Explore Sac Actun: Private Cenote Tour & Snorkel the World's Longest Underground River
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most travelers comfortable in water and able to handle short stairs and platforms; minimal hiking.
Overview
Float beneath cathedral-like chambers and swim in a sunlit sinkhole on a private four-hour cenote tour that visits Sac Actun—the core of one of the planet’s longest underwater cave systems. This small-group experience pairs geology, Maya history, and clear-water snorkeling with private transport from Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
Explore Sac Actun: Private Cenote Tour & Snorkel the World's Longest Underground River
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You step from the shaded Maya forest onto a wooden platform and the world below opens as water—green-blue, glass-clear—filling a cavern the size of a small cathedral. A guide fits your snorkel and hands you a lantern; the light catches on mineral curtains and the tips of stalactites. For four hours this private tour unspools two very different cenotes: the cathedral-like tunnels of Sac Actun, part of the world’s longest underwater cave system, and a sunlit open cenote where vegetation leans over placid water.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book morning slots for best light
Morning departures increase underwater visibility in the cave and reduce surface glare for photos.
Leave sunscreen until after the swim
To protect water quality and rock formations, avoid lotions before entering—use a reef-safe option after you dry off.
Use the provided life jacket if unsure
Even confident swimmers should wear a life jacket in cave passages where depths vary and currents can be deceptive.
Bring a small dry bag
A compact dry bag for phone, cash, and a towel keeps valuables safe during transfers and while you snorkel.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Spider monkey
- Tropical birds (eg. motmots and kingfishers)
History
Cenotes were central to Maya life and cosmology—canoe-ready caverns provided water and were seen as entrances to the spiritual underworld.
Conservation
Cenote ecosystems are sensitive; tour operators limit crowding and ask visitors not to use sunscreen in the water to protect aquifer quality and fragile formations.
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Adventure Hotspots in Playa del Carmen
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof phone case or compact underwater camera
Protects your device and lets you capture cave formations and haloclines without risking damage.
Quick-dry towel
Dries fast after swims and keeps you comfortable between cenotes.
Non-slip water shoes
Helpful on wet platforms and uneven stone around cenote edges.
Lightweight dry bag
Keeps valuables and a change of clothes dry in transit and at the site.