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The Ultimate Guide to Cenotes Cristal y Escondido in Tulum

Last Updated: November 3, 2021 · Mexico, Riviera Maya

Cenote Cristal (also known as Cenote Naharon) and Cenote Escondido (sometimes referred to as Cenote Mayan Blue) are two of my favorite cenotes in Tulum. They both are less crowded than some of the other more popular cenotes and both have incredibly clear water, fun jumping ledges or swinging ropes, and oasis-like atmospheres.

Swimming in a cenote is one of the best things to do in Tulum so you can’t miss out on either one of these, especially if you enjoy snorkeling or diving.

Cenote Cristal is the perfect setting to hang out with family or friends, jump in the water, and snorkel to see some cool turtles. It is also one of the more family-friendly cenotes in the area.

Cenote Escondido, located in the jungle on the other side of the highway just south of Tulum Pueblo, offers a more adventurous swim with neat rock ledges and a cool swing rope, not to mention underground flooded caverns which you can explore scuba diving if you have your PADI Open Water.

If you want to visit both cenotes while in Tulum, you’re in the right place!

Here is everything you need to know to visit Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido. 

Table of Contents show
Visiting Cenote Cristal & Cenote Escondido
How to Get to Cenotes Cristal y Escondido
Prices & Hours
Cenote Cristal (Naharon)
Cenote Escondido (Mayan Blue)
What to Wear & Bring to the Cenotes
Responsible Tips for Visiting Cenotes Cristal y Escondido

Visiting Cenote Cristal & Cenote Escondido

How to Get to Cenotes Cristal y Escondido

  • sign for cenote cristal y escondido in tulum
  • two bikes parked near cenote escondido

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Getting to Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido is easy as it’s located only 3.8 miles (6 km) south of Tulum Town.

It takes roughly 10 minutes to get there by car or 20 minutes by bike. I wouldn’t recommend walking there like you can do for Cenote Calavera since it’s a bit further away. We would often go by bike, though, but if you do this just be prudent as you will be biking alongside the highway which can be busy with cars and oversized trucks at times.

If you don’t have a rental car and instead want to go by taxi, and not by car or bike, then you can ask to be dropped off at Cenote Cristal. It should cost around 100-200 pesos. Note that if you go by taxi then you will have to walk from Cristal to Escondido cenote.

Also Read: 9 Best Eco Boutique Hotels in Tulum

Cenote Cristal is located on the right side of the highway, heading south. It is well indicated with a big sign. There is a small free parking lot with trees you can lock your bike to.

Cenote Escondido is located just opposite Cenote Cristal on the highway. It isn’t well marked, but you can find it if you just walk across the highway to the dirt/gravel road that veers off down a path into the jungle. From the highway to the cenote takes about 3-5 minutes by bike or 10-minutes by foot.

 

Prices & Hours

cenote cristal entrance

Cenotes Cristal and Escondido are actually two of the cheapest cenotes in Tulum. For entrance into just one cenote, it costs $70 MXN pesos ($3-4 USD).

But if you pay for both, it only costs $120 MXN, so you would save $20 pesos. The price, plus their proximity to each other, is why Cenote Cristal is often visited in addition to Escondido (and vice versa). You will receive a red wristband that you should keep on until you’ve visited both cenotes.

If you want to go cavern diving in Escondido then you will pay $200 MXN.

Both Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido are open from 9 AM to 5 PM. I would highly recommend going to Cristal first in the morning and then heading to Escondido second.

There are outdoor showers for rinsing off any lotions and creams (remember to not wear sunscreen) and rustic toilets. You will find picnic tables at both cenotes, ideal for plopping down and having a snack. If you do bring food and drink, please pack out all trash you pack in!

Cenote Cristal (Naharon)

woman at cenote cristal in tulum

Cenote Cristal is a stunning open-air cenote ideal for swimming and splashing in the water. It is round and pond-like in shape whereas Escondido is longer and slimmer.

Around the cenote is a small gravel trail that leads you to the base of the wooden 12-foot jumping deck. On a sunny day, you can see straight through to the bottom of the cenote. The water is so clear and blue-green. It truly feels like paradise when jumping in!

You can swim and snorkel in Cenote Cristal, but you can’t go scuba diving. For that, head to Escondido. Nonetheless, many freedivers come to practice their underwater skills in Cristal, since it’s so open, clear, and obstacle-free.

