Yaaj- Ximbal Jungle Tour

I had the wonderful experience of taking a Yaaj-Ximbal tour. This was a truly amazing experience and opened up a whole side of Tulum that I have not seen before. I am so thankful for this unreal opportunity and would strongly recommend that people take the tour.

The day started with my friend picking me up and taking me to the store where all the cooks buy the food fresh for that days meal. I rode out with the crew to one of the locations so that they could work on preparing the food. While we were getting the food out to the location, the rest of the guests were getting picked up at their hotels.

As we all met up and were introduced to the tour guides and each other I could tell that I was in for a treat. We were riding in very comfortable Land Rovers and I knew that these vehicles could handle any road in Mexico.

Thanks god because as we set off into the jungle it became very clear just how off road we were going to get. The road was very bumpy and all over the place but in a very fun and safe way.


For anyone who has ever been on the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland can totally relate to the journey. This is just real and much more fun. There was a younger child in our group but I am not sure how much fun it was for him.

I would say that for both the parents and the kids to have the best of the experience probably kids 10 and older would be good. (If you need a babysitter you can contact mindyintulum@yahoo.com for babysitters in the area.)

As we forged ahead on the trail we were pointed out various trees and important foliage and given a lot of history and mythical tradition along the way. There were many beautiful sites to see along the trail.


There were stunning cenotes filled with lilies and beautiful foliage all around. At one point we came to a watchtower that was built of Zapote trees. This wood is amazingly strong and durable not to mention stunningly beautiful. The views from this tower were so beautiful.

Just beneath the tower is a cenote that also has a repel from the middle of the tower. I can imagine that would be very cool to do. We explored a cave and the Aluxes that lived there. These are mythical spirits, resembling trolls, that are believed to live all over the Yucatan. They are associated with nature such as jungles and caves which are numerous in the Tulum area. These mischievous little spirits are known to move things around a lot and cause quite a ruckus. Taking the form of stone during the day, they awaken at night to cause their mischief. You can see the old man in stone in this picture.

After continuing on our journey we made our way over to the location of the cenote, dry cave and zip line. This was very cool. With the help of our tour guides we got into our harnesses.

There was a group of 12 of us. All 4 daughters ranging with high school age all went on as did almost everyone else in the group. Including the 7 year old boy although he went tandem with one of the guides.



The zip line was very easy, fun and was over quick. Definitely not too bad for all who go on the tour. The "Mayan brakes" were large pieces of wood that would help to slow you down. One of the guides was also down at the bottom with the secondary and emergency breaks. I felt very safe and we all had a really good time.

This is probably a good time to mention one of my favorite parts of the tour... There is professional photographer following you around through out the whole thing taking great pictures. This is particularly handy at the moment when you are flying down the zip line. But you also get to pose at the bottom just in case your face is doing some crazy face.

After the zip line you continue the tour into a dry cave. For people who do not want to do the zip line there is an easy way to join the group at the bottom. The dry cave was beautiful. You could clearly see the stalagmites and stalactites. They are so beautiful and the guides are really full of knowledge and are a lot of fun.

We headed off to get in our swim suits for the cenote part of the day. Almost all of my favorite days involve a cenote and this day was no exception. We walked down a long steep stair case and came into a beautiful cave. The water was as clear and perfect as you could imagine.

There was a very nice area to swim right then we were taken around a little area, through a tunnel area that showed some really beautiful roots, stalagmites and stalactites.

There was one point were once the roots of the trees above ground reach the water they eventually build a base. These bases are floating. It is a very cool site. I wish I had a waterproof camera with me at the time. It was very beautiful and such a unique look at the under side of Yucatan. I am not a cave diver as of yet but the guides did take me and show me some of the entrances to the caves. Once I try my hands at diving I really want to go back and explore.

After we all climbed up and dried off it was time to eat. I have been on tours before that included lunch and it was usually some bagged lunch or something. This meal was amazing. There was a very large grill on which a very traditional meal was being prepared.

There was pot of black beans, fluffy rice, a fantastic salsa and warm tortillas. There were 2 different meats on the grill. One was a marinated chicken and the other a flat steak. There was also a large amount of cut fruit and salad. Lunch was truly amazing and the perfect conclusion to the day.



The group loaded up into the van to get taken back to their hotels. It was a wonderful tour and one that really shows a side of the jungle that not many people get to see. Tulum and the whole Rivera Maya have so much to offer and this tour really puts some of the best parts into one trip.

Some important things to note when you go... 1) Take bug spray but please make sure that it is eco-friendly and or biodegradable. You will be in contact with a very delicate eco system. The waters of the cenotes feed the lively hood of the entire Yucatan peninsula. It is important to respect them and care for them. and 2)I would start your day off with a good meal. Lunch is the last part of the day and you do not want to be hungry. This tour is a full day thing.


This tour is amazing. Again, probably best for kids 10 and over although they will accommodate children, it will probably be more fun for parents and kids if there is a babysitter. Again... if you are looking for a babysitter you can email mindyintulum@yahoo.com to find a babysitter in the Tulum area.