we were to see it! I was afraid that it would be too cold, but the wet suits really made it tolerable. I wasn't cold after I put my legs in for a few minutes. It was really beautiful to see all the amazing rock formations and gorgeous water. The tour is a full hour and a half, so it is worth the money. After the tour, they served us a light lunch at no additional charge. The pictures are a little pricey, but probably worth it. You are not allowed to bring a camera into the cave, and even if you were, it would be difficult to get good lighting since there is complete darkness in there and everyone in your group has a head light on! The photos they took are better then anything we would have taken with our own camera. We really loved this tour and we definitely look forward to it again!, MDPA-C- Mongomery, Alabama, May 4, 2010- Tripadvisor “Amazing life changing experience. tranquil, informative, humbling” It was amazing! we heard about it from the people who booked our reservation, and we were NOT disappointed! ASK FOR PABLO TO BE YOUR GUIDE!!! he was funny, energetic, and you could tell he actually loved his job and loves coming in to work everyday. the caves were formed over 2 million years ago and the mayans would go there to worship and meditate. this is a humbling experience, you see all the stuff formed millions of years ago, and it's still being formed today. if you are in the area you HAVE to check it out!!! breath taking!!! and again, ASK FOR PABLO!!!!!!! cashworth1984- Cary, Carolina del Norte, April 19, 2010- Tripadvisor “You must experience a cenote” If you’ve never been in a cenote, you should check it out. Rio Secreto gives a nice tour of a large cenote system. The tour takes you inside the underground caves. Guides were well versed in several languages. A more detailed scientific explanation of the many aspects of the cenotes would have been nice, but may have bored others. They provide all the gear and make the tour an event Rio Secreto is a $10-$15 taxi ride from Playa(confirm price with Taxi driver before getting in the Taxi).- DKTravler, Vancouver, Mar 1, 2010 - Tripadvisor |
“Superb - a "must do"” A fabulous experience - spoiled only by the rather lukewarm "meet and greet" service but once we had met up with our guide Mariana things went from great to excellent. Other reviewers rightly sing her praises so I will not duplicate - suffice to say she was FAB!! The photo "scam" is not a scam really - taking photos would have distracted from actually looking at the fantastic scenery in the cave system and other people's flash photography would have been irritating - also without a water tight casing the camera would prob have been damaged. The photo CD is $55 which includes all the photos wth you and your party PLUS about 100 other pictures taken in and around the cave system. Some superb shots which I think are worth every cent! Alltournatives - the parent company I believe has a genuine interest in conservation of both the natural wonders and the Maya peoples livelihoods and I would wholeheartedly recommend this and the other trips they do. See my review of Maya Encounter! :o) DFHurghada, Hurghada, Egypt, Feb 25, 2010- TripAdvisor |
"Mother Nature offers the best excursion" We just returned to Atlanta after spending a wonderful week in Playa del Carmen, and cannot say enough good things about the time we spent underground in the amazing nature reserve of Rio Secreto. This is a spiritual setting -- not a waterpark -- and if you want to experience the beauty of this area, spend some time here. We selected this as one of our excursions based on the reviews on TripAdvisor, and had prearranged the day/time of our trip there before we left the states. A driver from the site picked us up, took us to there, and returned us to the hotel -- no problemo! I do recommend that you not wear ANY sunscreen when you come to this site. A woman in our group felt bad about the potential of her leaving some of the lotion in the river since she had loaded up before coming. There is no need since you are underground the whole time! Our guide was a very spiritual person, who shared the history and science of this underground treasure. And it is a treasure. Take some time out of your busy vacation schedule to get back to what really matters and go to Rio Secreto! -fromAtl, Atlanta, Dec 29,2009- Tripadvisor. |
"5 stars is an understatement" Stepping down into the caves, was like entering into a different underworld, dazzling, serene, and creepy all at the same time. Untouched by humans, the caverns seem to swallow you whole, and it's almost like you dont know where to look first to take it all in. The stalagtites dangling precariously, the stalagmites, the crystal water.....ok I'm being dramatic, but it blew my mind. Practically, we took a bus from our resort and really didn't know what to expect. The staff greeted us and took us (7 of us) in an airconditioned van, deep into the 'jungle' until we reached the base. There they have lockers where you can store your stuff, washrooms, and after showering off you can don one of their wetsuits, a life jacket, a helmet with a light and you're off! The caves are all inter connected and marked off with rope. The tour guides took us through...walking, wading, and swimming from cave to cave, explaining the way the different rock formations formed over time. It was spectacular. A photographer takes pictures, as you are not allowed to bring your own equipment. They emphasize not touching or disturbing the rock formations...after travelling underground for 1.5 hours, you resurface and climb out. By the time you return your gear they have processed the pics, and you may choose to buy any number of packages of photo/dvd. They serve you a shot of some honey/anis liquor (deliciously like sambucca) and then you go and have a sandwich/salad....and you've earned it!! Cost was 89$ US and worth every penny. Service was excellent. Guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and spoke English. The caves, breathtaking. Not touristy AT ALL. From departure from hotel, to Rio Secreto and back again, it took 4.5 hours. All equipment is provided, including watershoes. Not a place for toddlers or babies.-Syl, Montreal- Nov 16, 2009, Tripadvisor |
"Rio Secreto - the best experience in Mexico" My name is Gloria and I am 66 years of age. I have been on a fantastic 2 month vacation to Mexico. Of all the places I have experienced my most memorable experience was my trip to Rio Secreto in Playa del Carmen. We look at the galaxies and are amazed at the intricacies above us. We look at the nature all around us and are fascinated - but to have discovered the absolute wonder underground as I did when touring Rio Secreto where I saw the beauty of thousands of years of formation was awe inspiring. The amazing underground, crystal clear, fresh, pure water pools (cenotes) which we floated through in our life jackets were beautiful and refreshing - but the sights revealed above and below us as we entered chamber after chamber was breathtaking! - an orchestra of organs where the stalactites and stalagmites formed masterpieces in harmony creating a magnificence - which left one feeling for hours after the experience that was mystical as well as spiritual. Definitely an experience not to be missed! - Gloria, Cape Town - 26 oct 2009, Tripadvisor |
"Must See!" Rio Secreto | Reserva Natural This is a must see if you are anywhere near Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. It's less than 1 mile south of Xcaret heading towards Tulum. There is a small sign that reads Rio Secreto. The tours are booked for 9am, 11am, or 1pm. It was $49 USD per person if you book on site. This is my favorite place that I've seen in the 15 countries that I've visited. AMAZING! You take a bumpy ride on a dirt road for a couple of miles and then an reach an oasis in the middle of the jungle where you prepare to see the secret river in an underground water filled cave (cenote). You will love it! Worth every minute and every dollar. - socaljeffrey Los Angeles -, 15 sep 2008, Tripadvisor |
"best excursion in playa del carmen in my opinion" I can't say enough good things about my experience at rio secreto. the caves were overwhelming...i kept wondering if i'd stumbled into another world because it was so quiet and serene yet exciting because the surroundings were so different than anything i've ever seen. The entire adventure was beautiful and informative. Please don't miss this if you get anywhere near playa del carmen, it was worth every penny (and i would have paid double the price knowing what i know now about its magnificence!) - Wichita, Kansas - 23 sep 2008, Tripadvisor |

