The 25 Best Tulum Cenotes to Visit (With FREE Tulum Cenotes Map)

Want to visit the best cenotes in Tulum, Mexico?

You’ve come to the right guide because I have been living in Mexico since 2018, and I’ve been to a whole lot of Tulum cenotes! In this article, I’m going to highlight the 25 most beautiful Tulum cenotes that you won’t want to miss when you visit Tulum.

Considering a guided tour? The best Tulum cenote tour is this All Inclusive 3 Cenotes & Tulum Ruins Tour with Lunch. On it, you’ll swim in 3 cenotes, tour Tulum Ruins, and enjoy a traditional lunch.

In this Tulum cenote guide, you’ll discover which cenotes are best for what (snorkeling, diving, Instagram cenote photos, etc.), and practical info on visiting them (hours, cost, amenities, etc.). Also, there’s a Tulum Cenotes Map at the end so you know where they’re all located.

🛑 Just want a short answer to the What are cenote question? The tl;dr cenote definition is that Mexico’s cenotes are natural freshwater pools located primarily in the Yucatan Mayan jungle.

The cenotes aren’t individual pools, but rather derive from the same water that comes from massive freshwater rivers flowing beneath the Yucatan Peninsula.

In fact, much of the cenote water comes Sistema Sac Actun System, which is the second longest underwater cave system in the world.

The Sistema Ox Bel Ha, which is also in the Yucatan Peninsula, is actually the largest underground river on Earth.

💡 Looking for cenote facts and answer to common Tulum cenote questions? Don’t miss the Tulum Cenotes FAQ, map of the Tulum cenotes, and Tulum travel guide at the end of the article after the list of the best cenotes in Tulum.

The 25 Best Tulum Cenotes You Can’t Miss

1. Cenote Calavera Tulum

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Avenida Cobá (Highway 109)
• 💧 Best for: Instagram Photos, Quick Swim, Divers
• 💰 Cenote Calavera Admission Cost: $250 MXN pesos (about $15 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5pm

Meaning “skull cenote” in Spanish, Calavera Cenote has three holes — one larger opening, and two small openings — and looks a bit like a human skull from above.

The larger hole has a ladder and a rope swing, which is perfect for lounging on while the little fish inside nibble at your toes. You can jump into the water from all holes, as the water’s deep. In fact, this is one of the best Tulum diving cenotes.

best tulum cenotes

2. El Gran Cenote Tulum

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Avenida Cobá (Highway 109)
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Relaxing, Photos
• 💰 Cost: $300 pesos (about $18 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-4:30pm

Gran Cenote, meaning “big cenote” or “great cenote” in Spanish, probably ties with Cenote Calavera for most Instagram worthy Tulum cenote. As the name says, it’s big enough to spend half a day here swimming, relaxing, and exploring.

As one of the famous YouTube cenotes, hashtag “best #Tulum cenotes,” and most popular Quintana Roo cenotes in the state, Gran Cenote gets very crowded by about 10am-11am.

Not sure where to stay in Tulum? Nativus Glamping & Cenote Tulum EcoResort has its own private cenote on the property.

Its famous staircase (see photo above) will often have a line of people waiting to take photos on it. If you want a photo here that doesn’t have others in it, arrive early. If not, there are plenty of other beautiful Tulum Gran Cenote photo spots.

Gran Cenote is located about 3 miles (5 km) from Downtown Tulum (AKA Tulum Town or Tulum Pueblo) on Carretera 109.

This is one of the closest cenotes to Downtown Tulum, and one of the few you can bike to. If you’re coming by bicycle, it’s only about 20 minutes from Tulum Town. ⚠️ Note: This open-air cenote is sometimes referred to as Grand Cenote Tulum, but the correct spelling is “Gran.”

🚻 Tulum Gran Cenote amenities

There are a few amenities, including restrooms, showers, changing rooms, life jacket and locker rentals and a parking lot. There’s also a shop selling snacks, drinks and a few more things.

best tulum cenotes

3. Cenote Zacil-Ha Tulum

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Avenida Cobá (Highway 109)
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Relaxing
• 💰 Cost: $200 pesos (about $12 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9 or 10am-5pm (They usually open earlier in the Tulum busy season of November to March)

Located right next to the Tulum Car Wash Cenote (#4 on this list), Zacil-Ha Cenote is the true definition of a swimming pool or open air cenote. As such, this beautiful place is the perfect cenote for a swim!

There’s also plenty of places you can dive or jump in, as well as a zip line for the more adventurous ⚠️ Note: It costs a about $10 pesos to ride ($1 USD), so bring cash if you want to enjoy this Tulum cenote zipline.

Cenote Zacil-Ha is a very popular cenote, not only as one of the only Tulum cenotes with a zip line, but also as a place for all types of travelers, particularly families with small kids.

After swimming, enjoy the hammocks, two regular swimming pools and lounge chairs by the water. If you’re traveling to Tulum with kids and looking for family-friendly cenotes for kids, this is it.

🚻 Cenote Zacil Ha amenities

This place has a lot of facilities to offer. From restrooms, showers, several small restaurants, a convenience store, regular swimming pools, lounge chairs, hammocks, shaded palapas with tables and chairs — this one has it all — even cabanas to rent for the night.

