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The Rio Secreto Nature Reserve was undoubtedly one of the coolest spots I came across during my three month stay in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
The Rio Secreto Nature Reserve is a magical private complex of underground caverns that has been transformed into an ecological park. Inside, you’ll find five cave systems filled with thousands of stunning stalactites and a refreshing underground river.
In this guide, I’ll provide all necessary details about visiting Rio Secreto.
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Table of Contents
What is Rio Secreto?
Rio Secreto is an underground natural reserve located on Mexico’s Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen. Rio Secreto consists of five caverns that form part of an enormous underground cave network. The name Rio Secreto in Spanish means “concealed river.”
I had to experience Rio Secreto firsthand before truly understanding what it entailed. It sits alongside the road near Xcaret and Xplor, leading me to assume it was some form of adventure theme park similar to those.
Well, I was wrong.
The Rio Secreto caves contain some truly stunning mineral formations and house an unexpectedly diverse array of wildlife. While my admission was complimentary courtesy of the park, I would happily have paid the cost to appreciate this remarkable and singular experience.
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Rio Secreto Tours – My Review
Visiting Rio Secreto can just be done through the coordinated trips provided by reserve. The trips will take you strolling and swimming through about a one kilometer stretch of one of the caves (meaning your visit will speak for just a small taste of this huge reserve).
All tours of Rio Secreto begin at the park’s entrance just off the highway. You’ll watch a brief video while waiting for your group to arrive and sign a liability waiver (that’s why you should make sure beforehand that you have travel coverage for Mexico). Then you and your new acquaintances will pile into a van for the seven kilometer ride deep into the jungle where the caverns lie.
Upon arrival, you’ll meet your tour guide and receive a brief orientation to the Rio Secreto park area.
There are free lockers where you can change and leave your belongings (you need only your swimsuit). On your Rio Secreto tour, you’ll be provided with special water shoes, a mandatory life jacket, and a helmet with a lamp.
Wet suits are accessible too but are optional (I wore one, but in retrospect didn’t feel that it was necessary). You’ll also be expected to shower off to prevent the introduction of foreign elements into the reserve’s delicate water.
After that, your guide will take you to witness a brief traditional Mayan ritual before descending into the cave.
The cave tour itself lasts around one hour, but it’s a time you won’t soon forget.
The tours are only done with small groups of 10 or so, and you don’t see other groups during your tour, which means that you really get to feel connected to the Río Secreto caves.
Your guide will share the cave`s history, explain how the magical minerals arose, and will point out wildlife seen along the way (there are two types of fish in the river, as well as many insects, bats, and other creatures).
About half of the time you’ll be walking through dry cave bedrock and the rest of the time you’ll either be wading or swimming through the subterranean river. The water is a cool and refreshing temperature, but you get used to it easily!
My favorite part of the tour, though?
At one point the guide had us all turn off our headlamps and sit in complete silence for a few minutes in the blackness of the cave, in order to fully experience the eerie sounds reverberating throughout it. It creates quite an impact on the senses!
After the tour completes, you’ll have a chance to shower, change, and then enjoy an included buffet before taking the van back to the entrance.
Pros of Río Secreto
- A experience that’s a break from the beach
- Caves are truly stunning inside
- Tours are well-managed and efficient
- Family-friendly activity
Cons of Río Secreto
- Ticket pricing is steep given the brevity of the experience.
- Río Secreto can only be accessed as part of a guided tour since it is a privately managed natural area.
How to Visit Rio Secreto
If you’re intending your own excursion to Rio Secreto, here’s a few things you should know beforehand:
How to Get to Rio Secreto from Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Tulum
Río Secreto lies just a few miles south of Playa del Carmen ( Google Maps). Here is a map of Río Secreto:
The Rio Secreto reserve offers packages including transportation that will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel anywhere in the Riviera Maya for about $129 per adult. That’s approximately $50 more than the basic ticket cost without transportation ($79 per person).
You can also conveniently organize your own transport to the reserve. Any taxi driver will recognize its place. A one-way taxi ride from Cancun or Tulum should cost between 500-1,000 pesos ($25-$50 USD) depending on your powers of persuasion, while a ride from Playa del Carmen should be about 120-150 pesos ($6-$8 USD).
You can also take the collectivos (public minibuses) from any of those towns, which will cost only a couple dollars per person at most.
What To Bring to Rio Secreto
The only things you need for your tour of Rio Secreto are your swimsuit and possibly a towel to dry off. Everything else will be provided to you. You don’t even need to bother with sunscreen or insect repellent, since there’s no sun and you’d have to wash those off anyway.
You won`t need to take your own pictures within the caverns either, since insufficient light levels prevent photography (but don`t worry – each group receives a photographer and can buy their shots later).
For additional packing recommendations for your trip, see our guide focused on essential items to bring to Mexico.
What Else is There to Do at Rio Secreto?
The basic entrance package at Rio Secreto includes the tour of the cave and underground river as described above.
While this is undoubtedly the prime attraction of the reserve, the park also provides an “Admission Plus” package which starts at $99 for adults and incorporates an underground light presentation projected on the mineral formations. While I did not witness it myself, it certainly appears spectacular!
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Other Tips for Touring Rio Secreto
Here’s a few other random assorted recommendations to maximize your trip to Rio Secreto:
- 🚻 Be certain to use restroom facilities prior to entering the caves, as there are no alternatives inside and guides strictly prohibit polluting the underground environment with bodily waste.
- 🩳 While you could opt to don a wetsuit, I did andwith hindsight I`d propose leaving it aside. I found it somewhat stuffy and hot and truthfully the water wasn`t cold enough to require one.
- 📷 Photographic equipment cannot be brought within, but a photographer will capture many awesome images of your group and make them available for purchase on a USB drive following the tour.
👉 Continue Reading: Helpful Hints for Visiting Mexico
Rio Secreto Alternatives
If Rio Secreto does not strike your fancy, several other adventure parks in the Riviera Maya offer alternative options you may consider. While not as naturally immersive as Rio Secreto, all provide expanded activities perfect for occupying an entire day should you seek such.
Xcaret
👉 View prices here for tickets to Xcaret.
Xcaret park in the Riviera Maya aims to provide an authentic Mexican cultural experience. Visitors can enjoy diverse attractions, a water park, and live performances there.
Xel-Há
👉 See prices for Xel-Há tickets here.
Consider exploring the Xel-Há park if you wish to spend an adventurous day on the water. They provide rope activities, a zip line into the water, a lighthouse that can be climbed, and various spots to unwind while little ones swim.
FAQs About Rio Secreto
Is Rio Secreto worth it?
While ticket prices are elevated, Rio Secreto provides an engaging and novel experience. The expansive Rio Secreto subterranean cave system is impressive and tours are well-organized. Overall, exploring Rio Secreto constitutes an entertaining activity for families or thrill-seeking travelers visiting Playa del Carmen.
How much does Rio Secreto cost?
Admission for Rio Secreto is $89 USD for adults or $44.50 for children between 4 and 12 years old. Packages including return transportation from Riviera Maya are $119.00 for adults or $59.50 for children.
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That’s a brief overview of touring Rio Secreto. In my opinion, Rio Secreto truly provides an amazing experience and is a great activity option in Mexico. If you have any questions or comments, please scroll down and leave a comment!
