Night Mayan Temazcal Purification Ceremony

Badge of Excellence

Cancun, Mexico

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

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Overview

Experience the traditional Maya purification ritual of temazcal with a Maya shaman on a 6-hour cultural tour from Cancun that includes round-trip hotel transport, and dinner with a local family. Use a wood-fired steam bath, swim in a jungle cenote, and learn about daily life and heritage in a Maya community.

6-hour cultural tour from Cancun
Experience a temazcal steam bath
Join a purification ritual
Swim in a cenote
Dinner in a local home
Round-trip hotel transfer included

What's Included

Round transportation
Guide specialized in the wished language
Ceremony of purification
Temazcal
Swim in the natural well (Cenote)
Typical mayan dinner with water and soda

Tips

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Hotel lobby in Cancun hotel zone; for downtown hotels/accommodations in Cancun we offer several meeting points; and meeting point in Puerto Juarez Ultramar for Isla Mujeres hotels. Pick up from All-Inclusive Hotels on Riviera Maya, Akumal and Tulum is included. For Hotels in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Playacar and Tulum we offer several meeting points. Please make sure you mentioned your hotel/accommodation details when making a booking. Please contact local supplier at least 48 hours before the tour to confirm your pick up time.

Operating hours
.3:00 pm

What To Expect

Begin with pickup at your hotel in Cancun, then travel to Dos Palmas, a small Maya community in the forest with a vibrant traditional life. Visit a local home to learn how historic customs are used to this day, then begin the orientation to the Maya purification ritual.

Learn to play the sea snail, a traditional instrument that you’ll use throughout the ritual. Meet a shaman in a ceremonial circle, then join a practice designed to unite the circle with the natural world. Enter the temazcal, a traditional steam bath that dates to pre-Hispanic times, and is used by indigenous peoples throughout Mezoamerica for health and spirituality. After experiencing the temazcal, walk through the jungle to an illuminated cenote for a nighttime swim in the cool water.

Refuel with hot chocolate from a natural Maya jícara drinking cup, which you may keep as a gift, then join a local family for a traditional dinner with soft drinks and water. This tour concludes with return transfer to your Cancun hotel.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 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

4.4

based on 38 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great Experiance and a Nice Night Out

Aquarian_G, Apr 2026

Amazing experience. The purification ceremony was unlike any other experience I have had before. The swim in the cenote following the ceremony was nice and gave us time to bond with others in the tour group. Dinner was delicious and I felt welcomed in the village.

Terrible Service

Monet_H, Oct 2025

No communication on where to pick up. No response when calling number provided. No help. Don’t book. Terrible experience. Didn’t even get to go. They sent one message to say pick up time but not where to go, or what van/car to look out for when being picked up. You can’t reach anyone. They just take your money with ZERO communication.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Dear Monet, We’re sorry for the misunderstanding, but our guide was at the meeting point on time and spent over 10 minutes looking for you both inside and outside the lobby — we also have photo evidence confirming this. The phone numbers for voice calls are clearly listed on your voucher. You tried to contact us through WhatsApp calls, but as mentioned in the confirmation message, we only receive text messages on WhatsApp. Unfortunately, we didn’t receive any regular phone calls from you. Even though you didn’t show up, we still issued a 100% refund as a gesture of goodwill. We always aim for clear communication and excellent service for all our guests. Kind regards, OlMar Travel Mexico

Spiritual awakening

David_K, Jan 2025

We were collected outside agreed pick up point on time. Tour operator had confirmed time and location prior via WhatsApp We travelled from downtown Cancun to the location with pickups along the way including Tulum and PDC, where we collected our guide Erica Erica is amazing , she is perfect as a guide for this trip as she lives a holistic lifestyle, is very friendly and inviting and speaks 6 languages and went out of her way to make sure everyone in the group understood (English, Spanish, French and Italian in the group) When arriving you are given a small tour of the community. This is an actual living breathing location with real Mayan people. Please be respectful to them and their customs You’re then given a chance to change a refresh before sundown, then over to an area to begin the ritual which begins outside. Erica explained as much as she could throughout without being invasive You then go into the hut where the ceremony begins. It can get quite hot but I’d liken to being in a sauna, it is small and can feel claustrophobic but I’d advice to sit back, close your eyes and breath and focus on whatever you want to achieve If you struggle there are points at which the shaman will check if all are ok and you can step out or you can call out during if really need be After the ceremony is complete, you can swim in the denote nearby to cool down. Then change and dry off before a humble meal prepared by the locals of chicken , rice and potatoes. Once done time is given to look at a local gift shop before returning Please be mindful that the travel time can be a while , I’d suggest a pack lunch if you have dietary requirements OR feel you will get hungry on your way back

