Rio Secreto Underground River Tour With Crystal Caves

Loved every minute of this. 100% go!

Wonderful experience! We went with our kids and they had a blast. Our guide naomi was wonderful. Me and my husband arent good swimmers but we felt very comfortable and safe! A must!

The experience should expand on swimming is preferred. I struggled in certain parts of this trip without experience. Also walking can be quite treacherous. Even with clear water, you can’t see where you’re going or how deep some of these drops are. My friend walked away with several scratches as did I because of that. Food was decent. Picture prices or exuberant. The road in is a disaster. I’ve been in Third World countries with better roads than that . Staff was extremely friendly I have to add. Unfortunately I can’t recommend this tour. It’s more hassle than it’s worth.

Really wonderful experience. I highly recommend it. Be sure you bring a change of clothes and cash. It was a remarkable natural experience and something I have never seen before—after a lifetime of seeing caves.

If you’re thinking about booking stop thinking and start booking! Genuinely an incredible experience. Our guide Jenn was knowledgeable, engaging and full of joy. The caves were spectacular utterly breathtaking. From start to finish this place was amazing!!

This way more awesome than the description says. This is one of our top fav tours of all time and we’ve traveled all over the world. Hugo was AMAZING! He was very patient, didn’t rush us, so knowledgeable and very friendly. We loved having him as our guide! We had French, Spanish & English speaking people in our small group of 7 - and Hugo spoke all 3 languages fluently. So impressive! We will come do this tour again! There are like 5 different caves they do tours for - we did the Happiness cave - we’ll try a new one next time although I wouldn’t be sad to do this exact cave again! And I hope to get Hugo again!

On September 7, 2026, I went to Rio Secreto Underground River. My tour guide was awesome—very informative and made our safety a priority! The food was okay, and the transportation to and from my hotel was fine

The tour itself is great. Food at end is so-so. The ride there was pretty bad: we had a van with a bad suspension and it was a long bumpy ride from the Cancun Hotel Zone down to Playa Del Carmen. I've been up and down those roads all week, and they feel totally smooth when in a well-maintained vehicle. Even worse, the route that the driver planned picked us up at the south end of the Hotel Zone and we drove through traffic to the north end, picked up another group and then drove back south again -- we had an extra 40 minutes of unnecessary bumpy ride when we could have just been picked up 40 minutes later. On the good side, Hugo the tour guide was caring and helpful. The photographer Wilbur was also very helpful and took good photos. The process of checking in, getting gear and going to the cave was well organized and the facilities were clean.

First of all, the collection from my Airbnb in Playa didn't happen and as adveftised on the GYG listing. Rio Secreto whatsapped me and said I had to walk to the pickup point 1km away. Mildly fuming, I did this for 0930 as requested. Nothing arrived to pick me up at 0930 and it was only after a call to Rio Secreto did they confirm that the pickup was not now going to happen until 1130! I therefore hung around Quinta Avenida for 2hours for the 1130 pickup. The Cenote that is Rio Secreto is beautiful and the 3km walk/swim through the undergroumd caves are beautiful. However, they do not allow any gopros or mobiles and, instead, lumber you with a 120USD charge for the photos taken by the guide! On my return I contacted GYG about thd apalling pickup and received a 2/3 rebate!

This was an amazing experience. I've been to caves before, but being able to swim through a cave was next level for sure. If you want to do the most amount of swimming, request the enchanted section of the tour. The tour guide Allen was awesome, and the photographer was amazing as well, JD if I remember correctly. Please please, tip and take care of these guys. They are very dedicated to the experience and also very caring for nature.

We visited Rio Secreto as our weekly excursion offered by or hotel. It was a once in a lifetime experience. We do not speak spanish, however, I felt like the company pairs groups together and we were in a group with all English speakers which I felt was a nice accommodation (so a guide doesn't have to say things twice). Our tour guide Pepe was amazing. He was super fun, knowledgeable, and easy to understand and follow. The entire tour was super welcoming and all the staff we met along the way were so friendly. We will always recommend this excursion to others who come to Cancun.

No words can describe what your eyes will see and what your soul will feel in that place!! You go for the tour and you come back full of thoughts and feelings!!! Jenifer, the tour lady, will give you with a very expressive way, all the knowledge you need about that phenomenon !!! And not only this. My friend who couldn’t walk very well, he received so much help from her!!! She is physically so strong!! She supported him , lifted and pulled him all the way through the exit and made it happen for him. Thank you Jenny!!!!!

