The Yucatan Peninsula and the state of Quintana Roo are privy to a large number of cenotes of indescribable beauty, and many of them are near Tulum. The following is a selection of the top eight Cenotes Tulum, chosen for their beauty, aquatic entertainment possibilities, and tourist services.
Gran Cenote
It’s a crescent-shaped cenote located about 3 miles from the Mayan ruins of Tulum, on the side of the road in the direction of the archaeological site of Coba. The water reaches a depth of 33 feet, and divers can explore an extensive cave system. It also has shallow sectors in which swimmers and surface divers can have fun safely. The transparent waters allow you to admire rocky structures of whimsical shapes in a combination of open-air areas and areas with stone roofs. Gran Cenote entrance fee: 180 Pesos (9.33 USD).
Carwash Cenote
This cenote, of Mayan name Aktun Ha, gained its nickname “Carwash” because it was a taxi carwash before the people of Quintana Roo realized that it could be used much better as a tourist attraction. It’s a semi-open cenote and in the cave part, visited by divers accompanied by authorized guides, the depth reaches 50 feet. It’s 5 miles from Tulum on the road to Coba and is easily accessible. It has a platform to jump into the water. During the summer, the bottom of the cenote acquires a green coloration when it is covered with algae. Cenote Carwash entrance fee: 50 Pesos (2.59 USD).
Cristal Cenote
Also known as Cenote Naharon, whose access is on the Riviera Maya road, a few kilometers from the archaeological site. It is a true haven of peace, with blue waters that form a natural pool and are surrounded by many palm trees and other species of tropical flora of Quintana Roo. Its depth is 16 feet, and it has a palapa, so it is excellent for a fun family outing. The entrance ticket to the Cristal cenote also gives access to the Escondido cenote since both are very close. Cenote Cristal + Cenote Escondido entrance fee: 120 Pesos (6.22 USD).
Cenote Escondido
It forms a pair of cenotes along with the Cristal cenote, with entrances on both sides of Federal Highway 307, 2 miles from Tulum. To get to the “Hidden” cenote, you must travel about 2 km from the access on the road, in a jungle and mangrove route that announces the proximity of the sea. Nearby is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The geological nature of this reserve, with basically limestone soils, favors the formation of cenotes, such as the Escondido and the Cristal. The transparent and fresh waters of the cenote ensure baths to all give before the peaceful looks of the iguanas.
Cenote Zacil-Ha
In this cenote – discovered in the 80s – there’s an ecotourism center with cabins, swimming pool, restaurant bar, equipment rental, dressing rooms, bathrooms, and parking. It’s located 6 miles from Tulum, with access on the road to the Mayan site of Coba, and its main sector is 10 feet deep, so it’s ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Deep divers can enter a cavern in a natural room called Las Lágrimas (The Tears) since it has curious stalactites shaped like teardrops. Cenote Zacil-Ha entrance fee: 70 Pesos (3.63 USD).
Cenote Calavera
It’s popular with diving enthusiasts that want to obtain their accreditations in cave diving. “Skull” cenote is 2 miles from the city of Tulum and 3 miles from the archaeological site, on the road to Coba. It’s semi-open, and the descent is by wooden stairs placed inside the body of water. At the bottom of the rocky roof, a skull-like figure is formed, with some holes resembling empty basins and the mouth of a skull. In the deep-diving area, three layers of haloclines are visible, an interesting phenomenon in which freshwater floats on saltwater because it’s less dense. It offers life jackets and snorkel equipment rentals. Cenote Calavera entrance fee: 100 Pesos (5.19 USD).
Cenote Tak Be Ha
This impressive cenote for diving and snorkeling is about 15 minutes from Tulum and half an hour from Playa del Carmen. It’s approximately 2 miles from the access to Cenote Dos Ojos. This beauty from nature is located in a cavern that is entered through a hole. The first thing the visitor sees when entering the hole is the impressive body of crystal clear waters. In the cavern that formed thousands of years ago, there are stalagmites, stalactites, and columns. It has little natural light but is artificially lit. The regular price is 200 MXN (10.37 USD) and 400 pesos with a guide.
Cenote Dos Ojos
This cenote is one of the most popular among divers, mainly for its two immersion routes. These routes are Bat Cave and Barbie Line. These dives allow you to admire peculiar rock structures in the caves. It began to be explored in 1987, and more than 37 miles of underground tracks have been identified, with depths reaching 390 feet. Diving in this cenote is qualified as advanced level, although it’s not necessary to be specialized in caverns, so certification in open water is enough. There is a museum with prehistoric pieces that you can visit with the same entrance to the cenote, 350 Pesos (18.15 USD).
We hope that you can visit these Tulum cenotes. In them, you will admire dreamlike landscapes, swim in fresh and pure waters with unique rock formations and animal species. Start planning that trip soon; it will be an unforgettable experience.
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