Mexico 2024 Diving Expedition to the Yucatan caves and more, follow along her on the adventure.
At Go Diving Center Maspalomas, Gianni and I are setting of for an adventure dive vacation/expedition from our island home in Gran Canaria to the jungles of Mexico. We are leading 20 divers from all over Europe, they are joining us for Diving in Mexico from the cenotes to the ocean. It’s not common for dive centers like ours to venture abroad and go Diving in Mexico, but we believe in offering unique adventures to our clients. Over our first year in business in Maspalomas, we’ve built great relationships, so here we go! Gianni and I are packed and ready. Follow our journey as it unfolds in this blog.
From Canary's to Cancun
Diving in Mexico starts with Traveling from Gran Canaria to the Yucatán Peninsula is no small feat. It’s a two-hour flight from Las Palmas to Madrid, followed by a ten-hour flight to Cancun, plus the necessary transfers. We arrived in Cancun for late in the evening after a full day of travel. Fortunately, the flights were a great find—comfortable and reasonably priced.
Arriving at Cancun airport, the scene was fairly typical until we stepped outside the small terminal, where the night truly came alive with jungle heat, humidity, and the allure of chilled mojitos at the bar right by the bus stop. There are several ways to reach your destination from Cancun, including the new “Mayan railway.” Everything seems safe, clean, and affordable from what we’ve seen so far. A word of advice: keep a close eye on your bags while traveling and stick to legitimate taxis and transport options. We opted for the bus, which was empty, air-conditioned, and provided an easy ride to our first stop: Tulum.
We arrived in Tulum, our base camp around 10:00 PM at a small coach station just off the main road. Initially, it was a bit disorienting, but we soon found our bearings and began making our way down the main street, dragging our suitcases and diving gear behind us. The streets were lively, dotted with bars, potholes, and mobile taco stands. What struck me most was how the jungle seems to creep back into the gaps between buildings, even among the more upscale clubs and restaurants. The Yucatan jungle still makes its presence known.
Settling In and Exploring Tulum
After finally finding our hotel last night, we settled in for a much-needed rest. With 24 hours of travel behind us, sleep came easily. An added bonus was that waking up on local time meant we avoided the usual struggle with jet lag.
Our base for the first two days is the KAAB Hotel, a clean, affordable, and perfectly located spot just off Tulum’s main road. The morning began with breakfast at KANAAB, another hidden gem in Tulum’s backstreets. These side roads provide a glimpse into the Tulum of old, before its recent transformation. Amidst trendy hotels, derelict buildings, and vintage American trucks, you’ll find restaurants like this one. We enjoyed local eggs with green salsa and cold coffee while sitting in a courtyard surrounded by palm leaves and jungle plants. It was an ideal setting to start the day, planning and preparing the logistics of our diving expedition while uploading photos and stories
from the morning.
As the morning’s work wrapped up, we ventured out into Tulum. The recent rain had left the air cool and fresh, perfect for exploring the town’s boho spirit. Tulum is filled with cool and trendy spots along the main road, with side streets offering their own temptations. We stopped for lunch at Crazy Fish, a small street-side restaurant offering fantastic fish tacos paired with local beer. The vibe was relaxed and inviting—just what we needed.
The afternoon was a mix of relaxation and work. We spent some time by the hotel pool, catching up on tasks for the dive center back in Gran Canaria, while Gianni made plans for tomorrow night’s activities. Tulum is famous for its nightlife, with a plethora of chic parties, renowned DJs, and a vibe that’s sure to impress. We’re looking forward to experiencing it all in the days ahead.
Mojitos and psychedelic toad venom!
The morning kicks off with a clear sky and the kind of humid heat that sticks to you. We’re feeling pretty settled in now and have a clear plan for the day: we’re heading to the beach! Tulum is a town split between two worlds—there’s the vibrant main street, full of shops, taco stands, and bars, and then there’s the beach, with its old hippie vibes, high-end clubs, linen dresses, and miles of golden sand and blue water nestled against the jungle.
