Mayan Purification Experience: Temazcal Ceremony, Cenote Swim, and Cultural Exploration near Cancun
4.5
10 Ratings
Playa del Carmen
Experience a Mayan purification ritual with a Temazcal ceremony led by a shaman near Cancun. Swim in a cenote and explore the customs of a traditional Mayan family.
Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Riviera Maya - The ceremony will take place in a mayan community in the heart of the Mayan Riviera, at 45 mins to Playa del Carmen.
  • Dos Palmas - Discover a real mayan village, you will see their house, how they cook and how life is in the middle of the mayan jungle.
What's Included
  • Visit to the Mayan community and to an art crafts store
  • Traditional Mayan dinner, with non-alcoholic beverages
  • Specialized guide
  • Swim at the cenote (sinkhole)
  • Purification ceremony
  • Temazcal
  • Transportation from and to your hotel
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Gratuities
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
  • Tips
Additional Information

Purify your skin and your mind with a Temazcal ceremony led by a shaman. In the Mayan culture, this steam bath represents the womb that purifies and offers a rebirth. You may supplement this mystical experience swimming in a fresh-water cenote (sinkhole).\n\nYou can also learn the customs of a traditional Mayan family that lives in a community located 45 minutes away from Playa del Carmen.

  • 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
  • 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.
  • In case of using a wheelchair, we recommend you bring a companion.
  • Printed proof of purchase of your tour.
Location
Riviera Maya
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(10 Ratings)
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1 star
Ariel
Sep 21, 2022
Unforgettable experience - This night was a 10 out of 10 experience. Unforgettable night and super unique experience. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erik_a
Nov 6, 2021
Bliss filled evening of soul cleansing - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Igor_i
May 30, 2021
Enjoyed . - 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 .
Review provided by Viator
Carly_c
May 27, 2021
Worth every penny! A MUST do! - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Danyell_b
Jul 12, 2020
Preparation foe the Ceremony and the Ceremony itself. - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Chris
Dec 24, 2017
This is an excursion like no other... - <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Erinne_r
Apr 24, 2023
Really nice evening doing something out of the norm - 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
Review provided by Viator
Rachel31t
May 1, 2022
Unique experience - I was a little bit sceptical about going on this tour due to lack of reviews and also the price (would it be worth the money?). I really enjoyed this unique experience to participate in the ceremony, swim in a covered cenote in the evening (with sea turtles) and have a Mayan meal so glad I went. I slept really well after the experience. Only criticisms were that we got picked up from a random restaurant rather than our hotel in downtown (although we were the first of only three pick-ups so I didn't feel it would be putting the tour company out too much to have come directly to our hotel) and also that more water should have been provided before and after the sweat lodge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aungeliquew
Nov 14, 2019
Nice experience - Our guide on the van was Gustavo. He was absolutely great. He explained the ceremony very well so we knew exactly what to expect. It rained at the beginning of the ceremony and they let us complete the remaining part in the temazcal. It was a beautiful and peaceful experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynn_c
Jan 19, 2023
Be prepared for long traveling and waiting times - 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
Review provided by Viator
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