Its quite dangerous; 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. All of these Playa del Carmen cenotes are of a moderate price range from $100 MXN pesos to $350 MXN pesos. With elegance and style at the very core of its being, this serene guesthouse is located in a beautifully quiet spot deceptively close to Tulum towns main street. Copyright 2023 Every Steph | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, 150 MXN (includes admission to Cenote Escondido), 150 MXN (includes admission to Cenote Cristal), Casa Cenote is an open type cenote, and its family friendly because the open space makes it ideal for kids to swim in. BOOK IT HERE, Casa Tortuga Entrance Fee: 650 MXN.Casa Tortuga Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling. Originally Posted:November 30, 2016. I have no idea what this Cenote was like because I didnt get to see it! Cenote Oxman in Valladolid! READ THE FULL BLOG POST:Cenote Calavera, Tulum : Swimming in the Temple of Doom. If you do swim in a cenote and wind up with a stomachache in the following days, it might be due to the ice in your drink rather than the cenote you visited! This means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click through these links and make a purchase. I prefer to book online with Hertz as they are trustworthy and well-priced. Located between Tulum and Coba, Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum and its easy to understand why. Wondering if Be Our Guest is worth it? Best Cenotes in Tulum: Cenote Carwash. 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. 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! Cenote Dos Ojos is a good example of this and is the perfect cenote to do your first cavern dive. This tour gets raving reviews! No toilet, shower or restaurant, 3 km (2 miles) from Tulum town center on the Highway to Coba (Carretera 309) and turning right. If youre planning to visit a few cenotes in a day, the taxi cost will add up pretty quickly. If youre looking for diving cenotes in Tulum, this is one of your best options as it reaches a depth of 60 meters. 10 Best Snorkel Fins for Travel (2021 Guide), 101 Safe Journey Quotes and Wishes (Copy + Paste), The Best Cenotes in Tulum (2022 Mexico Expert Guide). Quintana Roo 109, 77796 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. Its one of the most unique cenote dives in the area. Have you seen those amazing half-underwater and half-above-water photos? However, even though its easily accessible, it rarely gets crowded, so its the ideal spot to come for a swim and relax (even better if you have a heart floatie to play with!). 4. 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. The materials used to build the hotel are sustainable, as well as some of the furniture that comes from recycled materials. Cenote Zacil Ha is relatively small its like a pit with very blue water. Its a bit too far to bike but you could take a cab ($10 each way from Tulum, $30 each way from Playa del Carmen). 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. MORE:See more travel gear I love and use! 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). The other cenote at Caleta Tankah opens up to the ocean. Cenotes are natural swimming holes formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, which reveals a secret subterranean world of groundwater pools. 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/ Perifrico, 97780 Valladolid, Yuc., Mexico. After extensive time exploring countless cenotes, I have compiled a list of items you really should not forget to take. Then later, I came back to Tulum with my own Mexican car to explore the cenotes once again. The cenotes near Tulum are waiting for you to dive, snorkel, and swim in! From the ADO Bus Terminal in Tulum Town, drive for 5 minutes and youll find it on your left, right in front of Cenote Cristal. It is also commonly referred to as Cenote Manati because (you guessed it) it used to have manatee sea cows living in it. But theres a lot more to Cenote Calavera than first meets The opening of the underwater cave is partly covered by giant submerged trees, and with the odd diver darting in and out of the cave; the snorkeling at Car Wash Cenote is some of the most impressive of all! Dos Ojos Cenotes and Tulum Ruins Tour from Cancun. the eye. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. 233+400, Mxico 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. 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. Casa Cenote is one of the best cenotes near Akumal if you are thinking of combining activities into a day trip. These bones are believed to have been part of the rituals performed by the ancient Mayans in this sacred site. 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. 