I am sure you have seen the photos circulating on Instagram of the amazing cenotes that Mexico has to offer. Cenotes, which are unique to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, are a must visit for anyone traveling to Mexico. I am sharing the 9 best cenotes in and around the Tulum area along with some travel tips below!
What is a Cenote?
Cenotes, pronounced seh-NO-tays, are natural pits, or sinkholes, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock. These then fill with rainwater and/or underground river water creating the attractions we visit today. There are over 6000 cenotes located around the Yucatan Peninsula. Many are completely open to the air, some are semi-open, and others are completely underground caves.
Cenotes have large cultural and religious significance to the ancient Mayans, who believed that the cenotes were passages to the underworld. Mayans performed rituals in the cenotes and treated them as sacred.
Types of Cenotes:
- Open cenotes: These cenotes are completely open to the air with some connecting to the underground river system.
- Semi-open cenotes: These cenotes are mostly underground but have small openings in the ceiling where light comes in.
- Underground cenotes: These cenotes are completely underground in a cave system and have no natural light to illuminate the cenote water.
Tips for Visiting Tulum Cenotes
Don’t Wear Sunscreen
Toxins found in sunscreen can damage the ecosystems within the cenotes. Most cenotes in the area strictly forbid it, and most will require you to shower before entering the cenote.
Bring a Towel
This was something that we totally forgot about, but I would highly recommend bringing a towel. You will want to remain in the water as long as possible, so having a towel would have helped to dry off faster and allow for traveling while still damp.
Pack Light
Some cenotes have nowhere to store your belongings, and you will end up leaving your items unattended. Although the cenotes are usually very safe, it’s best to pack light and not bring any extra belongings.
Bring Cash
Not all cenotes accept credit cards. Bring cash, and make sure you have enough in case you plan to rent snorkel gear, life jackets, rent lockers, etc.
Go as Early as Possible
Especially if you want photos, I would recommend getting to the cenote at opening time. They get busy very quickly and can easily feel overcrowded. If you plan to visit multiple in one day, go to the busiest at opening time or close to closing time to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Best Cenotes Around Tulum
Cenote Dos Ojos
In English, Dos Ojos translates to “two eyes.” From the surface, it appears to be two separate sinkholes. But, Dos Ojos is actually a single cenote connecting through a 400-meter long passageway making this a popular diving spot. Tons of light come through creating beautiful reflections on the turquoise water.
- Location: 22km (13 miles) north of Tulum, about a 20-minute drive.
- Entrance fee: 350 pesos ($18 USD) per person.
- Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily at the time of writing.
- Best for: swimming, snorkeling, diving
Cenote Calavera
In Spanish, Calavera means “skull.” It takes its name from the three sinkholes which open up into it. From above these resemble the eye sockets and mouth of an enormous skull. This cenote is known for its giant ladder and swing in the larger opening. Another fun thing is jumping through the small holes into the abyss.
- Location: 2km (1.2 miles) north of Tulum.
- Entrance fee: 100 pesos ($5 USD) for swimmers, 200 pesos ($10 USD) for divers.
- Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM daily at the time of writing.
- Best for: swimming, diving, cliff jumping
Grand Cenote
Grand Cenote is beautiful but can get very crowded due to its popularity, so make sure you come early in the morning or right before closing time to avoid the big crowds. The water here is beautiful and you can see stalagmites and stalactites, snorkel, and even swim with small turtles.
- Location: 4km (2.5 miles) north of Tulum.
- Entrance fee: 180 pesos ($9) per person.
- Hours: 8 AM to 4:45 PM daily at the time of writing.
- Best for: swimming, snorkeling, diving
Taak Bi Ha Cenote
Taak Bi Ha is a beautiful cave cenote with crystalline waters and stalactites/stalagmites. It can be difficult to find, so follow the same entrance for cenote Dos Ojos and continue 100m down the road and you will find the entrance for it.
- Location: 22km (13 miles) north of Tulum, about a 20-minute drive. Use the same entrance as Cenote Dos Ojos.
