15 Best Cenotes in Tulum | Where to Splash in and Near Tulum

Tulum is easily one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. Ease of access to Mayan ruins, incredible beaches, a buzzing party scene, and a host of natural splendor are just some of the things responsible for the town’s popularity.

Included in that list are idyllic cenotes that draw in hordes of tourists and locals alike and dominate Instagram feeds worldwide. These natural limestone sinkholes are filled with crystal clear, turquoise waters, and most of them are home to colorful fish and other species.

Eons ago, these wonders were an important water source for the Maya civilization. Today, they’re the perfect place for relaxing between your exploration of the many things to do in Tulum.

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Best Cenotes in Tulum

From the Instagrammable Cenote Suytun and the dive-crazy Cenote Dos Ojos to the scenic Cenote Sac Actun, the town has cenotes for any and everyone. If the beautiful town is on your bucket, here are the best cenotes Tulum has to offer.

Disclaimer: Since Tulum is bigger than just the beach strip or town center, some of these cenotes are found miles away from where you might be staying. From Tulum, you’re in for drives as short as 10 minutes and ones as long as an hour and a half.

Cenote Suytun

Even if you haven’t been to the Riviera Maya, you’ve likely come across this natural wonder. Cenote Suytun is, after all, a social media darling that has been Instagrammed into popularity by many travelers—and it didn’t disappoint in person.

This beauty is a collapsed cave that is most famous for the stone pathway leading to a circular platform. Stop by during midday, and you can enjoy a natural spotlight on the platform with the sunshine beaming through a small opening on the roof.

Additionally, the cave walls, intriguing stalactites and stalagmites, and turquoise waters contrast well to provide a setting as picturesque as possible. The beauty isn’t all that attracts visitors here though, as you can also swim in these shallow, cold waters—although a life vest is necessary.

Its popularity is, however, a double-edged sword that has led to the introduction of a 60-minute time limit. Cenote Suytun draws in tons of visitors and is one of the more crowded cenotes near Tulum. To avoid the crowds, plan an early morning or late afternoon visit, which unfortunately doesn’t offer the famed sunlight experience.

Note: This popular cenote near Tulum is in Valladolid, which is about an hour away from the city center.

• Price: 150 pesos ($7.50) + life jacket rental at 30 pesos ($2)
• Facilities: Changing rooms and bathrooms
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily
• Getting there: Rental car, ADO bus from Tulum to Valladolid, Colectivo, or taxi
• Related tour: N/A

Gran Cenote

Gran Cenote, located just outside of town, is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, Mexico. This is actually a network of cenotes connected by wooden walkways that course along a verdant jungle and are surrounded by craggy rock formations.

The primary cenote is an open-air cenote surrounded by lush greenery to resemble a river, with the water just a bit more beautiful. This is the prime spot for swimmers as the waters aren’t too deep, plus you may find yourself swimming alongside a turtle or two.

On either side of the open-air cenote are caverns that are diving and snorkeling havens, which you can just marvel at too. These caves also have animals of their own, with bats occasionally found hanging the stalagmites. Between January and February, you’ll have toucans keeping you company on rare instances.

While crowded, Gran Cenote is the perfect stop on a trip to or from the Coba ruins, thanks to a convenient location between Coba and Tulum. 

• Price: 500 pesos ($25) including life jacket and snorkeling gear + locker rental for 30 pesos ($2)
• Facilities: Bathrooms, changing rooms, lockers, and a small shop selling snacks and drinks
• Opening hours: 8am – 4:45pm (last entry at 4:15pm) daily
• Getting there: Taxi, Colectivo, or bike
• Related tour: Cenote Trail: Caves Visit and Bike Tour

Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman

Located an hour away from Tulum in Valladolid, cenote San Lorenzo Oxman was my favorite cenote during my visit here. This sort-of-hidden gem is found in a collapsed cave lit up by natural light and surrounded by a little vegetation.

While you can jump in from the many jumping platforms, try diving into the cenote using the rope swing for a dramatic entrance. For something a little less flashy, you can climb in using the staircase, which you can also use to get out.

Even though diving isn’t permitted, you’ll still be able to catch a glimpse of the fish swimming below—that’s how clear the water is. Also, you won’t find any snorkeling gear for rental here, meaning you must bring your own if you want to snorkel.

