Zip Lines, ATVs, and Cenote Adventure
Our zip lines, ATVs, and cenote adventure started off outside The Grand lobby. I first noticed we entered the main highway and traveled South. As we turned off the main road, we drove along a rural, two-lane highway to a very non-descript location. You would never imagine this was a tourist destination. The driver exited the small van and unlocked a padlock on an old metal gate. If we hadn’t left the hotel with an official excursion company, my heart might have skipped a beat.
Although I hadn’t planned to zip line that day, and, quite frankly, I thought I would never zip line in my entire life, the staff ushered us towards the body straps. As the crew strapped us in tight, things were getting real when the safety warnings came. Lean back, so your hair doesn’t get caught in the zip line. Don’t put your face next to the zip line, or else lose some skin along the way. What had I done!
Then came the makeshift ladders up the trees. If you’re mobility challenged, I don’t recommend climbing the ladders. Really, what did I agree to do. I waited my turn for the first zip line. My two daughters zipped to the next tree before me, so there was no turning back this mama bear now. The staff clicked me onto the line and away I zipped. The crazy part was zip lining became the tranquil part, just lean back and smoothly slide right through the air. But what about stopping; the staff said they’d stop us. I sure hope he does! Whew, that was fun!
Next up, ATVs. I had never ridden an ATV in my life. The first thing I had to learn was how to make the ATV go. I tried to twist the right grip, like most throttles, but nothing happened. The crew member then showed me to press a button with my thumb. Oh, that’s what makes this thing go! I had to laugh at my own inability to figure out something so simple.
The entire ATV ride wasn’t overly long. You follow a single file line through a well worn jungle trail and over some rickety bridges. Not too fast, and not too slow.
After ATVs, we cooled off by jumping 25 feet from a makeshift platform into a cenote. The cenote water wasn’t crystal clear, but the cool temperature felt nice on a hot and humid June day. My advice: bring water shoes! The rocks were very slippery and hurt your feet. We learned a valuable lesson that day. My daughters even elected to slide down a makeshift slide, while others elected to zip line into the water.
When I say makeshift, this is not a waterpark. This is a rural, off the beaten path tourist destination, but that’s what gives this place its exotic charm. I have to brag on lunch: delicious chicken fajitas with vegetables and onions cooked on an open BBQ pit. Dab a little of their homemade salsa with a fresh corn tortilla and enjoy! The meal was simple, yet a pleasant break from the marvelous foods served at the resort.
Overall, I highly recommend this excursion. It was super fun, and the staff was extremely nice and helpful. Just don’t forget to bring water shoes and towels like me!
