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Tulum’s cenotes are some of the most breathtaking and popular cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula.
From open-air cenotes in the jungle to cave cenotes with a labyrinth of tunnels prime for divers, Tulum has it all.
Cenotes are sacred to Mayan culture and are often considered portals to the underworld. You can feel this energy in Tulum!
Many Mayan people used (and still use) cenotes as a place of ceremonial practice. It’s not uncommon to find relics of these religious ceremonies in their murky depths, so while Tulum’s cenotes are a must-visit, please visit mindfully.
You’ll find my recommendations for the best cenotes in Tulum for snorkeling and diving, families and children, and adventurers like you and me!
Here are the Tulum’s best cenotes!
12+ Popular & Underrated Cenotes in Tulum
Responsible Travel Tips for Before Visiting the Cenotes in Tulum
- Shower first: Before entering the cenotes, avoid using sunscreen or creams.
- Marine life: Avoid touching or disturbing wildlife in the cenotes.
- No littering: Pack out your trash and follow Leave No Trace principles!
- Don’t feed wild animals: Let the fish, lizards, turtles, birds, and crocs find their own food so they don’t rely on humans for survival.
- Respect the culture: Many of the cenotes are owned by Maya residents. Remember, these are places of spiritual significance. Let’s help preserve the cenotes and their meaning.
- Don’t buy single-use plastic & book with ethical hotels: Our waste, and the unethical “eco-hotels” on the Tulum beach zone, pollute the local environment more than you would probably imagine. If you’re planning a trip to Tulum, I recommend watching The Dark Side of Tulum documentary, which will help you make more conscious choices on your vacation.
- Read my ultimate guide to Tulum to learn more about your impact on traveling to this town.
❌ DON’T USE SUNSCREEN, EVEN IF IT’S BIODEGRADABLE
The cenotes in Tulum have a fragile ecosystem that is easily disturbed when we enter with our chemical-packed sunscreens, lotions, deodorants, makeup, etc.
You won’t be able to wear sunscreen in the cenotes as it’s forbidden. Although many people think, “Just once won’t hurt,” unfortunately, thousands of people think the same way, and it’s very detrimental to the local environment!
Even though you can’t use sunscreen for swimming in the cenotes, you should still pack a biodegradable, reef-friendly sunscreen for swimming in the sea.
🚿 SHOWER FIRST
Most cenotes have an on-site outdoor shower that you should absolutely use to rinse off any remaining lotions, makeup, or sunscreen from your day. Some cenotes will even enforce it.
If they don’t, be an eco-friendly traveler and ask for the shower if it’s not already obvious where it is.
🌿 MARINE LIFE
With some luck, you’ll probably get to see quite a bit of marine life in the cenotes. Yes, there are turtles and even crocodiles!
You might also discover plenty of small fish who enjoy giving you a gentle foot pedicure. Always refrain from disturbing or touching marine or wildlife in Mexico.
The Best Tulum Cenote Tours
If you don’t want to visit the cenotes on your own, you can book a half-day or all-day tour and go with a group (usually operated by a dive shop in Tulum).
Typically, these tours will choose between 1-3 cenotes or combine the cenote tour with a quick trip to see the Tulum Ruins.
Here are some of the best cenote tours that offer great deals and a unique experience.
Four Cenotes Tour: This cenote tour is organized by Agua Clara Diving, a reputable dive shop in Tulum. Ready for an adventure?
Cenote Adventure Tour in Tulum: If you want to see 3 awesome cenotes, then this tour by Mexico Kan Tours is where it’s at! You’ll see a mix of open-air and cave cenotes. Book here
1. Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom)
- Price: $250 MXN, cash
- Directions: Q.R. Hwy 109 toward Coba (4 miles from Tulum Centro)
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: $250 MXN
- Facilities: Toilets, showers, hammocks, chairs
- Features: Cave, jumping holes, rock, jungle, bats
Cenote Calavera is a fun, skull-shaped cenote with one big hole and two smaller holes that make it look like a skull head (hence the name). It’s also commonly known as the Temple of Doom cenote.
At first, it looks just like a big swimming hole to jump in, but there’s much more to explore below the surface.