This is a must do activity in Mexico. The caves and rivers are an amazing thing to see, and learn about. Our tour guide Naomi was fantastic and made it even more interesting.

Truly incredible experience. Once in a lifetime! I booked it with Amstar and pick up was right on time at Dreams Jade Resort. It was about a 45 min ride to Rio Secreto. Very organized once we got there. They provide wetsuits/water shoes/helmets/head lamps . They provide you a locker for your things. They talk to you about how special the place is. Going down in these caves is just so beautiful...I had never seen anything like it! The guide, Illiana was SO knowledgeable and could answer all our questions. She also has a great pride for the caves and what they provide for their country. We learned so much. We were the only group in (there may have been others but we didn't see them) so it felt very personal. Afterwards we could shower off and then they had a beautiful buffet lunch included and you could see the pictures the photographer took on your trip and could buy them. He did a great job getting every family plus group pictures. I promise you--you will love this trip! On the bus home EVERYONE said how special it was. You won't forget it.

From Cancún hotel zone had about an hour and half wait at the rio secreto waiting area, AFTER the bus ride to rio secreto of about half hour ride before any interactions were given about the tour (the wait was the worst part) just waiting in the waiting area there are restrooms and coffee. The tour of the under ground river was amazing, incredible, magical. Enter into a dry cenote, turn the head lamp on/off many times, walk through potions of the under ground river seeing stelagtites, and stalagmites, bats and catfish. When the headlamps turn off it’s complete darkness. The water is about 75 degrees F. No one in the party used the wetsuit and it was great.

Great time. Must do if near Playa del Carmen.

This was the highlight of our 5-night trip to Mexico. Air Transat arranged the hotel shuttle and everything was excellent. Our tour guide spoke English Spanish and French and was very knowledgeable. You can borrow a wet suit and water shoes. You get a helmet and life jacket which are mandatory. You walk a kilometer into the jungle in those clothes and then enter the water. It was 1.5km of caves to explore. You swim and Walk for different parts. You see a lot of cool stagalites and learn how they form. The water is cold and refreshing. You do need to have good Mobility to do this as there are stairs And rocky parts to navigate A photographer captures the experience and you can buy the photos for $35usd each or all for $99usd. Such a worthwhile excursion.

It was an amazing experience. Hands down the best excursion we’ve been to in Mexico. I would definitely go back. Our tour guide Gustavo was extremely knowledgeable and made sure we were all taken care of.

We opted not to get a wet suit. The outdoor shower water and water in the caves are the same temp. It was hot outside, so swimming in the cave water was refreshing. Consider bring your own water shoes

We booked the Rio Secreto and Tulum Archaeological Zone excursion, and it was absolutely amazing! Our guide, Diana, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating history, cultural insights, and fun facts throughout the day. She made the experience both educational and entertaining. From exploring the underground river system at Rio Secreto to walking through the breathtaking ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea, every moment was unforgettable. Highly recommend this tour and if you get Diana as your guide, you're in for a fantastic experience!"

