15 Best Cenotes in Tulum & How to Find Them
Last Updated on May 3, 2022
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula has the world’s largest number of underground sinkholes and caves called cenotes. After years of living there, I’ve visited many cenotes in Mexico and wanted to share my favorites with you.
Some of Mexico’s cenotes are open like a lake, others are almost completely underground with only a small opening. There are more than 6000 cenotes in the Yucatan, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
Many cenotes are inhabited by colorful fish, some have cliffs to jump from or even built-in ziplines.
There are also many great cenotes near Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, and Merida, so you can easily find a number of cenotes to visit during your trip. Here are my recommendations for the best cenotes in Tulum.
Keep in mind that the area of Tulum is way bigger than the beach strip of town, so while some cenotes are technically in Tulum they might be about 25 minutes drive away from where you’re staying.
What Is A Cenote?
A cenote (Mayan dzonot, “well”) is the word used to describe a natural pit made with a lime rock that has groundwater underneath. They were formed by naturally-acidic rain filtering down over thousands of years and dissolving away the limestone.
Mayans believed that cenotes were an entrance to the underworld, so they were often used for sacrifices, both human and material ones. In fact, at the Sacred Cenote found within Chichén-Itzá, archeologists have found many important ceramics, jewelry and bones.
IMPORTANT: At the cenotes in Mexico, you’ll be asked to swim without any lotions or creams on your skin at all, as can poison fish, sea plants, and other delicate marine life.
You will live after being exposed to the sun for a bit, but sadly other creatures will not survive if you infect their natural habitat with sunscreen. However, you can get a biodegradable sunscreen at some cenotes.
Please note: all prices are in Mexican Pesos (MXN). Prices increase all the time, so please keep in mind that it might be slightly higher. Be prepared.
I highly recommend skipping bus tours to cenotes in Mexico and getting a taxi or rental car instead. That way you’ll be able to spend more time at each cenote and won’t be arriving with a big group of people. Some cenotes are big, so it can get really crowded when a tour bus shows up.
If you want to rent a car, the best site to book your car is Discover Cars. They offer competitive rates as it searches all the big car rental companies and finds the best price.
You can read more about what to pay attention to when renting a car in Mexico and things to know before renting a car in Mexico in my other article.
Check other cenotes in the area:
Best Cenotes in Tulum
1. Cenote Dos Ojos: Best Cenote for Snorkeling
Located just 15 minutes drive from Tulum, Cenote Dos Ojos is one of the largest and probably one of the most famous cenotes in Mexico. The cave system of the cenote is known to be at least 61 km and 118 m deep.
As the name ‘two eyes’ indicates this Mexican cenote is divided into two sections: one with blue waters perfect for snorkeling and the other dark one for diving.
- Open: daily 9am-5pm
- Price: 380+ for snorkeling + 130 for diving
- How to get there? You can take a colectivo from Tulum towards Playa del Carmen and ask the driver to drop you off at the cenote.
2. Gran Cenote: Best Cenote for Insta Photos
Gran Cenote is a perfect cenote for everyone with its sandy bottom and bats living in the cave. The center garden includes palm trees, water lilies and elephant ears with a platform for sunbathing.
Keep an eye out for toucans if you happen to be visiting during January or February as they tend to pop out of nowhere sometimes.
- Open: daily 9am-5pm
- Price: 180 Pesos + options 30 Pesos locker rental
How to get there? You can take a colectivo from Tulum towards Coba and ask the driver to drop you off at the cenote. If you’re driving from Tulum towards Coba it will show up on your right side, very close to the road.
3. Cenote Calavera: Best Cenote for Cliff Jumping
Cenote Calavera, also known as The Temple of Doom cenote, was a little cenote that no one really cared much a few years ago, but since it became Instagram-famous about two years ago now it’s always full of visitors and often considered on the of the best cenotes to visit in Riviera Maya.
It has a ladder and rope you can swing on. I know you can dive there as well, but it depends on the availability.
Cenote Calavera Entrance Fee: 250 MXN.
Cenote Calavera Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
How to get there? You can take a colectivo from Tulum towards Coba and ask the driver to drop you off at the cenote. It’s nearby Carwash and Gran Cenote with a big sign.
4. Carwash Cenote: Best Less Visited Cenote
This cenote with a mysterious name is in Tulum, on the way to Coba. I was convinced that someone named it after many amazing plants, but I was wrong. This cenote is so close to the main road that people used to wash their cars there! Fortunately, it’s not happening anymore and now you can snorkel and dive in it.
Carwash has some incredible caves, so make sure you do some diving. However, even if you snorkel you’ll see a ton of fantastic water lilies, turtles, and fish.