I think this is one of my favorite cenotes just for the fun of jumping into the smaller holes.
It seems scary at first (and you need to be careful), but you’ll love the shot of adrenaline as you fall through the hole and into the water below. You can get in and out of the main hole in Cenote Calavera via the big ladder. Plenty of bats fly around or nest in the cave and little black fish to see!
Tip: If you want to dive inside the caverns of Cenote Calavera, you’ll get to see neat cave formations and the cloudy halocline layer. This is for advanced divers only. Max depth: ~50 ft (16 m)
2. Cenote Dos Ojos
- Price: $350 MXN, cash
- Directions: Cenote Jaguar Rd (14 miles outside of Tulum toward PDC)
- Hours: 8-5 PM
- Camera Fee: $100 MXN
- Facilities: Bathrooms, on-site restaurant, snorkel equipment rentals ($250 MXN)
- Features: Semi-open caves, swimming holes, bats
Cenote Dos Ojos is perhaps one of the top cenotes in Tulum, and for good reason!
“Dos Ojos”, meaning Two Eyes, refers to these two neighboring cenotes, connected by an enormous subterranean river and one of the longest cave systems in the world, Sac Actun, at ~193 miles (310 km).
The experience of visiting Cenote Dos Ojos is a must if you come to Tulum. You’ll have the opportunity to dive, snorkel, or simply swim in its bright blue water.
🤿 Have your diving certification and want to experience a cenote dive in Tulum? Book your 2-dive tour in Dos Ojos with Agua Clara Diving.
Those wanting to dive at Dos Ojos can choose between the Barbie Line or the Bat Line circuit. You must pay a guide for the Bat line, even if you want to snorkel.
Recommended gear: Don’t forget a dive/snorkel mask (I linked my blue one by Beuchat), a waterproof phone case, or an underwater action cam (I use the DJI Osmo Action).
Many popular cenotes will charge you a $100-200 camera fee, whether a drone, GoPro, or professional camera. In any case, it’s FREE to take pictures with your phone.
3. Gran Cenote
- Price: $500 MXN, cash only!
- Directions: just off Q.R. Hwy 109 toward Coba (4 miles from Tulum Centro)
- Hours: 8-4:45 PM (last entry is at 4:15)
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Toilets, lockers ($30 MXN), restaurant, snorkel equipment rentals
- Features: Bats, cave, wooden decks/stairs, jungle, garden
Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, thanks to its beautiful semi-open cave, soft turquoise water, and jungly atmosphere.
There are essentially two “pools” inside Gran Cenote, a larger and a smaller one.
Although you used to be able to dive in Gran Cenote, now only snorkeling is allowed, and this is one of the best cenotes to snorkel in! Float on the surface of the water, admiring the freshwater turtles and vegetation at the bottom of the cenote.
While you can visit alone, joining a group tour to Gran Cenote is another great option.
Most of these organized tours include visiting more than one cenote if you want to visit a few! Some even combine a trip out to the Tulum ruins.
Because Gran Cenote is one of the most visited, you’ll want to get here as early as possible in the morning.
4. Cenote Cristal
- Price: $150 MXN | $300 for both Cenotes Cristal y Escondido
- Directions: Cancun – Chetumal 307 (2.5 miles south of Tulum Centro)
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Features: Toilets, outdoor shower, picnic tables,
- Features: Jumping deck, turtles, jungle, oasis
Cenote Cristal (sometimes called Cenote Naharon) is a calm, open-air cenote hidden in the jungle just south of downtown.
It is one of my favorite cenotes in Tulum because of its jungly, oasis-inspired setting with a 12 ft wooden deck perfect for jumping off into the “crystal” clear water. It is also one of the rare cenotes in Tulum that don’t get overly crowded during the day. If you visit in the morning, there’s a chance you’ll have it all to yourself.
I have been to Cenote Cristal several times, and each time is just as fun as the last. You can easily spend a couple of hours here with friends or family.
The water is fairly deep but remains one of the better cenotes in Tulum for parents with children. Like many cenotes, it has a safety rope across it for people to rest on while wading in the water.
There are a few picnic tables and plenty of places to explore or hang around the circular cenote. You can see the bottom extremely well if you bring a scuba mask. This cenote is also home to several fish and even a few turtles.