Known as a “pond cenote,” it has clear water like most cenotes, but also lily pads atop the water, fallen tree branches under the water, and little fish and turtles swimming near the mangroves and tree roots. There’s even a small shy crocodile 🐊 that occasionally appears (it avoids people).

In short, there’s a whole underwater world here — which makes Cenote Carwash popular for divers and snorkeling in Tulum Mexico. It’s nice to swim here, but the real magic happens when you strap on your snorkel gear and start exploring under the cool water.

🚻 Cenote Carwash amenities

There’s not much here beyond the restrooms, a snack shop and parking lot. However, you can always head to Cenote Zacil-Ha located just next door (and #3 on this list), which has plenty of amenities and facilities.

best tulum cenotes

5. Laguna Kaan Luum Lagoon & Cenote

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Carretera 307
• 💧 Best for: Photos, Swimming, Relaxing
• 💰 Cost: $300 pesos (about $18 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-4:30pm

Kaan Luum Lagoon used to be one of the best kept secrets in Tulum, though it’s gained in popularity as one of the best off the beaten path Tulum hidden gems. Beloved by local families and visitors alike, you can spend an hour or a whole day here.

🏊‍♀️ Don’t swim? Kaan Luum is perfect because the water is only about waist-high in many areas. There is a very deep cenote in the center, but that area is roped off and prohibited to swimmers.

This shallow water lagoon is perfect for floating around, snapping some photos on the swings in the water, and even taking a nap on the hammocks in the water. With no waves or currents, many enjoy SUP paddleboarding in Laguna Kaan Luum as well.

There’s not much at Laguna Kaan Luum in the way of shade, and you’ll see signs indicating sunscreen of any kind is prohibited. For this reason, a long sleeve bathing suit (AKA rash guard) and wide-brim sun hat will help prevent a sunburn.

🚻 Kaan Luum Lagoon Amenities

Restrooms, outdoor showers, a few vendors selling snacks and coconut water, some benches with umbrellas on the dock for shade

best tulum cenotes

6. Cenote Dos Ojos

• 📍 Location: About 30 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Diving
• 💰 Cost: $350 pesos (about $21 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-5pm

Dos Ojos Cenote, meaning “two eyes cenote,” is one of the best Tulum cenotes for snorkeling, and among the best dive spots in the world for cave divers.

There are two cenotes here: the ojo azul (blue eye), an open cenote with bright blue water, and ojo negro (black eye), a completely dark cave cenote that you need a guide to enter.

While it’s among the best cenotes in Mexico, if you arrive within 1-2 hours of opening, or 1-2 hours of closing, you’ll enjoy this natural wonder in peace and quiet.

If not, expect crowds that will include everyone from people posing for IG photos, to families with small kids, and groups of divers.

Even if you can only visit during peak hours, it might be worth it — as sometimes, popular places are popular because they really are amazing. Cenotes Dos Ojos Tulum is one of those places!

The water is crystal clear, there’s tons of fish swimming around, lots of underwater rocks, fallen tree branches, and more.

💧 Parque Dos Ojos Park

There are several cenotes in Dos Ojos Cenote Park, including Cenote Dos Ojos itself, Cenote Nicte-Ha, Cenote El Pit, Cenote Jaguar, Cenote Misterio Maya and Cenote Los Monos.

There are even several more cenotes in this area, like Cenotes Sac Actun Tulum and Cenote Taak Bi Ha. Collectively, these are known as the Dos Ojos Cenotes Tulum because they’re all within 10 minutes of one another.

When you get to the Cenote Dos Ojos Park entrance they will tell you what your options are for visiting the different ones. Some require a guide or permit, like Cenote Misterio Maya because it’s located in a bat cave, and Cenote El Pit, which is open to divers only.

🚻 Cenote Dos Ojos Amenities

Restrooms, lockers, showers, mask/snorkel rentals, two restaurants (Restaurante Dos Ojos and Restaurante Juanita) — on some days, there’s even massage therapists giving massages

🤿 What are the Best Tulum Cenotes for Diving?

While there were only a few Tulum dive cenotes written about in detail in this article, there are actually more than 25 dive cenotes in Tulum, including the El Pit Cenote and these popular cenotes for diving:

best tulum cenotes

7. Casa Cenote (AKA Cenote Manatí or Cenote Tankah)

• 📍 Location: About 20 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Diving, Kayaking
• 💰 Cost: $150 pesos (about $9 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5pm

Casa Cenote is unique among the cenotes of Tulum in that it’s a mix of freshwater and saltwater. In fact, it used to be known only as Manati Cenote, as manatees once lived there.

They are all gone now, but there’s one solitary crocodile named Panchito who does live there 🐊 Note: While he’s known to be harmless, maintain a healthy distance. When I visited Casa Cenote Manati, I didn’t see him, but others told me they did.

Besides Panchito the crocodile, there’s plenty of other wildlife to see under the water, like fish and turtles. On land, you might even see an adorable coati (similar to raccoons), walking through the trees and mangroves that line the shore.

This Tulum cenote is a fun one, popular with families and all kinds of travelers. You can do everything here: swim, kayak (there are onsite rentals), SUP paddle board, snorkel and dive.

Divers love Casa Cenote because there’s an underwater cave system that goes directly out to the Caribbean Sea. The current here is pretty strong, but it’s usually doable with good fins, so if you’re prepared, you have easy access to the sea.

