Aventuras Mayas
Cenotes, ziplines, ATV tracks and snorkeling are popular tours in Mexico. But often you’ll have to navigate huge tour buses, shuffling crowds wielding selfie sticks and over commercialized shops. However, Aventuras Mayas is a tour company that provides great tours without the crowds.
They privately own an epic zipline course, an ATV track and a jaw-dropping cenote. Because they can only be accessed by booking a tour with Aventuras Mayas, you can expect small group sizes and a much more personal, intimate feeling tour.
Get ready for a full half day of non-stop activity! My guide picked me up at 7:30am in Playa del Carmen and we were busy having fun until around 1:00pm. I chose to stay in the area and head to Tulum instead of riding back to Play del Carmen with my guide. Here’s a recap of our amazing day!
Zipline into a Cenote
We began our adventure at a scenic and (totally private!!) cenote. Even thought it was raining, it was a beautiful way to start the day. You can leap off from the platform and into the cenote below or grab hold of the zipline and zip in!
While you’re there, your guide will provide you with snorkeling gear. Keep your eyes peeled for the freshwater crawfish that are a deep vibrant blue!!
It was just myself, my guide and the photographer the entire time we were there. Talk about avoiding the crowds!
And have you ever had one of those pedicures where the fish eat the dead skin off your feet? It’s a popular beauty treatment. Well here, these fish live naturally! So if you sit still for more than a moment, your pedicure from Mother Nature will begin, ha!
Book your tour here.
Snorkel in Cenote Estrella
This second cenote was an absolute highlight of my time with Aventuras Mayas! After we finished at the first, it was about a 30 minute drive to our next stop. Alejandro provided me with cold water and a towel to dry off.
When we arrived, I was able to put anything I needed in a locker and we set off! The first moment I saw Cenote Estrella, I was totally taken back. Pure beauty! We took a few photos then put on our snorkel gear and waded into the crystal clear water.
And again, it was only Alejandro and I in the massive underground, closed cenote. (Again, when do you ever have a cenote to yourself in Mexico?!) The stalagmites and stalactites were mind blowing!
At some points, we had a lay flat and wade through openings to avoid hitting our heads or feet on the unique rock formations.
As we went along, Alejandro point out sink holes above and beautiful, deep openings below in the crystal, clear water.
I’ve swam in cenotes before but I’ve never experienced anything like the beautiful and unique Cenote Estrella.
ATV Excursion
The adventure continues! Once you arrive at the Aventuras Mayas property, they have Cenote Estrella, the ATV course and the ziplining course all onsite.
If you’ve never driven an ATV before, don’t worry. This course is simple enough to navigate and relatively flat. It’s a great introduction for first time drivers.
And keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. Alejandro and I saw a number of large, vibrant blue butterflies along the track!
Lunch Included
After all the adventuring, you’re going to be hungry. VERY HUNGRY! Fortunately, lunch is included onsite so we had a tasty meal of nachos, tortillas, pasta, mashed potatoes, beans and salad!
And after all the swimming and running around, I was quick to help myself to a plate of seconds.
Zipline over the jungle
We ended our time with Aventuras Mayas by soaring over the treetops on the adventurous zipline track.
I’ve ziplined before but this course was especially fun with it’s added options. You can try flying in a hammock or superman pose! Just be ready to run up a lot of stairs.
Bring home your photos
As you go from each activity to the next, there will be a professional photographer to take pictures of you at each stop!
It’s a great way to capture some truly memorable moments in Mexico. And if you’re a blogger, this is extremely helpful, ha!
Your photos will be available for purchase at the end of your tour.
Covid precautions
I was impressed with Aventuras Mayas covid protocols.
Masks were properly worn by staff at all times (unlike some tour operators in Mexico) and gear was sanitized between each use in eco-friendly sanitation chambers.
And because the tours are so small and private, there was no issue with crowds or large groups.
Outstanding staff
What truly made my tour with Aventuras Mayas memorable was the friendly, welcoming staff. Everyone went above and beyond to make sure the day was smooth, fun and adventurous.
Major shoutout to Alejandro who was a 5 star guide!
Thank you Aventuras Mayas for hosting me during my tour. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read: TOP SAFETY TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO MEXICO
Follow along on the adventure…
More on Mexico? Read: SWIMMING WITH WILD WHALE SHARKS: 10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