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!) people have got lost in the many tunnels and drowned inside. On my first trip to Mexico, I bought a top-of-the-line snorkeling kit and I did not regret it. There are quite a few bike rental places both in Tulum Town and Tulum Beach. While living in Mexico, my local friend took me to all of the best cenotes near Tulum. How do I Know So Much About the Tulum Cenotes? The dive light is a way of adding colours back into your picture is by using artificial light. Perfect in every way! You dont get that in the cave cenotes. Well, dont. Theres no snack bar here (when I went they only sold beer) so bring water and food if you want to stay awhile. Youve been Boasting vibrant blue water, unique rock formations, and an ideal spot to go swimming, this is one cenote you do not want to miss! The cenote is off the Carretera Federal 307, 25 minutes drive north of Tulum. Underground Cenotes This type of cenote is the most difficult to reach. The word cenote is derived from a Mayan term dzonot. Cenote Jaguar Rd, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. 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. updated. Other fabulous options include Cenote Calavera, Cenote Carwash and Pet Cemetery Cenote. The location of this cenote near the Tulum Mayan ruins is perfect to combine a cenote with an historical tour. The Yucatan cenotes that boast underwater passageways connected to the Mayan river system are the best ones for cave diving. Car Wash is a large open cenote, filled with brightly colored lily pads, turtles and even the odd shy cayman. Sharks only live in salt water, so you never have to worry about sharks while swimming in a cenote. Read More Sian Kaan Bio Reserve Without a TourContinue. Tulum Ruins and Grand Cenote Tour from Playa del Carmen Cenote Trail Bicycle Tour (including Grand Cenote) from Tulum. Passionate baby goat cuddler and part-time adventurer, Crystal can often be found doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, taking photos of abandoned buildings or sleeping on deserted islands with dangerous criminals. but have been recommended. Cenote Zacil-Ha is an open-air cenote that looks like someone built a swimming pool in the middle of the forest! The snorkeling and diving are somewhat separated and both incredible in their own right. How to Choose the Best Snorkel Gear on the Market! Its very easy and quite cheap to rent a car in Mexico. If you are looking for famous cenotes in Tulum, the Dos Ojos system has featured in an IMAX Film Journey Into Amazing Caves, the 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel series Planet Earth and parts of the Hollywood movie The Cave were filmed in Dos Ojos. You dont need to be driving a car, as there are quite a few transportation options that are easily available. Its located down Carretera Tulum Boca Paila just before the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Kaan at the. Some cenotes will require you to rent a life jacket, even if you dont need one (as a way to make money from tourists). Enjoy cocktails and private dining, free bike rental, yoga lessons and luxury massages as part of your stay we promise you wont be disappointed! Prices differ between each cenote and are subject to change. Partially submerged tunnels connect the cenote's open-air sections. From top left, these are: By clicking on any of the above links, you will be taken to that exact cenote in my other post. Under the surface, the caved-in middle platform juts downward in an This dive light starts at only $25 USD and is so bright youll be sure to easily take gorgeous underwater video, especially in the cenotes! 2023 NEW MENU: Is Be Our Guest Restaurant in Disney World Worth It? Yes, it was like that! The Calavera Cenote used to be quite unknown and both times I visited, there were only 4 or 5 people. However, things tend to get more complicated if you decide to dive in one of the Tulum water caves, as those might require certifications and a tour guide to lead the way. This is the number one list of best cenotes in Tulum, Mexico youll find on the web. Guide To Visiting Alas Harum Agrotourism In BaliTransportation Guide To Morocco BEST Day Clubs In Ubud, Bali. By this time, you could say I was cenote-obsessed and I spent even more time exploring as many off-the-beaten-path cenotes that I possibly could on my very own Tulum cenote tour! Read More 3 BEST Supermarkets in Tulum, Mexico in 2023Continue. The roads are safe in the day and easy to drive. Frequently Visiting is only available through a guided tour because diving is the only option at Cenote Pet Cemetery. 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. The soft sand at the bottom is known to be a great skin exfoliator, but it smells like rotting eggs! 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! 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. RELATED ARTICLE Ultimate Guide To Laguna Kaan Luum. He obviously loves his job cenote diving and goes out of his way to ensure his customers have the best day diving of their lives diving some of the best cenotes Mexico has to offer! Best for: swimming, snorkeling, diving. The cenote tour can take some time, especially if you need to wait for more members before the tour can leave, so make sure you leave at least a few hours to complete the entire route. Its important to always shower off before entering a cenote if you have any bug spray, lotion, or sunscreen on your skin to keep the cenote water clean. Its super clean and right in the center of Aldea Zama; which is an area of Tulum a lot of Ex-Pats live. Totally possible, and the hotel I have in mind is probably the most unique