- Entrance fee: 35o pesos ($18 USD)
- Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily at the time of writing.
- Best for: diving, swimming, snorkeling
Cenote Corazon Del Paraiso
Cenote Corazon is known for its unusual shape that roughly resembles a large heart. It is an open cenote surrounded by a lush jungle where you can swim and relax.
- Location: 7km (4 miles) south of Tulum.
- Entrance fee: 150 pesos (about $7 USD) per person.
- Opening times: 9 AM to 5 PM at the time of writing.
- Best for: diving, swimming, snorkeling
Best Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula
Cenote Ik Kil
Cenote Ik Kil is arguably one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico. The walls of Cenote Ik Kil are covered in green leaves and vines that hang down from the top of the cenote down to the water below. The waters of Ik Kil were considered sacred by the Mayans who performed their sacrificing to their rain god.
- Location: outside Pisté near Chichen Itza, a 2-hour drive from Tulum.
- Entrance fee: $80 pesos (about $4 USD) per person.
- Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM daily at the time of writing.
- Best for: cliff jumping, swimming
Cenote Oxman
Cenote Oxman resembles Cenote Ik Kil in that it has a circular, sinkhole shape with lots of vines hanging down to the water. By far, the highlight of Cenote Oxman is the famous rope swing. Arriving early (when they open) allows you to have the swing to yourself. This was probably our favorite cenote to hang out at as the rope swing was a blast!
- Location: Near the town of Valladolid, a 1.5-hour drive from Tulum.
- Entrance fee: 80 pesos ($4 USD) per person.
- Opening times: 9 AM to 6 PM daily at the time of writing.
- Best for: swimming, cliff jumping, snorkeling
Cenote Suytun
This Instagram famous cenote has a stone walkway stretching out into a still pool of turquoise water with sunbeams coming through a small hole in the cave. The walkway can be covered with water at times, but either way, the cenote is beautiful and presents a great photo opportunity. For the lighting to hit perfectly on the platform, the best time to go is 12 pm which also happens to coincide with the mid-day crowds. I would recommend going early for fewer crowds!
- Location: Near the town of Valladolid, a 1.5-hour drive from Tulum.
- Entrance fee: 120 pesos ($6.50) per person.
- Opening times: 9 AM to 6 PM daily at the time of writing.
- Best for: swimming, photos
Cenote Azul
Cenote Azul looks like a very large natural swimming pool that has both shallow and deep areas. They say it’s one of the biggest cenotes in all of Mexico. There is a portion with a cliff that’s about 15 feet high that offers the perfect spot for jumping!
- Location: 25 minutes south of Playa Del Carmen, and 1 hour and 20 minutes north-east from Tulum.
- Entrance fee: 120 pesos ($6.50 USD) per person.
- Opening times: 9 AM to 5 PM at the time of writing.
- Best for: swimming, snorkeling, families, cliff jumping
Best Way To See the Cenotes
Book a Rental Car
If you feel comfortable driving in a foreign country, this is the easiest way to get around as you have more freedom. This is the option we used for flexibility during our trip. The cost per day is very affordable.
Book a Tour
If you are unsure where to start in your planning, then book a tour and let them do the planning. There are so many options when it comes to tours depending on which ones you want to see and what you want to do. I found this post helpful in reviewing tours.
Book a Private Driver for the Day
If you want to visit multiple cenotes, consider getting a private driver to make the most out of your time. Prices can range, but prices were around $100-$150 USD.
Take a Taxi
If you’re planning to visit a few cenotes in a day, taxi costs can add up pretty quickly. I would suggest only utilizing this option if you are visiting one or two cenotes nearby.
Rent a Bike
If you are visiting cenotes near Tulum, they are close enough that you can bike to them. You can rent bikes for around $10 USD for the day. This is an affordable option to see multiple cenotes.
Hope this was helpful in planning your trip to see the best cenotes near Tulum!
xx,
Ashley
Related Reading: Best Restaurants in Tulum
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