If you visit Cenote Cristal, don’t miss out on combining it with a visit to Cenote Escondido, its neighbor just across the street!
5. Cenote Escondido
- Price: $150 MXN | $300 for both Cristal y Escondido | $200 for divers
- Directions: Cancun – Chetumal 307 (2.5 miles south of Tulum Centro)
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Toilets, shower, picnic tables, deck
- Features: Swinging rope, flooded caverns, diving, jungle, oasis
Cenote Escondido also lies hidden in the jungle south of Tulum Centro.
Whereas Cenote Cristal is circular in shape, Escondido is longer and slimmer.
The first portion of the cenote you’ll reach features a rocky overhang with a swinging rope attached to a tree branch overhanging the rocky led,ge. At the far end of the cenote is a larger dock to sit on and stick your feet in the water.
The water in Cenote Escondido is also crystal clear, and I’d argue it’s even more beautiful than Cenote Cristal in light reflections shining off the rocks in the water when the sun is out.
This cenote is also popular among advanced cave divers. Check out my ultimate guide on Cenote Escondido if you’re considering diving into this beautiful cenote!
How to get there: It is located just opposite the highway from Cenote Cristal. There is no signage, but it is easy to find if you cross straight. Once you do, follow the rocky dirt path into the jungle for about 0.5 – 1 mile. You’ll soon reach the parking lot.
6. Casa Cenote (Cenote Manatee)
- Price: $150 MXN
- Directions: Carr. Tulum – Cancun 307 (7 miles north of Tulum Centro)
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: $500 MXN
- Facilities: Parking, restaurant, toilets, dive shop
- Features: Caribbean sea, mangroves, marine life, salt/freshwater mix, crocodile
Casa Cenote, sometimes known as Casa Manatee because of the manatees that used to swim in here from the sea, is a beautiful open-air cenote just 10-15 minutes outside of Tulum.
It is a unique cenote in that it carves out the mangroves in the jungle and is full of marine life. I think it’s one of the most seriously underrated cenotes near Tulum.
Casa Cenote is most popular among the dive community since dive shops use this cenote as a training site. You can still experience Casa Cenote on your own, though, via snorkeling, swimming, or kayaking! I went diving here twice and highly recommend it on a sunny day.
Watch out for Pancho the friendly crocodile. No, seriously! Pancho the crocodile is diver and swimmer-friendly. He is about 2 years old and about 4-5 ft in size. Aside from Pancho, you can see both freshwater and saltwater life, fish, algae gardens, barracudas, crabs, and more.
What’s cool about Casa Cenote, other than the marine life and Pancho the croc, is that you can literally take ten steps and cross to the other side of the sandy road to swim in the Caribbean Sea.
7. Cenote Carwash
- Price: $300 MXN ($50 for locals)
- Directions: Just off Hwy QROO 109 (5.5 miles west of Tulum Centro toward Coba)
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: $150 MXN
- Facilities: Parking, restaurant, toilets, lockers ($30 MXN)
- Features: Underwater garden, marine life, lagoon, diving, jumping deck
On the surface, Cenote Carwash looks like a large lagoon or pond. But dip your face below the surface, and you’ll be greeted with a beautiful underwater garden scene.
Many lily pads, aquatic life, rock formations, and fallen trees make for a stunning cenote dive or snorkel sesh. The max diving depth is 45 ft (15 m).
Funnily enough, Cenote Carwash got its name because of an old carwash that used to be beside the road.
In terms of popularity, you’ll find a smaller crowd at this cenote compared to the more “Instagrammable” cenotes.
8. Cenote El Pit
- Price: $20 USD for divers
- Directions: off Hwy 307 (on the left inside Dos Ojos Natural Park, 15.5 miles from Tulum Centro)
- Hours: 8-5 PM
- Camera Fee: Free for GoPros, $300 MXN for professional cameras with housing
- Facilities: Parking, toilets, dive tables, stairs
- Features: Diving, underwater chamber, halocline cloud, fallen trees, jungle
Cenote El Pit is one of the more popular cenotes in Tulum for Advanced Open Water divers.