We rent bikes at the hotel (you can find them for rent literally everywhere) and set off down the main road, quickly veering into the back streets. It’s only minutes before we find our first stop—BUFO! If you didn’t already know, Mexico has a fascinating relationship with psychedelics, spiritual journeys, and shamans. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if it’s yours, this is the place—Tacos, Mojitos, and psychedelic toad venom, all set within a luxury hotel surrounded by jungle and glass mirrors. Naturally, we head inside.
After grabbing a table, we order tacos (what else?) and lemonade, along with a local soup that seems to be a staple here—a meat and onion dish. I don’t finish mine, but the locals seem to love it. As we eat, we watch people come and go for their spiritual treatments, appointments with toad venom, and ancestor chats—apparently, these will solve all your problems, according to the posters and flyers. I’m told you don’t lick the toads; instead, a small amount of venom is applied to your skin and absorbed into your bloodstream. This place is truly wild—a mix of tacos, spiritual journeys, and, of course, a swim in the pool with a mojito.
After breakfast, we head down the road that leads to the ocean. More jungle, more bars, more restaurants, and the beginnings of mega luxury hotels that are clearly staking their claim to Tulum’s future. While this area will look spectacular in a decade or so, it won’t be the Tulum the early devotees remember.
These beach cruiser bikes are ubiquitous in Tulum they are all a little beaten up but fantastic, by one brakes down!. My bike’s chain keeps derailing, leaving me to hitch a ride behind Gianni while I enjoy the ride without peddling as he tows me for a while—a sad situation indeed. Luckily, we find some friendly locals working on one of the new luxury rental apartments near the Mayan Jaguar nature reserve. They help us out, and soon I’m back to
The road through the jungle in the Jaguar nature reserve is incredible and eventually leads us to Playa de Pescadores—blue water, cold beer, and a swim in 30-degree water. Afterward, it’s back on the bikes to Tulum’s beach strip, cruising along the sandy roads, soaking in the boho vibes, and checking out the equally boho crowd. The eco-resorts along the way, literally growing out of the jungle, are something you have to see to believe.
On our way back, we make a quick stop for coffee from a VW camper van parked roadside—a cold coffee cream served over cold milk. It’s amazing. Then, it’s back to the hotel to prep for the night ahead. It’s Friday, and it’s clear that everyone’s planning the same thing.
Getting down to business
The last few days have been travel and buisness meetings and one very late partying. We were lucky enough to have a client in town on holiday and we meet for drinks and partying…from a hostel bar to roof top house pool party is no problem here, and so is Leaving Tulum for Playa del Carmen by bus, is safe and easy, and in no time we and all our heavy dive equipment are in our new friends dive center planning the dives.
DAY 1 Meeting a god
After a decent night’s rest—well, decent for most of us—the group gathers in the coffee shop opposite our hotel. A quick breakfast fuels us up, as today marks the real beginning of our adventure: our first cenote dive. With coffee cups empty, we head over to the dive center to meet our instructors and get our gear sorted. Spirits are high as we load up the pickup trucks and leave Playa del Carmen behind, venturing deep into the jungle.
The road quickly transforms into a trail cutting through thick greenery, and before long, we arrive at our first dive site: Kukulcan and Chac-Mool. These cenotes carry their own distinct energy and history, each named after significant cultural and spiritual elements. Today, we’re starting with Kukulcan, named after the revered Mayan god.
Before descending into the depths, we’re given a safety briefing, along with an introduction to the cenotes—how they were formed, their spiritual significance to both the ancient and modern-day Maya, and why these sites are so respected. It’s almost overwhelming, the mix of natural beauty and cultural history that surrounds these places. Standing at the entrance, you can sense the weight of the history here.
After gearing up, we take a short walk through the jungle to the cenote entrance. Kukulcan is one of the first cenotes ever mapped for divers, and its reputation is well-earned. What most people don’t know is that it’s also a time capsule, containing ancient fossils of sea creatures and even a fossilized human handprint, hidden deep within the underwater caves. The sheer awe of it all is hard to put into words.
One of the highlights of this dive is the halocline—a phenomenon where saltwater and freshwater meet, creating an otherworldly effect as the two mix and distort light. If you’ve never experienced a halocline, and don't know what one is then keep reading.
