Since most Mexico cenotes are located on private land and the owner of the land decides their own cenotes prices. Actually, this is a white gas layer, which is caught between the salt and fresh waters. I always book my bus trips ahead of time with Busbud.com because they accept international credit cards. The open cenote is mainly for fun. Scuba Diving:You MUST dive with an experienced The cenotes in Tulum are very safe for swimming, and some even feature shallow areas that are perfect for small children. Visit My Favorite cenote in Mexico. Prices differ between each cenote and are subject to change. Gran Cenote: Best Cenote for Insta Photos 3. Underwater, there are a large variety of plants and fish which make it the best cenote for snorkeling. It is commonly known that Tulum is an important and integral part of Mayan culture in the Riviera Maya. You simply rock up to the place, pay the entrance fee (and other amenities you might want), and then you are free to explore! But the outside area is shallow and most people could stand up. Coming from Cancun or Playa via public transit youll have to transfer in Tulum. All of the sections are connected by wooden walkways, laid down on the jungle floor. One of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, or should I say one of the most Instagram famous cenotes in Tulum, Gran Cenote (Grand Cenote or Great Cenote) is a large connection of a series of smaller caves more than one giant cenote (as the name suggests). Cenote Escondido and Cenote Cristal just south of Tulum pueblo on the highway toward Carrillo Puerto (again, just outside the pueblo, very close to Tulum). I visited both Gran Cenote and the Tulum Ruins this past spring and enjoyed both of them! Wastewater is reused for gardening, the miniature product are 100% natural and biodegradable, and so on. Book your stay at Wakax HaciendaON THEIR WEBSITEor onBOOKING.COM. Looking for something different? It can be accessed from the same entrance as Cenote Dos Ojos and El Pit, so it is possible to do these cenotes on the same trip. All of the Cob Cenotes are entirely underground and make you shower off sunscreen before entering. No trip to Tulum is complete without the cenotes. If youre coming from Cancun, check out how to get from Cancun to Tulum. This type of underwater caves is the most mysterious one, and some of my favorite cenotes are in this category. 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. Check out the 16 best cenotes in Tulum that you need to visit if you are dreaming of swimming in caves or among water lilies. But Harmony Glamping stands out for more than its tents. It is famously calledPet Cemeterydue to the animal skeletons found inside that can still be seen when scuba diving today. 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. Cob Cenotes: 3 Cenotes, 100 pesos each to enter. Partially submerged tunnels connect the cenote's open-air sections. This explains why ancient Mayans used to perform rituals in the cenotes. Cave cenotes open up to an underground pool with shallower and deeper areas. Calavera cenote isnt as famous as other cenotes in Tulum, which means you can have an amazing swim all by yourself if youre lucky (get here in the [], A Day Trip To Tulum from Cancun: The Ultimate Guide, [] are many (many!) warned. Gran Cenote Gran Cenote 4,303 Reviews #23 of 85 things to do in Tulum Nature & Parks, Caverns & Caves, Bodies of Water Quintana Roo 109 | Located on the Highway to Coba, Tulum 77796, Mexico Open today: 8:00 AM - 4:45 AM Save The best adventure in three cenotes with lunch and transportation included 2 Book in advance from $95.00 per adult Snorkel gear for hire between $50-$90 MXN pesos apiece. If you do catch Giardia, it can be cleared up with some anti-parasitic pills. Cenote Xcanche is located right next to the famous Ek Balam Ruins, which is an archeological site that is commonly visited on a day trip from Tulum or Playa del Carmen. Or you can take a taxi for around $20 from Playa or Tulum. I chose to do it this way and I was able to visit 6 cenotes in one day. Check them out listed below. They provide snorkel gear, life jackets, and a guide is included in the price. It is also commonly referred to as Cenote Manati because (you guessed it) it used to have manatee sea cows living in it. This means that the water in cenotes is straight from the source and extremely clean. While cenotes are certainly beautiful, they can sometimes be a little overcrowded with tourists and visitors, which obviously spoils the serenity of the place somewhat. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 27 Best Things To Do in Tulum: The Ultimate Guide [2023], [] no wonder, Id say. Absolutely visit the cenotes. Want to take it a step further and stay at a cenote hotel in Tulum? Unfortunately, most of the cenotes are not free in Tulum. Diving at Car Wash Cenote is also very popular, but you should contact a diving center beforehand to organize a dive. Some other awesome options [], 30 Fun Things To Do in Cancun, Mexico in 2023 - Every Steph, [] and avocado toast. 