It features a small and unassuming surface entrance, yet it is one of the Yucatan Peninsula’s deepest cenotes. Divers love El Pit because of the gorgeous light rays that create beautiful beams in the deep, teal-blue water.
Not to mention, at 30 m deep (98 ft), you can swim through the insane hydrogen sulfide cloud! You won’t find El Pit very exciting unless you are a diver.
Cenote El Pit’s true treasure lies beneath the surface!
9. Cenote Angelita
- Price: $100 MXN swimming | $400 MXN diving
- Directions: Cancun – Chetumal 307 (9.7 miles south of Tulum Centro) past Laguna Kaan Luum
- Hours: 8-5 PM
- Camera Fee: $500 MXN
- Facilities: Parking, restaurant, toilets
- Features: Halocline, vegetation, jungle, cavern, fallen dead trees, underwater forest
Cenote Angelita is a favorite cenote for advanced divers in Tulum because it features a spooky thick cloud of hydrogen sulfide gas created by decaying trees and vegetation that gathers in the layer of the cenote where fresh and saltwater meet (aka the halocline).
You can also come here and swim for a quiet and peaceful cenote experience.
10. Cenote Dream Gate
Cenote Dream Gate | Photo credit: Agua Clara Diving
- Price: $100 MXN swimming | $300 MXN diving
- Directions: Cancun – Chetumal 307 (inside Dos Ojos Park)
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: $100
- Facilities: Parking, restrooms, tables
- Features: Jungle, wooden platform, caves, stalactites, stalagmites
Cenote Dream Gate is an underrated cenote in Tulum that’s not well known.
It is located inside the Park Dos Ojos and forms part of the subterranean Sac Actun cave system.
Just some of the geologic features of Cenote Dream Gate include stalactites and stalagmites, and it has insanely clear water.
Although you can come and explore Dreamgate on the surface, diving here is the highlight (suitable for those with their PADI Open Water certification).
It is one of the best cenotes for diving in Tulum and was even featured in BBC’s documentary “Planet Earth”!
11. Cenote Nicte-Ha
- Price: $250 MXN
- Directions: Cancun – Chetumal 307 (before you reach Dos Ojos cenote)
- Hours: 9-4 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, rustic toilets
- Features: Crystal clear water, lilypads, rocks, jungle, small wooden dock
Cenote Nicte-Ha (or Nic Te Ha) is a hidden gem of all the Tulum cenotes because it is less popular (meaning, you’ll likely have it all to yourself!).
This cenote is located inside the Dos Ojos park, only 15-20 minutes from Tulum Centro.
The highlights of Cenote Nicte-Ha are its tranquil, jungly atmosphere combined with the captivating turquoise-blue water. If you have your Open Water diving certification, you can also do a sweet garden dive and a cavern line dive.
Pro Tip: If you want to escape the crowds of Tulum’s more popular cenotes, head to Nicte-Ha!
12. Cenote Zacil-Ha
- Price: $100 general | $80 locals | $50 Q.R. residents
- Directions: Hwy 109, Coba Km 8 (next to Cenote Carwash)
- Hours: 10 – 5:30 PM
- Camera Fee: Unknown
- Facilities: Parking, restrooms, showers, restaurant, pool, cabanas, gift shop
- Features: Zipline, rocks, shallow and turquoise clear water
Cenote Zacil-Ha (sometimes called Zazil-Ha) is perhaps the most family-friendly cenote in Tulum because the water here is shallow and enclosed within rocks. Because of the amenities, this cenote appeals to visitors of all ages.
It is also one of the most developed Tulum cenotes, with lounge chairs, and an on-site gift shop where you can buy phone pouches, souvenirs, and more.
There is also a restaurant to buy food, a pool, and even cabanas that you can rent out.
It’s one of the most developed cenotes, so it’s far from my favorite. However, it’s an exciting introduction to the Tulum cenotes for children.
If you’re like me and prefer to explore cenotes in the jungle, then you’ll appreciate cenotes like Cristal y Escondido, Nicte-Ha, and Manatee much more.
Other Cool Cenotes Near Tulum Worth Discovering
Unlike many other travel blogs, I don’t consider the Coba or Valladolid cenotes to be in Tulum because, well, they’re not!