🚻 Casa Cenote Amenities

There’s restrooms, lockers, parking, kayak rentals and snorkeling gear rentals

best tulum cenotes

8. Cenote Corazon del Paraiso

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Carretera 307
• 💧 Best for: Photos, Swimming, Relaxing, Snorkeling, Diving
• 💰 Cost: $100 pesos (about $6 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-4pm

For those who truly want to escape the crowds to one of the best off the beaten path cenotes in Tulum — Corazon Cenote del Paraiso is perfect for you. Its name means “heart of paradise cenote,” and it’s said that from above, it makes a heart shape.

Corazon Cenote is all about nature — and this rustic cenote has little else besides nature to offer.

It’s the perfect place to float around in the water and listen to the peaceful sounds of the jungle. When you want to relax, jump out and lay on the wooden platforms just outside the water.

🚻 Cenote Corazon Facilities

Rustic restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, lifejacket rentals

best tulum cenotes

9. Cenote Yax-Muul at Jungle Maya Native Park

• 📍 Location: About 30 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Adventurers & Adrenaline Junkies
• 💰 Cost: About $125 USD
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5pm

Located at Jungle Maya Native Park, the Yaxmuul Cenotes are some of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya. Especially popular with those looking for adventurous things to do in Tulum, you’ll find everything here from rappelling to ATV rentals.

Do note this is just outside of Tulum, so you’ll need to drive your rental car or take a taxi. However, the Yaxmuul Cenotes are beautiful, and often much less crowded than other cenotes by Tulum since they are part of a larger facility.

The cenotes here are located in what’s been dubbed a “Mayan Park” (think: Mayan waterpark or Mayan eco park), which are becoming more and more popular as tourism to the Yucatan Peninsula cenotes only keeps increasing.

These types of places offer nice amenities and lots of activities, like rappelling into the cenote, ATVing through the jungle and zip lines.

For those who want a more natural cenote experience, this may not be for you. However, adrenaline junkies will love Jungle Maya Native Park and Yaxmuul Cenotes.

🚻 Cenote Yax-Muul Amenities

There’s everything you need at the park — restrooms, showers, restaurant, lockers, etc.

best tulum cenotes

10. Cenote Cristal (AKA Cenote Naharon)

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Carretera 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Jump Platform
• 💰 Cost: $120 pesos (about $7 USD), but this includes entry to both Cenote Cristal & Cenote Escondido
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-5pm

One of the more off the beaten path Tulum cenotes, Cristal Cenote offers a lot, and often without a huge crowd.

It is located just across the street from Escondido Cenote, so you also get two cenotes for the price of one — quite literally — as you’ll get free entry to both with each admission price.

💁‍♀️ Tulum Cenotes Tips: Don’t confuse Cenote Cristal with Cenote Cristalino (#13 on this list). Cenote Cristal is in Tulum, and Cenote Cristalino is one of the best cenotes near Playa del Carmen.

Those who want to visit some of the “jump cenotes” (cenotes with jump platforms) will love Cenote Cristal and its wooden platform where you can jump off to enter the water.

If that’s not your thing, it has really great swimming and snorkeling, and you’ll see plenty of fish in the clear waters of Cenote Cristal.

🚻 Cenote Cristal Amenities

Rustic restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, jump platform, parking lot

best tulum cenotes

11. Cenote Escondido (AKA Cenote Mayan Blue)

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Carretera 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Jump Platform
• 💰 Cost: $120 pesos (about $7 USD), but this includes entry to both Cenote Cristal & Cenote Escondido
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-5pm

Escondido Cenote, which means “hidden cenote,” is well known for its natural look and rope swings. That’s right: If you want to have a Tarzan and Jane jungle rope swing moment, you can do that at this cenote.

This cenote is popular with snorkelers, and has good visibility to see all the fish swimming in the water with you. Much like Cenote Cristal (#10 on this list), there’s also a tall jumping platform at Cenote Escondido for the adventurous.

Cenote Cristal, located just across the street, is the more popular of the two, so you’ll want to visit that one first. You can walk from one to the other, but in the hot Tulum sun, you might want to opt to do this short drive in your rental car instead.

When it starts getting a bit crowded, you can head to Cenote Escondido, which always seems to have less people. 💧 On a personal note, Cenote Escondido is my pick for best Tulum cenote thanks to its amazing snorkeling and natural vibes.

🚻 Cenote Escondido Amenities

Rustic restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, jump platform, parking lot

best tulum cenotes

12. Cenote Atik Tulum

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Avenida Cobá (Highway 109)
• 💧 Best for: Photos, Quick Swim
• 💰 Cost: $349 pesos (about $21 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5:30pm

Tucked away in Atik Natural Park, this gem is often dubbed the Mystical Mayan Jungle. As you head down the staircase, the view of the breathtaking sinkhole below will leave you in awe. Here’s the kicker — Cenote Atik is still a well-kept secret.

If you’re just looking for a quick dip in the cenote, 1-2 hours will suffice here, and you’ll also be able to get some gorgeous Tulum cenote photos. The best spot for this is the rock in the center of the cenote, but there are also some cool photo ops in the areas outside the cenote.