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. and meet the fish that will nip on your feet when you sway them slowly in the water. You can get to Tulum via a 50 pesos Colectivo from Playa del Carmen or take an Ado bus from Cancun or Playa. Combine it with Dos Ojos for the perfect day tour from Tulum. Its quite well hidden but is a great place to get some quiet time as no one else will be around. It is one of the only free cenotes Tulum has, however, make sure you bring some money for beers and your swimmers and prepare to get seriously relaxed. Some will stop, some wont. Some cenotes like Casa Cenote and Laguna Kaan Luum are open-air cenotes that get lots of sunlight warming the water. From paradise beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, incredible cenotes, eco-friendly hotels & adventures, and a great foodie scene, Tulum offers everything you need [], Cenote Cristal & Cenote Escondido, Tulum: Prices + Info [2023], [] both. Dont worry about knowing the price in advance, its always pretty cheap (most times a couple of dollars). Coming from Cancun or Playa you could get a bus or Colectivo to Tulum and then transfer. Continue. You can jump in off the edge and swim around. Check the maps for snorkel cenotes https://castawaywithcrystal.com/best-cenotes-tulum/ https://www.selvatica.com.mx/top-20-cenotes-riviera-maya-cant-miss-guide/ As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 4. We used this headlamp to find bones at the bottom of a cenote that was once used as a graveyard! This means picking your transport type is dependant on which cenotes you go to. As cenotes in Mexico get increasingly popular, locals see this as an opportunity to make more and more money from tourists. You cant get closer to the beach than this!Check out prices and availability for Zamas Hotel.CHECK OUT A FULL REVIEW OF ZAMAS HOTEL. If you want to visit multiple cenotes and maybe other attractions in Tulum in one day, consider getting a private driver to make the most out of your time. Some of the most interesting fish are the Cichlids, and they can be viewed in abundance here, darting around the mangrove roots. These were my favorite cenotes in Mexico because theyre touristed less frequently and the water is crystal clear. Once youre in Valladolid you can walk to Cenote Zaci, its in the town center. 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. Youll then turn left (north) and keep going for about 2km. Entrance fees and opening times info for this list of cenotes in Tulum were updated in February 2022. There are three really good Playa del Carmen cenotes right near each other, so they would make a fantastic day trip from either Tulum or Playa del Carmen. 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. This cenote is Amazing! Cenote Zaci is in Valladolid, no Colectivos run to Valladolid but you can book a bus at the Ado bus station wherever youre at. It is also believed that some Gods resided in these underwater caves. Take the 307 Highway toward Playa del Carmen and turn right on Reforma Agraria. Though you cannot enter the passage, the eyes are a beautiful place to go snorkeling. From street-food tours to ancient Zapotec ruins, all of my favorite things to do in Oaxaca! Sure, what youre seeing isnt as clear and you cant breathe underwater, but 300 pesos to get in, 200 if youre a Mexican citizen. This is weird because its a cenote close to Tulum center, and quite easy to get to. Its quite an experience! Check out my favorites in this video below! Pet Cemetery + 2 More Cenotes and Lunch! As we were biking from Cenote Tankach-Ha 3 massive tour buses pulled in, there was a line out the Cenote door and they said they would be spending 2 hours there. Entrance fee: 350 pesos ($18 USD) per person. I loved the design of the room, you know those white, greatly-decorated rooms that you can find through the pages of design magazines? You can bicycle here, and it only takes about 20 minutes, 4.5 km (3 miles) from Tulum town center on the Highway to Coba (Carretera 309), Area to get dive equipment on. Cenotes in Tulum are not free, although you can find some which charge very little fees, like Cenote Xunaan-Ha or Cenote Carwash. 2. 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! (Restaurant Review)Continue. Click here to book a bike tour that visits three cenotes in Tulum + Includes lunch. Nope, you wont be able to see them all as there are considering there are thousands of cenotes in Yucatan and Quintana Roo. There are over 2,000 Cenotes in the Mayan Riviera, and more are being discovered every day. Some of the less popular cenotes are set amongst the jungle with more rustic facilities. Theres no set address for Cenote Aldea Zama but its located near Kokoro Tulum: Av Balam Dzakab Copal, Aldea Zama, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. No caves or anything like that. Youve been Its still not a budget option, I know, but Tulum and Riviera Maya are way more expensive than the rest of Mexico. This means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click through these links and make a purchase. 