Looking for a unique Cozumel shore excursion that takes you beyond the island? During our MSC cruise, we booked the Caverns and Underground Snorkel and Shopping in Playa del Carmen excursion through MSC Cruises and spent the day exploring the incredible Chaak Tun Caverns in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
This full-day adventure began with a ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen before a short shuttle trip to the cenote cave system. Along the way, we explored ancient limestone caverns, walked through narrow underground passages, swam in crystal-clear waters, learned about the geology of the cave system, and experienced one of the most unique excursions we’ve ever taken in Mexico.
Exploring the Chaak Tun Caverns
After arriving at the cave system, we were provided with water shoes, life jackets, helmets, flashlights, and snorkeling masks before beginning our guided tour.
Inside the caves, our guide explained how the limestone formations developed over thousands of years while pointing out stalactites, stalagmites, rock formations, fish, bats, and other natural features hidden beneath the surface.
One of our favorite parts of the excursion was navigating some of the narrower passages deep inside the cave system. The crystal-clear water remained around 22°C (72°F), and swimming through these underground chambers was an unforgettable experience.
Free Time in Playa del Carmen
After our cave adventure, we returned to Playa del Carmen, where our excursion included approximately an hour of free time to explore.
We spent our time browsing shops, visiting Starbucks (a bit of a travel tradition for us), walking along the colorful streets, and taking a quick trip down to the beach before meeting our group for the return ferry.
An Important Tip About the Ferry
If you’re considering this excursion, there’s one thing we strongly recommend.
Prepare for the ferry ride.
Even though the weather was beautiful during our excursion, the ferry crossing was surprisingly rough. Several passengers struggled with seasickness, and we were very glad we had taken medication beforehand.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, we highly recommend planning ahead before booking this excursion.
And if you watch the video until the end, you’ll also get to see the unexpected guest Andrea discovered during the excursion, a rather large tarantula. 🕷️
Overall, we thought this was an excellent MSC shore excursion that combined cave swimming, cenotes, sightseeing, shopping, and a little bit of adventure. If you’re visiting Cozumel and looking for something different from a traditional beach day, this excursion may be worth considering.
Watch the full excursion video here: https://youtu.be/-Xux82sSe5I