Learning some Spanish will definitely help you barter, but sometimes, you just have to accept that you wont be paying nearly the same price as the locals. There are plenty of all-inclusive resorts and luxury boutique hotels in Tulum, but if you want to try something different, glamping in Tulum is a fantastic option. Its a 20 min bike and youll pass various Mayan villages that cater to tourists. updated. 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. Other cenotes like Laguna Kaan Luum are only a few feet deep and perfect for non-swimmers. Cenote Yax Kin: Best Cenote for Kids 7. Wastewater is reused for gardening, the miniature product are 100% natural and biodegradable, and so on. BOOK IT HERE, Cenote Calavera Entrance Fee: 250 MXN.Cenote Calavera Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Scuba Diving. This means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click through these links and make a purchase. Cenote Arco Maya Tulumis the only non-commercialised free cenote in the area that I could find. All of the sections are connected by wooden walkways, laid down on the jungle floor. Its also a great place to go for sunset since the tree-line is low. It is similar to the gas layer that makes Cenote Angelita so famous. 1. 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. Check out some of the shots it took in the cenotes above! Activities: Swimming, diving, and snorkeling. This headlamp had been on my radar for a long time because its cheap, waterproof, sleek and small. RELATED ARTICLE Ultimate Guide To Laguna Kaan Luum. Casa Cenote is very large, its great for snorkeling and some people have reported seeing a tiny crocodile there. Thats not an issue with cenote Nicte-Ha, though- since its a little way off the tourist trail, its the perfect cenote to visit for a bit of peace and quiet. Cenotes are all connected to underground freshwater springs, which means cenote water should be crystal clear and some of the cleanest in the world. 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. It is all worth it because you can see remains of animal skeletons (if you are into that sort of thing)! disclaimer. Cenote Zacil Ha is a bit farther up Highway 109 past Gran Cenote, this one is a bit too far to bike from Tulum. Coming from Tulum on Carretera 109 towards Coba, youll find Cenote Calavera on your right after a 5-minutes drive. Others such as Cenote Calavera and Cenote Carwash are located on the Tulum/Coba highway, going towards the Coba Ruins. Im Crystal! Entry fee: US$3 (50 MXN) for swimmers, and US$6 (120 MXN) for divers. 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. 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. However, all across the region, there are hidden treasures that predate even the Mayans by thousands and thousands of years: the cenotes. Take the 307 Highway toward Playa del Carmen and turn right on Reforma Agraria. Puerto Morelos is halfway between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, If you want to go via public transit you could take a Colectivo or bus to Puerto Morelos (if via Colectivo youll need to transfer in Playa if youre coming from Tulum). Tulum Ruins and Grand Cenote Tour from Playa del Carmen Cenote Trail Bicycle Tour (including Grand Cenote) from Tulum. Im addicted to getting the most out of life and would love to take you along for the ride. Maybe thats why its so good for you. Driving around the Riviera Maya is actually pretty easy. Check out my favorites in this video below! Traduzioni in contesto per "Cenotes" in inglese-ucraino da Reverso Context: The cenotes emerged in caverns after the roof collapses of one or more caves. Share this or save it for future reference! 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). Its often referred to as a pond cenote, in fact, its a swimming pool style cenote. Shop around a bit before settling for a driver, and ask your hotel receptionist for recommendations. And what caves! BOOK IT HERE, The Cenote Triple Adventure Tourtakes you to three cenotes to free-dive, snorkel and cliff-jump, as well as explore the various rock formations underwater. Visiting is only available through a guided tour because diving is the only option at Cenote Pet Cemetery. As cenotes in Mexico get increasingly popular, locals see this as an opportunity to make more and more money from tourists. 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!) Coming from Tulum you can hop a Colectivo in the center for 35 pesos that will drop you off near the lagoon, or a private taxi from Tulum will cost about 250 pesos (tourist price). Cenotes that are 100% above ground are sometimes called lagoons. Because the water from the cenotes comes from an underground water system, the temperature stays constant at around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 C), regardless of which season you decide to visit. The Yucatan cenotes that boast underwater passageways connected to the Mayan river system are the best ones for cave diving. The rooms are packed with beds, but the breakfast is flipping amazing. If you look up Aldea Zama Cenote on google maps theres a marker. None of the other cenotes are home to crocodiles, only colorful fish and rock formations. THE BEST CENOTES FOR SNORKELING NEAR TULUM, Casa Cenote (Cenote Manati or Cenote Tankah), My Tips for Visiting the Cenotes of Mexico. Please note that some links on my site are affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links. The open cenote is mainly for fun. Zen Divers are the only dive center I can wholeheartedly and without any doubt recommend when diving in Tulum! Not touristy, get there before the afternoon to avoid tour buses. 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. Life jacket and snorkel gear for rent. 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. 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 Mayans revered cenotes because they were a source of water in dry times; indeed, the name cenote means "sacred well". This is one of the biggest cenotes I visited in the Yucutan, its also frequented mostly by locals. 