Río Secreto tour (underground river)
Río Secreto is a semi-flooded limestone cave system with an underground river near Playa del Carmen, entered through cenotes. You can only visit on a guided tour: you walk and float about 1 km through caves full of stalactites, in small groups with a wetsuit, helmet lamp and life jacket. The Classic tour takes about 3.5 hours (official site, checked October 2026).
What is Río Secreto?
Río Secreto (Secret River) is a cave system of about 38 km near Playa del Carmen, of which only a small part is open to visitors (Wikipedia). It was found in 2004, reportedly when a farmer followed an iguana into an opening. Like other caves here, the Maya used it long before for rituals.
Inside, the water is fresh and calm, and the caves are lit only by your helmet lamp. Formations include stalactites, stalagmites and columns.
Río Secreto tours and prices
Prices from riosecreto.com/tours.asp, checked 3 October 2026. They change, so check before booking.
- Classic tour: about 3.5 hours. Official price 89 USD adult / 64.50 USD child (4–11) without transport, or 119 USD / 79.50 USD with round trip from Riviera Maya or Cancún.
- Río Secreto Plus: adds a jungle bike ride, rappel and zip-line, about 5.5–6 hours. 109 USD adult / 74.50 USD child (7–11) without transport, 129 USD / 84.50 USD with transport.
- Río Secreto + Tulum: a combined tour with the Tulum ruins.
What's included
- Entry to the nature reserve and a specialized guide.
- Small groups: up to 10 people on the Classic tour (official site).
- Wetsuit, life jacket, helmet with lamp, lockers and towels.
- Regional buffet and non-alcoholic drinks.
Río Secreto vs a cenote tour
A normal cenote tour visits 2–4 cenotes with open water and daylight. Río Secreto is one long guided route through a dark cave river, more like a slow cave walk and swim. Choose Río Secreto for caves and formations; choose a cenote tour for sunlight, swimming and snorkeling.
Tips
- Phones and cameras are not allowed inside on the regular tour (reported); the operator sells photos.
- No sunscreen or insect repellent before entering, to protect the water.
- Wear a swimsuit; wetsuits are provided.
- Not a good fit if you are uncomfortable in dark or tight spaces.
What you see inside Río Secreto
Río Secreto is a semi-flooded cave system with an underground river. You walk and float past stalactites, stalagmites and columns that formed over thousands of years, lit only by your guide's lights. Parts of the cave are dry and parts need swimming with a wetsuit and life jacket.
How Río Secreto was found
The cave was found in the jungle near Playa del Carmen and later opened as a protected nature reserve with guided tours (reported). Visitor numbers and routes are controlled to protect the formations.
Cenotes these tours often visit
Book a tour
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Other tour options: Cenote tours from Cancún, Cenote tours in Tulum, Chichén Itzá and cenote tour, Ruta de los Cenotes tour, Xenotes tour (Xcaret), Cenote tours from Playa del Carmen, Tulum ruins and cenote tour, Cobá and cenote tour, Private cenote tours, Cenote snorkeling tours, Cenote tours from Cozumel, Akumal cenote and turtle tours, Cenote tours from Mérida, Cenote tours from Valladolid, or see all cenote tours.
Río Secreto tour (underground river): frequently asked questions
Is Río Secreto worth it?
Yes if you like caves and formations. It is calmer and darker than a cenote snorkel tour, with small groups.
How long is the Río Secreto tour?
About 3.5 hours for the Classic tour and 5.5–6 hours for Río Secreto Plus (official site).
Can kids go to Río Secreto?
The Classic tour lists child prices for ages 4–11; the Plus tour for ages 7–11.
Do I need to swim at Río Secreto?
You walk and float; a life jacket and wetsuit are provided, so strong swimming is not needed.
Is Río Secreto a cenote?
It is a cave system with an underground river, entered through cenotes.
Is Río Secreto an underground river?
Yes. It is a cave system with an underground river that you visit on foot and by floating.