Riviera Maya: 4 Cenotes Adventure Tour with Rappel & Lunch

Summary

Yucatan cenotes day trip with zipline rappel kayak and picnic

You’ll leap into four different Yucatan cenotes by zipline, rappel, kayak, and swimming—with a local guide leading every step. Expect fresh coffee at pickup, chocolate cookies after each swim, plus a rustic gourmet picnic lunch under jungle trees. You’ll come home wet-haired and grinning—and maybe a little braver than before.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the earthy smell—wet leaves, something green and ancient—when we climbed out of the van near the first cenote. Our guide, Sofia, handed us coffee and sweet bread right there in the jungle (I was still half asleep, honestly), and then started talking about how these cenotes are like portals for the Mayan gods. I didn’t expect to feel nervous, but standing at the edge of that open cenote with its walls thick with vines, I hesitated before jumping in. The water was colder than I thought—like a shock that wakes you up better than caffeine.

Sofia kept things light; she joked about our life jackets making us look like “colorful turtles.” At the next stop—the ancient cenote—you could hear birds echoing off the stone. Some people zipped down into it, but my hands were shaking so I just watched (and cheered way too loudly when my friend splashed in). We got cookies after each swim—chocolate ones that melted a little in my hand—and I’m not sure if it was hunger or just being outside all day, but they tasted perfect.

The third cenote was almost hidden—a dark cavern where we rappelled down through a hole in the roof. It smelled like minerals and cool stone. I tried to say thank you in Spanish to one of the staff helping with ropes (“gracias por ayudarme?”), and he grinned. After floating on an inner tube under those weirdly beautiful stalactites, everything felt quieter for a while. Lunch was set up picnic-style under some trees: rustic bread, cheese, salads, even wine if you wanted it. There were ants everywhere but nobody cared—we were too busy passing around soup and laughing about who screamed loudest on the zipline.

I still think about how calm it felt paddling a kayak across that last semi-open cenote. Sunlight came through in patches and made everything shimmer blue-green. My phone didn’t work out there (Sofia warned us), so for once nobody was distracted by messages or calls—just water sounds and our own voices echoing off rock walls. The ride back was bumpy and quiet; everyone kind of sleepy and happy at once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore four cenotes with meals included

• Instruction and breakfast served
• Visit K’áak’ Fire Cenote, swim and relax
• Enjoy cookies and chocolate snack
• Visit Iik’ Wind Cenote, zipline and cliff jump
• Enjoy cookies and chocolate snack
• Visit Lu’um Earth Cenote, rappel and swim
• Enjoy cookies and chocolate snack
• Visit Há Water Cenote, swim and kayak
• Enjoy cookies and chocolate snack
• Have gourmet jungle picnic lunch with drinks

Top questions

How many cenotes do you visit on this tour?

You visit four different cenotes during the day trip.

Is lunch included in the Xcaret 4-cenotes tour?

Yes, a gourmet picnic lunch is included along with snacks after each activity.

Are hotel pickups available from Playa del Carmen?

Yes, hotel pickup is offered from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya hotels.

What activities are included at each cenote?

You’ll experience rappelling, ziplining, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and inner tubing depending on the cenote.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 6 years old; children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Do you need to bring your own gear for swimming or kayaking?

No—all necessary equipment is provided as part of your tour package.

Can people with health issues join this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or certain health conditions; see details above.

Will my phone work during the cenote tour?

Mobile service is unlikely in the jungle areas where the cenotes are located.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Cancun or Playa del Carmen (or nearby meeting point), entry to four unique Yucatan cenotes with all gear provided for rappelling, ziplining, kayaking and snorkeling; light breakfast snacks with coffee or chocolate; cookies after each activity; plus a rustic gourmet picnic lunch served outdoors before returning to your hotel in late afternoon.