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Río Secreto

Caves & gorges ·Playa del Carmen ·Closed
4.718.4K
#1Caves & gorges in Mexico#1Caves & gorges in Playa del CarmenTravelers' Choice 2026
  • from USD 89
  • Not step-free
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About

Rio Secreto is a protected nature reserve near Playa del Carmen on the Yucatán Peninsula, with a semi-flooded cave and underground river.

More photos 7

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Río Secreto — Turquoise water beneath the broad stalactite-covered cave ceiling Río Secreto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
Río Secreto — Turquoise water beneath the broad stalactite-covered cave ceilingRío Secreto — Swimmer floating in a clear underground pool among limestone formationsRío Secreto — Visitor in a helmet stands at the cave entranceRío Secreto — Two helmeted visitors wade through an underground pool beneath stalactitesRío Secreto — Helmeted visitors swim through a turquoise cave poolRío Secreto — Helmeted visitor swimming in the clear cave waterRío Secreto — Hammock beneath a thatched shelter in the forest

Why go

  • Walk through the cave with a guide and float through a brief, shallow river section; swimming ability is not required.
  • Explore a visitor route within a 38-kilometre cave network; about 10% of the network is used for tourism.

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 14:00Show all
Monday09:00 – 14:00
Tuesday09:00 – 14:00
Wednesday09:00 – 14:00
Thursday09:00 – 14:00
Friday09:00 – 14:00
Saturday09:00 – 14:00
Sunday09:00 – 14:00

Don't miss

  • Cave formationsThe system contains stalactites, stalagmites, stalagnates, pisolites and helictites.Cave system

With kids

  • The visit combines walking on natural rock with a brief, shallow floating section; expect stairs and some slippery areas.

Tips for your visit

  • Arrive at the nature reserve ticket office 20 minutes before your tour.
  • The water is 22–24°C; visitors use wetsuits and life vests.
  • Expect hard limestone underfoot, with slippery areas and stairs.

Best time to visit

  • Tours run daily from 09:00 to 14:00.

Know before you go

  • The caves are accessible only on a guided tour.
  • Visitors cannot bring cameras or video equipment into the caves; cameras may be used outside.
  • Children aged four and older may join. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

History

Local speleologists and divers mapped the caverns, established routes and worked out their connections.

  1. Hundreds of years agoLocal Maya used the cave system for rituals.
  2. Postclassic periodA vessel from this period was recovered in the cave system.
  3. UndatedReligious altars and cave paintings were recovered in the cave system.
  4. 2004A farmer discovered the cave after following an iguana into an entrance.
  5. 2006–2007Formal exploration ran from December 2006 through September 2007.
Show all
  1. 2008Rio Secreto opened to the public as a guided tour in April.

How to get there

  • BusUse public transportation independently to reach the nature reserve ticket office at Carretera Federal Libre Chetumal–Puerto Juárez Km 283.5, Ejido Sur, Playa del Carmen.

Accessibility

  • tour suitability The tour is not recommended for visitors with difficulty walking, claustrophobia or heart problems, or during pregnancy.

Shorts

Interesting facts2

1/2

  1. Animals living in the cave include Mexican tetra, catfish, bats, silkworms, tarantulas and amblypygi.

    Río Secreto - Wikipedia

  2. Water eroded the limestone to form the cave system over millions of years.

    Río Secreto - Wikipedia

Sources: Río Secreto - Wikipedia · Rio Secreto Mexico Tours | Eco tours Riviera Ma… · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Carretera Federal Libre Chetumal – Puerto Juarez Km 283.5 Ejido Sur, Playa del Carmen Yucatan Peninsula

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

Do I need to swim at Rio Secreto?

No. The brief, shallow water section only requires floating; swimming ability is not required.

Can I buy photographs from Rio Secreto?

Professional photographs are taken inside the cave, and tour photos are available to buy.

How much of Rio Secreto is open to tourism?

About 10% of the 38-kilometre cave network is used for tourism.

What is the route like at Rio Secreto?

It follows natural rocky formations over hard limestone, with some slippery areas and stairs.

How can I contact Rio Secreto?

Telephone: 19854651777.

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