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. Cenote Cristal Entrance Fee: 150 MXN (includes admission to Cenote Escondido).Cenote Cristal Opening Times: 10 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling / Diving, Cenote Cristal is one of the cenotes you can visit by joining the Cenote Trail Tour, together with Gran Cenote and Cenote Escondido. Colectivos (shared vans in Spanish) are often the best way to move the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. READ THE FULL BLOG POST:Gran Cenote, Tulum A Beautiful Cenote in Riviera Maya. Entrance fees and opening times info for this list of cenotes in Tulum were updated in February 2022. There are life jackets to rent at most cenotes. Yes! No trip to Tulum is complete without the cenotes. Keep in mind that only experienced divers are allowed to dive here. The Tulum and Dos Ojos Cenotes: 5-Hour Guided Tour combines a guided visit to the Tulum ruins and a swim at Cenote Dos Ojos. A little further down the road in the Biosphere Reserve, there is a platform over the lake with hammocks, which are even better to watch the sunset from if you want to make an afternoon of it. A relatively recent discovery that the Dos Ojos System was connected to the Sac Actun system, gave Sac Actun the title of the worlds largest flooded cave system. It is also believed that some Gods resided in these underwater caves. 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! Alternatively, its less than a 10-minute drive to Gran Cenote. I always book my bus trips ahead of time with Busbud.com because they accept international credit cards. On this tour, you will also be able to experience one of the popular cenotes of this region and spend some time swimming in its waters. The best cenotes near Cancun are located along the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) just outside the city of Puerto Morelos. (Restaurant Review)Continue. There has never been a confirmed case of Norovirus associated with a cenote, but there are a lot of anecdotal stories online from people who swam in cenotes and got funny tummies in the following days. If youre doing your own trip to the cenotes you will definitely want to bring your own snorkeling gear. Shabby but cute, Mamas Home has the best backpacker vibes! Cenote Angelita Entrance Fee: 150 MXN.Cenote Angelita Opening Times: 8 AM to 5 PM daily.Best for: Diving. A budget option in Tulum town. Water cuts out light, meaning by about 10 meters deep your GoPro footage will be all blue. Cenote Siete Bocas (7 Mouth Cenote) runs along the famous Rutas de los Cenotes outside Puerto Morelos. Nope, you wont be able to see them all as there are considering there are thousands of cenotes in Yucatan and Quintana Roo. Last I checked Cenote Zacil Ha charged 200 pesos ($10) entrance fee, but cenote prices in the Yucutan are going up constantly. Non swimmers can float. If youre staying in Tulum, then there are so many amazing cenotes in Tulum just a stones throw away, and it would be a shame not to include these incredible natural wonders in your Yucatan itinerary. Or you can take a taxi for around $20 from Playa or Tulum. Laguna Kaan Luumis a wide, bright green lagoon cenote located just outside of Tulum. but have been recommended. Plenty of fish can be found in the water, and if youre lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you feel about it! Other cenotes like Laguna Kaan Luum are only a few feet deep and perfect for non-swimmers. Some of the less popular cenotes are set amongst the jungle with more rustic facilities. You can also join an organized tour to Grand Cenote. Click on each icon to see more information about the cenote and its entry price. Make sure to bring water shoes so you can protect your feet from the rocks. the eye. They are . A sturdy waterproof torch with a lifetime warranty. Its quite well hidden but is a great place to get some quiet time as no one else will be around. Its located in Chemuyil village, half way between Tulum and Akumal, and is known as the fourth largest underwater cave system within Riviera Maya. Cenote Triple Tour in Tulum Casa Cenote, Gran Cenote and Temple of Doom, Request to visit Cenote Angelita on this cavern diving tour, Dos Ojos Cenote Private Tour with Mayan lunch, Request to visit Cenote El Pit on this cavern diving tour, Tulum Ruins and Grand Cenote Tour from Playa del Carmen, Cenote Trail Bicycle Tour (including Grand Cenote) from Tulum, 5 PLACES ONE PRICE! There are many beautiful cenotes close to Tulum that are open to the public, just waiting for you to explore. Located in Tulum Town, Harmony Glamping features 7 bell tents, each of them with a double bed, and 5 suites. Perfect for those of you who arent in the market for a These features make it one of the best cenotes Tulum has to offer. The cave then drops even further but cant be reached by untrained divers. laguna kaan luum, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. Coming from Tulum on Carretera 109 towards Coba, youll find Cenote Carwash on your left after a 10-minutes drive. In fact, though, Dos Ojos is actually a single cenote, with the two sinkholes connected by a 400-meter long passageway. Cenotes form when underground limestone erodes and collapses, creating essentially an underground river. It is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or diving. ), you might spot a bat or two flying through the cenote cave. I only found out about this Cenote because I worked a photoshoot here for a musical instruments store in Tulum its truly a local secret. Check out the Snorkeling Adventure Tour in Three Ecosystems. people have got lost in the many tunnels and drowned inside. Cenote Dos Ojos Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling / Diving, Cenote Dos Ojos is on the Carretera Federal 307, km 244.5, 22km north of Tulum, READ THE FULL BLOG POST FOR MORE INFO:Visit Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum The Most Beautiful Cenote in Riviera Maya. it still does the job! So what are Cenotes exactly? 