Mayan Ceremonial Night from Cancun and Riviera Maya

Enjoyed experience. Great translators and Mayan presentation. Keep in mind once the program starts it is in Spanish. We were only English speaking couple in group. We still enjoyed experience and meal afterwards. Cenote was so great afterwards.

Test of mental toughness above all else. Great history to learn about the Mayan culture and take part in the ceremony. Amazing experience to take part in the purification. Different activity from the normal action packed or extreme sports ones. Not quite worth the $169 price tag, but still glad I went.

I think the idea is wonderful. The experience was okay. The description said that we would be in a group of less than 15 people. In fact, there were around 40 people. Some people including us did not get a spot in Temazcal and we had to sit on the floor which was somewhat cold. Our guide was just terrible. I don’t say it lightly but she destroyed a cool experience by constant micromanaging and leading us as if we were a group of troubled youth rather than adults.

My sister and I regularly participate in ceremonies with native American people in the US and are familiar with sweat lodges and ceremonies. This was an authentic and powerful ceremony. It does get hot but not extremely so and it was possible to leave any time you wanted. The temescal lasted about a half hour and the swim in the cenote afterward was the perfect completion to a purification ceremony. The guides and the people in the village were all wonderful. Highly recommend. Go with an open mind and heart and you will have a great experience. 😊 Be aware that the bus trip picks up from a lot of hotels so can be quite long depending on what part of the route you are on.

This was an amazing experience. The van ride was long but very worth it. The ceremony and sweat were very powerful and I can't wait to do it again. Swimming in the cenote after the sweat was refreshing and calming. The traditional dinner was delicious and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. If you are planning on participating in this ritual please do so with respect and an open spirit and you will come away from it with more than you expected.

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

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

This night was a 10 out of 10 experience. Unforgettable night and super unique experience. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Highly recommended

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.

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.