🚻 Cenote Atik Facilities

Restrooms, outdoor showers, lifejacket rentals, locker rentals, parking lot

best tulum cenotes

13. Cenote Zemway Tulum

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Avenida Cobá (Highway 109)
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Relaxing, Rope Swing
• 💰 Cost: $350 pesos (about $21 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5pm

Opened in July 2021, this is a modern facility with nice amenities. Those who like their cenotes less rustic will love this one, with its paved floors and nice bathrooms.

There’s also a rope swing and diving platform at Zemway Cenote — one of the tallest Tulum cenote dive platforms — at 39-feet-high (12m) 😳

🚻 Cenote Zemway Facilities

There’s everything you need here, from restrooms, showers, a lifeguard, food vendors, hammocks, lounge chairs in shaded palapas, hammocks, water swings — this is basically a VIP cenote resort!

best tulum cenotes

14. Cenote Santa Cruz Tulum

• 📍 Location: Near Downtown Tulum on Avenida Cobá (Highway 109)
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Relaxing
• 💰 Cost: $300 pesos (about $18 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 10am-5pm

The Tulum Santa Cruz Cenote is a really nice cenote, especially because there’s never very many people at it.

Of course, “nice” is a relative term so to be more clear, we can say it’s a “well-manicured cenote” with a lot of nice facilities. While this commercialized cenote will attract some, it won’t appeal to you if you want a natural Tulum cenotes experience.

If you do want to enjoy more of a Tulum cenote park, this is a great place for snorkeling and swimming — and with lots of shallow areas, it’s a good option for those who don’t swim. You can spend an hour or a whole day here thanks to the onsite restaurant and chill-out areas.

⚠️ Note: Don’t confuse this one with Cenote Santa Cruz Akumal, which is an underground cave cenote about 30 minutes from Tulum. This one in Tulum is usually just called “Santa Cruz Cenote,” but its actual name is Rancho Santa Cruz Cenote.

🚻 Cenote santa cruz amenities

Onsite restaurant, bathrooms, changing rooms, lounge chairs, shaded palapas, picnic area with tables and chairs, life vests for rent

best tulum cenotes

15. Cenote Azul

• 📍 Location: About 35-45 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Photos
• 💰 Cost: $150 pesos (about $9 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5pm

In case you didn’t know, there’s no Cenote Azul Tulum; it’s located just outside of the city near Playa del Carmen.

The so-called Playa del Carmen cenotes are located about midway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, another top Yucatan destination.

Though they are about 35-45 minutes outside of Tulum, the cenotes in Playa del Carmen are worth a visit — and some of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya. Of them, the most popular is Cenote Azul (meaning “blue cenote”).

This cenote is so famous because it has perfect crystal clear blue water, and the cenote is surrounded by lush plants and jungle vegetation. It’s as popular for swimming and snorkeling as it is for taking great cenote photos, and there’s also a jumping platform if you want to dive in.

With so much going on, it’s easy to see why this is considered one of the best cenotes near Playa del Carmen Mexico.

🚻 Cenote Azul Amenities

Restrooms, showers, life jacket rentals, lockers, large parking lot, small snack bar, and even a convenience store where you can to buy food to feed the fish

best tulum cenotes

16. Cenote Jardin Del Eden (AKA Cenote Ponderosa)

• 📍 Location: About 35-45 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Cenote Photos
• 💰 Cost: $200 pesos (about $12 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: Sunday-Friday, 8am-5pm, Closed Saturdays

On a personal note, if I had to pick a favorite cenote near Tulum, it’s this one. Jardín del Eden Cenote, which means “Cenote Garden of Eden” is just like the name says — an otherworldly secret garden paradise in the Yucatan jungle.

It’s just as beautiful as Cenote Azul (if not more so), but with about half as many people and a larger area to swim in.

The swimming area in this open cenote is really big, and you could easily spend an entire day here swimming, snorkeling and jumping around on the dive platforms.

Cenote Jardin del Eden is only minutes from Cenote Azul, so you can visit both and see which one you prefer.

It’s also next to another popular one, Cenote Cristalino (up next on this list), so it’s worth making the 35-minute Tulum to Playa del Carmen trip for these cenotes.

🚻 Cenote Jardin Del Eden amenities

Restrooms, snack bar, life jacket rentals

best tulum cenotes

17. Cenote Cristalino

• 📍 Location: About 35-45 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Jumping, Diving
• 💰 Cost: $150 pesos (about $9 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-6pm

Cristalino Cenote is another beautiful one located near the last two mentioned, Cenote Azul, Cenote Jardin del Eden (and also Cenote Kantun Chi, a cave cenote that’s not on this list). Its name, cristalino, means “crystal clear,” and the water here is exactly that.

This adventure cenote has a 12-foot (3m) dive platform, and also a cave. When visiting, don’t miss the chance to swim through the 65-foot-long (20m) cave.

There are also a few separate cenote pools here, and plenty of places to lounge around outside of them. 🐟 Note: If you leave your feet in the cenote in one place long enough, the little fish will come nibble the dead skin off your feet — so you get a free fish pedicure.

🚻 Cenote Cristalino Amenities

Restrooms, showers, restaurant, life jacket rentals

Cenote Suytun is located about 45-minutes by car from both Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins and Coba Mayan Ruins, and many combine the cenote and ruins for a nice Tulum day trip.

