Aktun Chen

Useful Information

Location:	107 km from Cancún, along the Mayan Riviera, 16 km before the Mayan Ruins of Tulum and 4 km past Akumal.
Open:	JAN-MAY, SEP-DEC daily 9-17, last tour 16:30. JUN-AUG daily 9-19, last tour 18. [2008]
Fee:	Cave Tour: Adults USD 33, Children (5-10) USD 26. Snorkelling: Adults USD 33, Children (5-10) USD 26. [2015]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=90 min, L=585 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Aktun Chen, Carretera Cancun-Tulum, km 107. E-mail: Operadora de Atractivos Naturales S.A. de C.V., Officina Playa del Carmen, Av. Colosio S.M. 56, M. 1, Lte. 36, Residencial Santa Fé, C.P. 77710, Tel: 984-1092094, Tel: 984-1092061.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Mayan name Aktun Chen means "cave with an underground river inside".

The cave has several large entrances which gives the cave visit a rather special touch. The rainforest is always nearby. The easy accessibility of the cave was one reason, why the Maya used this cave hundreds of years ago.

This is a real show cave with trails, electric lights and guided tours. The cave tour is a walking tour without swimming, and rather exceptional for a cave tour: visitors are equipped with helmets. But this is also a diving destination and a possibility to go snorkeling in crystal clear water inside an electrically lit cave. Participants are equipped with lead belts, scuba suits, snorkels, and goggles. Then they are allowed to swim in the cenote for about half an hour.