Worst 'holiday experience' ever

Natasha_h, Nov 2024

It's nothing like it says it is total tourist trap don't go. It wasn't local it was 3 1/2 away. That's 7 hours of travel. Guide only new about 8 to English words. No sea horns. No cups as a survivor

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Dear Natasha! Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. To clarify, the Mayan village where the Temazcal ceremony takes place is located near Tulum, approximately 2.5-3 hours away from Cancun and Costa Mujeres. While the travel time can vary depending on traffic, we choose this location because it offers an authentic and meaningful experience in a real Mayan community, preserving the traditions of the ceremony. Additionally, our tour includes a dinner after the ceremony to ensure guests are comfortable, especially since many return to their hotels later in the evening. We strive to provide a high-quality and immersive cultural experience, and we appreciate your input as we continually work to improve. If you would like to discuss your experience further or share more details, please feel free to reach out to us directly. Your feedback is valuable to us. Best regards, The OlMar Travel Mexico Team

Nice ceremony

Naomi_G, Oct 2024

The ceremony was very nice and emotional. the bath afterwards in the Zenote was the highlight. if the people in the Temazcal had not spoken constantly, it would have been even better. the dinner was okay, not special. the guides were good and you felt comfortable. the long way from Cancun to nearby Tulum was very worthwhile.

Transporting back in time... to the Mayan World.

Robert_G, Sep 2024

Wonderful to experience a mayan ceremony/ritual in an authenitic mayan village. Brings things back down to earth when living in the technological/digital world. The pick up/drive from Cancun was a bit long but well worth it.

Magical experience

Jovan_S, Apr 2024

This experience exceeded expectations. It was a true honor to be welcomed into a small, traditional Mayan community. The guides do a wonderful job explaining the process of the temazcal ceremony and what to expect. The purification ritual itself was beautiful and intense. The cenote after was magical. To end the night, we all shared a home cooked traditional Mayan dinner lit by candles. If you’re looking for an authentic excursion and to add deeper meaning and value to your experience in Mexico, book this trip. Thank you to the community for inviting us in to your sacred space.

Definitely a must do experience!

Rachael_F, Apr 2024

Wow what an experience, I think it’s been one of our favourite tours. Melissa was a great guide! The group size was 20 in total but this is the only amount of people who will fit in the steam hut place and it didn’t feel too crowded. It felt surreal taking part in the ceremony and most of the group managed the full 25 minutes. They do give you the opportunity to leave if you do want to, if you do feel like you may struggle I’d recommend sitting by the door. It’s the best steam room I’ve ever been in - they use rosemary and other things and the smell is amazing. There is some singing and at some points you’re all clapping and howling and having a laugh- you are all in pitch black after they blow the candles out so no one can see you. I would just say that you don’t chat during the process as it’s not fair to others, although you may think you’re being quiet- it echoes. The ceynote was not deep and crystal clear and had small fish and terrapins swimming - it’s worth seeing in daylight, when you swim later it’s so refreshing and the terrapins seemed to vanish. It was a much nicer experience than the crowded noisy larger ceynote we’ve been too since. The bus ride is fairly long but I just read a book on the way there, just wish I took a neck pillow for the way back. Tips: wear your swimwear underneath your clothes and take a bag for wet stuff after. Remember your towel and mosquito repellent. Flip flops/sandals are good to wear here. There is a small gift shop, and there is a tip jar after the meal so worth taking a bit of cash. It’s also best to tip the guide before getting back on the bus as she got off the bus before we did.

Yes! Book it!

Sarah_H, Mar 2024

A once in a lifetime experience that will last a lifetime! This is a great option when you want something that you can’t do at home. You can always zip line at home but when can you experience a real Mayan Cleansing Ritual!

Good experience but too many in the group

Chris_B, Jan 2024

Recommend but wished there were less people there...this one had close to 50 people. Beautiful cenote and great meal...

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear Chris, Thank you for your recommendation and feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the beauty of the cenote and the meal provided. We understand the concern regarding the number of people and are constantly working on ways to ensure a more exclusive experience. Your input is invaluable as we strive to improve. We hope to welcome you back soon, perhaps on a tour designed for smaller groups to better suit your preferences. Best wishes, The OlMar Travel Mexico Team

A Mostly Fabulous Evening!

