Riviera Maya Puerto Morelos

Río Secreto could very well be one of the great wonders of the world. Come and experience this stunning underground river with thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. It’s like stepping back in time to witness something mysterious and truly spectacular.

The discovery of Río Secreto, previously known as Pool Tunich, has brought much excitement to Quintana Roo.  This system of caves, formed over centuries by an underground river, is located only a few miles from Playa del Carmen. It is by far the longest partially flooded cave in the Yucatan Peninsula, but what makes Río Secreto even more special is the fact that it is semi-sunken. 

Most caves found in the Yucatan are underwater, and if you want to explore them, you must receive specialized training in cave diving. That requires lots of practice and study, as well as a hefty investment in diver certification and dive gear. Río Secreto has more than 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of semi-sunken cave mapped out with 15 natural outlets located in different areas. There’s nothing else like it!

Imagine finding a hole in the ground and lowering yourself into the unknown where you uncover a breathtaking underground world untouched for thousands of years.  That is truly how this underground river system was first discovered. Before 2007, almost no one had entered Río Secreto except for the man who first found it. Since then, Río Secreto has become a protected nature reserve where you can safely explore the Yucatan Peninsula’s most awe-inspiring underground universe.

Keep in mind, this exotic and fragile geological formation requires an incredible amount of eco-awareness and sensitivity. We limit the size of tour groups to minimize impact on the cave. This will ensure that many generations get to see our planet’s natural history carved in mineral substances.

A journey through Río Secreto is surreal, mystical and memorable. Whether you’re an adventurer, world traveler, or simply a curious soul, we welcome you to experience one of the most intriguing natural attractions in the Riviera Maya

What are the driving directions?

If you are getting to Río Secreto by car, you should take the Cancún-Tulum Federal Highway 307 towards Playa del Carmen. From Cancun, the entrance to Río Secreto is on the right hand side of the highway. From Tulum, the entrance to Río Secreto is on the left hand side of the highway.

By car, Río Secreto is about one hour from downtown Cancun, five minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen, and one hour from Tulum.

How do I get there from Playa del Carmen?

From Playa del Carmen, go to the bus station located only a few blocks from the dock at 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue.  At the bus terminal, you can get to Río Secreto by taking the bus that goes towards Tulum.  Or you can take one of the public transit vans located between 15th and 20th streets. Tell the van driver to let you off at Km 282 at the entrance to Río Secreto, which is less than 2 Kilometers (1.2 miles) from Calica Port.  Taking the bus or van costs around $15 pesos.  Some of the buses leave every hour from 4:00 a.m.  Another option is to take a private taxi to Río Secreto, which will cost $15 US dollars for 4 persons, one way.

How long does it take to get there?

The amount of time it takes to get there depends on the type of transportation you use, traffic conditions and time of day, but approximate times are:

From Cancun to Playa del Carmen: 1 hour 20 min.
From Cozumel to Playa del Carmen: 50 min.
From Playa del Carmen to Río Secreto: 10 min.
From Tulum to Río Secreto: 1 hour.