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Bucketlist Bri

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How to Visit the Coba Cenotes: Exploring the Mayan Underworld

Last Updated: January 5, 2023 · Mexico, Riviera Maya

There are literally thousands of cenotes near Tulum and beyond spread out across the Yucatan Peninsula, but some of my favorites are the underground cenotes nearby the Mayan ruins of Coba.

The Coba cenotes give you an extra sense of thrilling adventure as you must trek down below ground to reach the water.

Cenotes in Mayan culture are believed to be entrances to the underworld.

blue water of cenote escondido

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Every time I go, I can’t help but consider myself like the Tomb Raider whenever I hike down below the earth to splash in the crystal clear and cool freshwater hiding below. If anything, the Coba cenotes will leave you in awe and wonder.

Unlike the cenotes in Tulum, which are mostly open-air or semi-open cenotes, the Coba cenotes are entirely enclosed underground like a cave. I’ve heard before that the fully underground cenotes are the youngest in “cenote history” since the cave roof and walls have not yet collapsed in on themselves and that the oldest cenotes were the open-air, lagoon-type ones.

In any case, whether young or old, the Coba cenotes – with their stalactites and stalagmites, clear water, fish, and bats – are well worth visiting on a day trip to see the Coba Mayan ruins.

Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy the three cenotes near Coba! 

Table of Contents show
The Ultimate Guide to the Coba Cenotes
How to Get to the Coba Cenotes
How Much Do the Coba Cenotes Cost?
Cenote Choo-Ha
Cenote Tankach-Ha
Cenote Multum-Ha
Coba Cenote Tours
How to See the Coba Cenotes in 1 Day (Self-Guided Itinerary)
What to Pack for Coba Ruins & Cenotes

The Ultimate Guide to the Coba Cenotes

How to Get to the Coba Cenotes

map of coba cenotes from coba ruins
Directions from Coba Ruins to Cenote Choo-Ha, Tamkach-Ha, and Multum-Ha

The best way to get to Coba is to rent a car from Cancun Airport and drive to Tulum.

From Tulum to Coba, it’s only a 45-55 minute drive via Highway QROO 109. Once you’re there, having your own car (or carpooling) is the easiest because then you can go at your own leisure and also drive from the Coba ruins to the cenotes.

If you are coming from Cancun, you’ll simply take the road to Tulum and then turn right to follow Coba. If you keep going past Coba for another 30-45 minutes, you’ll end up in Valladolid.

Colectivo: Taking a white colectivo (mini van) from Tulum to Coba Ruins is another way to get there, but then you’ll have to organize with another van or taxi to reach the Coba cenotes. The colectivos leave from the main Avenida Tulum at the junction of Calle Osiris Norte and cost $50 MXN one-way. You can spot them easily enough because they have “Tulum – Coba” written on their windshield. The journey will take around one hour.

Bus: If you can’t find a colectivo, head to the ADO bus station in Tulum Centro (just 5 minutes walk from Calle Osiris Norte). There, you can buy bus tickets from Tulum-Coba via the Mayab bus line. The buses leave Tulum almost every hour of the day. If you take the bus, though, you will be dropped off at the ruins and not at the cenotes. Keep in mind the cenotes are another 5-10 minute drive from Coba ruins.

Taxi: Taking a taxi from Tulum to Coba cenotes is not ideal since it’ll cost you double or triple the price of a rental car. If you have no other option, you could always ask and see. It will cost at least $500 MXN or more for a one-way trip.

Once you arrived, I’d recommend combining a visit to the Coba Ruins and cenotes, since you’re so close to both. If you’ve already visited the ruins, though, and are back to see the cenotes, then carry on!

RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Coba Ruins

How Much Do the Coba Cenotes Cost?

Coba Cenote Price: All the cenotes at Coba cost $100 MXN pesos each. While there used to be a “package” deal you could buy a couple years ago, they’ve stopped offering that and now just charge a $100 MXN fee per cenote. So if you visit all three, that’s $300 MXN or $15 USD. It’s still a good deal when you’re comparing to the cost of the cenotes in Tulum.

Cenote Choo-Ha

cenote choo ha via destimap.com

Cenote Choo Ha is one of the first cenotes near Coba you might visit, but it’s not the most popular. Choo Ha cenote is shallower than its neighbors. So while it’s great for families and parents with children, it’s not as daring to swim in as Tankach-Ha or Multum-Ha.

The hours for Cenote Choo-Ha are 9-6 PM, but rather than going mid-day, try to go earlier in the morning or in the late afternoon. (This is always a good way to visit the cenotes because there will be fewer crowds). At Choo-Ha, there are bathrooms and you’re required to rinse off before entering the water.

Pro Tip: Bring a quality scuba mask to snorkel in the shallow, clear water, but don’t forget to look up to see all the stalactites and stalagmites as well!

Cenote Tankach-Ha

cenote tankach-ha near coba mayan ruins

Cenote Tankach-Ha (or sometimes written Tamcach-Ha) is a deep underground cenote near Coba worth visiting. In the picture above, it is flooded slightly (taken November 2020), but normally the water is below the platform and you can easily wade out into the water.

