Snorkeling in Riviera Maya's Secret River with Biking & Rappel

Underground river, jungle trails, rappel descent, and a peace room in a single morning-to-afternoon adventure.

Snorkel in an underground river cavern in Riviera Maya's secret park, then bike through jungle passages and rappel down rock faces: all in one day with a specialized guide, full equipment, regional lunch and entry to the nature reserve. Groups stay under ten people. Hotel pickup is available. You can also arrive on your own. The peace room at the end is a guided sensory experience unique to this park.

The experience

The day runs eleven hours from start to finish. You arrive at the park and leave your belongings in lockers, then meet your guide, a specialist in the cavern's geology, who walks you through the underground river on foot. The water is clear enough to snorkel, and you'll swim inside the cavern itself, surrounded by stalagmites and stalactites the guide explains as you move through. The cavern is the centerpiece, but it's not the only thing you do there.

After snorkeling, you switch to a mountain bike and ride through different jungle passages within the reserve: the terrain changes as you go deeper. When the trail seems to end, that's when the rappel starts: you're lowered down a rock face using all the equipment the park provides. It's the physical peak of the day. Once you're back on solid ground, the pace shifts. A buffet lunch prepared by local staff waits for you, with fresh water included, and you eat with other people in your group (capped at ten).

The final stop is the peace room, a darkened space designed around sound and stillness: a deliberate contrast to the activity before it. It's an interactive experience, not a lecture, and it's where the day winds down before you head out. All equipment for snorkeling, biking and rappelling is provided. If you don't have water shoes, you can rent them for $2 USD per person or bring your own.

What’s included

• Admission to the nature reserve.
• specialized guide throughout the cavern, biking and rappelling sections.
• all snorkeling, biking and rappelling equipment.
• locker for personal items.
• regional buffet lunch with fresh water.
• peace room experience.
• hotel pickup (optional at checkout).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 30

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Holbox and Bacalar Tour

Is this one for you?Groups stay under ten people, so you're not navigating the cavern or rappelling alongside crowds. The guide can move at a pace that lets everyone see the formations and feel secure on the rock face. Choose this if you want to do the activities yourself rather than watch them, and if a full day of physical variety (water, trails, descent, stillness) appeals more than a single-focus tour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the secret river in Riviera Maya, and what makes it different from regular snorkeling?

The secret river is an underground cavern system filled with water, accessed by walking inside the cave itself rather than entering from an open beach or cenote. You snorkel surrounded by geological formations (stalagmites and stalactites) that your guide explains as you swim. The cavern setting is what sets it apart from surface snorkeling.

Do I need experience with rappelling to do this activity?

No. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the rappel is guided. You're lowered down using equipment the park provides, and your guide controls the descent. You don't need prior climbing or rappelling experience.

Is transportation from my hotel included, or do I need to arrange my own way to the park?

Hotel pickup is available as an option at checkout. You can also arrive on your own. Public transportation options are available nearby. Choose whichever works for your schedule.

What happens if I get tired during the day? Is there time to rest?

Yes. After the biking and rappelling, you have a full buffet lunch with fresh water included, where you can recover energy. The peace room at the end is also a rest period, designed as a quiet, sensory experience rather than another active challenge.

What should I bring, and what does the park provide?

The park provides all equipment for snorkeling, biking and rappelling, plus lockers to store your personal belongings during the activities. Water shoes can be rented for $2 USD per person if you don't have your own. Bring a change of clothes and sunscreen. Breakfast and a packed lunch are not included, so eat before you arrive.