Looking for Cenotes in Tulum? Tropical weather, sandy beaches, delicious Mexican cuisine, Tulum Cenotes, and ancient Mayan ruins are all persuasive reasons to book a flight to Tulum. Nevertheless, there are secret gems all over the area that date back even to the Mayans by thousands of years: Cenotes, a natural pit or sinkhole formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, exposing groundwater underneath it.

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Best Tulum Cenotes to Visit in Mexico

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They are a must-see for anyone visiting Tulum. If you are dreaming of swimming in caves or among water lilies then this is what you are looking for. Cenotes are associated with the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and the ancient Maya used them for sacrificial offerings on occasions.

What are the Different Types of Tulum Cenotes?

Cenotes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and there are thousands of them in the Yucatan Peninsula. The following are the main types of cenotes you’ll encounter:

Cave Cenotes

The majority of cave cenotes have a land-level entrance with a staircase. Cave cenotes lead to a subterranean pool with shallower and deeper parts.

Semi-open cenotes

Semi-open cenotes can be found all over the country. They’re spots where erosion and Father Time have eroded the limestone bedrock, revealing patches of these natural wonders on the soil.

Underground cenotes

Underground cenotes are the most difficult to access and thus the least studied of the cenotes. Entry is often restricted due to geography, and only professional divers and guides have been able to reach the depths.

Open cenotes

These cenotes may appear to be ponds, but they are actually part of a subterranean labyrinth that connects the region’s aquatic systems. There are shallow areas where you can relax and sit on the cliffs, as well as deeper sections where you can dive in from a great height.

Top Tulum Cenotes To Visit

Cenotes hold cultural and religious importance for the Mayans, who claim that they are portals to the underworld and regard them as sacred. This explains why the ancient Mayans used cenotes for rituals.

It would be a shame not to include these amazing natural wonders in your Yucatan itinerary because there are so many breathtaking cenotes just a stone’s throw away in Tulum.

Cenote Dos Ojos

The name of this cenote translates to “two eyes” in English, and as soon as you see Cenote Dos Ojos, one of the best Tulum caves, you’ll understand why. It appears to be two different sinkholes from the floor, each overflowing with crystal-clear blue water as if the Earth itself were peering up at you through two enormous eyes. However, Dos Ojos is simply a single cenote, with a 400-meter-long passageway connecting the two sinkholes. Cenote Dos Ojos is absolutely stunning.

Cenote Nicte Ha

Nicte-Ha is the ideal cenote to visit for a bit of peace and quiet because it’s a little off the tourist trail. Cenote Nicte Ha is mostly above ground, unlike many of the other cenotes in the area, but it is the most magical place to swim in the middle of nature. The water is clear and clean, and lily pads and other plants float softly on the surface, while nearby trees dip their roots into the cenote to absorb some of the freshwaters.

Cenote Calavera

Calavera Cenote is still largely unknown, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing swim. It’s a little deeper than the other cenotes mentioned above, so if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the famous Yucatan sport of cenote diving here. If you’re not, don’t worry—there’s a ladder you can use to get down!

Rio Secreto

The “Secret River,” or Rio Secreto, is a network of caves in Mexico carved out by the flow of an ancient underground river. Although the reserve is best known for its massive half-submerged cavern, which is a famous diving spot, you can also wander through dark passageways, swim in the river, and marvel at dripping stalactites, stalagmites, and colorful mineral formations.

Gran Cenote

Gran Cenote, located between Tulum and Coba, is one of Tulum’s most famous cenotes, and it’s easy to see why. The water is an incredible color, and you could easily spend hours snorkeling through the cenote caves. Stalactites and stalagmites can be seen, and you can also swim with small turtles.

Casa Cenote

Casa Cenote is an open cenote that links to the sea-long underwater cave system known as Nohoch Nah Chich. Since the cenote includes both freshwater and seawater, it is home to both ocean and freshwater fish. Casa Cenote is similar to a large, natural swimming pool ideal for paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, and free diving.

Tips For visiting Cenotes in Tulum.

• Don’t wear sunscreen
  The chemical agents in sunscreens, even those that are biodegradable, can cause irreversible damage to the ecosystems in this region, which are already under pressure. Many cenotes have showers near the entrances where visitors must wash their hands before entering the water.
• Take necessary things
  The majority of cenotes charge between 80 and 150 pesos to enter and provide lockers, toilets, and snack bars. You’ll have a great time at either of these cenotes if you bring a towel, taxi money, and a snorkel mask (optional).
• Carefully choose your cenotes.
   There are a lot of cenotes in Tulum, and their sizes, prices, and attractiveness vary greatly. Visit an off-the-beaten-path cenote like Zacil-Ha if you want to save money, as well-known cenotes like Dos Ojos are much more costly and sometimes crowded.
• Use pesos instead of dollars
  A lot of business in Tulum accepts both pesos and dollars. You should know that if you are paying in dollars instead of pesos, you might be paying more because of the exchange rate. So it is best to stick with pesos. You’ll get the best exchange rate if you wait until you arrive in Tulum to withdraw pesos from your account at a bank ATM.

If you are looking for a place filled with serenity and at the same time adventurous then you should not wait any more time and visit Cenotes in Tulum.