There are also other less-crowded and beautiful cenotes nearby, like Cenote Chukum and Cenote Xux-Ha — but this one is known as one of the best cenotes in Valladolid Mexico.

🚻 Cenote Suytun Facilities

Restroom, changing room, showers, restaurant, life jacket rental

best tulum cenotes

19. Cenote Ik-Kil (Chichen Itza Cenote)

• 📍 Location: About 1.5 hours northwest of Tulum on Highway 109 (Carretera Chemax-Coba), towards Valladolid
• 💧 Best for: Photos, Quick Swim
• 💰 Cost: $80 pesos (about $9 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-5pm

Considered among the best cenotes in Yucatan, the Ik Kil Cenote is a bucket list Mexico destination for many visitors. It is only about 10 minutes from Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, and very popular with tour groups which make stops at both.

If you’ve been doing your homework, you know this is one of the most famous cenotes in Mexico. As such, this Yucatan cenote gets very crowded.

The best strategy to beat the crowds is to arrive in the early morning, or later in the day. Cenote Ik Kil isn’t very big, so even if you’re only able to visit for an hour, it makes a nice stop to check out this gorgeous cenote.

🚻 Cenote Ik-Kil Amenities

Restrooms, showers, changing rooms, lockers, life jackets, restaurant, bar, gift shop — it’s one of the most equipped Mexico cenote of them all

best tulum cenotes

20. Cenote Yal Ku Lagoon & Cenote

• 📍 Location: About 30 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling
• 💰 Cost: $300 pesos (about $18 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5pm

Laguna Yal-Ku is an inlet, though it’s referred to as both a lagoon and cenote. For this reason, you may see it called Yal Ku Lagoon & Snorkel, or Yal Ku Cenote.

Regardless of the name, this “natural aquarium” has the best snorkeling in the Yucatan Peninsula (coral reefs aside).

Yal-Ku Lagoon has a mixture of freshwater and saltwater, so you can see small fish and the occasional turtle. Snorkelers will love all the colorful tropical fish near shore, and for those who swim out towards the ocean, you may encounter sea turtles, rays and other marine life.

For those planning to snorkel with the turtles in Akumal Bay, Yal-Ku Lagoon is located just minutes away from the beach where you’d do that. The lagoon makes a great place to visit after swimming with the turtles, as you head back south to Tulum.

🚻 Cenote Yal Ku Lagoon Facilities

Restrooms, showers, snorkel, mask and fins rentals, snack bar, and if you’re visiting Xcaret Yal-Ku Park, you have access to palapas and a small restaurant

best tulum cenotes

21. Cenote Caracol

• 📍 Location: About 20 minutes north of Tulum Town (Downtown), off Highway 307 (Carretera Cancun-Tulum) down a dirt road into the jungle
• 💧 Best for: Cave Exploration, Swimming, Photos, Divers
• 💰 Cost: $300 pesos (about $18 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-5pm

This is a fun cave to explore, and it appeals to all kinds of visitors, because there are plenty of areas to swim, but also parts to just walk.

As some visitors don’t swim, or don’t want to swim in a cave, you can stick to the dry parts. For those who do want to swim, there are plenty of places to do that.

Caracol Cenote is just as beautiful and impressive as the much more touristy Rio Secreto (Secret Underground River Park) — which is much more expensive.

The experience at Rio Secreto is more polished, but the atmosphere and esthetic at Cenote Caracol is just as picturesque and much more natural.

🚻 Cenote Caracol Facilities

Only restrooms and a parking lot, but there are also restaurants nearby and a campground

best tulum cenotes

22. Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum: 4 Cenote Park

• 📍 Location: About 10 minutes north of Tulum Town (Downtown), just past the Dreams Tulum All-Inclusive Resort
• 💧 Best for: Cave Exploration, Diving, Quick Swim, Photos
• 💰 Cost: $450 pesos (about $27 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-4pm

If the admission price at Cenote Tortuga seems higher than most cenotes, that’s because there are four different cenotes at the Casa Tortuga Cenotes — Cenote Wisho, Cenote Tres Zapotes, Cenote Campana and Cenote Jaguar.

They’re all different types, so you get to see an open cenote, semi-open cenote and cave cenote.

More than just visiting cenotes and swimming around, you’ll go with a guide through the whole park on an educational tour that lasts a few hours.

They’ll tell you all about the animals that live in the cave cenotes, including blind cave fish and bats, the unique cenote geology, and its stalactite and stalagmite rock formations.

After exploring the caves, you’ll go for a refreshing swim in an open, swimming pool cenote. This cenote is really nice for swimming, snorkeling and taking Instagram worthy Tulum photos.

🚻 Cenote Tortuga Amenities

Restrooms, showers, a small restaurant, and your life jacket, mask and snorkel are included in the price — plus there’s even cabana rentals for overnight stays

best tulum cenotes

23. Cenote Sac Actun (AKA Cenote Pet Cemetery)

• 📍 Location: About 30 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Cave Exploration, Diving, Quick Swim, Photos
• 💰 Cost: $450 pesos (about $27 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-4pm
• 🚻 Cenote Pet Cemetery Amenities: Bathrooms only

Sac Actun Cenote is part of the longest underwater, flooded cave system in the entire world — Sistema Sac Actun.

