Nat Geo Day Tour: Exploring the Mysteries of the Cenotes - A Journey into Mayan Culture
Excursions & day trips

Nat Geo Day Tour: Exploring the Mysteries of the Cenotes - A Journey into Mayan Culture

4/5

Great
21 reviews
from
£124.00
Free cancellation
Language: English, French
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: more than 8 hours
Why you’ll love this…
  • Dive into sacred cenotes on this National Geographic Day Tour where you can have a refreshing swim in Cenote Cueva and Cenote Piraña, revered pools historically linked to the Mayan underworld, Xibalba
  • Paddle Through Crystal Waters with an adventurous canoeing experience on the pristine waters of Cenote Naval, followed by a relaxing stop at Cenote Azul
  • Gain unique insights into the cultural and ecological significance of the cenotes and the surrounding Mayan jungle with your National Geographic-trained guide
  • You'll go behind the scenes at a traditional Mayan kitchen as you get hands-on in an exclusive 'art of tortilla-making' demonstration and learn all about the deep cultural roots of its key ingredient, masa – corn dough.
  • Support local heritage and promote ecological preservation while exploring 300 hectares of Tankah Park's lush forests, sacred cenotes, and diverse wildlife
What to expect

On this National Geographic Day Tour, explore Tankah Park in Mexico's Riviera Maya. After an orientation, swim in two cenotes, once considered portals to the Mayan underworld. Enjoy a canoeing session at the third cenote, then end with a refreshing swim at the forth cenote.

With insights from a National Geographic guide, trek through the jungle to Cenote Cueva and Cenote Piraña for a refreshing dip. You'll also visit Cenote Naval for an adventurous canoeing session and Cenote Azul for another invigorating swim in its crystal-clear waters. These cenotes were not only sources of fresh water for the ancient Maya but were also believed to be passageways to Xibalba, the Mayan underworld, and were sites for important rituals.

Next, head over to a traditional Mayan house to learn about the Melipona bee, a stingless bee that has been cultivated for centuries for its medicinal honey. Enjoy exclusive access to a traditional Mayan kitchen and take part in a demonstration of the art of tortilla-making, where you'll get hands-on with shaping the dough and learn about the secrets of ‘masa' (corn dough). Then, tuck into a buffet meal featuring dishes rooted in the local heritage that highlight the day's discoveries and flavours.

Finally, hike to a fifth cenote, learning about the discovery and preservation of these natural sites. Spanning 300 hectares, Tankah Park's cenotes and forests offer Mayan heritage and ecological diversity. This tour also supports the local community and promotes sustainable tourism, helping to preserve these remarkable lands.

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What's included
  • check Transport
  • check Guide
  • check Admission fees
  • check Buffet
  • check Soft drinks
  • check Lifejacket
  • check Swim stops
  • check Exclusive TUI itinerary
What to remember
  • Please note: The use of sunscreen is not permitted for swimming in the cenotes
  • Not suitable for wheelchairs
  • Not suitable for those with reduced mobility due to moderate walking distance during tour
  • Not suitable for those with reduced mobility due to uneven paths or steps
  • Children must be supervised by an adult (over 18 years) at all time
  • Bring a towel
  • Bring a hat
  • Bring suitable footwear
  • Bring money for extras or gratuities
  • English-speaking guide for all nationalities
Read more
Provider
TUI MEXICANA SA DE CV
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Great

4 /5

Based on 21 reviews from verified customers


Review categories

Safety

3.9/5

Service

3.9/5

Value for money

3.8/5

Staff

3.9/5


52%
19%
14%
10%
5%

Sort by:

  • W

    Worst trip ever, dont

    Verified booking

    1

    6 November 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    This is the worst trip i have ever been on. I was expecting to kayak down a river, not in what the guide laughed "they call it a river but they really dug it out with diggers". We expected to be immersed in Mayan culture and be shown how to make tortilla. We were served chicken and rice. When the guide asked a woman to show us how to make tortilla she just said no, not me. They then argued in Spanish. Another woman reached into a platic bag and threw a tortilla at the first woman, who angrily

  • L

    L

    Verified booking

    2.2

    5 November 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    This was not a full day as advertised it was about 4 hours and that included at least 1 hr waiting around. We left hotel at 9.10 and we're returned at 2 45. The guide spoke little English so we did not learn about history of the cenotes, the advert stated a national geographic guide to tell you all about this. Also no tortilla/masa demonstration, this was something we were looking forward to. Very expensive trip and didn't deliver all that promised.

  • E

    Emma

    Verified booking

    5

    9 October 2025

    Travelled with a group of friends


    The tour was great and guides were excellent only downside was the mosquitos but that’s what it is and the tour was a little shorter than expected but we were the first to arrive and every experience was private to our small group therefore losing a bit of time was beneficial for us rather than being stuck in crowds ??

  • G

    Gemma

    Verified booking

    1.8

    2 October 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    The trip oneself was good the cenotes were great particularly the last one. The mozzies however were out of control I know this is difficult to control but maybe advising customers regarding long sleeves etc would help all our group were bitten to shreds. The Mayan village was also not a great experience not much to see. Buffet lunch delicious

  • C

    Cyd

    Verified booking

    5

    26 September 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    Guide was very good, very informative and funny Liked there was someone there to take photos when you were in the water Enjoyed seeing the village and the lunch Would be helpful to mention when booking to bring insect repellent as we went and there were a lot of mosquitoes luckily the guide had repellent and kindly let us use it

  • V

    Vicky Jones

    Verified booking

    4.2

    3 August 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    We had a really good guide, Victor, who was able to point out interesting facts and guide us through the day. Being part of a small group made it a lovely experience. The only downside was being bitten by the mosquitoes, but that’s what you get in the jungle after rainfall.

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