Youre able to cruise under the wetland mangrove roots, through a limestone passage and face-on with interesting fish. But Harmony Glamping stands out for more than its tents. This tour gets raving reviews! We used this headlamp to find bones at the bottom of a cenote that was once used as a graveyard! Because of its crystal clear waters (thus, the name), you will be able to swim with tons of small fish. Want to take it a step further and stay at a cenote hotel in Tulum? Complete guide to the best supermarkets in Tulum, as well as how to get food and groceries delivered, and where to get drinking water. Gran Cenote is only 5 kilometres away from Tulum town centre, on the Carretera 109 towards Coba. Its ideal for those that want to experience a cenote, but really dont want to leave Tulum (or the bar). It is a cenote dive that, if you are adventurous, you definitely should not miss! You can get to Tulum via a 50 pesos Colectivo from Playa del Carmen or take an Ado bus from Cancun or Playa. If youre looking for diving cenotes in Tulum, this is one of your best options as it reaches a depth of 60 meters. Even though Casa Tortuga means Turtle House in Spanish, dont go looking for turtles because its unlikely youll see one; the name is a bit deceiving on that end! Water cuts out light, meaning by about 10 meters deep your GoPro footage will be all blue. If you want to take a peek at Tulum underwater caves this is the place to do it! Cenote Manati is an open cenote that connects a long underwater cave system (Nohoch Na Chich) to the sea. updated. It is commonly known that Tulum is an important and integral part of Mayan culture in the Riviera Maya. BOOK IT HERE, Casa Cenote Entrance Fee: 150 MXN.Casa Cenote Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling / Diving. The water is always clean and warm. Snorkel gear for hire between $50-$90 MXN pesos apiece. The center of the cenote is fenced off because it is REALLY DEEP (80 meters deep, actually). You can find me doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, chasing down baby goats or perched in anuncomfortableposition trying to get thebest photo. If you rent a scooter in Tulum you can easily reach further out cenotes like Cenote Zacil Ha. With the profit they make, part of it goes to maintaining this natural wonder and making it better and more accessible for everyone. JC was one of the most professional and friendly dive instructors I have ever encountered. BOOK IT HERE, Dos Ojos & Casa Cenote Adventure from Tulum All Inclusive No matter if you are a snorkeler or scuba diver, you can join this tour that caters to both. If youre coming from Cancun, check out how to get from Cancun to Tulum. It's not . It is only waterproof up to one meter for 30 minutes though, so this is NOT a diving lamp. Cave cenotes open up to an underground pool with shallower and deeper areas. Try and use a refillable water bottle to reduce the consumption of plastic! Alternatively, you can rent a car or take a taxi to Akumal, a taxi should be about $70 one-way, max. ktij 3 yr. ago Just returned from Ik Kil! Take a Colectivo to Akumal from Tulum or Playa del Carmen for 35-50 pesos, and then from Akumal bus stop its about a 30-40 min walk or you can hail a taxi from Akumal Beach (less than 10 min walk from the bus stop) for around 150 pesos. No other facilities, North of Tulum 25 km (15.5 miles) down the highway to Playa del Carmen (Carretera 307) and turning left onto Cenote Jaguar Road, Current price unknown. READ: How to Choose the Best Snorkel Fins for Your Needs. Cenote Dos Ojos is a good example of this and is the perfect cenote to do your first cavern dive. If youre into a bit of adrenaline, there are small cliffs from where you can jump into the water, and you can also practice snorkeling (the crystal-clear waters are perfect for this!) Cenotes Casa Tortuga is on the 307 Highway, about 20 minutes north of Tulum. Best Snorkeling Cenotes Best Scuba Diving Cenotes Best Cave Cenotes Best Free Cenotes Playa del Carmen Cenotes, Tulum Cenotes Map Getting to Cenotes in Tulum Cenote Packing List Where to Stay in Tulum. Cenote El Pit is part of the same group of cenotes. Kaan Luum is a locals secret and if you go in the afternoon, youll probably have the whole place to yourself. I have no idea what this Cenote was like because I didnt get to see it! For snorkelers, the cave inside is lit up by lights, there are bats everywhere and lots of cool crevices to explore. READ:How to Choose the Best Snorkel Gear on the Market! Caleta Tankah is about 10 minutes outside of Tulum on Highways 307, you can bike there (like I did, wouldnt recommend) from Tulum or take a taxi and arrange a pickup time via Whatsapp for about $7 each way. There are no undercurrents nor dangerous rock formations, however, you should only venture into activities you feel confident about! With lots of space to swim around, this is ideal for the less experienced cavern diver. Follow the directions for Cenote Dos Ojos. Theres no snack bar here (when I went they only sold beer) so bring water and food if you want to stay awhile. RELATED ARTICLE Ultimate Guide To Biking In Tulum. it still does the job! You can also jump into the cenotes from a certain height, if you dare! Cenote Sac Actun: Most Popular Cenote in Mexico 8. No restaurant or life jackets, South of Tulum 16.5 km (10 miles) down the highway to Chetumal (Carretera 307) and turning left, Free, just buy something from the bar/restaurant, There are toilets but no showers. Because the cenote contains both fresh and seawater, both ocean and freshwater fish live here. Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, Mexico. Mexico is a water-lovers paradise and it would be a shame not to capture all your special memories made in the cenotes. Some of the cenotes in Tulum, especially the ones located on the Tulum/Coba road such as Cenote Calavera, Cenote Zacil Ha, and Gran Cenote, are close enough that you can bike to them. Read More Top 10 Things to Do in OaxacaContinue. BOOK IT HERE, Cenote Nicte-Ha Entrance Fee: 250 MXN.Cenote Nicte-Ha Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling / Scuba Diving. Wondering if Be Our Guest is worth it? Some popular cenotes will even require you to shower before entering because of the oils on the human skin. Chiringuito Tulum: Im in love with the white design that reminds me of Mykonos or Santorini. Coming from Cancun or Playa you could get a bus or Colectivo to Tulum and then transfer. At Cenote Azul, you just have to dip your feet in the water and get in, as you would in a swimming pool! They are quite popular among the tourists, although they arent as crowded as other cenotes in Tulum such as Cenote Dos Ojos or Gran [], Cenote Calavera, Tulum: Swimming In The Temple of Doom, [] part of all? Cenote Azul Cenote Chaak Tun You can get to quite a few really good cenotes with a bicycle. Mayans settled villages around these spiritual wells and believed that . Scuba Diving:You MUST dive with an experienced They were once upon a time, but locals now know how big of a hit they are with tourists, so theyve decided to start charging to enter the cenotes. The visibility is incredible at this cenote, you can see about deep into the crystal clear water, even from the surface! You can book a bus online at Busbud.com. If you can split the cost with a few other people, its the way to go IMO. ), youll never get bored at Wakax Hacienda. If you dont have a car you could take a taxi from Tulum Centro (shouldnt be more than 150 pesos) and then hail one off highway 109 when you want to go back. Its a bit steep to get in (300 pesos) but Caleta Tankah is one of the only places in Tulum with a (small) seaweed-free beach. There are many cenotes near Cancun and Tulum that not only offer life-vests but require them for all swimmers. I chose to do it this way and I was able to visit 6 cenotes in one day. On the dive, you can hover above and dip below the gas layer if you feel comfortable. You'll see stalagtites, mites, learn the history and see spectacular sights. Its a bit pricey at 300 pesos just for entrance and then more to rent towels, snorkel, flippers, etc, but completely worth it. How to Call a 1-800 Number from Mexico for FREE! Under the gas, it is completely dark and feels as if you are floating through a haunted forest. (Restaurant Review), 3 BEST Supermarkets in Tulum, Mexico in 2023, 5 Disadvantages of Living in Mexico as a Foreigner, bike tour that visits three cenotes in Tulum, all-inclusive tour that visits Tulum Ruins, Coba Ruins, and a cenote, Guide To Visiting Alas Harum Agrotourism In Bali, If youre not a strong swimmer, go to a cenote that offers. Partially submerged tunnels connect the cenote's open-air sections. One of the cave cenotes you are led inside where you can see bats and interesting blind cave fish. In some cenotes like Cenote Calavera youll see an oily sheen on the top of the water, this is from the sunscreen from all the tourists washing off into the cenote water. They are done with this awesome contraption called a dome. I love adding venture, art, good wifi & even better coffee. Kaan Luum Lagoon, 2 Cenotes, Tulum Ruins + Quinta Avenida. Book your Tulum scooter rental ahead of time by clicking here. Cenotes are a natural geological marvel that are only found in the Yucatn Peninsula, and a must-see if youre planning a trip to Quintana Roo. to and thought were the best are marked with a heart. Theres also a bar and hammocks to hang out as well as a pool. From above the water, Cenote Angelita is a seemingly simple open-air swimming hole along Highway 307. As cenotes in Mexico get increasingly popular, locals see this as an opportunity to make more and more money from tourists. Casa Cenote is an open-air lagoon-type Cenote 20 minutes outside of Tulum. Just three miles (five kilometers) from central Tulum, the Gran Cenote is very popular with swimmers and snorkelers of all ages, there are 2 main areas to swim, one is better for non confident