These cenotes are at least 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes outside Tulum.
Because so many people combine trips to the Coba ruins, Valladolid, and Playa del Carmen as day trips from Tulum, they often group those cenotes as being “in” Tulum.
I think it’s important that visitors know these cenotes are in other towns across Quintana Roo state and Yucatán state.
Coba Cenotes
There are three awesome cenotes near Coba ruins:
- Multum-Ha
- Choo-Ha
- Tankach-Ha
These cenotes are underground cave cenotes. You reach them by scaling down winding stone stairs or via a rickety wooden underground platform.
You can visit all three or just one – in any case, they’re all pretty similar! There are lots of stalactites and stalagmites to see, as well as bats and fish. Beware – the water is much cooler than the cenotes in Tulum, mostly open-air and warmed by the sun!
How to get there: The Coba ruins are located around 50 minutes outside Tulum on Hwy 109 toward Coba. The cenotes are just around the corner from the ruins, about a 5-10 minute drive down a series of dirt roads.
The easiest way to get there is by car rental. Check below for the details and directions of each of the Coba cenotes.
13. Cenote Multum-Ha
- Price: $100 MXN
- Directions: Carretera Principal Km 6, Cobá (1 hour from Tulum Centro)
- Hours: 8-6 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Showers, parking, toilets, life jackets, changing rooms
- Features: Stalactites, stalagmites, cave, clear water, dock, stairs
Cenote Multum-Ha was the first underground closed cenote that we visited near Tulum.
It’s seriously cool and leaves you with quite the first impression!
Begin the experience by rinsing off in cold water at the showers, then take a life jacket (included in the price) before climbing down several stairs to reach the crystal clear water below. This cenote is 60 ft below the ground (18 m)!
Once you enter through the small archway, you’ll step out onto a wooden dock that gives way to the vast cave. The artificial light fixed to the cave ceiling allows you to see the bats and ripples in the cave walls. The water is fairly chilly but extremely clear and inviting!
Pro Tip: You can take all of your belongings with you and put them in a corner on the wooden dock (towel, underwater camera, etc).
14. Cenote Choo-Ha
- Price: $100 MXN
- Directions: Chanchen 1, Cobá
- Hours: 9-6 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Showers, parking, restrooms
- Features: Stalactites, stalagmites, cave, clear water, dock, stairs
Cenote Choo-Ha has even more stalactites than Multum-Ha, and is also a bit smaller and isn’t as deep. However, it’s still worth it! This cenote is shallow and great for kids, so come prepared with snorkel masks!
Choo-Ha is located on the same road you take to reach Tankach-Ha, so I recommend visiting both if you have the time.
15. Cenote Tankach-Ha
- Price: $100 MXN
- Directions: GPS location (down the dirt road past Choo-Ha)
- Hours: 8-6 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Showers, parking, restrooms
- Features: Stalactites, stalagmites, cave, clear water, dock, stairs
Cenote Tankach-Ha is the big sister of Cenote Choo-Ha, but with a bit more pizazz. Instead of straight stairs leading to the entrance, Tankach-Ha has a zig-zag wooden staircase that takes you down to the water.
That means you have a better “aerial view” of the cenote than the Choo-Ha and Multun-Ha cenotes.
Tankach-Ha is a deep cenote ranging from 15 to 115 ft in depth. After all, its name in the Mayan language means “deep water.”
Summary: The Coba cenotes are all similar, but doing all three is recommended because each one is unique in its own way.
Cenotes Beyond Tulum in the Yucatán Peninsula
The cenotes outside of Tulum are arguably even more worthwhile and rewarding.
Some of the best and most underrated cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula are smack-dab in the middle of Yucatán state.
Some blogs combine the Tulum cenotes with some other popular ones around Playa del Carmen or even Valladolid, even though it’s 1.5 hours away from Tulum.
If you want to expand your cenote discoveries beyond Tulum or even Coba, consider taking a day trip from Tulum to splash into the cenotes in one of these destinations.
There are hundreds of cenotes between Valladolid, Ek Balam, Chichén Itzá, and Mérida (near Cuzumá and Homún). Getting to the most remote ones requires a car!