Charles_W, Oct 2023

The authenticity of the Mayan village was great. The ceremony was somewhat tarnished by another group that came in a different van that immediately ordered beer when they arrived. This ruined the sacredness of the ceremony for my wife and I. In the future I think it would be better to limit the sale of alcohol to after the ceremony. Otherwise we enjoyed it very much and the cenote was beautiful. The meal that was prepared was also delicious.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Dear Charles, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the authenticity of the Mayan village and found the cenote beautiful. It's our pleasure to provide our guests with genuine and memorable experiences. We sincerely apologize for the disruption caused by the behavior of the other group during the ceremony. We completely understand your concerns, and we deeply regret that it affected the sacredness of the moment for you and your wife. Your feedback is invaluable, and we take it seriously. On a positive note, we are pleased to know that you enjoyed the delicious meal prepared for you. Our team takes great pride in providing not just immersive experiences but also delightful culinary offerings. Once again, thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your understanding, and we will take your suggestions to heart to enhance the quality of our future ceremonies. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back and provide you with an even more exceptional experience. Warm regards, The OlMar Travel Mexico Team

Incredible

Nancy_G, Sep 2023

It was incredible. Olga took the time to explain everything in multiple languages while. Pick up time was right on point. The driver and guide were very accommodating. The ceremony was incredible. Everyone in the village was so welcoming.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Nancy, Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback with us! We're thrilled to hear that your experience was incredible. Olga, along with our entire team, is committed to ensuring our guests have a comprehensive and enjoyable journey. We're particularly pleased to hear that her multilingual explanations added value to your tour. Your positive words motivate us to keep improving and delivering memorable experiences. We hope to have the pleasure of serving you again on your next adventure. Warm regards, Mariia Kireeva The OlMar Travel Mexico Team

Set the intention and let it flow

Elisha_R, Jun 2023

One of the best experiences I have had it was a night to remember during summer solstice. Take the time to experience it

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Dear Elisha, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that your summer solstice night with our tours agency in Cancun was one of the best experiences you've had. The summer solstice is indeed a special time, and we are delighted that we could make it a night to remember for you. Our team strives to create unforgettable moments for our clients, and your positive feedback reaffirms that we are on the right track. Warmest regards, OlMar Travel Mexico

Enjoyed the ceremony!

Johnell_H, Aug 2022

We loved the ceremony, dinner, cenote and the bonding experience with other travelers. The one thing that wasn’t so great was the drive. Had I been informed that we were going to have to travel two hours each way I wouldn’t have been disappointed, but our driver told us we only had one more stop, but we made four more and our tour guide told us we would be there in 30 minutes and an hour and a half later we arrived. We even stopped at a gas station so she could get coffee and water. The tour is very close to Tulum, so if you are staying near there it’s not that far, but we stayed closer to Cancun in the Rivera area and it was pretty far. As I mentioned, if the expectation was set for that sort of journey it would have been fine. But it wasn’t. The experience itself was delightful, very intense and we slept like babies afterward! I just wished we would have known. Also, bring bug spray! There were a lot of mosquitos. Wear your swimwear there with a coverup and a change of clothes for after.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Dear Travelers, Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your recent tour with us. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the ceremony, dinner, cenote, and bonding experience with other travelers. We appreciate your compliments and are glad that we could provide you with an intense and delightful experience. We apologize for any miscommunication regarding the travel time and the multiple stops along the way. We understand that clear communication is important, and we will take steps to ensure that guests are informed of the expected travel time and any stops that may be made during the journey. We also appreciate your recommendation to bring bug spray and wear appropriate clothing, and we will ensure that this information is communicated to all future guests. At our company, we take guest feedback seriously, and we are committed to improving our services based on your comments. We hope that you will give us another opportunity to serve you in the future and provide you with a more enjoyable and memorable experience. Thank you again for choosing our company for your tour, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Sincerely, Mariia Kireeva