The cenote is set on Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman, which is also home to a swimming pool, a hotel, and a restaurant. You absolutely must visit the restaurant for delicious Yucatan food.

• Price: 150 pesos ($7.5) cenote only, 250 pesos ($12.5) including access to the pool, and a 200 peso credit to the restaurant ($10) for a light meal
• Facilities: Changing rooms, lockers, parking, swimming pool, and a restaurant
• Opening hours: 8am – 6pm daily
• Getting there: Rental car, ADO bus from Tulum to Valladolid, Colectivo, or taxi
• Related tour: N/A

Cenote Dos Ojos

Cenote Dos Ojos is located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with a drive here from the latter lasting 20 to 30 minutes. It’s set in Dos Ojos Park, which is also home to many cenotes (more on these later).

Cenote Dos Ojos is home to two different cenotes connected by a boardwalk, hence the name “Dos Ojos” which translates to “two eyes.” One cenote, aptly named “Blue Eye,” features turquoise waters made for swimmers, while the “Black Eye” has darker waters perfect for diving.

The two cenotes are connected by a passageway under a cavern lined with stalagmites and stalactites. There are also a few more caves on either side of Cenote Dos Ojos. You can snorkel down into the caves, which have incredibly clear waters and offer a chance to spot turtles and schools of fish.

Life jackets and a rinse at the on-site showers are mandatory for entering the cenotes. 

• Price: 350 pesos ($18) including a life jacket, 100 pesos ($5) for snorkeling gear, and 50 pesos ($2.5) for a locket
• Facilities: Hammocks, parking lot, snack shops, changing rooms, and 
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily
• Getting there: Rental car, taxi, or Colectivo (drops you off at the entrance, which is a 1.25-mile walk to the cenotes)
• Related tour: There are dive tours on-site

Cenote Sac Actun

Another noteworthy cenote in Dos Ojos Park is Cenote Sac Actun, which is one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems. This means that if you’re a diving fanatic, you will feel right at home here. 

Fun fact: archaeologists also found a skull and partial skeleton dating back 13,000 years, making it the oldest skeleton ever found in the Americas.

Cenote Sac Actun, also eerily named Pet Cemetery Cenote, isn’t just for divers, though. Avid swimmers can float in the blue waters, and snorkelers are also catered for, with plenty of marine life to be spotted.

The cave stalagmites and stalactites are arguably the best ones in the region. Thanks to a multi-cenote cave system, you can easily cenote-hop across the expansive Sac Actun. 

• Price: 650 pesos ($33), including snorkeling gear, a life jacket, and a mandatory guide.
• Facilities: Restrooms and a shower
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily
• Getting there: Rental car, taxi, or Colectivo (drops you off at the entrance, which is a 1.25-mile walk to the cenotes)
• Related tour: Tulum: Snorkeling Adventure in Cenote and Reef

Cenote El Pit

Cenote El Pit is another cenote near Tulum found at Dos Ojos Park. If you haven’t already guessed it from the name, this is one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula. 

This scenic, oval-shaped sinkhole has an incredible depth of approximately 390 feet. However, recreational divers are only allowed to submerge themselves down to around 130 feet—making it another goldmine for scuba divers.

While diving here is sought after, the main drawcard is the dancing light beams that shine through the cenote’s only roof opening. You can only see this phenomenon on sunny days but will still need a flashlight to explore other parts of Cenote El Pit. Also, watch for the large stalactites as you glide through the water.

• Price: 300 pesos ($15), 500 pesos ($26) if combined with a Cenote Dos Ojos ticket, and 
• Facilities: Parking lot, toilets, and changing rooms
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily
• Getting there: Rental car, taxi, or Colectivo (drops you off at the entrance, which is a 1.25-mile walk to the cenotes)
• Related tour: N/A

Casa Cenote (Formerly Cenote Manati)

If open-air cenotes are more your thing, then look no further than Casa Cenote, which may be the most unique cenote in Tulum. Formerly known as Cenote Manati for the manatees that frequented it, the river-like cenote has verdant mangroves surrounding the turquoise waters. 

While the manatees are no longer around, you’ll have birds, tropical fish, and Panchito, a small crocodile, to keep you company. Panchito hasn’t bitten anyone during his time here but do exercise caution.