I’ve been there numerous times over the years and I’ve never seen a baby crocodile. It’s more of a marketing tactic honestly, like you know… technically you can always see a jaguar nearby as they live in the jungle but in reality they never come out during the day when they hear people 😉
Cenote Carwash Entrance Fee: 200 MXN.
Cenote Carwash Opening Times: 9 AM to 4 PM daily.
How to get there? You can get a colectivo from Tulum towards Coba – ask the driver to drop you off at Carwash cenote. If you’re driving from Tulum towards Coba it will show up on your left side, very close to the road.
5. El Pit Cenote: Best Cenote for Diving
Located in the jungle, The Pit is an exceptional cenote that’s part of Dos Ojos. It’s also one of the deepest in the area. The entrance is steep and narrow what makes the whole experience even more exciting.
El Pit continues deep below the cloud and narrows into darkness down to over 40m so you’ll need a flashlight. It’s one of the best cenotes in Mexico for scuba diving.
- Open: daily 9am-5pm
- Price: 180 Pesos (free if visited the same day as Dos Ojos)
- How to get there? Once you take a colectivo either from Tulum or Playa del Carmen, ask them in basic Spanish to drop you off at The Pit Cenote. However, you’ll most likely go diving there so your diving school will offer you transportation.
6. Cenote Yax Kin: Best Cenote for Kids
Great cenote for some peace and quiet, also best with little kids because it has lots of shallow and flat parts so kids can wander around.
You can also camp there on a designated camping spot with facilities. Here is my full guide to Yax Kin cenote.
Cenote Yax Kin Entrance Fee: 150 MXN.
Cenote Yax Kin Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
How to get there? It’s on right side of the highway coming from PdC to Tulum, more or less half way through.
7. Cenote Sac Actun: Most Popular Cenote in Mexico
Sac Actun cenote is also called Pet Cemetery Cenote. It’s technically part of the same group as Dos Ojos cenote, but bit of a different experience than the rest of cenotes as most people come with a guide and tour.
It’s definitely one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico, but also an expensive one to visit. You can snorkel and/or dive at Sac Actun. Bring a lot of bug spray since you will meet mosquitos 😉
Cenote Sac Atun Entrance Fee: 450 MXN.
Cenote Sac Actun Opening Times: 9 AM to 6 PM daily.
8. Tak Be Ha: Most Photogenic Cenote
It’s seriously one of the most stunning cave cenotes. It doesn’t have any opening for natural light, so it doesn’t really matter what time will you visit as it’s all lit up with artificial light (that looks very natural actually).
There are various fantastic snorkeling opportunities in this cenote and even better diving. There are bats in the cenote – warning in case anyone is afraid.
Take Be Ha Cenote Entrance Fee: 500 MXN.
Take Be Ha Cenote Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
How to get there? That’s a very important part – don’t rely on Google Maps, because this cenote is marked completely wrong. It is actually located in the same complex as Dos Ojos.
9. Cenote Casa Tortuga: Best Adventure Cenote
Casa Tortuga is an eco-park of four cenotes of three different types: two open cenotes (Cenote Jaguar & Cenote Tres Zapotes), a semi-open cenote (Cenote Wisho & Cenote Campana) and a cave cenote. Spoiler: there are no turtles, despite the name of the comples.
The cenotes at Casa Tortuga are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and admiring the stalactites and stalagmites. There’s also a jumping platform.
Casa Tortuga Entrance Fee: 650 MXN.
Casa Tortuga Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
10. Casa Cenote / Cenote Manati: Best Cenote near Akumal
Sadly, no manatees live at this cenote, but it’s a pretty unusual one. It’s a place where you can swim, take a kayak around the mangroves, dive, everyone will find something they like there.
It’s not the greatest for little kids, because there’s no shallow space anywhere and it gets quite crowded. While. we did take our toddler there, it wasn’t a very relaxing visit.
Casa Cenote Entrance Fee: 150 MXN.
Casa Cenote Opening Times: 8:30 AM to 5 PM daily.
11. Cenote Corazon del Paraiso: Best for Drone
This cenote is surely one of a kind as it’s the only heart-shaped cenote in Mexico and it’s located very close to Tulum. Most people don’t know about it (neither does Instagram, yet!), so quite often you can be the only ones there.
There are lots of fish swimming in the crystal clear water and plants’ long stems with flat leaves glistening from the sun. Around the edges of the cenote are platforms for sitting or jumping in, what makes it a perfect spot for sunbathing or picnic.
Cenote Corazon del Paraiso Entrance Fee: 130 MXN.
Cenote Corazon del Paraiso Opening Times: 9 AM to 4 PM daily.
12. Cenote Zacil Ha
Zacil Ha is slightly lesser known cenote on a popular road (it’s next to Carwash). It looks like a fake cenote, becasue it’s a perfect swimming hole, but the underwater cave system connects with many other cenotes in the area.