The cenote is sometimes called the Pet Cemetery Cenote, as there have been animal bones (and human remains) uncovered by divers and archeologists over the years.

Mexico Fun Fact: The oldest skeletal remains discovered on the Americas Continent were found in this cave system. Among them, archeologists found bones from a mastodon, or giant prehistoric shark 🦈

Sac Actun (Maya for “white cave”), is an area that includes the three Sac Actun cenotes: Cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote El Pit and Pet Cemetery Cenote.

All three are popular with diving, but you can also visit Cenote Sac Actun to just explore the caves. ⚠️ Note: You can only enter this cenote with a guide.

best tulum cenotes

24. Cenote Yax-Kin

• 📍 Location: About 15 minutes north of Tulum Town (Downtown), just past the Dreams Tulum All-Inclusive Resort
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Relaxing
• 💰 Cost: $120 pesos (about $7 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 10am-5pm

A popular camping cenote and one of the best cenotes for kids, this is definitely one of the top Tulum hidden gem cenotes. It’s never crowded here, and even when there are people here, it’s mostly locals, expats and digital nomads in Tulum who have discovered the best locals’ only spots.

For those in the know (which includes you now!) Cenote Yax-Kin is a great place to escape the crowds and relax for the day. There are plenty of lounge chairs and hammocks, kayak rentals, and even picnic tables and grills you can use.

☀️ Tulum cenotes facts: Yax Kin means “New Sun” in the Mayan language.

The water here is shallow in a lot of parts, which is why it’s known as a kid-friendly Tulum cenote, but this is also nice for anyone who doesn’t swim. For those who do, there’s lots of space to swim around and even an underwater cave you can swim through.

Since it’s rarely ever crowded here you can take some great Tulum cenotes photos at Yax Kin Cenote. To get the best Instagram shots, there’s some cool rock ledges to sit on, a swing near the water, and a bridge that goes over the cenote.

🚻 Cenote Yax-Kin amenities

Restrooms, showers, restaurant, picnic tables, grills, lounge chairs, hammocks

best tulum cenotes

25. Cenote Choo-Ha & The Coba Cenotes

• 📍 Location: About 45 hours northwest of Tulum on Highway 109 (Carretera Chemax-Coba)
• 💧 Best for: Photos, Quick Swim
• 💰 Cost: $100 pesos (about $6 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-6pm
• 🚻 Cenote Choo-Ha Facilities: Restrooms, showers, lockers

One of the so-called Coba cenotes, Choo Ha Cenote is a shallow-water cenote, perfect for splashing around, but not fully swimming.

This is one of the best cave cenotes in Mexico; especially for those who want to get nice photos because there’s a decent amount of natural light that gets in this cave.

Cenote Choo Ha (meaning “water that drips” in Maya) is filled with stalactites and stalagmites — and its name is a reference to the water that drips from the hanging rocks.

It is only a few miles from Coba Mayan Ruins, and makes for the ideal stop to cool down after climbing the tall Coba Pyramids.

There are two other cenotes nearby, Cenote Tamcach-Ha and Cenotes Multum-Ha, that you can also visit.

Best Tulum Cenotes Map

Wondering, What are the best cenotes near me right now? If you’re in Tulum — you probably are.

The cenotes are hidden in the Yucatan jungle, sometimes down dirt roads and off the beaten path, so check out the map of cenotes in Tulum Mexico above to find the closest cenotes to you.

best tulum cenotes

Best Cenotes Near Tulum Mexico

Most of the cenotes listed in this article are the cenotes located in Tulum itself, but there are also some of the more cenotes from the surrounding areas.

These include Suytun Cenote and Ik-Kil Cenote near Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins.

With thousands of cenotes in Mexico, it would be impossible to list everything — but if you want to check out some more cenotes around Tulum, don’t miss these best cenotes to visit on day trips from Tulum:

• Cenotes Chikin-Ha Park: A three-cenote complex with Cenote Chikin Ha, Cenote X’tabay, and Cenote Ta’ak Bil-Ha
• Cenote Taak Bi Ha: The most photogenic cenote in a cave; Note: You might see this one spelled as Cenote Tak Be Ha or Cenote Taak-Bi Ha
• Cenote Xunaan-Ha: Located in the small pueblo of Chemuyil Village, and known as the Chemuyil Cenote
• Cenote Xcanche: The Ek Balam Cenote located next to Ek Balam Ruins
• Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman: Located on the grounds of a hacienda in Valladolid Mexico, and sometimes referred to as simply Cenote Oxman
• Cenote Tankah, sometimes referred to as Cenote and Caleta Tankah
• Cenote Chaak Tun
• Cenote Isla Alamos

How to Visit Tulum Cenotes

1. Rental Car

Wondering, What’s the best way to visit Tulum cenotes?

Without a doubt, a rental car is the best way to visit the Tulum cenotes, especially if you want to visit several cenotes on your Tulum trip.

With a rental, you can make a nice little cenote road trip itinerary — visiting all the secret hidden gems and off the beaten path cenotes, staying at each cenote for as long as you want, seeing as many as you want in one day, and more.

Ready to get your Tulum car rental?

I recommend and use Discover Cars for all my Tulum car rentals (and Mexico car rentals). This company checks both local Mexican companies and international car rental company prices so you get the best rates.