swimmers. BOOK IT HERE, The Pet Cemetery Cenote Entrance Fee: 450 MXN.The Pet Cemetery Cenote Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Diving / Snorkeling. READ THE FULL BLOG POST:Cenote Escondido & Cristal: All You Need to Know. Since most Mexico cenotes are located on private land and the owner of the land decides their own cenotes prices. Coming from Cancun via public transit you could take a Colectivo to Playa, transfer, and then take another Colectivo to Dos Ojos. Next to the ruins there will be a place for you to rent bikes they charged us 85 pesos per bike the bikes are old and my friend got a rather busted one, you can alternatively take a cab there (but unless you pay for them to wait for you theres no way to get back) so the best way is to bike it. This cenote is located on Highway 307 going south from Tulum. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you book something through one of my links I might get a commission, at absolutely no extra cost to you, 41 Things To Do in Cancun11 Unmissable Playa del Carmen CenotesIsla Holbox, Mexico: The Ultimate Guide To This Island Paradise11 Incredible Cenotes in Valladolid You Cant Miss, Cenote Zacil Ha, Tulum: Zip Line at This Family-Friendly Cenote. For something a bit more popular, we recommend Gran Cenote, which is located only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the town of Tulum. This happens as a result of limestone caves collapsing and exposing a natural pool. Overall, I recommend glamping in Tulum to those who dont mind sharing a bathroom and want to try a stay that is truly green all without having to give up the comfort of a hotel. disclaimer. Its the perfect cenote to bring your kids to, too! In my opinion, the cenotes near Tulum are the best ones in the state of Quintana Roo, and it makes sense to come for a day trip from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Cenote Pet Cemetery is also part of the Sac Actun (White Cave) system that we talked about above. Entry fee: US$3 (50 MXN) for swimmers, and US$6 (120 MXN) for divers. Bike rental places are common around Tulum town center and main beach road. Most cenotes have life jackets for rent so you do not need to be afraid of the deep crystal clear waters! This place is cool! Im Crystal! Scroll down for a full review!Check out prices and availability for Harmony Glamping & Boutique Hotel. In one day, youll be able to snorkel at Casa Cenote + Cenote Sac Actun and the beautiful reef of Tulum. This headlamp had been on my radar for a long time because its cheap, waterproof, sleek and small. Recently, snorkellers and swimmers were banned and only scuba divers are allowed to enter El Pit these days. It depends! No caves or anything like that. Then later, I came back to Tulum with my own Mexican car to explore the cenotes once again. There are no sharks in the cenotes in Tulum (nor in cenotes anywhere else in Mexico), so its perfectly safe to swim in them. She has too many awesome stories and helpful tips to keep them all to herself so follow along and in return she will bring you inspiring pictures, travel videos and a whole load of fun! Im addicted to getting the most out of life and would love to take you along for the ride. With a depth of 60 meters, Cenote Angelita is great for diving. Its owners make sure that the place is ran in the most sustainable way possible. Cenote Dos Ojos is easily one of the most versatile and best cenotes to visit in Tulum. Not touristy, get there before the afternoon to avoid tour buses. READ: The ULTIMATE GUIDE to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Cenote Angelita Entrance Fee: 150 MXN.Cenote Angelita Opening Times: 8 AM to 5 PM daily.Best for: Diving. It is an open cenote surrounded by caves and caverns. You can jump off into the cenote from a high wooden platform if you like a more thrilling experience. Easily head to Cenote Azul, Cenote Cristalino or Cenotes Casa Tortuga using the colectivos. If you spend 100 pesos at the restaurant your entrance fee to the Cenote is free otherwise, entrance is 30 pesos. Follow the directions for Cenote Dos Ojos. This is the only 100% FREE Cenote on this list because it hasnt been commercialized yet. Cenote El Pit Entrance Fee: 300 MXN or 500 MXN for a combined ticket with Dos Ojos Cenote as well.Cenote El Pit Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Diving. Cenote Calavera: Best Cenote for Cliff Jumping 4. If youre lucky youll spot a resident turtle swimming alongside you. The lagoon is super shallow, youre able to stand in most of it, and then in the center, theres a deep dark hole in the center that plummets down to 80 meters and is popular with scuba divers. Book your accommodation by using the map belowHere youll find hotels and holiday rentals in Tulum Town; change the location to Tulum Beach if you prefer to stay by the beach. The Mayans revered cenotes because they were a source of water in dry times; indeed, the name cenote means "sacred well". If you plan to do