I am so glad that my husband and I made time for this excursion while visiting Cancun! It was incredibly convenient to book everything online, including the transportation to and from the site all through the same platform. On the day of our tour, the shuttle arrived at our resort right on time. Our driver was very friendly and genuinely excited to talk with us about the tour, cenotes, and what we could expect, which made us even more excited for the experience. Once we arrived at Rio Secreto, our shuttle driver handled the check in process for us, helping us get our bracelets and making sure everything was set. After checking in, we waited a short time for the rest of the group to arrive, and the staff made sure we would have an English speaking tour guide, which we really appreciated. When it was time to begin, we were transported deeper into the park by another shuttle to the starting point of the tour. Our group consisted of 10 people total, two other couples and a family of four. Our guide, Jennifer (Jenny) greeted us as soon as we arrived and immediately made us feel welcome and well prepared. She clearly explained what to expect and made sure our group stayed together from the start. We were each given a locker with a key to store our belongings since nothing can be brought into the cave. We changed into our swimsuits and then were fitted with water shoes, wetsuits, and helmets with attached headlamps. I had never worn a wetsuit before, so putting it on was quite the experience. I could not stop laughing at how much wiggling and adjusting it took to get it just right! The helmets were much easier, and we tested our lights right away, which added to the anticipation. Before entering the cave, Jenny checked in with everyone about their swimming ability and gave clear, thorough instructions. She emphasized the importance of staying together, following her lead, and being mindful in the cave environment. Interestingly, the family of four in our group mentioned they could not swim. At first I thought they were joking, but they were serious! Jenny handled it really well. She provided them with walking sticks for extra balance and reassured them that she would guide them safely through different areas as needed. I thought that was a really thoughtful and accommodating approach. On our way to the cenote entrance, Jenny shared fascinating information about the site. She explained that Rio Secreto was discovered relatively recently in 2006, which made it feel even more special to explore. As a biologist, her passion for the cave system, the limestone formations, and the ecosystem was absolutely contagious. I found myself fully engaged, learning about the geology, the crystal clear water, and the history of the cave formation. One of the most memorable parts of the experience was when we had the opportunity to float in complete darkness inside the cave. Jenny had us turn off our headlamps, and for a few moments we were surrounded by total blackness while gently floating in the water. It was such a unique and almost surreal experience. Quiet, peaceful, and unlike anything I have ever done before. It is definitely something I will always remember. I also want to give a special shout out to Jenny for how well she managed our group. There were definitely moments when we had to pause and wait for others to catch up, which slowed the pace a bit. However, she handled everything with patience, professionalism, and a positive attitude. She worked hard to keep things moving while still making sure everyone felt safe and included, and that really made a difference in the overall experience. Once we were finished with the tour of the cave and swimming in the beautiful water, we exited the cave and walked back to the main location to change out of our wetsuits and into dry clothes. They do have changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers to rinse off, which was really nice. After that, once the group was ready, we were escorted to the cafeteria where we got to enjoy a nice meal that was included in the package. The only downside of the entire experience, in my opinion, was the photo pricing. Since you are not allowed to bring any personal items into the cave, including phones or cameras, the photos taken by their photographer are the only way to capture the experience. While I completely understand that this is how they make money and protect the environment, the pricing felt extremely high. One photo costs around $35, and the full package is over $125. Personally, I think $35 for a single photo is a bit of a ripoff. It did not take away from the experience, but it is definitely something to be aware of going in.

It was a fabulous experience. Tips! If you have foot issues bring your own water shoes. The ones they provide have thin soles. Hubby has serious bruises. Wetsuit not needed, but could help prevent scrapes. A tour like this would never be allowed in the United States due to safety issues. Still very fun, but moderate to high risk. Photos were $35 each. No high pressure to purchase them on our trip. The buffet was an actual buffet was quite good and was all you can eat. Our only downside was to drive there and back as it was very far from our resort. It was also very bumpy within the area of Rio Secreto.

They don't let you take your phone which is bull. Then they try to sell you expensive ass photos. And then they don't tell you the price of the photos till the very end. The staff acts dumb when it comes to this question about the picture prices

TL;DR: Bad planning, but amazing tours and locations! FULL READ Disclaimer: The 4 out of 5 has nothing to do with the tour guide (Jorge) or the visits (Rio Secreto and Coba). Please read to the end to get to the review of the tour guide and locations. REVIEW FOR IMPROVEMENTS Pick-up and drop-off: During the booking through Tripadvisor you are requested to select a pick-up and drop-off location. As we were not staying in a resort, we chose a location near our Airbnb. In the received booking confirmation this pick-up/drop-off location is confirmed, but it's also mentioned to email or call the organizer to confirm the location for pick-up/drop-off. As this causes uncertainty, we reached out through Tripadvisor which resulted in us receiving a different location for pick-up/drop-off. Pick-up was scheduled at 7:50AM. We arrived at the pick-up at 7:35. As we were the only ones in this transport we left at 7:35. Incorrect booking: Upon arriving at Rio Secreto the staff believed we booked Rio + Tulum. After showing our booking confirmation multiple times this was rectified. HOWEVER, the group of Rio + Coba had arrived before our transport and were almost ready to go. Concluding: Had we not been earlier to our pick-up we most likely would have missed the Rio + Coba group meaning we would have to most likely accept Rio + Tulum. Luckily this did not occur, but did feel like an inconvenience. REVIEW FOR THE GUIDE AND LOCATIONS In short, Jorge our tour guide was amazing. Great energy, lots of knowledge and conducted the guides with a lot of humor which we could appreciate. Rio Secreto is an absolutely beautiful experience. We went rather deep into the cave system to a small chamber in which Jorge allowed us to experience the chamber in complete darkness and stillness. This was such a beautiful experience. Coba is literally situated in the jungle which allows for it to be a cooler visit than Chichen Itza or Tulum. As this was the 2nd leg of the tour it was hot, but as mentioned cooler due to the jungle AND less crowded than expected. The ruins are breathtakingly stunning. Climbing up Nohoch Mul gives a view unlike any other. Also here, Jorge provided amazing insights into the ruins and the depictions of estellas. We left our Airbnb at 7:20AM and were back at 7:15PM. Depending on your stay the time spent out can be significantly shorter.