They also have a great Full Coverage Policy for only about $10 USD per day, which is the cheapest I have ever seen.

Also, they offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before your rental. I’ve personally used them many times, and always had a positive experience.

Want to know more? Head to Renting A Car in Tulum: Everything You Need to Know for more info on the Tulum rental process, as well as general Mexico car rental info and driving tips.

best tulum cenotes

2. Tulum Cenote Tours

Cenote tours certainly make things easy, especially because you can book them online in advance of your trip.

Many of the cenotes featured in this article have tours listed that go to that specific cenote.

For a more complete list of the best cenote tours in Tulum, check out this 11 Best Tulum Cenote Tours article.

best tulum cenotes

3. Taxi or Private Driver

Besides a rental car, another option is to hire a driver for the day who will take you to the cenotes you want and then drive you back to Tulum — It’s basically a custom, private tour.

To do this, you can ask someone from your Tulum hotel for a driver recommendation, or negotiate with a cab driver.

You can negotiate a day rate with them by telling the driver where you want to go and how long you intend to be out.

If you like the driver, you can take their number and continue to use them throughout your Tulum trip.

Note: There’s no Uber in Tulum, there are plenty of Tulum taxis.

best tulum cenotes

4. Tulum Bikes

Renting a bike in Tulum is one of the best ways to get around town.

There are numerous Tulum bike rental shops on the main road in Tulum Town (AKA Downtown Tulum), for about $200 pesos ($12 USD) per day.

As Tulum gets more popular, and Tulum traffic gets worse, biking in Tulum is the best option.

There are a few Tulum cenotes that are within biking distance of downtown — so check the Tulum Cenote Map further up in this article to see which those are.

best tulum cenotes

5. Tulum Colectivo Public Transportation

For those on a strict Tulum budget trip, the colectivo is the cheapest option. Colectivos are smaller shared vans, like a Nissan Urvan or Toyota Hiace, which usually hold about 12-15 people.

They are the cheapest way to get around anywhere in Mexico, and you can take colectivos throughout Tulum and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Though they are the cheapest, they also take the longest and aren’t always convenient.

In fact, I’d only even recommend these to more adventurous travelers who speak at least basic Spanish, as colectivos are mostly used by locals.

To use them, you’ll have to know which direction you’re going. Head to the main road on that route and wait for a colectivo to drive by, which is every 5-15 minutes.

Not all of them will stop for you, but when one does, ask the driver if they are going near the cenote you want to visit; if so, jump on.

You’ll pay the fare when you get off. Different colectivos have different costs, but most are only $5-50 pesos (about $1-2 USD).

Do keep in mind you’ll want to figure out the latest time you can catch a colectivo back from the cenote.

Best Tulum Cenotes

Tulum Cenotes Tours vs Visiting on Your Own

You have the option to visit Tulum cenotes on your own, or go on a group Tulum cenotes tour. There are pros and cons to both options, including the ones listed below.

For a complete guide to the best tours, check out this article, 11 Best Cenotes Tours Tulum Has to Offer 🧜‍♀️

Best Tulum Cenotes Tours

Going with a tour means you’ll get to see a nice mix of both on and off the beaten path cenotes.

Since Tulum cenotes tours are led by locals, they will be able to take you to ones only locals know about — which means they will be less crowded, though just as beautiful.

Obviously, tours tend to cost a bit more than going on your own, mainly because you’ll get a qualified local tour guide who knows the area.

Other tours often include a meal, your cenote entrance fee, transportation costs, etc., so they’re worth it.

Here are some of the best options for cenote tours in Tulum:

1. All Inclusive: 3 Cenotes & Tulum Ruins Tour with Lunch
2. Mayan Underworld: Tulum Cenotes & Lagoon Tour
3. Tulum Cenotes Without the Crowds Tour
4. Discover the Most Instagram Worthy Cenotes Near Tulum
5. Local Community, Bikes & Three Cenotes Tour — which is one of the best cheap Tulum cenotes tours

Visiting Tulum Cenotes on Your Own

Going on your own means visiting on your schedule, and not the group’s timeline. You can spend four hours at one cenote, and 20 minutes at another — only staying at YOUR favorite cenotes.

However, you’ll need a rental car (the most convenient option), a rental bike (there are only a handful of Tulum cenotes you can bike to), or you must arrange your own transportation.

For those who are going to visit the Tulum cenotes on your own, check out the Yucatan cenotes map a bit further up in this article to see where the 25 best cenotes in Tulum and near Tulum are located.

best Tulum Cenotes in mexico

How to Get to Tulum Mexico

Best Tulum Cenotes

It is officially called Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto, or Tulum International Airport (code: TQO).

This airport is located about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Tulum, and the drive takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.

In years past, the the closest airport to Tulum was Cancun International Airport (code: CUN), and many travelers still choose to fly there.

If need to fly there, you’ll then need to make your way two hours south to Tulum.

But don’t worry — it’s very easy to travel from Cancun to Tulum.

The fastest, safest, most convenient and most hassle-free way is taking this Cancun to Tulum private shuttle.

If you’re not flying to the new new Tulum Airport, opt for the shuttle.