hotel Ive EVER stayed in. However, all across the region, there are hidden treasures that predate even the Mayans by thousands and thousands of years: the cenotes. Most cenotes have life jackets for rent so you do not need to be afraid of the deep crystal clear waters! Scuba Diving:You MUST dive with an experienced Restaurante Dos Ojos and Restaurante Juanita near the entrance, North of Tulum 22 km (13.5 miles) down the highway to Playa del Carmen (Carretera 307) and turning left onto Cenote Jaguar Road, $150 MXN pesos general entry / $200 MXN pesos scuba diver entry. Cenote Dos Ojos is located on Carretera Federal 307, which takes about 20 minutes to drive to from Tulum, and is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily. THE BEST CENOTES FOR SNORKELING NEAR TULUM, Casa Cenote (Cenote Manati or Cenote Tankah), My Tips for Visiting the Cenotes of Mexico. A colectivo is a shared minivan. There are two scuba dive routes that can be taken in Cenote Dos Ojos. Youll find it on your right after passing Cenote Calavera. Sac Actun, meaning white cave in Mayan, is the second-longest underwater cave system in the world, accessible by hundreds of sinkholes (cenotes). Read More 2023 NEW MENU: Is Be Our Guest Restaurant in Disney World Worth It? Most cenotes will offer showers for this reason, and some will require it to keep the cenotes ecosystem safe from pollutants. 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. If youre coming from Cancun or Playa via public transit the easiest way to get to Caleta Tankah is by getting to Tulum first via bus or Colectivo and then biking, scootering, or driving to Caleta Tankah from Tulum center. Some other awesome options [], 30 Fun Things To Do in Cancun, Mexico in 2023 - Every Steph, [] and avocado toast. Like most of the cenotes in Mexico, its well-known for its crystal clear waters that make it suitable for snorkeling and diving. Cenote Oxman in Valladolid! Its quite well hidden but is a great place to get some quiet time as no one else will be around. As the divers wind their way through the cave system, they can occasionally get a glimpse of the snorkelers and free divers alongside them. The rooms are packed with beds, but the breakfast is flipping amazing. If you bike there from Tulum it will take about 30-45 minutes each way, if you have a scooter or a car it should only be about 10. North of Tulum 11 km (7 miles) down Carretera 307 and then taking a right hand turn towards Tankah Bay, $650 MXN pesos entry fee (guide and gear included), There is a shower, toilet and restaurant on site. The cenotes of Casa Tortuga are perfect for newbies who want an in-depth introduction into the cenotes on a tour. Sure, what youre seeing isnt as clear and you cant breathe underwater, but Or you can take a taxi for around $20 from Playa or Tulum. It is one of the BEST diving Ive ever done in my life! I wouldnt recommend going via scooter unless youre comfortable on the highways. Cenote Dos Ojos is truly beautiful. 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. 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. I did not personally visit this cenote, but I have included it because of all the raving reviews in person and online. The glamping spot also features a pool (soooo nice to have one when its Tulum-hot, trust me!) 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. The 2019 horror movie 49 Meters Down: Uncaged popularized the idea that there are man-eating sharks in Cenotes. It's really an amazing place and the people working there are very friendly. Definitely to include in your Tulum Itinerary! The depth of the cenotes in Tulum varies. Keep reading for a complete guide on how to call a United States 1-800 toll-free phone number from Mexico for free! In fact, though, Dos Ojos is actually a single cenote, with the two sinkholes connected by a 400-meter long passageway. Im Crystal! According toWikipedias cenote definition; A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath.. Cenote Cristal is located on Highway 307 going south from Tulum. Others such as Cenote Calavera and Cenote Carwash are located on the Tulum/Coba highway, going towards the Coba Ruins. Kaan Luum is a locals secret and if you go in the afternoon, youll probably have the whole place to yourself. It is similar to the gas layer that makes Cenote Angelita so famous. Of course, if you decide to visit in the summer and the cenote is an open-air type, the water temperature will be marginally warmer.Though 77 degrees F might sound quite cold, it is hardly cold enough to cool you down from Mexicos summer heat! This passage is filled with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that you come face-to-face with as you cruise past. Loved it so much! You can also visit Cenote Dos Ojos by joining a tour. The cost will between $20 and $40 MXN pesos. We had already paid the 100 pesos entrance fee and couldnt get a refund. It is an open cenote surrounded by caves and caverns. The Pit is easilyone of the best cenotes for divers, due to the amazing things youll see down there and the fact that its open-water, so suitable for almost all diver certifications. Check them out listed below. The Private Tour to Cenote Taak Bi Ha and