Several
cenotes are located within an
hour or two of Cancun.
All cenotes are different. Some
are below stone overhangs, others
are open like ponds. You can
take a cooling swim in them,
or bring your snorkel gear to
see what is below. There
are scores of cenotes in the
Tulum area. Most have been explored
so it's safe and east to access
them.
Descriptions of some of
nearby cenotes (in order of
distance from Cancun):
Boca del Puma:
Located in the Boca del
Puma Eco Park, situated 16 km
west of Puerto Morelos.
This cenote is located in a
private eco-park that offers
tours that include a zip line,
bicycle riding, and a swim in
a cenote.
Cenote Verde Lucero:
Located in the Selvatica Eco
Park, 18.5km west of Puerto
Morelos. Selvatica offers zip
lines, horseback riding, cenotes,
and snorkeling.
Sistema Xcaret:
Located in the Xcaret Eco-Park,
6.5km south of Playa del Carmen.
Here you will find archaeological
ruins, a dolphin show, horses,
a farm with tropical birds,
butterflies, bat caves and a
stunning beach. You can go also
snorkeling in the famous caves
and the well known underground
river. With its 53 activities
to enjoy, Xcaret is an experience
for all your senses.
Cenote Chac Mool:
Located 22 km south of Playa
del Carmen (near Puerto Aventuras).
It includes two separate cenotes,
with snorkeling available in
the larger of the two.
There is a large cavern zone
with beautiful views of the
jungle from inside the cavern.
A restaurant and bathrooms are
available at the site.
Sistema Ponderosa - Cenote
Eden: Go exactly three
kilometers south of Puerto Aventuras
on Highway 307 or 13.0 kilometers
north of the Akumal C.D. entrance.
Take dirt road going west up
over hill past the power lines
1 kilometer. Sign in at gate
through local dive/snorkel businesses.
Drive one kilometer to parking
area. Includes 13 cenotes within
the cave system, including Cenote
Eden, Cenote Uchil Ha, Cenote
Cristalino, and Cenote Azul.
Wide cement steps and platform
leading from parking area down
to the water. Well maintained
foot paths around the cenote
and surrounding property. Public
toilets available
Sistema Aktun Koh:
The road entrance is 3.9 kilometers
south of Puerto Aventuras or
15.4 kilometers north of Aventuras
Akumal. West side. Follow Rough
road going west for 2.5 kilometers
to the very end. Includes Cenote
Actun Koh, Cenote Bear's Den,
Cenote Overpass, Cenote Foxhole.
This is a popular commercial
snorkeling site for tourists.
Sistema Taj Mahal:
From Puerto Aventuras drive
south on Highway 307 5.5 Kilometers
or from Aventuras Akumal drive
north 13.8 kilometers. Entrance
on west side of highway at the
tourist shop selling blankets
and crafts. Pay dive site fee
inside. Take dirt road back
into the jungle and Drive 1.9
kilometers to the very end.
Parking area. No public toilets.
The cave system includes six
cenotes: Cenote Taj Mahal, Cenote
Sugar Bowl, Cenote Mangrova,
Cenote Buena Vista, Cenote City
of Agra, and Cenote Sacrada.
Sistema Aktun Chen (Wood
Cave): Located 40
km south of Playa del Carmen.
This cave system includes nine
cenotes, including cenote Aktun
Chen.
Sistema Alhambra (White
Castle): Go to the
Playa Aventuras (DIF) entrance,
Go west through gate on dirt
road for the Actun Chen dry
cave and drive approximate 1.0
kilometers to the power lines,
Turn left and follow trail 200
meters to the first power line
tower, Park vehicle and follow
trail 50 meters to the cenote.
Xel-Ha: Located
48 km south of Playa del Carmen.
Xel-Ha is an eco-park in Riviera
Maya renowned for its stunning
natural aquarium. Xel-Ha has
the Cenote Paraiso and Cenote
Aventura on their grounds. At
the park you can enjoy with
your family or friends, an array
of water activities and both
natural and ecological attractions.
Or alternatively, simply relax
on the tranquil lazy river as
you sail along on a comfortable
inner tube.
Dos Ojos: Located
on the highway between Akumal
and Tulum. Part of Nohoch
Nah Chich cave system. This
was the location of filming
for Imax Journey into Amazing
Caves documentary. Very popular.
Many stalactites & stalagmites.
Casa Cenote (also
known as Cenote Manatee):
Located 11 km north of Tulum
in Tan Kah. The cenote
itself is actually pretty easy
to get into and out of, and
the calm and clear waters are
fun for kids. Casa Cenote is
actually very close to the ocean,
and has a connecting tunnel
to the Caribbean. Although swimming
in the connecting tunnel is
not suggested, it is interesting
how the salt water comes into
the cenote and mixes with the
fresh water. There is also an
ocean-view restaurant between
the cenote and the Caribbean.
Calavera Cenote:
Located 3 kilometers from
Tulum on the road towards Coba
right side. Probably the
most dangerous cenote in the
area. Calavera is easy enough
to get into by jumping in. However,
getting out can be a problem
because of the ten foot drop
from the cenote rim to the water.
Exit can usually be made using
an existing tree branch, or
by bringing a rope.
Cenote Abejas (Bees):
Located 2.3 kilometers north
of the intersection going to
the Navy Air Station and the
Tulum Aquario Hotel or between
kilometer 232 and 233 on the
east side of Highway 307.
Pay at the gate.
Gran Cenote:
Tulum. Right off of Highway
307 when you get to the second
traffic light in Tulum. You
want to head towards the Coba
ruins, and go about 3 kilometers
where you will see a sign for
Gran Cenote on your right.
A collection of several cenotes
around the edge of a large oval
depression. These cenotes offer
shady and rocky floors, green
and blue water, and some stalactites
dripping from the cave ceilings.
Car Wash Cenote:
Located 7 kilometers west
of Tulum on the road to Coba
left side. A fun cenote
for swimming, snorkeling, and
diving. You can drive in (about
30 meters or 100 feet) right
up to the cenote (hence the
name). There is a diving platform
on the edge that makes swimming
a breeze. Many small tropical
fish inhabit the cenote.
Systema Naharon - Cenote
Cristal: Located 4
kilometers south of Tulum, on
the way towards Chetumal.
This is actually 2 cenotes,
cenote cristal and cenote escondido,
one on the left side of the
highway and one on the right
side. The entrance fee includes
access to both cenotes. The
larger of the two pools is about
an acre in size, with much of
the access up a 18 foot cliff,
or on the far side via the vegetation.
Cenote Azul:
Located well south of Tulum,
approximately 20 miles north
of Chetumal and across Chetumal
bay from Xcalak near Bacalar.
Cenote Azul is a pit cenote.
In fact, it's the largest pit
cenote in all of Mexico, 600
feet across and more than 290
feet deep. It is a spectacular
cenote in a beautiful garden
setting. Snorkeling the rim
is quite interesting, although
the bottom can only be seen
with Scuba gear. A restaurant
is located right on the edge
of the cenote, and is a great
place to relax in the cool shade.