It’s not a big cenote, but big enough. It has a zip line, bathroom facilities and swimming pools.
Cenote Zacil Ha Entrance Fee: 200 MXN.
Cenote Zacil Ha Opening Times: 9 AM to 6 PM daily.
13. Cenote Choo Ha: Best Cenote Near Coba
Deep inside the ground, 5 minutes drive from Coba ruins, you’ll find an incredible cenote called Choo-Ha. Stalagmites are everywhere what makes it a photographer’s dream.
Surprisingly, the water isn’t very cold and you can find some cool black fish swimming around.
Cenote Choo Ha Entrance Fee: 50 MXN.
Cenote Choo Ha Opening Times: 9 AM to 4 PM daily.
How to get there? If you came to Coba with a driver ask him to get you to cenotes – it’s just 5 minutes away. If you’re driving everyone can give you directions.
14. Tamcach-Ha: Best Cenote for Platform Jumping
What makes this cenote special is the two platforms you can jump off. I didn’t have the courage, but everyone seemed to love jumping from an 11m platform.
- Open: daily 9am-4pm
- Price: 50
- How to get there? If you came to Coba with a driver ask him to get you to cenotes – it’s just 5 minutes away. If you’re driving everyone can give you directions.
READ MORE MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best cenotes in Mexico! Hopefully, you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:
- Detailed Guide to Tulum
- Playa del Carmen Tourist Tips
- Best Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
- Things to Do in Cancun
- Las Coloradas Pink Lake
- Best Beaches in Mexico
- Renting a Car in Mexico
- Interesting Facts About Mexico
Wow, what a great article about the stunning naturally beautiful pools that are cenotes. I have swam in quite a few cenotes in the Yucatan and the ones near the Coba ruins (Multum-Ha, Choo-Ha and Tamcach-Ha) have been some of my ultimate favourites. I also really loved Cenotes Nicte-Ha and Casa Cenote near Tulum. Not sure if you’ve checked those ones out, but they are so beautiful and I was completely alone when I visited them.
Thanks for sharing!
Never been to a cenote before. They look AWESOME.
Come visit and I’ll take you to some Mexican cenotes:)
Hey, will you take me too? 🙂
I wonder if there are any ways to go before 9 am or after 5pm?
There aren’t any ways to visit cenotes after hours I’m afraid.
I’m coming to visit. Would love a tour by you.
Unfortunately I don’t provide tours.
Anna, how ya doing? Really loved your fabulous posting and was captivated……
A quick question please? I am wanting to bugout from Norcal with my 14yr old son for about 6 months before having to return to US.
Looking for semi basic safe rental perhaps with sunset and doesn’t have to be main town….wants get back to nature and get him off his tablet? A great guy is waiting to emerge from technology….
Thanks for your article
Blessings to you and your loved ones always!
Patrick
In Mexico? Coastal Mexico is now very expensive because everyone is storming it (since the world is pretty much closed off). You can check out Puerto Aventuras or Puerto Morelos 🙂
Hola Anna, los precios que publicaste son en dolares? Tengo planeado ir a finales de septiembre y me encantaria ir a alguno 🙂 que recomendacion me harias? Que dia es mejor para visitar?
Hola Sofia! No, los precios de cenotes estan en Pesos Mexicanos 🙂 Yo iria entre la semana y temprano pq los cenotes se pueden llenar muchisimo durante los fines de semana. Disfruta! Si tienes alguna otra duda no dudes en contactarme 🙂
I’ve been to many cenotes in Yucatan, but I’m glad I will visit many more from your list on my next visit. I like the last two the most – zipline and cliff diving. Whoah, great! Thumbs up for seeing the bottom of the cenote.
Glad you enjoyed Maya! You should definitely see more cenotes in Mexico – I’ll be also adding new ones to the list 🙂
Awesome!! For sure going to try to visit if I’m around. I was at a sinkhole in Oman; didn’t jump (forbidden and police was there). Hope to do it later.
Why was jumping into a sinkhole forbidden in Oman?
wow, these all look awesome, one of these days I will be spending more time in Yucatan, these are stunning
Hi Anna,
Whats the best time to get to these cenotes. Dod they open early? And is it easier to rent a car or just to catch a cab? Your photos looks amazing!
They open at 8-9am and close around 4pm. Rental cars are very cheap, so it makes no sense to get a cab in most cases.
Anna, thanks for this article. If you had to choose to go back and visit any one cenote, which one would you choose?
That’s a tough choice, but I’d say either La Noria or Verde Lucero 😉
Hi Anna, I was curious, you list prices but are they in USD or Pesos?