Do Not Book If You’re Staying In Cancun

Karen_W, Aug 2022

The Mayan’s and the ceremony was Amazing but the travel to and from was HORRIBLE. The website should make people aware that if you’re staying in Cancun the ride is at the least 3 hrs and that’s with no traffic. Going it was a 4 hour ride for me that’s with the driver having to pick up other travelers including the tour guide. We spent a lot of time waiting for guest to come out of their resort’s and when we picked up the tour guide she had to stop for coffee and water. Travelers should also be made aware of the fact that this ceremony does not start until dark so plan on staying really late. I got back to my resort after midnight.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Dear Karen! Thank you for your feedback! Your opinion is very important to us. We will definitely do everything necessary to make our service better. We are very sorry that you could not enjoy our tour in full, but let me note that you were in the Playa Mujeres zone, which is 30 minutes further from Cancun. And, since the Temazcal ceremony is held near Tulum, then, indeed, it's a bit far to go from your location. Since this is a shared tour, of course, we pick up other customers from their hotels. But, this is a tour in a small group, so all pick ups are by the way and no more than 3 minutes of waiting. On that day, the guide actually made a stop, as one booking was canceled, and there was still time before the other. And so that you don't sit in the transport at the hotel, waiting for the pickup time, the guide stopped near a shop where you could buy water for the road. We apologize for the inconvenience and wish you nice and safe trips! Please, feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Best regards, OlMar Travel Team

Absolutely beautiful

shanellegramby, Jun 2022

All I can say is absolutely amazinggggg!!! Very humble and accepting people. The steam bath was intense yet incredibly satisfying. This is a ceremony that I would definitely do again. I feel truly humbled after this experience.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Dear Travelers! Thank for such a great review. We are happy to hear you have enjoyed our Night Mayan Temazcal Purification Ceremony tour. Thank you for travelling with us. We hope to see you soon on our OlMar Travel Tours. Best regards, OlMar Travel Mexico Team

A truly spiritual experience!!

Shawna_D, Nov 2021

This was an amazing and intense experience. The sweat lodge is crazy and will purify every cell in your body .. no joke..lol. It was a truly spiritual experience and the swim at the end in the cenote was incredible. The guide and shaman were great. I definitely recommend it to anyone who feels they would enjoy this type of experience.

Response from Host, Nov 2021

Dear Travelers, Thank for such a great review. We are pleased to hear you have enjoyed our Night Mayan Temazcal Purification Ceremony tour. Thank you for travelling with us. Best regards, OlMar Travel Mexico Team

Increíble

Katherine_P, May 2021

Absolutely recommend! If you are interested in mayan culture and looking for a unique experience, I highly suggested this tour. We saw a typical mayan home, ate delicious homemade mayan food, and participated in a ceremony I’ll never forget. The ceremony and temezcal is one of the best experiences I’ve ever been apart of. The cenote at night was also an incredible experience. Our tour guide Gustavo was extremely knowledgeable and kind. If you have an open mind and are interested in mayan culture, then this is for you! Honestly, if you don’t book this tour you’re missing out. Just for people interested in the time frame, we left at 3 pm and got back around 12am.

Response from Host, May 2021

Dear Travelers! Thank you for taking your time and leave such an amazing review. We are pleased to know, that you enjoyed your expirience on our Temazcal Purification Ceremony tour. Our customers´ experience is the main priority for OlMar Travel Mexico. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to see you on our tours again. Best regards, OlMar Travel Team

Great Experience

RITA_R, Apr 2021

It was an amazing experience. My daughter and I love it. The ceremony and the people doing the ceremony were beautiful. Thank you

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Dear Travelers! Thank you for taking your time and leave such an amazing review. We are pleased to know, that you enjoyed our tour to Temazcal Purification Ceremony. Our customers´ experience is the main priority for OlMar Travel Mexico. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to see you on our tours again. Best regards, OlMar Travel Team

great tour

FAINA_D, Aug 2020

Great work amazinf staff and happy to work with you and keep up the great work and amazing contact and thanks

Authentic experience!

Andrey_G, Jul 2019

When people from tribe told us : you are going to be born again, they weren’t joking :))) . So many little details made overall experience an amazing flow of stubble energy within us...

Amazing

Esteban100, May 2019

An absolute must, the tour was awsome, the guide explanation were great, the purification ceremony a wonderful experience and the temazcal top ! Swimming at night in the cenote is amazing.

Our tour guide, Ricardo, was...

RACHEL S, Mar 2017

Our tour guide, Ricardo, was excellent, very knowledgeable. The experience was authentic, and most importantly, a portion of the proceeds from the tour go towards a school for Mayan children to preserve the Mayan culture and language. Drink lots of water before you go. The sweat lodge - even though it's only 1/2 hour, is pretty warm.