VAN ADVENTURES AROUND THE YUCATAN.
- Jul 4
- 5 min read
Some trips are about more than relaxing at a resort—they're about getting outside and exploring a destination firsthand. Our latest adventure through Mexico's beautiful Yucatán Peninsula was exactly that.
With a small group of just five guests, we set out to experience some of the region's most iconic sights and hidden natural wonders. Keeping our groups small allows everyone to connect, travel at a relaxed pace, and enjoy experiences that simply aren't possible with large tour buses.
ATV Cenote exploration.
Our adventure began with six ATVs delivered right to our doorstep, allowing us depart at our leisure. After a quick safety briefing, we fired up the engines and made our way through the streets of Tulum before escaping into the surrounding jungle for a reprieve from the heat.
The ride was the perfect mix of excitement and exploration. The roads kept us on our toes, and a few mechanical quirks with the ATV's added some unexpected adventure along the way!
Discovering the Crystal Waters of the Cenotes and taking the Leap
One of the true highlights of the Yucatán is its incredible network of freshwater cenotes, and our group experienced several of these natural wonders.
The first stop was Cenote Calavera to test the gusto of the group. Sunlight streams through small openings in the cave ceiling, illuminating unbelievably clear blue water below. Massive rock formations surrounded us while tropical birds echoed through the jungle above. The first test was a short step into the drop holes leading into the cenote. Everyone did a great job and conquered some fear :-). A great day one.
Our first stop was Cenote Calavera, where everyone got an early test of their courage. Sunlight streamed through small openings in the cave ceiling, illuminating unbelievably clear blue water below. Massive rock formations surrounded us while tropical birds echoed through the jungle above.
The first challenge was stepping through the famous drop holes into the cenote below. Everyone did a great job conquering a little fear, and it was the perfect way to kick off the adventure.
Once in the water, we snorkeled through crystal-clear caverns, explored underwater rock formations, and watched small schools of freshwater fish glide effortlessly through the pristine water. The visibility was nothing short of spectacular.
For many in our group, it was their very first time swimming inside a cenote—and hopefully not their last!
Our second stop was Cenote Zacil-Ha. This seemed like a good natural progression from the first cenote. Another great swimming hole with a zipline overhead. The cost was roughly 60c each and once again we took turns overcoming a bit of fear while dropping about 15 feet into the refreshing cenote. Great times here before moving onto Gran Cenote to finish our excursion for the day.
Gran Cenote would be the fist big chamber we visited and with the use of snorkel vests- you can cruise through a nice overhead passage, admiring the stalagtites along the way.
Yacht Day!
One of the highlights of our Yucatán adventure was spending the day aboard a spacious 52-foot yacht cruising the beautiful Caribbean coastline. While the sea was a bit rough and patches of seasonal sargassum clogged the coastline, it didn't take away from an incredible day on the water. This crew is always ready for a good time. With some margaritas, chicken, chips and guac... we had exactly that. Great staff, good food, and a fun day out was a perfect gear change from all of the driving.
Descending Into the Mysteries of Cenote Angelita
There were only four of us on this dive, which made the experience better with a mostly empty cenote. After a briefing and gear check, we began our descent into the clear waters of Cenote Angelita, one of the Yucatán's most unique underwater landscapes.
Our local dive guide Budgie, a seasoned cenote veteran with countless dives (50 years worth under his belt), led the way at a steady pace. While he is not the fastest swimmer anymore, his experience and calm confidence are still there.
The visibility is incredible as you slowly descended through the freshwater. Sunlight filtered through the opening above, creating beams of light that danced across the limestone walls. Every few feet deeper felt like entering another world. The famous tree island finally appears and this is where the magnitude of the sinkhole dive really sets in.
As we continued deeper, the wide sinkhole opened into breathtaking shaped walls of ancient limestone formations, sculpted over thousands of years. The silence underwater was almost surreal, broken only by the rhythmic sound of our own breathing.
Reaching Angelita's famous hydrogen sulfide cloud is what makes this dive so special. Suspended deep below the surface, the ghostly white layer looked like an underwater river of mist flowing through a submerged forest. Dead tree branches reached upward from beneath the cloud, creating a hauntingly beautiful scene that felt more like another planet than Earth.
We hovered for several minutes, taking it all in before beginning our slow ascent. As sunlight gradually grew brighter above us, it was hard not to appreciate how special the dive had been.
Budgie knew every small swimthrough (to a fault). A few of us squeezed through narrow short tunnels around 15ft back out into the open water.
Cenote Angelita isn't about fast currents or colorful coral reefs. It's about mystery, geology, and experiencing one of the most extraordinary underwater environments in the world. Sharing that adventure with three friends and an experienced local guide made it a great dive.
Exploring the Magnificent Chichén Itzá
Our final major adventure took us to the legendary Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Walking through the ancient Mayan city is a humbling experience. Towering above the grounds, the Temple of Kukulcán stands as a masterpiece of engineering and astronomy that continues to amaze visitors centuries after it was built.
What truly made this visit unforgettable was our outstanding local guide. His passion for Mayan history brought every stone and every temple to life. Instead of simply pointing out landmarks, he shared fascinating stories about ancient traditions, astronomical discoveries, ceremonial practices, and the incredible ingenuity of the Mayan civilization.
By the end of the tour, our group wasn't just taking photos—we had gained a genuine appreciation for one of the world's greatest archaeological treasures.
We left and headed to Valladollid for lunch and another cenote. This time was the picturesque Seytun. Regularly filled by models and photographed by photographers- its for good reason. The cenote has a nicely built platform in the center that makes for an amazing runway inside the grand chamber.
After a chilling refresh. We headed back to the house by 8pm and off to bed to recover for the flight home with a quick souvenir stop along the way.
Join the Next Adventure
Thats it for now! If exploring ancient Mayan cities, snorkeling crystal-clear cenotes, cliff jumping into pristine freshwater pools, and riding ATVs through the jungle sounds like your kind of vacation, I would love to have you join us on our next adventure.
The memories are waiting—I'll take care of the rest.
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