Would you like to know Aktun Chen? Aktun Chen is a natural park located between the city of Playa del Carme and Tulum and of course, a tourist place that has caught the attention of many visitors to the Riviera Maya. So surely if you are visiting the Riviera Maya or staying in Cancun you will want to know this place and that is why right now we will tell you a little about it.
Fuente: TripAdvisor
Aktun Chen
Aktun Chen is located 107 km from Cancun, along the Mayan Riviera, just 16 km before the Mayan Ruins of Tulum and 4 km past Akumal, you find Aktun Chen, which in Mayan means “cave with an underground river inside”.
To get here, you can book a transfer service in Cancun or buy a tour that already includes the transfer. It should be noted that if you are in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, you can get to Aktun Chen by public transportation. But as we mentioned above, if you are in the city of Cancun, the best option is a private transfer.
The park has an area of 400 Has (988 acres) of unexplored Rainforest in which the only thing that has been exploited is the gum of a local tree called “chicozapote”.
Three caves with a cenote (underground river) have been discovered in the park. The main cave is now suitable for an easy walking tour which has been enhanced with indirect lighting for a better view and enjoyment of the thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and natural sculptures, all of them formed by water and calcium carbonate throughout five million years.
You are able to see some of the local wildlife such as the white tail deer, the spider monkey, the badger, the wild boar, the wild turkey, the iguanas and some local wild birds.
When you arrive at the reception area in Aktun Chen, you are welcomed by a specialized guide, who takes you on a journey that lasts for about an hour and fifteen minutes.
There you learn about the use that the ancient Mayans gave to the caves, as well as the formation process of the stalactites, stalagmites and the cave itself, giving you an interesting and pleasant learning experience.
After touring 600 meters of very interesting formations in the cave, you are right in front of a breathtaking cenote of crystal clear water with a depth of 12 meters, and a no less magnificent vault with thousands of stalactites, which take you to the end of your journey in the cave. The cave can be toured by anyone regardless of age, as long as you can walk on your own.
It has even been visited by people who need the help of a cane for walking. People who are claustrophobic can enjoy this wonderful place without any fear, due to the fact that along the walk thru the cave there are three exits to the jungle that make the place feel ventilated and eliminate the feeling of confinement.
As you exit the cave, you find a small restaurant where you can enjoy some of the local cuisine, delicious tropical fruits,ice-cold Mexican beer and soft drinks. Back at the reception area, you walk thru paths in the jungle where you can see different species of local tropical flora.
Conclusion
Aktun Chen has to be on your list of places to visit and remember; If you are staying in Cancun, the best option to go to this paradisiacal and mystical place is the private transportation service. We hope to see you soon!