  • swing rope at cenote cristal
  • wooden dock at cenote cristal
  • jungly trees and plants at cenote cristal
girl on wooden deck at cenote cristal tulum

Make sure to bring a snorkel mask to see how clear the water is below the surface. You can also see several fish and the occasional turtle.

The best time to visit Cenote Cristal is during the dry winter months (Oct-May). If you visited just after the wet/rainy and hurricane season (June-Sept), then there’s a high chance that Cenote Cristal will be flooded. In this case, the gravel trail encircling the cenote will be covered in water and the water will be less clear than usual.

Cenote Escondido (Mayan Blue)

guy jumping into cenote escondido in tulum

Cenote Escondido is a slightly junglier and more adventurous cenote to visit. Its shape is long, resembling more of a river than a pond. If you bought entry to both cenotes, you can show your wristband at the gate near the highway leading to the cenote. A makeshift stall and staff member will be there to check.

Here, there is also a gravel trail you can follow that leads from one end of the cenote to the other. In between lies an outdoor shower and covered toilet cabanas.

At the start of Cenote Escondido, you will find a deep end ideal for jumping from the ledge or swing rope attached to an overhanging tree. On the side is a set of stairs leading down to a dock for easier entry.

  • blue water of cenote escondido
  • cenote escondido path
man overlooking cenote escondido in tulum

Underneath the rock ledge on this side of the cenote is the entrance to the underground flooded cavern which extends inland approximately 120 m (about 400 ft) – or so we were told by resurfacing cave divers.

At the far end of the cenote is a quieter, more gentle entrance with a makeshift wooden ledge. Just like in Cenote Cristal (and other cenotes in Mexico) there is always a safety rope connecting one side of the cenote to the other which is fun to hang on to when swimming.

Also Read: The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in Tulum, Mexico

What to Wear & Bring to the Cenotes

  • couple's feet on deck at cenote cristal
  • wooden stairs leading down into cenote cristal

When visiting Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido in Tulum, it’s likely you’ll make it an all morning or all afternoon adventure. Since you could easily spend several hours at both, make sure to go prepared with comfy clothes, shoes, towels, gear, and snacks.

Please remember to visit responsibly and look after your stuff!

  • Snorkel mask
  • Bathing suit
  • Loose romper or cover-up dress
  • Change of clothes
  • Waterproof phone case
  • Hat + sunglasses
  • Microfiber towel
  • Bag
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Fruit/snacks
  • Cash/wallet
  • Camera / Underwater cam (optional)

There are no lockers at either Cenote Cristal or Escondido so you will want to keep an eye on your bag. Theft is not common at cenotes, but it’s better to be safe than sorry in these cases.

Reminder: Since wearing sunscreen in the cenotes in Mexico is forbidden, you don’t need to pack it. However, if you are biking in the sun from the town, you can wear some on your face so you don’t get sunburnt. Just make sure to rinse it off in the bathrooms/showers before entering the cenotes.

Responsible Tips for Visiting Cenotes Cristal y Escondido

swing rope at cenote escondido

Pack in, pack out all trash: Please remember to bring a trash bag with you to the cenotes in which you can store all your garbage. Also, if you see trash left behind, take it out and properly dispose of it. Let’s keep these cenotes clean!

Don’t wear sunscreen, even biodegradable: One more time for good measure – wearing sunscreen in the cenotes contributes to their increasing pollution.

Rinse off: Makeup and lotions/deodorants are just as harmful to the cenote and its living creatures as sunscreen is. Please shower before jumping in the cenotes.

I hope this guide to Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido in Tulum help plan your visit! These cenotes are still wildly underrated for being some of the best cenotes in and around Tulum. If you have any questions or thoughts to share, please drop them in the comments below!

Before you go, check out my other guides to Tulum, Mexico:

  • Coba Cenotes: How to Visit the Coba Cenotes: Exploring the Mayan Underworld
  • Tulum Itinerary: Ultimate Tulum Itinerary: How to Spend Your Days in Tulum
  • Day Trips: 12 Epic Day Trips From Tulum You Can’t Miss
  • Tulum Ruins: Tulum Ruins Guide: How to Visit This Coastal Mayan Wonder
  • Tulum Street Art: Tulum Street Art: Exploring the Pueblo’s Muralism Culture

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By: Bri · In: Mexico, Riviera Maya · Tagged: Cenotes

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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