Rio Secreto is an underground river system in Mexico, near Playa del Carmen on the Yucatán Peninsula. It is a cave attraction, and most visitors come to it for the experience of moving through the cave itself rather than for a single sight.
What the visit is like
The route passes through pristine cave formations, where ancient stalactites and stalagmites hang and rise in chambers that the facts describe as cathedral-like. Visitors wade and swim through crystal-clear water, and soft lighting picks out the shapes of the rock as you go. The pace is set by the guided tour, which gives the visit a close, intimate feel.
Who it suits
- Visitors who enjoy natural landmarks and want to see cave formations up close
- Those comfortable in water, since much of the route is spent wading and swimming
- Travellers interested in the cenote systems of the Yucatán, of which this is described as one of the most spectacular
Around the attraction
Rio Secreto sits in the Playa del Carmen area, so a day here can be combined with the resort town's beaches, restaurants and shops, and with other natural sites in the region. Because the experience is guided and underground, it is a different kind of outing from a day on the coast: quieter, cooler and focused on the water and the rock.
If you enjoy caves and clear water and want a close encounter with the landscape beneath the Yucatán, Rio Secreto is a visit worth considering when you plan your stay in the area.