Here’s a quick overview of some of the cenotes outside of Tulum, but for the full list, make sure to read my round-up of the best Yucatán cenotes.
16. Cenote Zaci
- Price: $30 MXN
- Directions: Calle Sta Ana, Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico
- Hours: 9-5:30 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, toilets, nearby restaurants
- Features: Half-open, half-cave, swimming, high jumping ledge, jungle, waterfall
Cenote Zaci is my FAVORITE cenote. Thanks to its half-open, half-closed jungly setting, it makes me feel like I’m in a Jurassic World film.
It has a sweet (man-made) waterfall falling into the cenote from above, which gives off this lovely, lush jungle atmosphere. Plus, it has a large and clear swimming area and a high cliff you can jump off into the deep and saturated blue water below. I think it’s the highest ledge I’ve ever jumped from!
Seeing as this jungle-surrounded cenote is only a few minutes walk from downtown Valladolid, it’s super convenient and surprisingly empty most of the time.
Also Read: The Best Things to Do in Valladolid
17. Cenote Suytun
- Price: $250 MXN
- Directions: Carretera Ticuch Km 8 S/n, 97780 Valladolid
- Hours: 9-5 PM | 11-4 PM on Fridays
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, life jackets, restaurant, toilets
- Features: Cave, light beam, fish, standing platform, stalactites
Cenote Suytun is undeniably beautiful, but be warned – it’s extremely touristy, with people and photographers flocking to capture the light beam at the right time of the day when it shines down and illuminates the standing platform that juts out into the tranquil, teal water.
I don’t think Cenote Suytun is worth the effort if you want to swim or snorkel. It’s one of the most popular Instagrammable cenotes for obvious reasons, but not ideal for activities or spending a few hours to hang out with friends or family. Most people come in, take a few pictures, and get out!
Pro Tip: If you’re fed up with the hordes of photographers, check out Suytun’s little sister cenote, which is included in your ticket price. Most people don’t use or know about it, so make sure to go check it out!
18. Cenote Ik’Kil
- Price: $200 MXN, cash only
- Directions: Cenote Ik Kil via 180 E Carr. Costera del Merida-Valladolid
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, store, restaurants, toilets, changing rooms, hammocks, lounge chairs
- Features: Pro cliff jumping, waterfalls, jumping ledge, big swimming hole, cavern
Cenote Ik’Kil is THE most iconic cenote outside of Tulum – perhaps in the entire Yucatan Peninsula or even in Mexico!
This cenote is where Red Bull hosted its Cliff Diving World Series in 2010, 2011, and 2014.
It has since exploded in popularity, but mostly because it’s a frequent stop on many Chichen Itza group tours.
The archaeological site sits only 10 minutes away. That said, it’s one of the most insanely crowded cenotes I’ve ever been to, surpassing all the cenotes in Tulum, which are already known to get packed.
If you plan to visit Ik Kil, you have to come as soon as it opens. Otherwise, you’ll be swimming with hundreds of people.
If you still want to visit Ik Kil, you might as well combine it with a visit to Chichen Itza since they’re so close! A combined tour is a popular option for day trippers and makes it easy as you won’t have to figure out transportation on your own (although it isn’t too tricky!).
Book your Cenote Ik Kil tour with Viator here
19. Cenote Oxman (San Lorenzo Oxman)
- Price: $150-$300 MXN (2 options)
- Directions: Calle 54, QROO 109 and Chemax – Coba, Valladolid
- Hours: 9-6 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, restaurant, toilets, changing rooms, Hacienda San Lorenzo
- Features: Swing rope, vines, plants, cave
Cenote Oxman has been on the rise for quite some time as the off-the-beaten-track cenote to visit in the Peninsula, but not so much anymore. Its popularity is quickly catching up to its natural beauty. This cenote is simply gorgeous, with hanging vines, a swing rope, and beautiful lighting coming in from the large opening in the cave ceiling.
Getting to Cenote Oxman from Valladolid is fairly easy and only takes about 15 minutes by car.
If you’re in the area, definitely don’t miss out on a stop here! Keep in mind that it’s better to visit Oxman early in the morning rather than later.
