Apr 11, 2010

Ziplining in Cancun, Mexico

Cancun Tour: Selvatica Ziplining

Thinking about a Cancun tour? While we were in Mexico for Spring Break, my mom took my siblings and me on a fantastic ziplining tour with Selvatica. It’s actually a pretty easy place to find, with a giant arch and its name in bold letters above it, to show which road to turn on. Yet somehow, we got lost before that point.

TIP: If you think you are lost or even close to getting lost, ask a local. They know their way around, unlike we tourists! Just tell your driver to drive parallel to the highway until you see the Selvatica arch. After that, there are good signs.

When we arrived, we were greeted by very friendly receptionists, and began the simple and fast registration. The guides on this zip line tour help you suit up with the gear you will need. After everyone is ready to go, they give you a demonstration on the positioning and techniques. All of the guides are exceptional and FUNNY! I loved them all! Selvatica takes all ages ziplining (3-4-year-olds are free!), so my 7 year old brother came along. too. They see how the little kids do alone at first, and then go with them if they need help. My mom and I were freaking out a little when they sent Jack first, on the first zip line, and none of us had done it before! But he did fine. We went on 12 zip lines in total.

My little brother was a little nervous, until he realized how FUN it was! (Heck, we were all a little nervous the first time, but then we relaxed.) Before each zip line, a few guides go so they can help people on the other side. The whole company is very professional, and they really try to make your experience the best it can possibly be.

The guides asked on a few a the zip lines if anyone wanted to go upside-down. I was the first to volunteer. I really like adventurous activities, but even this made me a little nervous. But when I did it, it made me feel like I was flying!

Cancun Tour: Zip Line and Cenoté from teentravelers on Vimeo.

After the awesome zip line tour, the guides loaded us on an army truck and drove us to the cenote, a fresh water pool in the jungle. There, you can zip line into the cenote, which was actually my favorite part of our adventure. My first try ended up in a rather awkward dive because I didn’t drop in time, but that didn’t stop me. I did it at least six more times! And the rope got caught on my little brother’s leg and he got water up his nose, but he still went another four times. (Watch our video, above, until the end to see our “bloopers.”)

It was such a fun experience, but it ends with a bumpy army truck ride back. (Sit toward the front; it’s less bumpy!)

Selvatica offers a meal, which was just okay. But at least it gave us a little sustenance for the road trip back to the condo (the site is about 30-45 minutes from Cancun). They also sell cool t-shirts, a video, pictures of you ziplining (which are now available online), and a petting zoo with monkeys and parrots!

This Cancun tour was probably one of my favorite parts of our trip to Mexico, and I highly recommend taking your whole family on this amazing adventure too!

Have you been ziplining with Selvatica or on another Cancun tour? Tell us about it in a comment below.