Best Tulum Cenotes

Best Tulum Cenotes

Where to Stay in Tulum Mexico

Tulum accommodations range from high end luxury at Tulum all inclusive resorts, Tulum beach hotels and private Tulum beach houses, to mid-budget Tulum Airbnbs and Tulum glamping options, and budget-friendly Tulum hostels.

If you have a higher budget, stay on Tulum beach in the middle of all the action! If you want to save some money on a place, opt for the trendy Tulum neighborhoods of Aldea Zama or Tulum Town (Downtown).

Below are a few great options for places to stay in Tulum, with options at all budgets:

$$$$ Best Tulum Beach Resort: Azulik Tulum

$$$ Best Tulum Beach Hotel: Coco Tulum Zen Zone

$$ Best Tulum Town Hotel: La Tulumeña Boutique Hotel

$ Best Tulum Hostel: Meteora Stay & Coffeehouse

While everyone wants to know what’s the best cenote Tulum has, there’s no definitive answer. You’ll just have to visit the different types so you can decide on YOUR best (which isn’t so bad, really)!

Each type is unique and beautiful in its own way, so make sure to visit as many types of Mexican cenotes as you can.

1. Open Cenotes

You may see these called “swimming pool cenotes,” because they’re completely open and look like a natural swimming pool.

Some of the best open cenotes include Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote), Cenote Zacil-Ha, El Gran Cenote, Cenote Corazon del Paraiso, and Cenote Escondido.

⚠️ Note: When it comes to famous cenotes in Tulum, El Gran Cenote is at the top of the list.

A few people have asked me about a Gran Cenote Tulum tour, and this Cenote Triple Adventure Tour in Tulum is the only one I know of that includes Gran Cenote.

Best Tulum Cenotes

Best Tulum Cenotes

On it, you’ll swim in 3 cenotes, tour Tulum Ruins with a private guide, and enjoy a traditional lunch — with everything included in the purchase price, and no additional fees!

Best Tulum Cenotes

You can take a bus or public transportation to some cenotes, but not many because they tend to be located in rural areas of the Yucatan jungle.

Best Tulum Cenotes

As the drive time between these cenote areas can be long, and you don’t want to spread yourself too thin with long travel times, stick to just 1-3 cenotes per day.

Best Tulum Cenotes

A haven for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers alike, there are only cenotes in a few places on Earth, so don’t miss out on visiting the Tulum cenotes.

Best Tulum Cenotes

These are all located just minutes from Tulum Town (also known as Tulum Pueblo or Downtown Tulum).

Best Tulum Cenotes

At many cenotes and lagoons, like Yal Ku Lagoon, you can enjoy some amazing snorkeling while you swim.

Best Tulum Cenotes

However, some cenotes are better for snorkeling than others, and the most famous snorkeling cenotes are Tulum Gran Cenote, Casa Cenotes Tulum (AKA Cenote Manatí), Dos Ojos Cenote and Cenote Jardin del Eden.

Best Tulum Cenotes

While it might feel cool when you first jump in, you’ll warm up in about one minute.

Best Tulum Cenotes

Also, most cenotes require you to shower or rinse off before entering, so everything will wash off anyway.

Final Thoughts: Best Tulum Cenotes in Mexico

If you’re wondering, Is Tulum worth visiting? — the answer is YES!

This is especially true for those who want to explore the more natural side, including the cenotes in Tulum, which I think are the best things to see in Tulum.

Considering a guided tour? The best Tulum cenote tour is this All Inclusive 3 Cenotes & Tulum Ruins Tour with Lunch. On it, you’ll swim in 3 cenotes, tour Tulum Ruins, and enjoy a traditional lunch.

There are an estimated 6,000 cenotes in Yucatan, but the cenotes near Tulum and those in Tulum are among the best Mexico cenotes.

I hope the 25 Best Cenotes in Tulum Mexico featured on this list offer you all the options you were looking for — and more!

To plan your Tulum itinerary, don’t forget to use the Tulum Cenotes Map in this article to see which ones are near each other, so you can visit a few in one day.

For more info on Tulum Mexico, check out Traveling to Tulum: The Only Tulum Travel Guide You Need.

A Few Other Tulum Things to Do

🗿 Explore the Tulum Ruins: Besides the cenotes and beaches, visiting the Tulum Mayan Ruins is a must.

Located on a cliffside overlooking the Caribbean Sea, these are known as the most beautiful Mayan Ruins in Mexico.

🏝️ Laze on the best Tulum beaches: Tulum is a Mexico beach town afterall, so you have to visit some beaches!

To go all out, opt for a beach day at one of the posh Tulum beach clubs, like the beach clubs at Casa Malca (the Pablo Escobar House) and Papaya Playa Project.

🌮 Eat all the Tulum tacos & epic the foodie scene: Tulum has some seriously amazing food, from fine dining options to street tacos stands.

To get the real experience, opt for an authentic Mexican food cooking class or a Tulum food tour.

🗿 Take a day trip to Chichen Itza: One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins is a Mexico bucket list item!

It is located about two hours from Tulum, so unless you’re getting a rental car, book one of these Tulum to Chichen Itza tours.

🔮 Enjoy all the spiritual activities: Tulum has long been a hub for yogis, wellness gurus and holistic practitioners.

For the full Tulum experience, try this temazcal ceremony (similar to a sweat lodge), and this reiki and sound healing session.