Stay tuned—this is just the beginning of our cenote adventure!
Day 2 Sea dives
Day two kicks off with a familiar rhythm for us at Go Diving—except for one major difference: the water temperature! The warm waters of Mexico are a welcome change from what we’re used to. We start the day by loading up the pickup trucks and heading to the beach, where two boats are waiting to take us out to our first dive spot.
The ride is short, and soon we’re preparing for a drift dive. The water is so warm here, you can dive in just a shirt and shorts—it’s almost too easy. The gentle current carries us along as we take in the vibrant marine life, with huge parrotfish and five graceful turtles gliding by. It’s one of those moments that reminds you why you fell in love with diving in the first place.
Our second dive of the day takes us to a reef teeming with life. Lobsters peek out from crevices, and we spot a sleepy nurse shark resting on the ocean floor. Every detail of this underwater world is awe-inspiring, and we surface with a sense of exhilaration that only comes from a truly great dive.
It’s hard to top a day like this, but there’s plenty more to come!
Day 4 Jungle calling
Today, the jungle calls. We’re heading out to two incredible cenotes—Eden and Chikin Ha.
First up is Eden, and it truly lives up to its name. This cenote is a stunning open pond surrounded by lush greenery, teeming with life. The crystal-clear waters are home to freshwater crayfish and turtles, and the beauty of this place has tempted more than a few unfortunate swimmers and snorkelers to explore its mysterious depths...at there purill! But make no mistake—this cenote is deep, and its allure is both enchanting and humbling.
Next, we move on to Chikin Ha, a cenote that feels like something out of an ancient dream. With deep underwater passages and hidden air spaces, this site is perfect for those looking for a bit more adventure. There’s even the possibility of encountering a shaman during your surface intervals, adding a mystical element to the experience. As we dive through the famous “Rainbow Galleries,” the bright greens of the jungle canopy dance above us, creating a surreal underwater vision. Each passage we explore feels like a journey into another world.
It’s been an unforgettable day in the heart of Mexico’s cenotes, where nature and spirituality seem to intertwine in the most magical way.
Day 5 Wrecked in mexico
Today, we’re back in the ocean for another incredible dive—this time on a vibrant reef and a historic shipwreck. The day starts early, and after a quick blast on a fast boat to Cancun, we arrive at our first site.
The reef is nothing short of spectacular. All 20 of us drift effortlessly over the colorful corals, weaving through swim-throughs as we marvel at the variety of marine life. The colors and diversity are astounding, a kaleidoscope of fish and coral that has to be seen firsthand to be truly appreciated.
Our second dive takes us to an old U.S. minesweeper shipwreck, perfectly preserved and waiting to be explored. At 50 meters long, the wreck rests in the sand at 30 meters depth and provides an ideal site for our less experienced divers to try their hand at wreck penetration. Swimming through the narrow passages of this still-intact vessel is an unforgettable experience, especially with schools of fish circling around us and the occasional parrotfish gliding by.
This combination of reef and wreck diving has been a perfect mix of adventure and awe, offering something for every diver in our group. Tomorrow, who knows what’s next, but today was one for the books!
Day 6 You weren't there man
The final dives of the week are set to be something truly special, with two vastly different cenotes on the agenda: Casa and Angelita. As always, we start the day at the local market, grabbing fresh juices and snacks for the jungle. After loading up in four pickup trucks, we’re off.
Our first stop is Cenote Casa, a shallow jungle cenote that’s connected to the ocean. The mangrove forest here is full of life—aggressive crabs, fish, and even the occasional alligator patrol the waters. But the real adventure starts below the surface. This cenote is known for its fossilized remains of ancient turtles and other creatures, nestled in chambers beneath the jungle floor. The dive here is an excellent opportunity to fine-tune sidemount skills, especially for a few divers I’ve personally taught. Sidemount diving has deep roots in Mexico, and this is one of the prime locations to practice and refine technique.
After a quick lunch, we head deeper into the jungle to Cenote Angelita. This is a completely different world. Surrounded by dense, remote jungle—complete with tarantulas and other signs of raw nature—it feels like we’re venturing into the unknown. Our legendary cave diving guide, Pepe, briefs us as a team, and we prepare for what promises to be a unique experience.