Prices are in pesos.
In Playa Del Carmen at the moment, are the prices listed US or MEX?
MX Pesos 🙂
Hi! We are coming to dive cenotes for our very first time. The dive shop gave us three options: Chac Mool, Chikin Ha or Dos Ojos. Which of these three would you recommend?
Hi! How experienced are you with the complete darkness? When you dive at Dos Ojos you’ll experience A LOT of pitch black spots. Chinkin Ha is a sort of adventure park, so it won’t feel very secluded. Chac Mool would probably be the most ‘off the beaten path’ one.
Anna, Thanks for a wonderful article! We will be in Tulum next month for a wedding and have just 4 hours to visit one cenote. Can you suggest one which is good for non-swimmers (I know a bit odd but ladies do not wish to get in the water)? One that can be enjoyed just by walking around. Thanks!
Hi Jay! In this case I’d recommend either Azul or Jardin del Eden. They’re close to Tulum and look pretty to just walk around or dip your feet in the water 🙂
Hi Anna, So happy to have seen your blog. It made me want to go to the cenotes but would have to check out the ones near Playa del Carmen first. I just visited Tulum Ruins last week. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Of course you got me with the friendly cat, that would be my first stop:) These are gorgeous and Frank would love diving in, I’d gently wade in:)
Cat Lovers United! 🙂
Hi Anna,
1st and foremost. Thank you for taking the time to put this article together.. great job 8) and the pics are awesome… A group of 8 of us will be in Cozumel from Jan21-28 and looking to take the ferry over for a day or 2 to check out some cenotes in that area.. We were fortunate enough to go to Cenote Azul last year and loved it. We also saw 2 others in the area and I can’t remember their names..Grrr 8( lol … Is their a map of cenotes in the area with easy directions if we rent a van that you know of? Or would you be kind enough to suggest a few others near Playa worth visiting.. We are all experienced snorkelers and love a good adventure so some walking/climbing etc. is not a problem…
P.S. Our dream is to swim with the whale sharks next year either out of Holbox ( never been ) or from Playa
Best Wishes and if you ever visit Boston area or Nh to Hike or Kayak ( my Favorites )let me know so I can be of assistance..
Thanks again
Boston Bill,
[email protected]
Hi Bill!
In regards to whale sharks I have bad news for you – you’re not going to see them. They come to Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres, but ONLY in the summer when it’s their season – it starts around June and ends in August. They’re not here at the moment.
For cenotes… how far do you want to drive? If you go to Puerto Morelos 30 min away there’s a drive called ‘ruta de los cenotes’ – there are many cenotes there, including the mentioned La Noria and Verde Lucero. Or you could drive to Tulum (1 hour away), see Dos Ojos on the way, then continue like to Coba: you’ll find Gran Cenote, Carwash, some other ones and there are 3 great ones at Coba – Choo-Ha for instance.
I’ll actually be in NH for Xmas as my bf is from there 😉
Hi Anna,
Thank you sooooo much for the quick response.. As far as whale sharkes we are planning next for that in summer 2017 staying in Holbox.. This trip is snorkel-snorkel-snorkel… Which is why this is our 10th trip to Cozumel.. 8) We had a great opportunity to meet some folks staying in Playa del during our last trip to cozumel and they took us to Azul and Xel Ha which we loved. We’d love to see some great cenotes with each being a little different for a better experience.. We’d be taking the ferry over from Cozumel to Playa for the day and I’m still pondering renting a van or just hiring a driver for the day. Perhaps planning to hit furthest cenote away ( say 45 -60 minutes ) and work our way back towards playa as the day goes?? ( any thoughts/info would be grateful ) After taking the time to read your blog I noticed you have lived in Boston before and have been everywhere.. Almost!!!! lol ( so jealous ) but so happy for you.. It truly warms my heart when to see/hear when great things happen to/for great people… Thats great you will be in Nh for Xmas.. We are right on the Nh/MA line and close to one of my favorite towns Portsmouth, Nh . I hope you have visited there..If not let me know and I’d be happy to take you guys if you have the time. Thank you again for the info and please any thoughts/ ideas are more than welcome… I hope you have a wonderful Xmas and holiday season..
Best Wishes,
Bill Carey
Salisbury, Ma
This article is so great! Do you know around how much snorkeling gear is? Also, is it worth it to hire a guide for the cenotes? I plan to go Dos Ojos and the Grand Cenote. Thanks!
If you plan of doing diving then a guide is a must. For snorkeling you don’t need anything 🙂 I’m not entirely sure how much is the gear, but definitely less than 100 pesos.