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. Want to travel to the cenotes near Playa del Carmen pictured above? Snorkeling gear or mask is what you need to make this possible. This cenote is located on Highway 307 going south from Tulum. almost perfect circle, with boulders tumbling down the sides. Gran Cenote is only 5 kilometres away from Tulum town centre, on the Carretera 109 towards Coba. The best way to see all the cenotes you want is to rent a car and do your own Tulum cenotes tour. I He took us to three lesser-known but seriously incredible cenotes, helped us perfect our buoyancy and had really nice diving gear. Roundtrip transportation from Tulum is included, as well as snacks and water. Alternatively, you can rent a car or take a taxi to Akumal, a taxi should be about $70 one-way, max. Its totally breathtaking here and absolutely worth the price. I visited both Gran Cenote and the Tulum Ruins this past spring and enjoyed both of them! One set of remains was first believed to be that of a dog but was later found to be of an extinct prehistoric camel. This is the cenote with a swing and a jumping platform, all surrounded by Mexican jungle foliage; its a great cenote to photograph, thats for sure. On the dive, you can hover above and dip below the gas layer if you feel comfortable. is a beautiful cenote that looks like a pristine lake. You can book on Busbud.com. They are done with this awesome contraption called a dome. Under the gas, it is completely dark and feels as if you are floating through a haunted forest. You really dont have an excuse not to buy one when their prices start at only $250 USD! 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. With the Visit to 4 Cenotes at Casa Tortuga youll get to explore them with a bilingual guide, and snorkel in all of them with the equipment provided. Its still not a budget option, I know, but Tulum and Riviera Maya are way more expensive than the rest of Mexico. You'll see stalagtites, mites, learn the history and see spectacular sights. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See this photo above with absolutely no one in sight or the big photo at the top of this post? 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. Gran Cenote Are Cenotes Safe For Non-Swimmers? These are some of the other cool cenotes worth checking out when you are in Tulum. Actually, this is a white gas layer, which is caught between the salt and fresh waters. It also dims and flashes. (With precaution of the tides, though), Yal Ku Cenote Entrance Fee: 300 MXNYal Ku Cenote Opening Hours: Daily from 9 AM to 5 PMBest for: Swimming / Snorkeling. 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. Take a bus from the Ado station to Cob. Visit My Favorite cenote in Mexico. It is a well-kept cenote but not too commercialized. We had already paid the 100 pesos entrance fee and couldnt get a refund. Im Crystal! Cenote Dos Ojos is easily one of the most versatile and best cenotes to visit in Tulum. 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!) READ: How to Choose the Best Snorkel Mask to Fit You! Exploring cenotes seriously quickly became one of my favorite activities in the Rivera Maya, and I am confident they will become one of your favorites too. BOOK IT HERE, Casa Tortuga Entrance Fee: 650 MXN.Casa Tortuga Opening Times: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.Best For: Swimming / Snorkeling. It is a cenote dive that, if you are adventurous, you definitely should not miss! It shines where you look, leaving your hands free to play with cameras or do other more important things. This eco-hotel in Tulum features a Gram-tastic infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean beachs turquoise waters, seriously sumptuous day-beds and, best of all, glass-walled tree houses with unsurpassable jungle sea views. The Cenote Trail: Caves Visit and Bike Tour will bring you to Gran Cenote, Cenote Escondido & Cenote Cristal all in one day to quench your cenotes thirst. The treehouses at Azulik feature an incredible design & mosaic hot tubs on the terrace with jungle views. In some cenotes there might be small carp and minnows, but nothing that will affect a swimmer. Looking up at the sunlight streaming into the cenote through the openings is definitely a sight you wont forget for a long, long time. This cenote is best for swimming and snorkeling, but flippers are not allowed. Youll get to visit this and other two cenotes, where youll be able to snorkel, free-dive and cliff-jump into the fresh waters. Help maintain the cenotes as beautiful as they are! Sac Actun, meaning white cave in Mayan, is the second-longest underwater cave system in the world, accessible by hundreds of sinkholes (cenotes). memories! The cave system is mapped out by reel lines, helping the first-time cavern-diver like myself feel safe navigating these confusing tunnels. This means that when you scuba dive there, you can follow the edge around past rainbow-colored rock formations, a prehistoric fossil and have fun swimming through the halocline. Because of this formation, Cenote Calavera is known as a jug-type formation. YES!!! Cenote Angelita is located on the 307 Highway, approximately 12 minutes drive going south from Tulum. 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. The other cenote at Caleta Tankah opens up to the ocean. 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. if you want to relax in the sun away from the crowds, this place is ideal. There are over 6, 000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula alone. Did you know that the deeper you go the more colours youll lose out of your photos or video? In fact, this cenote is often called "Cenote Ek Balam" for this reason. For something a bit more popular, we recommend Gran Cenote, which is located only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the town of Tulum.