You can see all this splendor while swimming, kayaking (bring one or rent one), snorkeling, or paddleboarding in or above the 20-feet deep waters. As Casa Cenote is part of a network of cenotes that connect to the sea, divers can have the most fun navigating these cenotes. 

• Price: 150 pesos ($8) including life jacket, 50 pesos ($2.5) for a locker
• Facilities: Lockers, toilets, changing rooms, and gear rentals
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm
• Getting there: Car rental, taxi, or Colectivo, which drops you off 20 walking minutes from the cenote
• Related tour: N/A

Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul, an hour’s drive from Tulum, is an expansive collection of open-air cenotes connected by walkways that are popular with locals and tourists alike. The main cenote is split into two by a small boardwalk, one being shallow and the other deep. You can splash into the deep cenote by jumping in from the cliff or entering either one from the dock.

Surrounded by lush greenery and offering different depths, Cenote Azul is popular among families and often gets crowded. If the crowds don’t deter you, you’ll have the opportunity to swim, float, and snorkel among schools of fish. Craggy rock formations also give you a chance to marvel at the turquoise waters while dipping your feet in.

While no restaurants are around here, you can turn to the small shop to purchase snacks when feeling peckish. 

• Price: 150 pesos ($8)
• Facilities: Parking lot and bathrooms
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm
• Getting there: Rental car, taxi, or local Colectivo
• Related tours: From Tulum: Four-Cenote Adventure and Cancun: Marine Turtle Observation in Akumal

Cenote Jardin del Eden (Also Called Cenote Ponderosa)

Also an hour’s drive away from Tulum, Cenote Jardin del Eden is neighbor to Cenote Azul and offers similar striking beauty.

Cenote Jardin del Eden was aptly named for its natural splendor in the form of lush greenery and the beautiful cenote waters, of course. While we’ve never seen it, you wouldn’t be too far off if this is what the Garden of Eden looks like, which inspired the name.

While floating and wading in the clear, turquoise waters is the main drawcard, Cenote Jardin del Eden has more to offer than what meets the eye. Below the surface, snorkel and watch little fish navigate the waters alongside you. It’s also a premier location for cliff jumping for anyone who loves a little splash at cenotes.

Additionally, it has an impressive underwater cave system teeming with stalactites that divers love to visit for even more diverse fish and fauna. Catch your breath by resurfacing and sitting on the rock formations that have become a popular lounging spot.

• Price: 200 pesos ($10)
• Facilities: Snack bar, gear rental, restrooms
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm everyday except Saturdays 
• Getting there: Rental car, local Colectivo, or taxi
• Related tour: N/A

Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido

Thanks to a convenient location just a few minutes from one another, you can visit both Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido at once. While you can walk your way from one to the other, the two are also connected by an underwater tunnel. The cool thing is, despite being set near Tulum beaches, these open-air cenotes are lowkey enough to not attract hordes of visitors.

Cenote Cristal (not to be confused with Cenote Cristalino), as the name implies, is home to crystal clear water. The oval-shaped cenote is the busier of the two and features a diving platform, and is surrounded by various vegetation. While diving isn’t available here, you can have a lot of fun snorkeling in the mildly deep waters.

Right across the street, or tunnel, is Cenote Escondido which translates loosely to “hidden cenote.” It’s also home to verdant vegetation, making for a picturesque scene where the blue and green contrast with the rock formations.

Here, you can have your share of fun just like at the neighboring cenote. But, what makes this a prime spot is that you can swing into the water like Tarzan or jump off various platforms. Once inside, you can swim or snorkel while admiring the small fish in the hidden pools. Unlike Cenote Cristal, you can also enjoy a deep dive to explore the depths of this beauty.

• Price: 120 pesos ($6) for entry at Cenote Cristal
• Facilities: Showers, toilets, tables and benches, gear rental, and a parking lot
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm (ticket booth closes at 4pm) 
• Getting there: Rental car, walk from town, and bike ride
• Related tour: Tulum: Sian Ka’an Lagoons and Cenote Escondido Tour

Cenote Calavera

Like Cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote Calavera got its name from how it looks. It has also been paraded as The Temple of Doom. Calavera translates to “skull” which references the fact that its three sinkholes resemble the mouth and eyes found on a human skull. 

If you can’t imagine what it looks like, just jump onto social media and search Tulum, it’s popular enough to be one of the first few results that pop up.