Nicte Ha offers transportation from Tulum, as well as lunch and snorkeling equipment. Im addicted to getting the most out of life and would love to take you along for the ride. Theres also a bar and hammocks to hang out as well as a pool. Check it out on our Cenote Map Tulum below! For more informationreadour How to Choose the Best Snorkel Mask to Fit You! The open cenote is mainly for fun. Paddleboard & Snorkel at Casa Cenote + Photos + Tacos! One of the best day trips from Tulum is visiting the best cenotes in the area. The incredible Cenote Angelita (or Little Angel) is one of the most interesting cenotes to scuba dive in Mexico. But the outside area is shallow and most people could stand up. Some cenotes like Casa Cenote and Laguna Kaan Luum are open-air cenotes that get lots of sunlight warming the water. Get off the highway at Chemuyil and Cenote Xunaan-Ha is right there on your left. BOOK IT HERE, Casa Cenote Entrance Fee: 150 MXN.Casa Cenote Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling / Diving. Just stand on the side of the highway and wave at any minivan coming your way. You like all the cenotes in Tulum and dont know which one to choose? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Home North America Mexico The Best Cenotes in Tulum (2022 Mexico Expert Guide). Coba km 8, Mxico 180D, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. This is the only 100% FREE Cenote on this list because it hasnt been commercialized yet. It will be a hot ride though take lots of water! Nope, you wont be able to see them all as there are considering there are thousands of cenotes in Yucatan and Quintana Roo. You might be better off finding a driver for the day or try and negotiate a price with the taxi driver for the whole day or half a day. Cenote Xunaan-Ha . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is my second choice for a waterproof headlamp. Read More 5 Disadvantages of Living in Mexico as a ForeignerContinue. Cenote Calavera charges a 250 pesos entrance fee + 300 pesos for photos (and yes! and meet the fish that will nip on your feet when you sway them slowly in the water. Since most Mexico cenotes are located on private land and the owner of the land decides their own cenotes prices. Its all walking in a dark cave in waist deep water and there is only one section of the tour you will have to swim maybe 20 feet or so but they do supply life jackets and the guide will help you if you are nervous. It is famously calledPet Cemeterydue to the animal skeletons found inside that can still be seen when scuba diving today. 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. Your email address will not be published. There are many beautiful cenotes close to Tulum that are open to the public, just waiting for you to explore. Coming from Cancun via public transit you could take a Colectivo to Playa, transfer, and then take another Colectivo to Dos Ojos. Try and use a refillable water bottle to reduce the consumption of plastic! But Harmony Glamping stands out for more than its tents. Sometimes the contaminated tap water is used to make ice in drinks and to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, and then tourists get sick from consuming things like fresh salads and smoothies. Snorkel equipment ($80 MXN), life jacket and locker rental ($30 MXN) available, 4 km (2.5 miles) from Tulum town center on the Highway to Coba (Carretera 309), $300 MXN pesos general entry fee (updated 15th June 2021), Toilet only. 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. Yal-Ku Cenote is a great option for snorkeling, as its waters are spectacularly clear and there are plenty of colorful fish to swim with. Some of the cenotes in this article such as Cenote Dos Ojos and Cenote Nicte Ha are located on highway 307 going north from Tulum, towards Playa del Carmen. Some of the cenotes along the Carretera that runs between Playa del Carmen and Tulum are accessible by taking the colectivo from Tulum. Its quite a bit deeper than the other cenotes listed above, which makes it the perfect place to try the legendary Yucatan sport of cenote diving (as in jumping) if youre feeling brave enough. There are life jackets to rent at most cenotes. Budget Tip: Just renting a towel, snorkel, flippers, and life vest at this cenote will cost over 500 pesos ($25), if you want to save money bring your own snorkel and beach gear! Rental usually costs $180 MXN pesos per day from various hotels. 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. Cenote Escondido Entrance Fee: 150 MXN (includes admission to Cenote Cristal).Cenote Escondido Opening Times: 10 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling / Diving. Shop around a bit before settling for a driver, and ask your hotel receptionist for recommendations. Gran Cenote is beautiful, but can get very crowded, so make sure you come early in the morning or right before closing time to avoid the big crowds. Casa Tortuga might just be one of the best off-the-path cenotes in Tulum. Its a large, open cenote so it is never crowded. In 2014 there was a whole lake in Oregoncontaminated with the virus that got 70 people sick! 