In terms of entry fees, there are several options to choose from, ranging in price from $150 to $300 MXN pesos. The higher-tiered fees give you more credit for the on-site restaurant, which is pretty nice.
20. Cenote Samula & Xkeken (Cenotes Dzitnup)
- Price: $110 MXN per cenote, or $220 MXN for both
- Directions: Cenotes Dzitnup via QROO 109 and Chemax – Coba
- Hours: 8-7 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, changing rooms, toilets, lockers
- Features: Caves, light beam, bats, stalactites, fish
Cenote Samula and Cenote Xkeken, otherwise called the Cenotes Dzitnup because of the nearby village with the same name, are two underground cenotes just south of Valladolid. These are not as common on the tourist trail as the other Valladolid cenotes, so you have the chance to experience a cenote without the crowds.
These cenotes are a fabulous alternative if you want to experience light rays shining through the ceiling of the cave, similar to that of Cenote Suytun.
Cenote Samula is a bit shallower and nice for snorkeling, while Xkeken is darker, with high ceilings and an opening to the sky above. You’ll also get the chance to see lots of bats flying around the droopy stalactites at Cenote Xkeken.
Pro Tip: You will need separate tickets for both. You can either buy single cenote tickets for $110 pesos or combine the two for $220 MXN.
21. Cenote X’Canche (Ek Balam Cenote)
- Price: $170 MXN | additional $100 MXN to zipline
- Directions: Cenote Xcanche via QROO 109 and Carr. Ekbalaam
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking ($100 MXN), restaurant, toilets, lockers, changing rooms, hammocks
- Features: Wooden boardwalk, zipline, jungle, roots, rappelling, nearby Mayan ruins
Cenote X’Canche, often referred to as the Ek Balam Cenote because of its location beside the Ek Balam ruins, is a beautiful, open-air cenote.
Surrounded by dense jungle, this cenote is just 30 minutes north of Valladolid (about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Tulum.
If you’re planning on exploring the underrated Ek Balam ruins, I highly recommend that you visit this cenote as it’s not as crowded as others you’ll find nearby.
You can pay a little bit extra to do the zipline, but you might have to negotiate a price. I also read that you can rappel down into the cenote from atop the cave!
Reserve your Ek Balam ruins + cenote tour in advance here. Book on Viator
Summary: The above cenotes in Valladolid are the best, in my opinion (and the closest), but there are certainly more to discover. If you don’t have enough time in Tulum to visit the cenotes this far out, you’re probably better off sticking closer to the coast. Instead, you can tour some of the other popular cenotes near Tulum in Playa del Carmen.
22. Cenote Jardin Del Eden
- Price: $200 MXN for adults, $100 for kids
- Directions: off the main highway, click here for Maps directions
- Hours: 9-5 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, restaurant, toilets, life jacket rentals, snorkel equipment
- Features: Plants, jungle, garden, swimming, snorkeling, diving
Cenote Jardin del Eden is so beautiful they named it after the Garden of Eden (it appears as Cenote Ponderosa on Google Maps).
Cenote Eden has gorgeous moss-covered rocks, fish, jungly plants, and simply looks like a beautiful oasis hidden in the Mexican jungle. There are several wooden stairways leading down into the vivid blue-green water.
You can visit this cenote near Tulum on a day trip from either Tulum or Playa as it’s only a 20-25 minute drive away.
In fact, you should consider doing a Playa del Carmen cenotes DIY tour and knock off all 3 of the cenotes listed here, including Jardin del Eden, Cenote Azul, and Cristalino (more about those cenotes below).
23. Cenote Azul
- Price: $150 MXN for adults, kids are free
- Directions: off the Highway 307 Chetumal-Cancun, click here for exact location
- Hours: 8:30-5:30 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, restaurant, toilets, changing rooms, tables, wooden dock
- Features: Pedicure fish, jumping ledge, blue-green water, jungle, plants
Cenote Azul is an alluring cenote near Tulum just south of Playa del Carmen. It is one of the first open-air cenotes I ever went to and I was mesmerized by its vivid shades of deep green and bright blue!
Cenote Azul is super family-friendly and generally great for all ages. You can jump off the small cliff into the water, descend any wooden staircases, and gently immerse yourself into the cenote.