Can be a bit challenging for older folks. Our guide Ana was amazing. She remembered all of our names and gave very detailed information. She made our day incredible.

We enjoyed the experience in the cave. I was pleased to see that the guides were light-hearted and helped me to cross some tricky sections. The guides were knowledgeable and entertaining as well. I enjoyed the presentation on cave geology. We were able

This is a must do activity when in the region! The natural beauty and uniqueness of the experience was amazing! Our guide Pepe was beyond impressive with his knowledge and dedication as our guide! Cost was reasonable with hotel transportation! The duration was just under 2 hours in the cave pic up at 9 and was back at our resort by 4 pm. Without reservation please enjoy this experience!

Well put together tour, lots of visitors but they have a nice flow so that it doesn't feel crowded. Everyone goes into different sections so you have your own private tour inside the caves with about 8 people and a personal photographer. The caves are beautiful and Pepe our guide told us everything about them, he was wonderful. Photos cost $35 each for a digital copy. Definitely recommend this trip!

Aaron was a great tour guide! He was very knowledgeable, friendly, and overall great to spend the day with. When checking in for the activity the day before, it would have been nice to be reminded to pack a change of clothes, potentially your own water shoes (as you borrow them at the Rio), and that the ruins (if you opt in for the Tulum part) will be very hot in the afternoon. The main dislike is that the transportation vans are really a tight squeeze and smelled soggy from people wearing their bathing suits on the seat material. Viator should have direct links to the Rio Secreto directly, to get more information on what the day will look like. Overall, we enjoyed this excursion and would recommend.

We did the cave tour with Manuel and it was fantastic! I highly recommend it. It is a unique incredible experience. No camera's allowed so expect to pay $$$ after for the ones they take.

We did the Rio secreto cave tour + tulum and it was beyond amazing. One of the top 10 or 5 experiences I’ve had, by far! The intricacy of the cave was mind blowing. I could have spent all day in there and still would have been amazed. Our tour guide, hector, was great! He was so knowledgeable and knew at least 3 languages which is awesome for all in our group! He came with us to Tulum and was equally knowledgeable about the history there. We added transportation from Cancun - that went smooth. We were given a pick up time the night before. Everything at Rio secreto was very well organized, lockers to put stuff in, lunch was good! We really liked the hibiscus and horchata drinks. Only “negative” was not being able to bring your own camera into the cave. I do wish I was able to get my own pics of the cave interior but they have a photographer and you can purchase individual pictures or the whole package afterwords. I do think if I had my phone it would have been a hazard on the tour due to the uneven cave floor. Highly recommend this tour!

This is one excursion we would do again! It was amazing! The only downside is not being able to take pictures, but it's completely understandable to protect the environment of the caves as much as possible. You need to be able to walk on uneven ground and step up/down at times (they recommend moderate fitness level). Our guide was Angel, and he was wonderful. Definitely recommend!

A beautiful experience and one that my family of 5 will remember. Manuel was a great guide and I was impressed with his ability to manage our group of English and French speakers. Definitely recommend — but one thing to note. Transport time doesn’t seem to be factored into the initial booking times, so even if it looks like it starts at 11, it’ll be from the morning until late afternoon. Worth it!