any cenote snorkeling or diving, anywhere in this area, you will be asked not to wear normal sunscreen. No wonder its one of the most instagrammable cenotes in Tulum! The roads are well kept and rivers more or less respect the rules. Read our huge guide to find out which ones! It is certainly not the most beautiful cenote in Tulum, but TOTALLY WORTH IT! Your email address will not be published. Cenote Xunaan-Ha . That is why some cenotes are perfect for diving and snorkeling, but some are just good for swimming. This is one of the most frequently asked questions as it seems like different people are getting offered different prices. Its quite dangerous; There are quite a few bike rental places both in Tulum Town and Tulum Beach. On Google it says 9 AM 5 PM every day but we got there at first thing at 9 AM and they didnt open the doors until 9:30.. RELATED ARTICLE Guide To Visiting Cenote Aldea Zama. Entrance Fee: 300 MXN ($14 USD) This is my ultimate list of cenotes in Tulum, complete with current prices and the facilities found at each cenote. Semi-open Cenotes As the name implies, this type of cenote has some parts that are exposed like the open cenotes above, and some portions that are partially hidden by a cave. I hope this post has helped you choose the best cenote in Tulum for your needs. Most cenotes will offer showers for this reason, and some will require it to keep the cenotes ecosystem safe from pollutants. Gran Cenote is a 20-30 minute bike ride outside of Tulum past Cenote Calavera on Highway 109. Carwash Cenote: Best Less Visited Cenote 5. Some of the open cenotes are also connected to an underground river passage (and they are usually suitable for diving). Unfortunately, over-tourism and pollution mean thats not always the case. Cenote Zacil Ha is not that big, but the cenote has plenty going for it, including a zip line that runs some 10 feet above the surface of the water, the perfect way for thrill seekers to plunge into it. Frequently See this photo above with absolutely no one in sight or the big photo at the top of this post? These sinkholes, which started out as water sources and places for sacred offerings for the Mayans, have in recent years developed into freshwater swimming spots for tourists and locals alike. If youre coming from Tulum have the Colectivo drop you off at Xel Ha waterpark, and from there youll need to cross highway 307 and walk inland maybe about 40 minutes to the Cenote. You really dont want to travel to Mexico without a top underwater camera. Two years ago I decided to leave NYC and travel the world. Not spectacular, but a nice place to cool off and to escape the harsh Mexican sun and the only cenote bar Tulum has to offer. In English, the name of this cave cenote translates to two eyes- and the reason for that becomes clear as soon as you set eyes on Cenote Dos Ojos, one of the best cenotes in Tulum. A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole that has been forming for several centuries or thousands of years. You cant visit this cenote without a guide, which explains the high cost of the entrance fee. Roundtrip transportation from Tulum is included, as well as snacks and water. people have got lost in the many tunnels and drowned inside. No toilet, shower or restaurant, 3 km (2 miles) from Tulum town center on the Highway to Coba (Carretera 309) and turning right. By using these links youre supporting my blog so I can keep traveling, and I only feature products I believe in and use myself. Compare car rental prices HERE or get a quote in the table down below. Sac Actun, meaning white cave in Mayan, is the second-longest underwater cave system in the world, accessible by hundreds of sinkholes (cenotes). Cenote Zacil Ha Entrance Fee: 200 MXN.Cenote Zacil Ha Opening Times: 10 AM to 6 PM daily.Best For: Swimming. This was one of my most frequently used GoPro attachments in Mexico! Cenote Oxman is 1.5 hours from Tulum, 2 hours from Playa del Carmen, and 2 hours from Cancun. Cenote Pet Cemetery is part of the same group of cenotes. But the outside area is shallow and most people could stand up. Cenote Dos Ojos is truly beautiful. Youll have time to swim and snorkel in both cenotes with an expert guide. No life jackets, Along main beach road (Carretera Tulum Boca Paila) across from Villa Estrellas Hotel. El Pit Cenote: Best Cenote for Diving 6. If youre doing your own trip to the cenotes you will definitely want to bring your own snorkeling gear. This phenomenon sparked one of the first cenote cave explorations in the area, to find out where the suds went. Km. Its super clean and right in the center of Aldea Zama; which is an area of Tulum a lot of Ex-Pats live. You can select an area to download and use offline if you wont always have access to data in Mexico. If you have a scooter you can easily drive it to Laguna Kaan Lum from Tulum. The crystal clear waters here make it a picturesque spot and a perfect place to spend your afternoon. Dos Ojos Cenote Complex has 5 