We had a great time. Perfect amount of time and a very unique experience that everyone in our family enjoyed. We stayed in Playa del Carmen and transportation was simple and Rio Secreto was nearby. Our tour guide was great and provided a good balance of information, history and humor.
Visitamos en familia Rio Secreto por primera vez, es un lugar maravilloso. Lo recomiendo muchísimo. Poder ver estalactitas formadas por millones de años y hacer el tour dentro de la caverna fue algo espectacular. Nuestra guía Tainara siempre fue super amable y nos brindo mucha información.
Two couples aboard NCL Ship at Cozumel Port for 9 hours. NCL would not run tours to Rio Secreto (not enough time they said), so we took matters into our own hands and self booked this excursion. Loved every minute. In port at 8 am, on Ferry to Playa Del Carmen at 9 am. Taxi to Rio Secreto with plenty of time for 11 am tour. The tour was guided by Benito. This guide is highly respected by many of the other guides and employees at the cave, who demonstrated much respect and honor to Benito. We found out why; he is knowledgeable (he is a passionate spelunker with decades of experience), expressive with his explanations, multi-lingual, but most of all he is attentive, caring and responsive to the needs of those in his care, us, his clients. Benito understood our time concerns and assured us that we would enjoy the whole tour and be ready in time to go back to the ferry, then he arranged personalized transport with one of the cave operator's drivers to instead take us to the ferry in Playa Del Carmen. Gracias Benito, excellent service.
The cave was amazing, I have been to many caves all over Canada and the US. I have never seen such a density of structures in any of them that I saw on this day. So many stalactites, and columns. The lighting in the cave is all from the headlamps of the people in the caves, and gives a unique ambiance and ethereal quality. The real sensory addition was that you were in water which makes the experience lively and immersive (I just couldn't help but use that descriptor). The water adds a layer of interest as the movement of water constantly reflects and refracts the lighting which gives a lively visual experience. The cave tour feels authentic and genuine, many times I've taken cave tours where you take an elevator down into the depths. Never have I walked down natural terrain from ground level right into the cave and experienced the transition from daylight to, head lamps on, into the depth and darkness of the cave in a few moments, very cool.
After the tour the wet suits come off, we had a quick bit to eat, viewed photos that were taken of us. Then the personal trip back to the ferry for the 3 pm ride back to Cozumel. By the way, the ferry services provided live musicians for rides in both directions, bravo Ultamar and Winjet. We were back on board the ship with over an hour before departure.
For those on cruise ships, if your ship offers tours to Rio Secreto you will greatly enjoy this unique cave tour experience. If your ship doesn't offer tours, trust your instincts and self arrange the Rio Secreto, it's beautiful and well worth the adventure.