CAVERNS & UNDERGROUND SNORKEL & SHOPPING IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Touring underground caverns and snorkelling in a sinkhole are two of the highlights on this excursion to mainland Mexico, lasting approximately eight hours. This is followed by a generous stretch of free time in Playa del Carmen, allowing guests to relax on a beach, find a restaurant or indulge in some shopping.
Excursion details
On this approximately eight-hour excursion, venture into the caverns of Cenote Chaak Tun on a guided walking tour, followed by a snorkelling break. Finish your day in Playa del Carmen, where you’ll have free time to unwind, stroll along the beaches, shop and explore.
Begin with a ferry transfer of around 45 minutes to the town of Playa del Carmen on the Mexican mainland. From here, a bus transfer of around 15 minutes takes you to Chaak Tun, where natural sinkholes, known as cenotes, have been created by the collapse of limestone bedrock.
After a short safety briefing, you’ll explore the subterranean caves, which the Maya believed were sacred portals to the underworld, on a walking tour of approximately 50 minutes. Then you’ll have the chance to snorkel for around an hour to get a closer look at the cenote’s rock formations.
After a stop of around 15 minutes for refreshments, there’s a transfer of about 15 minutes to downtown Playa del Carmen. You’ll then have approximately three hours and 15 minutes of free time to spend however you like. Wander the beaches, explore the many shops that line the streets or sit down at a restaurant for a meal (not included in the excursion cost).
Finally, there’s around 30 minutes to regroup at the ferry terminal before the approximately 45-minute ferry transfer back to the ship.
Important Information: Transfer by ferry to Playa del Carmen lasts approximately 45 minutes and could possibly be rough depending on the sea conditions. Once in mainland it is an approximately 15 mins bus drive each way to/from the caverns, for a total travel time the ship to and from of approximately 1 hour each way. Estimated timing spent at the caverns and for snorkeling: 3.5 hrs.
Minimum age to participate is 8 years old. Due to the active nature of the tour, women who are pregnant are not allowed to participate nor are guests in wheelchairs or with physical disabilities, with cardiac or respiratory conditions such as asthma or with back/neck injuries, diabetes or epilepsy or those under medications such as anti-depressants, lithium, beta blockers and base vein constrictors. After the tour guests might have some time to spend at leisure in Playa del Carmen until the scheduled ferry time to return to Cozumel. Guests will meet the guide on arrival in Playa del Carmen. Guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. Please ensure your sunscreen is fully biodegradable as normal sunscreen is prohibited from use due to the damage it causes to the reef.