Despite these eerie names, this natural beauty delights any and all visitors—it’s surprisingly a kept secret that isn’t too crowded. What makes it so incredible is that you experience a bit of fun before you even get into the water. Plunge into the idyllic sinkhole by cliff jumping off a rock formation surrounded by towering trees and verdant vegetation.

Cenote Calavera also has a swing that sways you back and forth above the waters right by the roof. For people a little less daring, there’s a ladder you can use to lower yourself into the water in a way you feel more comfortable with.

Once inside, swim and float at the surface while natural light beams in through the roof. You can also break out your snorkeling gear if you want to do more than just stick your head out of the water. With a depth of around 50 feet, divers will also find a playground more than ready to handle their needs.

• Price: 100 pesos ($5) and 100 pesos ($5) for a dive
• Facilities: Table and restrooms
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily
• Getting there: Rental car, local Colectivo, and a taxi towards Coba
• Related tour: N/A

Cenote Carwash (Also Known as Cenote Ak Tun Ha)

While cenotes were used by the ancient Maya civilization for healing purposes, Tulum taxi drivers have used them as free water. Yes, Car Wash Cenote got its name from the fact that drivers would commonly stop by this sinkhole to give their cars a wash. While no longer allowed, its convenient location by the parking lot gives visitors easy access.

Cenote Ak Tun Ha surprisingly gets very few visitors, meaning you’re likely to have the cenote to yourself and a few others. The open-air sinkhole has a massive swimming area and sees algae form on top of the water, trapping the heat and turning it into a heated pool in the summer.

Before even submerging yourself in the depths of the water, you can see some of the underwater splendor courtesy of the crystal clear waters. You can see fish and turtles swim throughout the water, and there are a number of craggy rock formations you can see too. 

While snorkeling and swimming here is the main activity that visitors do, divers aren’t left in the wilderness either. Cenote Carwash has a depth of up to 50 feet, meaning divers often submerge into the depths of the pool. Other travelers are also catered for with a small deck made for sunbathing with trees in its surroundings.

There are rumors of a local crocodile living here, but not many can claim to have seen it, so be sure to exercise caution while exploring this beauty.

• Price: 250 pesos ($13)
• Facilities: Parking lot, toiles, and changing rooms
• Opening hours: 9am – 4pm
• Getting there: Rental car, local Colectivo, and taxi
• Related tour: N/A

Cenote Zacil Ha

Neighboring Cenote Carwash is Cenote Zacil Ha, a picturesque sinkhole that resembles a regular swimming pool and has a statue on one end. It’s also an open-air attraction, although it’s a little smaller than its more popular neighbor.

Compared to other Tulum cenotes, Zacil Ha is relatively new and was only discovered around 30 years ago. However, the caves here are clearly historic—as evidenced by the stalactites found hanging from the ceiling. These take millions of years to grow.

While not popular or good for snorkeling, you can swim and float on the surface, and due to its shallow depth, it’s popular among local families. What keeps visitors coming back for more is the impressive zip line that you can use to splash into the water, in addition to the rock formation you can jump from.

Despite resembling a “fake” cenote due to its look, it’s a natural wonder like many others in Tulum. In fact, the underwater cave system connects to many other cenotes that divers can choose to explore the depth.

In addition to the cenote pool, there are also regular swimming pools for you and your gang to lounge around. Outside the water, spend your time sunbathing atop the site’s grounds or while sitting comfortably in a hammock.

• Price: 200 pesos ($10) and 10 pesos ($0.5) per zipline ride
• Facilities: Zipline, regular pool, small restaurant, lifeguards, and changing rooms
• Opening hours: 10am – 5:30pm
• Getting there: Rental car, local Colectivo, and taxi
• Related tour: N/A

Cenotes Casa Tortuga

Not to be confused with earlier Casa Cenote, this incredible splendor is a channel of cenotes that will satisfy the sinkhole appetite of all. In addition to the water, you’ll find the cenotes surrounded by trees and plants perched on rock formations.

The eco-park is home to four cenotes, all of which are different types. This means that if you’re short on time, you can just explore Tulum’s cenote variations in one go. Also, the journey is almost as beautiful as the destination as you trek on a path surrounded by trees that reminds you of a hike through national parks, even though it’s brief and short.