cenotes; Dos Ojos, El Pit, Jaguar, Nicte Ha, & Los Monos. Underwater, there are a large variety of plants and fish which make it the best cenote for snorkeling. Keep reading for my six picks for the very best cenotes to visit near Tulum: make sure you see at least one them all! But most of the time the gear is old, crappy and has had other peoples mouths all over it! They send someone over all the time to check if people have their camera/go pro out), Its right next to Tulum and bike-able from the main center. The glamping spot also features a pool (soooo nice to have one when its Tulum-hot, trust me!) In fact, some cenotes are the only clean water supply for locals! There are many beautiful cenotes close to Tulum that are open to the public, just waiting for you to explore. All of these Playa del Carmen cenotes are of a moderate price range from $100 MXN pesos to $350 MXN pesos. Some cenotes like Casa Cenote and Laguna Kaan Luum are open-air cenotes that get lots of sunlight warming the water. It boasts milky blue water, some rope swings, a jumping platform, and dramatic cave stalactites hanging from the roof. Although I have not personally been, I know that there is a magical gas layer 30 meters deep called halocline. You will have to cross the highway via an overpass if youre coming from Cancun via bus. Looking for something different? One of the best cenote caves in Tulum (and probably Mexico), Dos Ojos is named so because two 70-meter sinkholes connect by a 400-meter passageway, which gives the appearance of two eyes. Unfortunately, most of the cenotes are not free in Tulum. Cenote Siete Bocas is one of the most famous on the route but theres also: Due to their proximity to Cancun, the entrance fees for these cenotes have skyrocketed recently, with each cenote charging 300-500 pesos each to enter. Well, dont. Cross a boardwalk through the Mexican jungle, visit ancient Mayan ruins, climb a treehouse, and take a speedboat to a natural lazy river all in 4 hours! Located just a short drive away from Tulum (and right next to the Car Wash Cenote), Cenote Zacil Ha is one of the most convenient cenotes to visit while youre staying in town. There are two scuba dive routes that can be taken in Cenote Dos Ojos. Theres also a part of the cenote which is covered by a small rock overhang, allowing you to feel like a real explorer as you make your way through the dark to discover what lies inside. but have been recommended. Cenote Angelita resembles an underground river, but its due to the effect of the halocline. Best Cenotes in Tulum 1. BOOK IT HERE. You can view dramatic rock formations, play with schools of fish and watch under the crystal-clear waters as the divers cruise through the caves. Swimming and snorkeling are some activities popular here. Please note that some links on my site are affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links. have found a tiny pair of Goggles just as useful for exploring the cenotes. READ THE FULL BLOG POST:Cenote Zacil Ha: Zip Line at This Family-Friendly Cenote. almost perfect circle, with boulders tumbling down the sides. Since Casa Cenote isnt near an overpass, I wouldnt recommend taking a bus or Colectivo because youll have to walk a distance to cross the highway. The soft sand at the bottom is known to be a great skin exfoliator, but it smells like rotting eggs! Im addicted to getting the most out of life and would love to take you along for the ride. Youll start the day with a visit to the Tulum ruins, where youll learn about the history of the Mayan civilization, and then head to the cenotes at Casa Tortuga for a swim. Cenote Dos Ojos is a good example of this and is the perfect cenote to do your first cavern dive. This beautiful cenote is deep in the jungle and difficult to get to because of how remote it is. The Tulum cenotes in the Sac Actun System are highly decorated, with beautiful stalactites hanging from the roofs of the underwater caves leftover from when the caverns were dry. Gran Cenote is among the most popular cenotes in Tulum and serves as the main entrance to the Sisterna Sac Actun caves, with crystal clear, cool waters to swim. This cenote was first discovered in 1987, and while its more known among divers, snorkelers can enjoy it too. Free Diving: Never lose sight of the cave entrance unless you are following a line. Cenote Dos Ojos is another one of the most popular Tulum Cenotes and a remarkable vista, to say the least. I did not personally visit this cenote, but I have included it because of all the raving reviews in person and online. Having this unbelievable local feature means youll be sure to find the best cenotes around Tulum. $50 MXN pesos for a locker and $150 for a kayak. You are 100% NOT ALLOWED to wear normal sunscreen in the cenotes in the Riviera Maya. Adorned with colorful rock decorations, stalactites, and the giant fallen trees, this cenote has an eerie, otherworldly vibe! best cenotes in Riviera Maya as well as cenotes in Tulum that I didnt go to