TEMAZCALPRIVATE TOUR from Riviera Maya

On the way to the site and during this private tour your local expert will tell you several stories and facts about MEXICO, the Riviera Maya, Mexican traditions, local life, he will also tell you about MAYAN life and how the Peninsula of Yucatan was created. Your local expert will answer ALL your questions, he will also give you space to relax and connect with this experience.

Remember that this is your private tour, so we always take the SHORTEST ROUTE and we won’t make any additional stops unless you want it.

The van has plenty cold bottles of WATER for you to take.

MAGICAL CAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JUNGLE

After 1 hour on the highway we will turn right and drive into the middle of the jungle for 15 minutes until we reach a local Mayan community that we nicked named “Chukum”. 

Here, we will step out of the van and we will equip ourselves with our premium quality snorkel equipment and some proof water lamps. To access the cave, we will walk through a small hole in the floor of the jungle, a window into the underground and a door to the Mayan Underworld. This is the part of the tour is where the adrenaline will start to run through your veins, there is no need for speed, heights, or danger, the beauty of this place is so overwhelming that you will begin to feel the adrenaline for the simple fact of seeing something so beautiful. We will snorkel in the depths of the jungle to get to know its roots and mysteries; you will see incredible rock formations as you slide through underground tunnels. This is an amazing way to start this mystical experience – The Mayas believe that Cenotes are SACRED PLACES with MAGICAL POWERS and you have to know that Cenotes are UNIQUE to the Peninsula of Yucatan. If you are more adventurous ask your guide to take you to the secret back side of the cave!

Your private guide will make you feel SAFE and PROTECTED at ALL TIMES, if you don’t know how to snorkel he will teach you and even if you are a pro he will give you the best tips to make your experience better – you can also check our article “Snorkel Tips for Beginners” in our blog. In addition, our snorkel expert is equipped with a water rattle that improves the guide-tourist aquatic communication, he also carries a floater in order to assist you if you are having difficulties, if you are tired or if you want to look around more relaxed, we call it the “Taxi”. 

To guarantee the best snorkeling experience we use PROFESSIONAL SNORKEL EQUIPMENT. The masks that we use have NO FOGGING and are LEAK PROVE. The tube has a special vent that does not allow water to come in and our vests have the right design, size and color. It is important to emphasize that all our equipment is DEEP CLEANED and SANITIZED every day. We know that the right equipment is key to a great experience and it will allow you to only focus on ENJOYING and HAVING FUN. 

If you wear glasses, don’t worry, we have GRADUATED MASKS, when booking indicate your prescription number level and we will bring the right mask for you.

MAYAN CEREMONY & TEMAZCAL

From the cave, we will drive for 10 minutes through the jungle and we will reach the neighbor Mayan community of Sonia. As we arrive, you will see the Shaman and the fire warrior (his assistant) making the last arrangement for your ceremony. But before starting, your local expert will show you one of their houses. Mayan houses are simple, small and very charming. You will learn their customs and you will see the instruments that they use in their daily life. This might be a cultural shock for you as they live very different than what we are used to in big cities.

When you are ready, start your walk to the circle of fire, this is the name of the place where the Shaman will captivate you with his wisdom and good wishes in a lovely ceremony. The Shaman is an authentic Mayan shaman and does not speak English, so your local expert will be the translator. Cheer up to ask something anything you want to the Shaman; he is a very wise man and is a delight to talk with someone of such a high spirit.

The ceremony is a moment of reflection. You will stand around the fire listening to the Shaman. He will give you a little stone of copal (a vegetable resin) that you will throw into the fire at the end of the ceremony to soothe any negative feeling or thought that you can have. Your energy will start to rise and you will start feeling liberated. 

After the ceremony, the Shaman will ask you to enter the Temazcal. In the darkness you will hear the Shaman chanting and suddenly you will see the fire warrior bringing red burning stones into the Temazcal. These stones were heated in the circle of fire under the wood and charged with all the energy of the Ceremony. The stones will be stacked in the center and after the last stone the Shaman will close the door. The only thing you will see inside is the bright red points of the burning stones and some shadows. 

The shaman will begin to throw a mixture of water and healing herbs to the stones, the steam will spread throughout the Temazcal, in the midst of chants and mantras you will begin to understand the true objective of the Temazcal. Close your eyes and free yourself, let go of your fears, connect and be reborn. We cannot describe this moment with words, is something so beautiful and personal that you have to live it! The only thing we can tell you is that the temperature will raise, and you will be out of your temperature comfort zone. If you are looking for a spiritual trance and want to detoxify your body through sweat in a closed dark environment, then this private tour will enchant you. However, if you don’t like dark closed places or you are claustrophobic, we advise to only stay inside a very short time. 

Remember that this experience is private only for you, your family and friends and don’t worry about anything external, your private guide will take the BEST photos for you.

CLEANING YOUR BODY & MAYAN DINNER

When the ceremony ends and the door is opened, the shaman will wipe your sweat by pouring warm water into your body with a jar, from there you will go down to a cenote and while your body is still hot from the Temazcal you will jump into the cool water of the cenote, the fresh water touching your warm body is a delicious sensation of freshness, a temperature contrast that your body and mind will appreciate.

After being at peace in the cenote, we will go to a thatched hut, Sonia and the Mayan women have prepared dinner for you. This is a charming atmosphere under the sounds of the jungle and the light of candles, a perfect closing of a magical night.

If you are vegan or have special dietary requirement, please let us know and we will arrange the right menu for you.  

TRAVELING BACK

The tour was planned to be finished around 22.00 p.m. but since everything is done at your pace the exact time of the return will depend on you. You will probably sleep in the car, the ride is 1 hour.

Also please note that this is your private tour and so you have the FLEXIBILITY to go back to the hotel at any point or skip any activity you don’t want to do. 

If you would like to read the REVIEWS that past clients have left on TripAdvisor about this tour, please click HERE.