Updated in October 2026, this Rio Secreto (Rio Secreto Nature Reserve) guide covers ticket prices, tour times, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Rio Secreto is an underground river cave in the Riviera Maya, just south of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. A guided tour walks and swims through about one kilometre of passages hung with stalactites and stalagmites. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, admission costs US$89 for adults and US$64.50 for children aged 4 to 11, not the half-price child fare shown in older guides.
Quick facts for Rio Secreto
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Carretera Federal 307 (Chetumal–Puerto Juárez) Km 283.5, Ejido Sur, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. |
| Tour times (admission only) | Monday to Friday 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 13:00. Saturday and Sunday 9:00, 11:00 and 13:00 |
| Adult admission | US$89 |
| Child admission (age 4 to 11) | US$64.50 |
| Minimum age | 4 years |
| Included | Guide, wetsuit, life jacket, helmet with lamp, lockers, towels, regional buffet and soft drinks |
| Tour length | About 3.5 hours, with about 1.5 hours underground |
| Water temperature | 22 to 24°C |
| Nearest transit | Colectivo vans on Highway 307 stop at the entrance |
| Phone | +1 985 465 1777 |
Why book Rio Secreto tickets?
- 💎 A crystal museum underground: Thousands of stalactites and stalagmites line a river you walk and swim through.
- 👥 Small groups: Each tour has a maximum of 10 people and a specialised guide.
- 🧖 Everything is provided: Your ticket covers the wetsuit, life jacket, helmet with lamp, locker, towel and a regional buffet.
- 🏊 No swimming skills needed: You only need to float, and the in-water section is brief and shallow.
- 🌧️ Runs in any weather: Tours operate rain or shine because you spend the tour underground.
Ticket prices for Rio Secreto – and how to book
Prices are quoted in US dollars. Card payments in other currencies convert at the rate on the day and can vary by up to 3%.
| Ticket | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Classic tour, admission only (child age 4 to 11) | US$89 | US$64.50 |
| Classic tour with round-trip transport from the Riviera Maya or Cancún (child age 4 to 11) | US$119 | US$79.50 |
| Plus tour, admission only (adds rappel, bike ride and ziplines, child age 7 to 11) | US$109 | US$74.50 |
| Plus tour with round-trip transport (child age 7 to 11) | US$129 | US$84.50 |
| Rio Secreto and Tulum day tour (child age 4 to 11) | US$139 | US$89.50 |
| Rio Secreto and Cobá day tour (child age 4 to 11) | US$149 | US$110 |
| Salty & Sweet tour with reef snorkelling (child age 6 to 11, plus US$20 dock fee) | US$139 | US$99 |
| Privilege private expedition | US$389 for one person, or US$289 each for two to four people | Ask the reserve |
The admission-only Classic ticket includes lockers, showers, a regional buffet and soft drinks. The tour has a maximum of 10 people per guide. Changes of date or time are free with 48 hours’ notice. Cancellations five or more days ahead carry a 10% fee, and later cancellations are not refunded.
Choose your date and time at booking, because popular times sell out. You can book through Viator for an admission-only ticket.
Tour times for Rio Secreto
Rio Secreto opens every day for scheduled tours. Saturday and Sunday have fewer admission-only departures than weekdays. Arrive at the ticket office at least 20 minutes before your tour starts.
| Tour | Start times |
|---|---|
| Classic, admission only (Monday to Friday) | 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 13:00 |
| Classic, admission only (Saturday and Sunday) | 9:00, 11:00 and 13:00 |
| Plus, admission only (every day) | 9:00 and 11:00 |
| Classic with transport from the Riviera Maya (every day) | 9:00, 11:00 and 13:00 |
| Classic with transport from Cancún downtown and hotel zone (every day) | 11:00 and 13:00 |
How to get to Rio Secreto
By car, drive south on Highway 307 to Km 283.5. The entrance is on the west side of the road, about halfway between Xcaret and Akumal. The drive takes about 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen, 50 minutes from Tulum and 1 hour 15 minutes from Cancún.
By colectivo, take a white shared van towards Tulum from Playa del Carmen and ask the driver to stop at Km 283.5. By taxi, the journey from Playa del Carmen takes about 7 to 15 minutes, so arrange a return pickup. A short vehicle transfer then carries you from the reception area to the cave.