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. Stay with us for the information about the best cenotes in tulum. BOOK IT HERE. Last I checked Cenote Zacil Ha charged 200 pesos ($10) entrance fee, but cenote prices in the Yucutan are going up constantly. READ THE FULL BLOG POST: Why Youll Fall In Love With Cenote Nicte-Ha. You can pay per cenote entrance (200-300 pesos per cenote), or book a guided tour of the park for 600-700 pesos on their website linked here. You can easily visit cenotes on your own, or you can check out this list of the best cenote tours in Tulum. 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. Because its not commercialized theres no set address or hours I would recommend getting there no later than 9 AM because its so small that even one other group there is too many, and by 10 AM usually its pretty crowded, and it stays that way until sunset. Carwash Cenote is named so because the cenote is close to the road and taxi drivers used to bring their cars to this cenote to wash them. Life jacket and snorkel gear for rent. You can select an area to download and use offline if you wont always have access to data in Mexico. To open this cenote Tulum map in Google Maps simply tap the small square icon on the top right-hand side of the map. These features make it one of the best cenotes Tulum has to offer. Look out for the orange sign, Every day 24 hours (but dont swim at night; theres a resident cayman), Free (unless it is being manned, then you may have to pay a small entry fee), Being completely off the normal tourist trail, this cenote can be difficult to find. It got its name because its only a minute or so off the road, so many taxi drivers would stop by to clean their cars in hot, dusty weather. 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! Continue. You can jump in off the edge and swim around. On the road out to Dos Ojos, you can also drop into the quieter Cenote Nicte Ha which is part of the Dos Ojos park and included in your entrance fee. This is a natural phenomenon that happens when freshwater and saltwater meet, and it creates optical illusions. Water Bottle: Mexico has tropical weather so you can expect it to be hot and humid. Youll get to visit this and other two cenotes, where youll be able to snorkel, free-dive and cliff-jump into the fresh waters. Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, Mexico. There are no sharks in the cenotes in Tulum (nor in cenotes anywhere else in Mexico), so its perfectly safe to swim in them. 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. This was one of my most frequently used GoPro attachments in Mexico! If youre doing your own trip to the cenotes you will definitely want to bring your own snorkeling gear. 3. This is a list of the essential items you need to bring with you when you visit a cenote in Tulum. In the summer, a layer of algae tends to form on the surface, and although it reduces visibility, it does trap a lot of heat from the sunshine to warm the cenote up considerably- its almost like a natural bubble bath! This way with your location and these cenote pinpoints on the map you will be able to see where the awesome cenotes near me are. Cenote Carwash. Dos Ojos Cenotes and Tulum Ruins Tour from Cancun. 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!) Cenote Zacil-Ha is located on the Highway going to Coba about 8.5 km (5.2 miles) from Tulum or less than a 15-minute drive. Help maintain the cenotes as beautiful as they are! Keep reading for a full restaurant review. Not touristy, get there before the afternoon to avoid tour buses. This Tulum cave cenote is truly special! Request to visit Cenote El Pit on this cavern diving tour. You can get to Tulum via a 50 pesos Colectivo from Playa del Carmen or take an Ado bus from Cancun or Playa. 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. Other cenotes like Laguna Kaan Luum are only a few feet deep and perfect for non-swimmers. Cenotes are all connected to underground freshwater springs, which means cenote water should be crystal clear and some of the cleanest in the world. This is weird because its a cenote close to Tulum center, and quite easy to get to. The center of the cenote is fenced off because it is REALLY DEEP (80 meters deep, actually). The Cenotes are still sacred to the Mayan people today, meaning most cenotes are closed off from public use. Check out some of the shots it took in the cenotes above! No wonder its one of the most instagrammable cenotes in Tulum! This happens as a result of limestone caves collapsing and exposing a natural pool. Some of the bigger cenotes will rent snorkel gear to you at a price, from my experience at around 50-200 pesos each time you rent. You need to understand how they work, but then they are really easy to use and they are your best option if you are traveling on a budget. From the surface, it appears to be two separate sinkholes, each filled with crystal-clear blue water that makes it look as though the Earth itself is peering up at you through two enormous eyes. Because of its crystal clear waters (thus, the name), you will be able to swim with tons of small fish. My picks would be either Cenote Calavera, Gran Cenote or Casa Cenote by bike. Cenote Cristal (dont confuse Cenote Cristal with Cenote Cristalino!)
