FAQs
Planning Your Trip
How far in advance should I book? We recommend 2-4 months for week-long trips, especially November through April (peak season). This ensures guide availability and gives you time to plan logistics.
What's included in a typical week-long package? 5-6 diving days with 2-3 cave dives per day, exploring 8-12 different cenote systems. We customize itineraries based on your experience and interests—whether you're focused on photography, deep dives, or specific geological features.
What does a week-long trip cost? Guided packages typically range from $1,800-$3,500 USD depending on group size and sites visited. This covers diving only—accommodation, meals, and equipment rental are separate.
Where should I stay? Tulum offers the shortest drive times to most cave systems. Playa del Carmen has more amenities and nightlife. Akumal is quieter and more relaxed. We're happy to share recommendations based on your priorities.
Requirements & Preparation
What certifications do I need? Full cave certification from NSS-CDS, NACD, TDI, IANTD, GUE, or equivalent agencies. For cavern tours, cavern certification is required.
What equipment configuration should I bring? Sidemount is most common due to restrictive passages, though backmount doubles work in larger systems. You'll need primary light (1000+ lumens), two backup lights, primary reel, safety reel, and SMB. Technical cave gear can be rented locally, but we recommend bringing your own lights, computers, and regulators.
What should I know about the diving conditions? Water temperature is a constant 24-25°C (75-77°F) year-round—most divers use 3mm or 5mm wetsuits. Visibility is world-class at 50-100+ meters. Cave diving is excellent any time of year, though November-April has the most stable weather.
The Experience
What makes Riviera Maya cave diving special? You're diving the world's longest underwater cave systems with pristine visibility, dramatic haloclines creating mirror effects, and passages decorated with ancient stalactites and stalagmites. Some systems contain Mayan artifacts and support unique cave-adapted wildlife like blind cavefish.
Can you accommodate underwater photography? Absolutely. While our guides can't operate cameras during dives (local regulations), we support photographers by adjusting routes and profiles for optimal conditions. We can also arrange professional photographers to join as additional team members.
Do you offer training courses? Yes—we teach Cave Diving, Cavern Diving, Sidemount, Advanced Nitrox, and Decompression Procedures. Our instructors have extensive experience in these specific cave systems.
Logistics
What's available for gas fills? Air, Nitrox (up to EAN40), and trimix are available locally with next-day turnaround.
Do I need to speak Spanish? Not for diving—our guides are English-speaking. Spanish is helpful for general travel but most tourist areas are bilingual.
What's your cancellation policy? We don't accept cancellations within 24 hours of scheduled dives, and deposits are non-refundable within this window.
Ready to dive?
Contact us to start planning your technical cave diving expedition in Riviera Maya.