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. Cenote Calavera translates to skull cenote in English, and the reason it is called this is that the sunlight that pours in through the holes of the cenote looks exactly like a skull at certain angles of the dive. This tour from Tulum will give you the opportunity to visit in one day one of the most famous Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico and get to know the city of Valladolid. This cenote is best for swimming and snorkeling, but flippers are not allowed. 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! You can easily visit cenotes on your own, or you can check out this list of the best cenote tours in Tulum. Car Wash Cenote Car Wash Location: Northwest of Tulum, 10 minutes of drive on Highway 107. Facilities: Bathrooms, change room, lockers, restaurants, snacks. When there are crocodiles in cenotes, its usually well-known. If youre doing your own trip to the cenotes you will definitely want to bring your own snorkeling gear. But exactly how many cenotes in Tulum itself? Swimwear: Of course. Mayans settled villages around these spiritual wells and believed that . The cenote, which resembles a large lagoon, is very big and meets the ocean on one side; make sure you swim there to see the spectacle! When I visited, I had it all to myself! Swimming/Snorkeling:The oils from human hands and certain elements in lotions and repellents can severely damage this natural growth process and also harm the fish. This cenote would be at the top of the best diving cenotes Tulum recommendation list. Visitors can use the pool for free but can only use the palapas and loungers if they purchase food or drinks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Home North America Mexico The Best Cenotes in Tulum (2022 Mexico Expert Guide). The snorkeling and diving are somewhat separated and both incredible in their own right. In the other, you are taught about the rock formations and interesting cave geology facts while experiencing slight vertigo caused by the crystal-clear water and the sheer depth of the cave. I also spent one night in the Grand Suite, and this is a great alternative if you want the privacy of your own bathroom or prefer a more traditional stay. The Yucatan cenotes that boast underwater passageways connected to the Mayan river system are the best ones for cave diving. These Playa del Carmen cenotes are located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, about 20-30 minutes driving down the main highway (Carretera 307). Complete guide to the best supermarkets in Tulum, as well as how to get food and groceries delivered, and where to get drinking water. There is a bar and restaurant on site. Coming from Tulum on Carretera 109 towards Coba, youll find Cenote Calavera on your right after a 5-minutes drive. BOOK IT HERE. Activities: Swimming, diving, and snorkeling. Update: as of January 2022 Cenote Zaci has been closed for renovations, please check to see if its open again before you make plans to go! If you can split the cost with a few other people, its the way to go IMO. And although I wanted to visit, I simply couldnt afford to. TOTALLY WORTH IT! If youre coming by bus from Cancun or Playa youll likely have to transfer in Tulum. This is a list of the essential items you need to bring with you when you visit a cenote in Tulum. Casa Cenote is an open type cenote, and its family friendly because the open space makes it ideal for kids to swim in. If you didnt know better, youd think that it was a man-made outdoor swimming pool carved into the rock, but the underwater cave system extending from one end connects Zacil Ha cenote with many other cenotes in the area. Its often referred to as a pond cenote, in fact, its a swimming pool style cenote. No toilet, shower or restaurant, 3 km (2 miles) from Tulum town center on the Highway to Coba (Carretera 309) and turning right. The crystal clear waters here make it a picturesque spot and a perfect place to spend your afternoon. The market for waterproof head torches is slim, but I have researched the crap out of them and these ones I think are the best: Super low-cost waterproof head torch. You really dont have an excuse not to buy one when their prices start at only $250 USD! The cenote is off the Carretera Federal 307, 25 minutes drive north of Tulum. You can also find a nice organic restaurant serving healthy food, Flow Restaurant. Keep reading for a complete guide on how to call a United States 1-800 toll-free phone number from Mexico for free! BOOK IT HERE, Casa Tortuga Entrance Fee: 650 MXN.Casa Tortuga Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling. The gorgeous Habitas hotel right on the beach is life-changing, no word of a lie! Get off the highway at Chemuyil and Cenote Xunaan-Ha is right there on your left. to and thought were the best are marked with a heart. Usually you wont have to wait for more than 5-10 minutes. Cenote Azul Cenote Azul is a favorite among tourists because of its shallow waters and the well-lit open roof letting in an abundance of sunlight.