"Rio Secreto", underground natural paradise near Tulum

If you are looking for adventure, Río Secreto is undoubtedly the right place to visit. Within the state of Yucatan, halfway between Tulum and Cancun, this natural cave houses numerous wonders that will be part of the adventurer's agenda. We explain more in detail about this incredible place.

Beautiful cenote just 15 minutes from Tulum. A beautiful tank of crystal clear water with beautiful geological formations. The regular price is 200 Mexican pesos, which rises to 400 with a guide.

Among the cenotes that can be found in Yucatan, Río Secreto stands out and is called the "Crystal Museum", since it has no true relationship with the other underground caves that can be visited in the state, being rich in natural crystal formations. and discovered less than 10 years ago.

Río Secreto is an underground cave, with a depth of up to 25 meters, which has a whole network of internal rivers and impressive, semi-flooded vaults; In addition, in some areas there are holes in the upper part (skylights) through which sunlight enters and the nature outside is appreciated. In this cenote there are multiple crystal formations, product of the movement of water and rock over thousands of years. Its Mayan name is “Tak Bi Hay” or “Tak Be Ha” and it was inhabited by this culture, who called it the “underworld”.

It can be visited at a professional level with rappelling or as a simple family visit to take a bath

what to do in secret river

It cannot be forgotten that this destination is full of strong emotions, so you must be in sufficient physical condition. Within the secret river you swim a lot, while appreciating the precious formations that have been forged over the years, resulting in countless stalactites and stalagmites that must be treated with great care due to their crystal composition.

You can also snorkel in it to appreciate the depths of the cave, where there are many other secrets.

If you are an expert or have enough licenses, diving is a permitted activity within Río Secreto.

We must not lose sight of the fauna that can be seen inside this cenote, since they have fish, bats and spiders, among others.

Places you have to visit in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen has a wide variety of attractions that you need to visit during your stay.On this occasion, from Caribbean Beach Properties we share some of them with you. Enjoy the trip!

Kite Surfing and Paddle Boarding

An activity that’s hugely popular all along the white, sandy beaches of Playa del Carmen. Anyone familiar with this beautiful town will tell you that the coast is always full of kite surfers and paddle boarders. Make the most of your holiday by getting some exercise and picking up a new and impressive hobby to brag about back home. Several companies offer kite surfing and paddle boarding classes (or rental for those already familiar with the sport), but remember to check for qualified instructors before signing up for any extreme sport.

Parque Fundadores

Coming back to Playa del Carmen itself, visit Parque Fundadores for a relaxed afternoon out and enjoy the Voladores de Papantla. An ancient ritual still performed today, it involves dance, song, and the climbing of a pole. Four of the five at the top then attach themselves to the pole with rope around their waists before launching themselves off backwards, to elegantly spin towards the ground. The fifth remains atop the pole playing the flute. Parque Fundadores is the perfect place to enjoy an ice cream and watch the ritual take place, located right next to the beach. Don’t forget to donate a few pesos to the park after the performance is over.

Cenotes

Those preferring snorkelling options should try out the crystal clear waters of the aptly named Cenote Cristalino, which also has a rock overhang from which brave souls can jump into the waters below. Divers may want to check out Cenote Angelita which has a depth of 200 feet, made up of both salt and fresh water for a strange and mystical experience. The tourist favorite is the Gran Cenote just outside Tulum, which has viewing platforms and sometimes shallower waters.

Water Activities in Cozumel!

This Caribbean Island is known internationally for its coral reefs ideal for diving and snorkeling.

If you are are looking for a place with a variety of options where each member of the family finds interesting activities, Cozumel is one of the best choices: for the most daring, diving or snorkeling to get to know one of the most important reefs in the world, going by kayak, kite boarding and wind surfing for those who prefer to stay close to the shore, to sport fishing, for family members who prefer to spend a quieter time.

Countless beach clubs and water parks will give you hours of healthy fun: Playa Paraíso is highly recommended, with a pleasant atmosphere, for those who prefer to lie on a lounger and enjoy delicious food and tropical cocktails, nearby reefs for those who want to explore underwater.

The points to visit inside or near the island are the Cozumel Reef National Park and within it, the Chankanaab National Park, which offers an eco-archaeological tour for the whole family, sea lion show, crocodile and manatee exhibition, and for the more intrepid, zip lines, snuba and seatrek tours or swim with dolphins.

Also for nature lovers, Punta Sur is the largest and most important ecological reserve on the island, a more relaxed experience ideal for living in an ecotourism environment, watching exotic birds in freedom, boating on the lagoon, sleeping in a hammock on the shore of the beach and visit the Cultural and Navigation Museum, located inside an old lighthouse where you can take a family photo with the best aerial view of Cozumel.