The open-air cenote is Cenote Tres Zapotes, and it’s most popular among swimmers. It has a pool area that you can jump into from the promenade and is perfect for casually wading the waters.

Semi-open Cenote Wisho and Cenote Jaguar are interconnected and are great for snorkeling and swimming alike. Jump in, and you’ll glide through the water and come across small fish and rock formations. The final destination here is a dry cave system dotted with fossils and tree roots.

For cave enthusiasts, Cenote Campana is there to give you an experience like any under. It’s the only closed cave cenote on Cenotes Casa Tortuga. Once you get below the surface, you can make your way through a cavern that is home to bats and has some incredible stalagmites to admire below.

• Price: 500 pesos ($25)
• Facilities: Toilets and changing rooms
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm
• Getting there: Rental car, bike ride, or local Colectivo
• Related tour: N/A

Cenote Corazón del Paraíso

Okay, many people might find this corny, but going to this cenote is a must-visit if you’re visiting with a partner. Cenote Corazon del Paraiso has an interesting shape that clearly resembles a heart—see where this is going?

If not, it’s a good cenote to visit if you and your significant other have a drone that can take snaps and video from you guys until the “heart” is in full view.

Couples fun aside, the cenote is a must-visit because it’s secluded and hidden, meaning you’re unlikely to come across crowds here. Around the “heart,” you’ll find verdant vegetation and rock formations that make for a picturesque setting. 

You don’t even need a drone to admire the beauty as you can make it just from the cliffs or jumping platforms. But still, do bring it along and put it to good use as it’s the cenote in and around Tulum that doesn’t charge a drone fee.

Open-air Cenote Corazon del Paraiso has fun galore and allows you to do various activities here. Cliff jump to your heart’s content, float or swim, snorkel just below the surface, or dive even deeper—it’s all available.

Like all places, you must be certified for diving if you intend to dive here. You’ll also have a guide or instructor entering the depths of the sinkhole with you.

• Price: 150 pesos ($8), 30 pesos each ($2) for mask, snorkel, and life jacket rentals
• Facilities: Toilets, gear rental, showers, a cenote garden, and tables and chairs for relaxing
• Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily
• Getting there: Rental car, taxi, local Colectivo, or bike
• Related tour: N/A

Tulum Cenote Tours

Tips for a Visit to the Cenotes in and Around Tulum

While you may think a visit to a cenote in Tulum is like any regular visit to a body of water, it’s not. There are various things to remember when visiting the best cenotes in Tulum, which you can learn about with this tips section.

• No sunscreen: Cenotes, already facing general threats, are fragile environments that can further deteriorate if exposed to foreign agents and chemicals found in sunscreen. This is the main reason why most sites feature showers for visitors to rinse themselves off before heading into the cenotes.
• Bring a waterproof camera: While this seems logical, you need to be sure to bring a camera that can reach whatever depths you’ll be diving into. Opt for small GoPros as these mostly don’t incur any fees at the cenote sites.
• No professional camera: Speaking of fees, professional cameras are discouraged from entering the various cenotes here, which is why a GoPro is best. If you’re intent on bringing a larger lens, be prepared to pay an entrance fee for your camera as well. Prices vary depending on the cenote you’re going to.
• Don’t touch the caves: As tempting as it may be, please don’t touch the caves here as this ensures you and the caverns stay safe. As already noted, cenotes are fragile, and so are the stalactites and stalagmites that grow in their cave systems. This is very similar to the principles of Leave No Trace which aims to preserve the environment.
• Rent a car: While local transport is available in the form of taxis, buses, and Colectivos, renting a car would be the best option. Doing so gives you so much flexibility in your plans and is also cheaper than taxis, which are certainly more convenient than other forms of transportation here.
• Bring cash: While some places accept card payments, a vast majority don’t. Also, bring more cash than the prices listed here as the entrance fees and the like can change over time.

Ready to Explore the Top Cenotes in Tulum?

As you can see, Tulum and its surrounding regions have a number of cenotes ready for visitors to explore both in and above the water. Entrance here is also relatively cheap, meaning that just about anyone can have fun at a cenote of their choosing.

As a destination with more cenotes than anyone can handle, hopefully, this guide has helped you cut down your decision-making process to just a few locations. Now, go out there and dive, snorkel, float, cliff jump, or swing into these sinkholes—the choice is all yours.

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