Mayan Ceremonial Night from Cancun and Riviera Maya

Badge of Excellence

Cancun, Mexico

6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Purify your skin and your mind during a shaman-led ceremony inside a *temazcal* — a type of ancient Maya sweat lodge heated by hot stones — then cool off in a freshwater cenote, or sinkhole. After this mystical experience, visit a traditional Maya community for a typical dinner with a family. Round-trip hotel transport is included from Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Temazcal purification ceremony, led by a Maya shaman
Traditional dinner, visit to a Maya community, and cenote swim
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cancun and the Riviera Maya
Small group ensures personal service

What's Included

Transportation from and to your hotel
Specialized guide
Purification ceremony
Temazcal
Traditional Mayan dinner, with non-alcoholic beverages
Swim at the cenote (sinkhole)
Visit to the Mayan community and to an art crafts store

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Gratuities
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Tips

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick up starts at 2pm, depending your hotel location the time may change, we will contact you by email ton confirm the exact pick up time and location. We do pick up major hotels in Cancun and Riviera Maya, if you hotel in not deserved by our route we will set the closest pick up point.

Operating hours
.4:00 pm

Itinerary

Upon pickup from hotels in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, you're driven to Dos Palmas, an ecological reserve and traditional Maya community located in the forest about 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

On arrival, your guide introduces you to age-old customs including an introduction to the Maya purification ceremony with a shaman. Enter the temazcal, a sacred steam bath that represents the womb, considered to offer spiritual rebirth. Sit in a ceremonial circle as you take part in this ancestral ritual.

After this unforgettable experience, walk in the rain forest until you arrive at a cenote, a natural sinkhole of freshwater illuminated at night. Swim in the crystalline waters and relax. Then feast on a typical dinner with a Maya family before returning to your hotel.

Riviera Maya

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Dos Palmas

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
We will contact you by email to confirm your exact pickup time and to confirm the nearest pick up point if your hotel or accommodation is not served by our routes
Not wheelchair accessible
The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
Bring comfortable clothes and shoes, sunglasses, cap, sunscreen and insect repellent for the tour.
Bring cash or credit card for extra activities, souvenirs and personal shopping, use of video camera.
All children must be accompanied by and adult.

Infants must sit on laps
In case of using a wheelchair, we recommend you bring a companion.
Printed proof of purchase of your tour.
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.3

based on 15 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

True purification

Alexander_B, Apr 2025

Test of mental toughness above all else. Great history to learn about the Mayan culture and take part in the ceremony. Amazing experience to take part in the purification. Different activity from the normal action packed or extreme sports ones. Not quite worth the $169 price tag, but still glad I went.

Powerful experience

Maria_D, May 2024

This was an amazing experience. The van ride was long but very worth it. The ceremony and sweat were very powerful and I can't wait to do it again. Swimming in the cenote after the sweat was refreshing and calming. The traditional dinner was delicious and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. If you are planning on participating in this ritual please do so with respect and an open spirit and you will come away from it with more than you expected.

Really nice evening doing something out of the norm

Erinne_R, Apr 2023

Really good time, the explanations were a little long and repatative but thats ok. bug spray is a really good idea. Its very tough for those of us with clausterphobia (I did make it but a lot of people left after the first song). Would have been nice to have less people as we were waiting on people a decent amount. All in though we would do it again in a heartbeat. It was really different and interesting

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Dear Erinne Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're glad to hear that you had a positive experience during your recent trip with us. We're constantly striving to provide the best possible travel experiences for our friends, and we appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve. We also take note of your comments and suggestions for improvement. We will certainly review them internally and see how we can further enhance our services to ensure an even better experience for our future guests. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on another adventure in the future and provide you with an even more memorable trip. Best regards,