Hi Anna-
Thank you for the beautiful article. I am taking my hubby to Playa del Carmen as a surprise 40th birthday vacation. I looked into Xenotes and Hidden World before finding your article. I was also thinking about taking him to Xel-Ha and Tulum. Would you recommend any of those places? It looks like Azul, Eden, and Cristalino would be great too.
We will be there for a week (Spring Break) and I would really like for him to experience the area.
What would a perfect week look like if you loved adventure, but wanted it to be away from the spring breakers? We won’t be diving, but would love to snorkel.
Thank you so much for your help!!
Hi Cindy,
Spring break can get busy, so I’d avoid cenote Azul and Eden (they get really packed as they’re the closest to Playa). But any other cenotes aren’t that busy (at least they weren’t this year) 🙂
Xenotes and Xel-Ha are parks, so it depends what you like… it’s kind of like Disneyland – it’s not for everyone. Xel-Ha is great for kids, but for adults it might get boring.
Have you seen my post on 2 weeks itinerary? Places like Bacalar or the Pink Lake shouldn’t be that busy.
Great! I just read your 2 Weeks itinerary. I feel so much better now about our trip. Thank you so much!
About renting a car… I have heard some horror stories and a lot of suggestions to go for the added insurance. Is it safe to rent a car in Cancun/Playa del Carmen? Are there places to park? Any extra fees to take a rental to the parks? I heard that some (Chichen-Itza and Xcaret maybe) require you to take the tour bus. Is that true?
Is it more cost effective or efficient to rent a car versus taking a bus or Colectivo?
Thank you so much for your help!!
It’s very safe to rent a car, don’t worry! You can park anywhere on the street. I actually always take full insurance as it’s still $28 per day including everything 🙂 I think there’s a parking fee for the parks, but you can drive with your own car – I did.
If you’re just traveling between let’s say Tulum, Akumal, Playa del Carmen – then it’s easy by colectivo or ADO bus (exclude Akumal from that). But there’s no bus or colectivo to Chichen Itza apart from giant tour buses.
Okay. Great! Thank you so much!!
HI Anna. Thank you so much for this detailed article. My wife and I will be heading to Riviera Maya in February for our first trip ever there. The cenotes are on the top of our list of things to do. We will mostly be using public transportation for the trip but I would like to possibly rent a car for a day or possibly more. I would like to see Coba and the cenotes near there and I think that it would be easier to do if I rent a car that day. I too have been a bit nervous reading about renting cars in Mexico. Which rental car company and location do you recommend and use for $28 day with all insurance?
Hi John, I recommend Mex Rent a Car or Hertz. Renting a car in Mexico is safe and I don’t think you’ll have any problems. I never do 🙂
This the best round up of the area’s cenotes I have read. We are taking our 18 yo daughter and her friend down next week and hope to spend time in one of the cenotes you listed. We generally avoid heavily commercialized artificial experiences and prefer the type where someone propped up a deck because “jumping from a ledge looked like a good idea”. Which cenote would you recommend for that type of visit?
Also, are cenote visits a good thing to do on a rainy day? Next weeks forecast looks gloomier than usual for down there.
I’d say in this case La Noria is the best. There’s also Xoch (but it’s very hard to get there and find it). Alternatively, Choo-Ha near Coba.
Are these prices pesos?
Yes 🙂
really nice summary! thx for that!
Fabulous list! I’m in Tulum and was looking for a good advice on which cenotes I should visit and there it is 🙂 Thanks much.
Hey
Are the prices in dollars or pesos?
Pesos.
Hi Anna! Great list – thank you!
We’ll definitely be checking out Cenote Azul! Do you have any recommendations on how to get a cab or car service? Is $50/$60 the true average for getting around via taxi?
Thanks!
Hi Natalie,
The easiest would be colectivo. If you’re staying in Playa centro you can get a cab anywhere in Playa for 30 MXN, but if you don’t speak Spanish you might be asked to pay more – 50-100 pesos. To cenote azul it’s around 350 pesos.
Hi Anna thanks for the informative article! Was wondering if you’ve ever visited sac aktun cenote and how that one compares to the favorites you’ve listed here? Thank you!
Sac Actun is more like an adventure park, so it gets busier. It’s also way more expensive than any other cenote.
Thanks Anna for this very informative article. My wife and I just returned Friday from our 1st trip to Riviera Maya. We visited several Cenotes from your list and enjoyed them all. We visited Azul, Tamcach-Ha, Choo-Ha, Multum-Ha, and finally Grand Cenote. Our favorite was probably Grand Cenote. We both did the 5m platform jump at Tamcach-Ha but passed on the higher platform. We also jumped at Azul. The fish were beautiful at Azul. So much variety and all very well worth the admission. Thanks so much for sharing this information. We wish we could have went to more cenotes on our trip but I guess we have something to look forward to so we can plan another trip there in the future.