The dive begins with a descent straight into the sinkhole. At 27 meters, we hit a thick layer of poisonous hydrogen sulfide—this eerie cloud forms from decomposition and acts as a visual barrier. Above the cloud, we can only see the tops of dead submerged trees poking through the surface. Holding hands in a parachute formation to maintain contact, we descend deeper into near-zero visibility. As we push through the thick red layer of sulfur, we drop down to 33 meters, where the eerie underside of an “island” sticks up from the smoke-like cloud. We spend a few minutes at 34 meters, marveling at this surreal landscape before rising above the cloud to explore the smaller side caves.
This dive left a profound impression on everyone. Angelita is one of those places where words fail—you truly have to experience it to understand. As the last dive of the week, it was the perfect culmination of an unforgettable journey.
Saturday Temples and Bongos
After a full week of diving, it’s time for a change of pace as we dive into Mexico’s rich history and culture. Today, a coach picks us up early from the hotel and we head straight into the jungle for a visit to one of the country’s most iconic archaeological sites—Chichén Itzá. We’ve planned two excursions on this dive adventure to balance out the underwater exploration with some cultural immersion, and this is our first.
The drive is long but worth every minute as we approach the impressive Temple of Kukulcan, dedicated to the Mayan water god. This towering pyramid is built over a hidden cenote, and its history is as rich as it is chilling—it was a key site for human sacrifices in ancient Mayan rituals. Surrounding the temple are expansive ceremonial grounds, including the famous ball courts and other ceremonial buildings. The scale of this ancient city is mind-blowing.
After taking in the awe-inspiring architecture, it’s time to cool off with a swim in a hidden cenote nearby. A dip in these crystal-clear waters is the perfect way to refresh before heading to lunch. The day is capped off with a tequila tasting, where we sample the local spirits and learn about the traditional methods of production.
The journey back to the hotel is long but restful, as we recharge for the night ahead. After a quick shower, we’re off to experience the legendary Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen. There’s no way to describe Coco Bongo—it’s something you have to see to believe! If you’re ever in Playa, this is the place to be.
Sunday good byes and hellos
Some of our group depart today and some new faces arrive. Today is a rest and settling in day read for the next week.
Day 9 The little guys, they suck!
It’s from the comfort of my hotel room bed that everything finally starts to make sense. The last few days, I’ve felt run down and tired, but it wasn’t until mid-week, while diving, that things took a weird turn. Suddenly, I was EXTREMELY cold in the water—a real red flag now!. I thought I was just running low on energy and tried to fix it by layering up, eventually wearing three wetsuits at once even on the surface. I was sweating but still freezing in the water. Now, it all adds up.
The jungle here in Mexico is raw, alive, and full of surprises. This trip has been an adventure, and like any true adventure, there’s an element of risk. From spiders and snakes to caiman alligators, the jungle has its share of wildlife. However, the real culprit in my case was something far smaller—the ever-present mosquitoes. Despite good planning and precautions, one of these tiny bloodsuckers found me, either in the jungle or maybe even back at the hotel, and it left me with a parting gift: Dengue fever.
Dengue is rare here, and many healthy people may get bitten by an infected mosquito and never even know it, fighting off the illness with ease. I wasn’t so lucky. The symptoms take about a week to show up, and when they did, I quickly went from tired to bed-bound with light fever and sickness. Luckily, most cases of dengue only need few bed rest days, water, and a bit of patience to get through.
Now, I’m almost on the other side of it, fully stocked with medical supplies, resting up for my return to the water. I’m diving again on Tuesday after missing out on “Dos Ojos” on Monday. I’m itching to get back out there, and by the looks of it, I’ll be ready for a splash!
Day 10 Im back baby
Thanks for joining us, im Scott from GO DIVING Center in Gran Canaria, Stay tuned as our adventure in the Yucatán continues! Follow us on instagram for updates and more.
Scott Finch Co owner and dive instructor GO DIIVNG Center Maspalomas Gran Canria
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