It should be noted that all the attractions that we have mentioned are enabled to be accessible to all members of the family and even if any of them is an older adult or has a disability.

Free Walking tour Playa del Carmen! A great way to learn about the city

The free tour or walking free tours are walks that are done on foot, in groups of about 15-20 people (although this is variable because many times they do not accept more than 5 or 10) in the company of a guide, through the historic centers of the most touristic cities. The latter is also variable because more and more cities are incorporating it, even if they are not the most touristy, and because there are more and more options to get to know not only the historic center of the cities but also encourage you to go a little further. Some cities and companies already have free themed tours.

HOW DO THE FREE TOURS WORK? In general, the free tour or free tours last between 2 and 3 hours and have a historical imprint, because the guide usually emphasizes the monuments, curiosities or historical facts of each site. Those interested have to enter the web and reserve the place. In that same reservation they tell you the meeting point. Each company is usually identified with a color and has a meeting point, which is usually a monument or very touristy site in the city. Once all the people are gathered, the walk begins.

IS IT ALWAYS NECESSARY TO BOOK THE FREE TOUR ONLINE? It is not always necessary to book the free tour, but it is highly recommended to do so because there may not be seats, especially in the most touristy cities and in high season or on weekends. It doesn't cost anything to do it, it's free, and it's more organized for those who provide it. Below we share the links, ordered by country, so you can reserve the one you want.

The tours are promoted as free, because the traveler can book the tour without paying a single euro or dollar and can leave without leaving anything, but people are expected to leave a tip. It is expected that each one values ​​the knowledge and the time shared by the guide and leaves him a reward in money. For this reason, the free tours are free in the sense that they do not have a stipulated price.

ADVANTAGES OF DOING A FREE TOUR Although leaving a tip is recommended, it is always cheaper than other tours. You will find out about curiosities and stories that, surely, you did not read anywhere. The guides know the destination very well, so they share (or you can ask them) information about places to eat or see a show. You can go with the family. You can meet other travelers in a relaxed tour.

Explore the Riviera Maya on bicycle

Playa del Carmen is a city in continuous urban development and tourist growth that has managed to cover extensive areas of the Riviera Maya, expanding the territorial distance between the jungle and the sea.

Despite this, you can still breathe that air of a fishing village in which the only means of transport was two-wheeled vehicles, and specifically the bicycle is the means that to date continues to be the main transport of most of the new beach residents and visitors looking for an eco-tourism alternative to discover new places in this tropical paradise.

For this, we share three options where you can get to by bike in Playa del Carmen and make use of complementary services for your adventure.

THE BASIC

Get on the bike from wherever you are and go to 10th avenue (Parallel to 5th avenue) where you can find a cycle path that starts at the corner of Constituyentes with the Quinta Alegría Shopping Center, the circulation of bikes goes one way and return without problem in a stretch of no more than 500 meters until you reach Paseo del Carmen where you can shop or have a coffee.

Along the way you can find craft shops, restaurants and a small food market on Calle 6, to end this basic tour you can have a beer in one of the bars on the surrounding streets.

If you still have energy left to pedal, after Paseos del Carmen continue your route to Playacar, if you go by day look for an outlet to the beach to take a break, if you go at night turn around the circuit of this residential area and return to the avenue 10.

Approximate travel time: 20 min.

Bike ride Riviera Maya

THE INTERMEDIATE

If you are looking for less bustle and movement of people to pedal in longer stretches without so many pedestrians, head towards CTM street.

Start the route on 10th avenue heading north until you find 38th street, there you turn to the right where you can ride your bike on 5th avenue (vehicles can circulate from 38th street onwards) follow the same north direction until find CTM street, this area is still under development since the extension of fifth avenue to this area is planned, from there you have the option of going down towards the sea to finish your route with a dip, some exotic drink in the extinct Canibal Royal or a massage on the beach.

Approximate travel time: 30-40 min.

ADVANCED

For those looking for a more isolated, quiet and natural experience, there is the cycle path to Xcaret, which you can take orienting yourself from 10th avenue (From Paseos del Carmen, square where the Basic tour ends) entering the Playacar residential area orient yourself on the map of the security booth at the entrance, from there you will travel approximately 1 km until you come out on the Federal highway where you will turn left to take the cycle path.

See also

Explore the Heart of the Riviera Maya - Caves and Cenotes

Explore the Heart of the Riviera Maya

In Explore

This tour manages to isolate you from urbanity by driving in a safe paved area surrounded by the jungle.

*Recommended to do it at sunrise (6-7am) or at sunset.

Elapsed time 40-45 min.

Riviera Maya bike ride

One last option for bike lovers is to visit the Punta Venado Bike Park