From what I remember at Cenote Azul, there isn’t much parking, and it gets pretty busy mid-day.
Pro Tip: It’s best to do your DIY cenote tour either in the first hour the cenote is open or before it closes.
24. Cenote Chaak Tun
- Price: $500 MXN
- Directions: Av. Juárez prolongación km 4.7, Ejidal, Playa del Carmen
- Hours: 9-5 PM Monday-Saturday, 9-1 PM on Sundays
- Camera Fee: Cameras are not allowed; you can pay a fee for their professional photos
- Facilities: Parking, tours, toilets, wetsuit gear, snorkel equipment, headlamps
- Features: Fossils, stalactites, stalagmites, cavern, clear water, rich geological formations
Cenote Chaak Tun is praised as one of the most photogenic cenotes in Playa del Carmen (1hr 15m from Tulum), thanks to its myriad geological formations, low-lit caverns, and crystal clear water.
As you can see from the price, this cenote isn’t cheap. Luckily, the steep cost includes a guided tour to learn more about the million-year-old fossilized corals and marine life along with the stalactites and stalagmites.
Book your 2-3 hour Chaak Tun tour on Viator! Tour prices include helmets with headlamps, snacks, a bilingual guide, and a life jacket.
25. Cenote Cristalino
- Price: $200 MXN for adults, $150 MXN for kids
- Directions: right before Cenote Jardin del Eden & Cenote Azul (directions from Tulum)
- Hours: 8-6 PM
- Camera Fee: No
- Facilities: Parking, toilets, snack shop
- Features: Jumping ledge, pedicure fish, jungle, rock formations, boardwalk
Cenote Cristalino is similar to Cenote Azul and Cenote Jardin del Eden and has all the beauty and perks you’ll find at most cenotes.
Come here to swim, snorkel, or just relax with your feet in the water as the pedicure fish come to clean up your toes!
FAQs About Tulum’s Cenotes
Are the cenotes far from Tulum?
Some cenotes around Tulum are far from the center (Tulum Pueblo). Even further, if you are referring to the Hotel Zone Tulum. I’m aware of only one open-air cenote in the Tulum Hotel Zone, on the far end of the road, and it’s not really that great.
How many cenotes are in Tulum?
Tulum has over 100 cenotes, although some are elusive and hidden deep within the jungle. With 6,000 stone sinkholes sprinkled throughout Mexico, you’ll find thousands on the Yucatan Peninsula alone!
What do the cenotes cost in Tulum?
The price of the cenotes in Tulum ranges from $100 to $500 MXN, with the average being somewhere around $150 to $200 pesos per person.
Most cenotes only pay in cash. It’s wise to bring smaller bills for the more local cenotes, just in case.
How to get to the cenotes?
The cenotes in Tulum (and throughout Quintana Roo and Yucatan) are best reached by private car. Sometimes, you can reach the cenotes by walking or bicycle, especially those closest to Tulum.
Other modes of transport include cheap colectivos or minivans. Taxis will typically be your most expensive option, even more so for tourists!
What to wear in the Tulum cenotes?
You will have a much better experience in the Tulum cenotes if you wear appropriate clothing! Many cenotes have slippery stairs and rocks. Wearing supportive sandals and water shoes is a good way to walk along the rocks.
Other than that, pack a comfy swimsuit and any gear you want to have with you (underwater camera, quick-dry towel, snorkel/dive mask, fins, etc.)
Ready to dive into a few of the cenotes in and around Tulum? Here are my travel resources to help you book your trip!
🏡 Stays & Experiences: Booking.com is my go-to platform for finding hotel deals worldwide. They particularly have great finds for the Riviera Maya and Tulum. If you become a Genius Member like me, you’ll benefit from free breakfast, special discounts, and other perks.
🚗 Rental Cars: I use Discover Cars, a car rental comparison tool, to find the best deals across the most popular agencies. Mexico typically has cheap car rental deals, sometimes as low as $11/day!
✈️ Flights: Google Flights, Skyscanner, and KAYAK are where I search for the best flight deals. Tulum has no airport, so you’ll likely fly into the Cancun International Airport.
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