Be prepared for long traveling and waiting times

Lynn_C, Jan 2023

Half the time during the experience was driving (4 hours) and waiting (2 hours). We did not mind waiting outside, however once dusk came we were eaten alive by mosquitoes. The actual ceremony was quite enjoyable—when the tour finally got around to it. This tour needs to: - be more transparent about the general location of the end destination so we can come prepared for a long drive/have the choice to choose a closer activity - better manage their timing so there isn’t so much aimless waiting

Bliss filled evening of soul cleansing

Erik_A, Nov 2021

Upon pickup we traveled approximately 45 min through the jungle to a small Mayan village - Dos Palmas - our guide, gave us a brief tour, and some history of the Mayan way of life. Told us how the Mayan's didn't sleep in beds, how they cooked basically off of a fire surrounded by 3 stones, and covered by a hot plate. We were able to watch a woman making homemade tortilla's of which we later were able to eat. The Temascal was amazing - not for the feint of heart. A breif introduction by the Shaman, a blessing, and a short ceremonial thanks to the cardinal points/Elements and we entered the Temascal (Sweat Lodge.) At which point they brought in several very large, very hot (almost white) stones, the Shaman began his chanting, singing, and story telling all done in the Mayan tounge. Now did I mention this is not for the feint of heart - the temperature gradually increased until it was approximately 140 degree's (per the guide.) Yes you sweat out every pour you have on your body, and find some you would never have thought could sweat. During the process - we lost approximately 5 people who could not handle the heat. Once done, you exit the "womb of the mother" to be reborn, and head to the Cenote for a quick dip and cool down, it is a beautiful yet smaller cenotes. A perfect end to the process. And then dinner was served, this is not some fancy schmancy setting, it is a traditonal Mayan dinner, some rice, some beans, a piece of vegetable similar to a potato, and some chicken served in a red sauce (not spicy) and Hibiscus Tea - once again the perfect end to the evening....... Now one thing to note - you do have a chance to purchase souvenirs, but they are not really any different than any you'll find on Quinta Avenida, or anywhere else in the general area.

Enjoyed .

Igor_I, May 2021

I would do it all over again ! Amazing time , beautiful place , the people are very friendly and kind to tourist in there Community .. it makes you cherish the modern life a lot better , you will learn the history on the ancient mayans as well . They have been around for centuries I love it , I enjoyed .

Worth every penny! A MUST do!

Carly_c, May 2021

This was such a magical, amazing experience even for my teenage daughter. Learned so much about the culture. Food was authentic and delicious. Our tour guide was phenomenal! After leaving the Mayan village, we felt like family! Everyone was so kind and upbeat! I have Traveled to many places in the world, and this was by far one of the best memorable experiences and we all agreed we would totally do it again. So refreshing. If you are into this kind of spiritual stuff, its a MUST. Just dont forget to bring bug spray..we forgot! Other than that..do it! The Cnote was super refreshing too after being in the temazcal.

Preparation foe the Ceremony and the Ceremony itself.

Danyell_B, Jul 2020

This was such an incredible experience from the guide to the village, to the village people and the ceremony which I cried through because I was so moved the entire time. I am really grateful for the experience.

Response from Host, Jul 2020

Hi Danyell, Thank you so much for your nice words. We are more than happy to know that you have a fantastic time with us. See you soon in Mexico.

This is an excursion like no other...

Chris S, Dec 2017

This is an excursion like no other. For those of you looking for a truly enlightening experience... one that takes you away from the craziness that often comes with holidays and and vacationers... this is THE one. The only drawback is the drive to the Mayan territory 2 hours. Once you get there, you realize you are far from the hustle and bustle of the highways and resorts as it's peaceful and quiet. You are met by Mayans who live remotely and still practice their ancestors' traditions from hundreds of years ago. Without giving the entire excursion away, I will say this much - you will walk away spiritually cleansed and blessed. I have been to almost every Caribbean island and have done almost every excursion, and this ranks at the top. I would definitely come back and do this again. Note: There were people in our group who were not as respectful as they should have been i.e. - talking during the ceremony. If you can't be respectful to other cultures and religions, or take them seriously, this probably isn't the excursion for you.