Parking at Rio Secreto
Parking is free at the reserve.
How long to spend at Rio Secreto
Allow three and a half hours for the Classic tour. You spend about 1.5 hours underground, plus time for the briefing, equipment, showers and the buffet. The Plus tour takes five and a half to six hours.
Accessibility at Rio Secreto
Rio Secreto is not wheelchair accessible, and there is no route without stairs. The only path winds through natural rock formations on hard limestone that can be slippery. The tour is not recommended for pregnant visitors or anyone with claustrophobia, heart problems, back problems or difficulty walking.
You do not need to swim, but you must be able to float. The wetsuit is 2.5 to 3 millimetres thick and the life jacket keeps you afloat. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is 4.
What to see at Rio Secreto
The welcome and equipment. You shower before entering to protect the cave from lotions and hair gel. Then you put on your wetsuit, life jacket and helmet with lamp.
The jungle transfer. A short transfer takes you from the reception area through the jungle to the cave entrance. The reserve covers a protected area of Riviera Maya jungle.
The underground river. The route covers about one kilometre of walking and swimming through clear, cool water. The passages are lined with stalactites, stalagmites and mineral columns.
The silent chamber. The tour includes a moment to experience the true silence of the cave.
The photo stops. Professional photographers capture the tour with lighting that ordinary cameras cannot match. Cameras and phones are not allowed in the cave, and photos are sold afterwards.
The regional buffet. A buffet of regional dishes and soft drinks follows the tour. Hot showers are available before you eat.
Practical visitor tips for Rio Secreto
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | Popular times sell out. Book tickets in advance to secure your preferred start time. |
| Arrive 20 minutes early | The ticket office needs time to check you in before your tour starts. |
| Shower before you enter | Lotions, make-up and hair gel harm the cave. Skip sunscreen, because the tour is in the shade. |
| Bring cash | Photos, souvenirs and guide tips are the only extra costs. Cameras and phones stay in your locker. |
| Check the cancellation rules | Cancellations four days or less before your tour are not refunded, and bad weather is not a reason for a refund. |
Frequently asked questions about Rio Secreto
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much is Rio Secreto admission? | Adults pay US$89 and children aged 4 to 11 pay US$64.50. The ticket includes the wetsuit, lockers, towels and a buffet. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Tours can sell out for a given date. Advance booking is recommended to secure your date and time. |
| Can I visit Rio Secreto if I cannot swim? | Yes. You only need to float, and the life jacket and wetsuit help you stay afloat. The in-water section is brief and shallow. |
| Who should not take the tour? | The tour is not recommended for pregnant visitors or anyone with claustrophobia, heart problems or difficulty walking. The minimum age is 4. |
| Can I take a camera into the cave? | No. Cameras and phones are not allowed because of the risk of slipping or damaging the formations. Photographers take professional photos you can buy afterwards. |
Things to do near Rio Secreto
Akumal is a laid-back beach town with a bay known for sea turtles.
Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park just north of Rio Secreto, with underground rivers and cultural shows.
Quinta Avenida is the pedestrian shopping and dining street in the centre of Playa del Carmen.
Xel-Há is a natural lagoon park south of Akumal, set up for snorkelling.
Punta Esmeralda is a public beach in Playa del Carmen where a freshwater cenote stream meets the sea.
Alternatives to Rio Secreto
Rio Secreto is a distinctive semi-flooded cave. The options below are other cenotes, caves and ruins within about two hours’ travel.
The Tulum Archaeological Zone is a Maya walled city on a cliff above the Caribbean.
Cobá is a jungle archaeological site with Nohoch Mul, the tallest pyramid on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Gran Cenote is a freshwater cenote near Tulum with clear water and cave formations.
Dos Ojos is a pair of linked cenotes between Akumal and Tulum, popular for snorkelling and cave diving.
Kaan Luum Lagoon is a turquoise lagoon with a deep cenote near Tulum.
More Mexico travel
Other Mexico travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical guide to visiting the Uxmal ruins.
- Exploring the Maya trail on the Yucatan Peninsula.
- The best way to get to Monte Alban.
- Guides to Mayan sites in Quintana Roo: The Tulum ruins, Coba ruins, El Rey Archaeological Zone, El Meco, Museo Maya de Cancun.
- Yucatan’s Mayan sites: The Ek Balam ruins and Xlapak ruins.