I am going on my first vacation all by myself and am renting a car. Are the places easy to find, not counting the off the beaten path ones. Do rental cars typically have gps in them? Are there signs that lead to the cenotes? I’m staying near playa. My flight gets in early and was going to drive around hitting cenotes before going to my hotel. How long would I typically stay at each place? Is it safe to leave stuff in my car? Is there anywhere to get a driving map? Also is there times of day that some are better than others?
Thank you and I can’t wait. 3 weeks away!
I may be to short noticed to get a reply here. Are there Cenotes more off the beaten path? Maybe were I can drive near and walk to vs an easy one to get to, that is filled tourists?
Headed there next week
Hi Mark – I hope it’s not too late 😉
I can tell you that f.e. La Noria or anything without any ziplines and other things in Puerto Morelos’ ‘Ruta de los Cenotes’ are off the path. In fact, my bf and I were the only people there 🙂
Cenote Xoch or anything in the town of Cenotillo is even more off the path as you need to find a local person to take you there.
Your advice has been awesome. Traveling solo makes it well worth it. For one trip a taxi would have been $60us or more. And bus and colectivo was 45 pesos. And an awesome experience to boot. Met some locals that spoke no English and they still helped me out.
Hi,
Hope u can give me a advice, 4 adults of us will go there this summer. Wonder will we have fun at XPLOR?
XPLOR can be fun. Slightly cheesy, but I had fun there!
We are taking my dad to Maroma Beach next week. He is 77 and has never been out of the
USA so this is big adventure for him ! He is in very good shape but we don’t want it to be too taxing. He wants to go to a Cenote. We are staying at the Catalonia Playa Del Maromo. Is there a Cenote near there that you would recommend . He is good for light walking , say under a mile , as well as swimming. We appreciate any insights you could provide.
Thanks Tony and Eva
Hi Tony & Eva, in this case I’d recommend either Cenote Azul or any cenotes in Puerto Morelos – they should be an equal distance to reach these 🙂
Thanks for your help and the amazingly quick response ! Tony
Hello Anna, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and all of your page. We arrive in Cancun April 25th and my roomates and I are staying at the Princess Platinum Yucatan Resort near Playa Del Carmen. We are talking about renting a car to go to chichen itza. I was curious what your opinion is about that being a safe thing to do. I guess I am a little paranoid about being robbed or whatever. Last time we were in Mexico was 2014 and we were stranded by resort staff in Cabo at our all inclusive resort, the Riu Santa Fe during hurricaine Odile and it was a very bad expierence so I am a little anxious about going back but desperately need a vacation. I love mexico but want to be able to relax, enjoy myself and not be afraid.
Hi Marcey! I’ve never been to Cabo, so I can’t speak for it but Quintana Roo area is very safe, so don’t be afraid. There are many expats living in Playa and the worst thing that happens is that a bike will get stolen. It’s like in any other place in the US – you could get robbed, but it’s not common. I frequently walk around with my camera, bag etc. and I’m fine.
Renting a car is extremely safe too, you just need to remember about online scams. I have an article about renting a car here: https://annaeverywhere.com/renting-a-car-in-mexico-yucatan/
What would be good cenotes for non swimmers to explore near tulum. I am planning atrip with my husband but he doesn’t swim.
They have lifejackets everywhere, so pretty much any cenote is good 🙂
Thank you!! Your info was amazing! We went to yokzdot as well and ox mal near dzitup. Some kids took us there or else we would have never found it. Agree with you about ikkil. Way too touristy. Planning on coba and the cenotes near it. Tha nks again
Anna, thank you so much for the awesome blog posts! As a photographer, I have one question: of the cenotes with no one in the pictures, were they relatively not visited or did you just get there super early?
Thanks!
Hmm… depends. La Noria is always empty for instance. Choo-Ha can get packed but we asked upon entry if it’s busy or should be come back later and the guy told me it was fine as no tour groups were there.
Hi Anna,
Loved your article! It will be my first time travelling to Mexico in June and I will be visiting some cenotes. What clothing and shoes would you recommend wearing?
Just your swimwear and flip flops 🙂
Get write up! I am going to be in Playa Del Carmen in August and I can’t wait to discover the Cenotes! What is your favorite and must see?
Thank you!
Wendy
My favorite would be La Noria 🙂
Wow! Love each one!!! I will be traveling to Tulum with 3 kids. Which cenote would you recommend? I want my four year-old to not be afraid but my 16-year-old to not be bored !