Shirley was very kind. She was helping me when she saw that I was having trouble breathing and becoming anxious. She talked me through it and stayed beside me to help. My knee was braced and I couldn’t go fast. My tour guide Manuel tried to put me up front so he could help me and keep an eye on me, but that didn’t work, i felt even more pressure to go faster, I felt worse up front. He said we were going the easy way and we needed to be on time. I was there with my wife for our 20th wedding anniversary. They asked other couples to kiss and play for photos, but they posed us “back to back” assuming we are buddies, didn’t ask (like they did with others) if we are a couple. I’d still recommend the trip because it’s amazing to hear about the history. It is a very special place.

It was such a unique experience. You will be swimming in the river even though they provide everything, it’s easier if you have a bathing suit. You will not be able to take photos with your own camera. Marco was an excellent photographer. Everything to buy at the gift shop and the photo package was in US dollars. Jenn was an excellent guide. She was very knowledgeable about everything and answered all our questions. I also included going to Tulum which was so nice. Bring some comfortable shoes and a reusable water bottle. It is a full day outing.

Just a phenomenal experience, one of the most special natural places I've ever experienced. Our guide Diana was particularly amazing, so smart and funny!

We found out this is the longest water cave in the world and is fascinating inside from start to finish. The water is drinkable for humans and we saw cat fish swimming in the clear water around our feet. We saw fossils and sleeping bats. When the guide got us to switch off all lights and experience the cave it was breath taking. We were well covered and equipped. Some caution needed with stepping in the water and some found the photos costly but rightly so visitors are not allowed to take phones and cameras in the cave and if the money' is used to continue fund this spectacular site then it is all good to us and worth it.

This is not a stroll down the sidewalk through a park. It is much more interesting and challenging. If you are curious, enjoy the beauty of a world out of everyday view and possess a sense of adventure include this in your plans. Imelda will expertly and carefully guide to places you never imagined in your mind nor in your realm of possibilities.

We did the cave tour with Manuel as our guide. Transport from the hotel was right on time and easy. Upon arrival you check in and take a short ride into the jungle (it's a bit bumpy). After stowing stuff in lockers and doing a quick rinse (to remove oils and chemicals that can harm the formations) you gear up, and then it's a short trek to reach the cave. The cave tour itself is challenging, even if you're spry and in shape. It can be slippery and narrow and you need to be able to swim as well as balance yourself so that you do not touch the formations as you navigate. It is such a cool experience and you will learn a lot though. The photographer is with you all along the way and there are several stops for photo ops, which you can review and purchase after. The water is definitely chilly at first but you get used to it quick, and it's not noticeable when you are taking in the sights of the cave. After the tour there is a buffet style lunch with optional alcohol to purchase. They had soup, salad, veggies, fruit and really delicious tacos. I had read some reviews that set my expectations very low for the food, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable meal. I was a little worried about this tour due to some of the reviews I read about value for price and food, but I feel that the tour and food were definitely well worth what we paid for. This was an excellent half-day excursion to a natural wonder that tourists should feel grateful they can experience so closely.

The small group made the entire tour feel intimate and relaxed, allowing us to truly take in the beauty of the caves and underground river without feeling rushed. Every moment felt special — from the crystal-clear water to the incredible rock formations. It was simply fantastic from start to finish. Our guide, Martin, was calm, patient, and attentive to everyone in the group. He created a comfortable atmosphere and made the experience both safe and genuinely fun. Everything was perfectly organized and ran smoothly. What an extraordinary adventure — I loved every second of it.

Amazing and beautiful experience. Our guide, Memo was hilarious and so attentive! Gonzalo our paparazzi was super helpful as well. You don’t know what you’re missing out on until you go see for yourself!

Beautiful experience. Hugo was fun, knowledgeable & sweet! Very organized, timely & the food was good.

It was very cool exploring the underground caves! Our guide, Driss, had a great sense of humour and made the tour so much fun.

One of the greatest experiences. Our guide Manuel was fantastic. A most if staying in Cancun or the Mayan riviera.

Exceeded expectations! Everything was well organized. Manuel was amazing! Only down side was our van lost a tire while driving back to the river.

My tour guide, Raul, was the best! And my photographer, Jeremy, was amazing as well! If you're thinking about trying this, you should!

Must do! Underground cave/river was so fun and interesting. Loved it. Our guide was so informative and thorough.

2nd time doing the secret river and was amazing. Highly recommend. The guide, Allen, was excellent. He was so accommodating and helpful.

Checked off several bucket list items during this experience. Loved the entire day! Miguel was an amazing guide. Highly recommend.