Cenote Azul or/and Verde Lucero 🙂
Wow love this info. Going to playa for the month of Sep. 2017. Will be checking out a good amount of these. Cheer
Hey Anna,
Awesome page and info on cenotes. I had a question for you or anyone else that has insight on the cenotes of Quintana Roo. Myself and 13 other of my buds are first timers in Mexico heading out next week, August 2nd, staying in Cancun and would love to check out one of the cenotes near Playa Del Carmen. We are all mid 20s and looking for a not so crowded, fun, pretty place where we can explore, jump off stuff, and hang out. We do not mind crowds but would prefer smaller ones if possible. Also open to farther cenotes if it is more advantageous. What would you suggest/ recommend we do and see?
Any help would be awesome.
Thank you
I’d say any cenote is good 🙂 Apart from Dos Ojos I guess since it’s the most touristy one.
Check out Gran Cenote.
Anna, you have inspired me to include cenotes in my trip to Mexico! Thank you for the fantastic photo report!
This is amazing and very informative. Thank you Anna.
We will be visiting next month and can’t wait to visit some cenotes. On one of the days we will be visiting Tulum from Playa del Carmen and wanted to stop over at 2 cenotes. Which are your best 2 cenotes along that route?
Azul would be a good one on the way!
Perfect. And a 2nd cenote?
Jardin del Eden is next ‘door’.
Thanks for writing this up, it was super helpful when I was picking which one to go to with our limited time! Ended up at Cenote Cristalino (entrance increased to 150 pesos now btw). I linked to your blog via my travel IG as it was so helpful, hope that’s ok!
Hi Anna! I loved this post. The pics are awesome. I´m going in Feb18 to Riviera Maya and one of the days we are visiting Chichen Itza and a cenote on the way. Which one would you recommend to go with a 4 year old ? hopefully one not so crowded… (she can swim btw) 🙂
thank you!
Most tourists go to Ik Kil after Chichen Itza, so this one is always VERY crowded. Depends on where are you staying (Tulum, Playa, Cancun?), pick cenotes close to you (most of them close around 4-5pm), so be at Chichen right when it opens.
Hi Anna Ill be going to Akumal with my mom on last week of March, I was wondering which cenote would you recommend, not to far, not to crowded and also, my mom is very nervous about swimming.. Thank you!
Ps: have you heard about Aktun Chen and Rio Secreto?
I’ve been to Rio Secreto – it’s fantastic but touristy 😉
The nearest cenotes to Akumal are Azul and Jarden del Eden, so prob best. Good for even standing in the water if your mom doesn’t want to swim.
Went to Gran Cenote last week – it was very cool !
I happened to have a waterproof flashlight in my bag,
so I was able to explore some of the underwater corners.
Also saw quite a few turtles which was fun.
Thanks for the page!
I find all of your blogs about Mexico so helpful in all my research. I am beyond excited for my adventures. When you put prices, are you saying this in American dollars or pesos? I just want to make sure I am saving the proper amount for all that I want to see. Tanks for this page.
Mexican Pesos 🙂
Hi Anna, loved reading all the info here and in the comments, so useful! Are there any Cenotes that we can just walk around and see, rather than swim? We have our babies and parents with us so we won’t end up being able to snorkel or swim, but would love to take them to see a Cenote. Would they still charge the entrance to just see it?
No matter if you enter or not you need to pay the entrance fee, even if you just want to see it for a few minutes. Many people actually prefer to sit around than get into the water, so don’t worry about it. Cenote Azul or Jardin del Eden is great for it.
Wow I think I read every post and saved this as a pin. Honeymoon in June 6, 2018 can’t wait to go to the cenotes. But I heard there is somewhere to swim with turtles any place you can recommend and information?
Yes, the place you’re talking about is called Akumal. Here’s the article: https://annaeverywhere.com/swimming-turtles-in-akumal-mexico/
Hi Anna! Thanks so much for your blog! I am currently on holiday in riviera maya and have discovered Xcacel Beach (LOVED it!), and went to Cenote car wash today.
It was stunning. One update is that they were building a new wooden steps at the edge and now charge so I think it may be about to get more developed (sad!). It was 50pesos to swim and a bit more to dive (I don’t remember how much as I was just swimming and had my own snorkelling gear). Absolutely loved it, thanks so much for recommendations as we are having a MUCH better time Because of your blog helping us know what to do! Going to more Cenote tomorrow 🙂
Thank you thank you !
Awesome review Anna, just an update on cenote carwash, it is 50 pesos to enter now. but still probably the cheapest in the area. As an underwater photographer, this Cenote is brilliant.
Hi Anna, did ojos is now 350 pesos!
Hi, another qution – you wrote for Do Ojos it is 350 + 130 if we want to do diving – that sounds really cheap for diving (as I saw other dive centers offering diving for around 100EUR). Which dive center is that price for?
Hi! This isn’t the price for diving, just an entrance fee for divers. This has to be paid on top of whatever price the diving center will give you. Usually, most dive centers charge about $90 for a dive in Dos Ojos.
Ok! So is it 130 entrance fee if we are only diving? or 500 in total entrance fee ?
According to recent changes, 500 is a price if you’re diving.
Hello, thank you for all your advice 🙂
Have you ever been to Kan Tun Chin? I was planning on going there but then I came across your blog and saw so many other beautiful Cenotes. 🙂
No I haven’t been, but it’s more like an adventure park, rather than a stand-alone cenote.
My friend and I are going to Tulum in February and visiting Cenotes is on the top of our list of things to do so this information was super helpful! For the 3 cenotes located right next to each other (Cenote Azul), do you have to pay for each one separately?
Yes, you do that’s why prices are listed under each of them.
Hello Anna,
I am traveling with friends to Rivera Maya in May, and we are thinking about visiting the Jardin del Eden cenote. We will be staying in Cancun and will probably take a bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and then catch a colectivo to Jardin del Eden. How much do you think it will cost to get to Jardin del Eden from Playa del Carmen? Also, how easy do you think it will be to get form Jardin del Eden to Tulum? Will it be possible to take a colectivo to Tulum from the cenote?
Thanks for the help, and we found your blog very helpful!
Colectivo from Playa to Jardin del Eden should cost you about 20-40 MXN per person. You can get colectivo to Tulum there for about 40 MXN 🙂
Epic post and impressive to see how many cenotes you managed to get to during your time in Mexico. I’m heading to Mexico next month with a group of friends and have just forwarded this page to them all! We have a friend who lives in Puerto Morelos so looks like it will be La Noria for us! Keep up the great work.
Hi Anna…
I’m enjoying your above review of the best cenotes. It provides a valuable service. Thank you. There was a movie several years back – may be 10 years or so, that was an action adventure filled with intrigue that ended up in a glamorous, extensive cenote system with very blue, clear water. Not a lot of vegetation. I thought it had the word “Maya” in the title, but my searches can’t find it. Are you familiar with the movie, and do you know the name of the cenote? I think I would like to go there, as well as the ones you’ve featured above.
A practical question: what is the temperature of most of these, and is a light, wet-suit jacket recommended?
Unless you’re diving you won’t be needing a wet suit. I’m not sure about the movie though – sorry!
Anna, its just that it was too hot and kids wouldn’t bare the heat. They weren’t ready to rome around :). Otherwise it was a wonderful trip.
Thanks.
Hell0,
This blog is very nice information for Mexico trip tour is a fabulous and beautiful place. thank you for share this blog
Cheers for this Anna!
Also your other post on driving in Mexico. I had veered away from my typical approach of hiring a car due to the typical ‘fear’ of Mexico. But after a little more research (your post included), I switched out my day tours for a self-made itinerary and a Jeep to zip about it. Much better 😉
Really looking forward to my visit to Mexico and experiencing Dia de Los Muertos too – actually, any tips on that front?
That’s great to hear – you’ll have fun! Many tips of Dia de los Muertos, but where are you planning on going? The best celebrations are in Oaxaca.
This is a great post, Ana! Such a comprehensive list. I have seen a few but there are so many to go! I’m hoping to rent a car next year and try to visit more! It’s sad Instagram has ruined some of them but I’m glad to hear there are others that are off-the-beaten-path.
I’m reading this post at the end of 2019 but still, it amazes me! Tulum is the heaven of natural beauties.
Hi Anna, OMG I love cenotes so much. They are all very unique. I’ll be Going to the Cenote Verde Lucero. Thanks for sharing! BTW is currently open for tourists?
Yes, it is 🙂
Wow, so many Cenotes within a close distance of one another. They look so clean and pristine and all within lush green surroundings. I like that the price of entry is in Pesos. What is the typical temperature?
Most cenotes are cold, because they’re deep.
Another great one is Native Park Yucatan, where you can rappel down and do zipline as well!
Hi Anna!
Thank you so much for all your wonderful articles, they have been so helpful in planning my trip to Playa Del Carmen/Tulum. My boyfriend and I are thinking that we will go without a rental car and use collectivos. After telling the collectivo driver which cenote we want to go to, will there be a clear path from the road to the cenote? Also in terms of returning to playa after having a fun day in the cenotes, can we just walk back to the road and flag down a collectivo to take us back?
It depends on the cenote. For example – Azul, Jardin del Eden and Cristalino are just by the road so it’s easy. However, Gran Cenote and others in the same complex are pretty 3km from the road so it would take you 40 min to get there from the highway so not really possible to visit without a taxi.
Yes, on the way back you’ll cross the highway (AKA run, haha!) and then flag a colectivo down. If it’s not full they’ll stop for you but they’re very frequent.