This cenote is pretty neat because you have to climb down the wooden spiral staircase from the cave ceiling to reach the water below. Once inside, swimming in the Tankach-Ha cenote is like swimming in a big natural pool, except it’s a bit colder and there are bats flying around the stalactites!

If you have children, make sure they are wearing a life jacket since Tankach-Ha is known to be deep. After all, the name in Maya literally translates to “deep water”!

Cenote Multum-Ha

panoramic view of cenote multum ha near coba mayan ruins

Cenote Multum-Ha (or Multun-Ha with an ‘n’) is my favorite of the three cenotes near Coba because of its depth underground (about 60 ft below the earth), and because of it’s open, circular shape. To get there, you need to climb down about 80-100 steps to reach the wooden deck. There, you can jump in or take the ease-in stairs. Cenote Multum-Ha has such crystal clear, calm water that it’s simply mesmerizing to wade in. This cenote is also fairly deep, but not as much as cenote Tankach-Ha.

In any case, all the cenotes still have a safety rope extending through the water from either side of the cave walls to support you if you get tired of wading.

The light in cenote Multum-Ha is also not natural – it’s an artificial light just like the others and this is because these cenotes are entirely underground or closed cenotes, rather than semi-open cenotes like Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote in Tulum.

You can visit Cenote Multum-Ha between 8 AM and 6 PM. Likewise, I’d recommend going in the late afternoon after your visit to Coba Ruins or just before, in the morning (although it’s not as “refreshing” if you haven’t sweated from your jungle explorations just prior!).

Pro Tip: You’re allowed to bring your backpack down with you with your items like an underwater camera or towel. You can store it in a corner on the wooden deck while you swim.

Coba Cenote Tours

I would suggest touring the Coba cenotes on your own because it adds to the adventure and is MUCH cheaper (check my itinerary below).

However, for the sake of simplicity, you can also book a cenote tour and go with a guide to visit both the Coba cenotes and Mayan ruins archaeological sites as an organized day excursion.

Ruins + Beach + Cenotes Tour: This tour includes a visit to both the Tulum Ruins and Coba Ruins, as well as lunch and a stop by Paradise Beach and Cenotes Choo-Ha and Tankach-Ha. It doesn’t include Multum-Ha, however.

How to See the Coba Cenotes in 1 Day (Self-Guided Itinerary)

couple sitting atop coba pyramid @ coba mayan ruins
snorkeler in cenote tamkach-ha at coba

Morning

Wake up early to enjoy a nice breakfast in Tulum at DelCielo Tropical Bistro (Maria Maria’s or Ki’Bok Coffee are also good). Then hop in a colectivo or bus (or your car), and hit the road to Coba. Park at the Coba ruins and enjoy a tour around the Coba Mayan ruins site. Make sure to climb Nohoch Mul – the Yucatan’s tallest pyramid!

Pro Tip: It’s best (and faster) if you rent a bike inside Coba Ruins (the cost is around $60-75 MXN pesos) and explore the grounds that way, rather than walking everywhere.

It takes around 2-3 hours to fully visit Coba Ruins. For lunch, grab a typical Mexican meal at the nearby restaurants just down the road from the Coba ruins entrance (I believe the one we ate at was El Crocodrilo or just the one next to it).

If you have a bit more of a budget, you could consider splurging at the nearby Coqui Coqui Residence & Spa, a 4-star hideaway that invokes a sense of luxurious serenity. The restaurant, which aims to source only sustainable agriculture from its orchard while supporting the local Mayan community, is situated on the ground floor just beyond the shores of the Coba lagoon. The atmosphere is calm and tranquil and you’ll be in for quite a treat.

Afternoon 

After your lunch break, hop back into your mode of transport to head to the Coba cenotes. (If you arrived by bus or colectivo you will probably find a taxi to go to the cenotes). The closest cenotes will be Choo-Ha and Tankach-Ha (on the left side of the road) and Multum-Ha will be further down the road located on the right.

Pick which cenotes you’d like to visit – Choo Ha, Multum Ha, or Tankach Ha (or all three) – and enjoy your time splashing in the Coba cenotes!

wooden staircase down to cenotes near coba
stairs leading down to cenote tamkach ha near coba

What to Pack for Coba Ruins & Cenotes

You should wear comfortable clothing (i.e. breathable shirts and pants or shorts depending on the season) to visit the Coba Ruins. It can be SUPER buggy in the forest/jungle, so go prepared with eco-friendly mosquito balm.

Other things you may want to pack to visit the cenotes and ruins at Coba are:

  • Bathing suit
  • Non-slip shoes for climbing the pyramid
  • Sandals or flip flops for exiting the cenotes
  • Quick-drying towel
  • Underwater camera or waterproof phone pouch
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Portable snacks (i.e. banana, apple, nuts)
  • Cash (pesos) for making tips and change

Do not use sunscreen (even if it’s eco-friendly) in the cenotes. You are required to rinse off all body products before entering the water to protect the ecosystem.

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide to the cenotes near Coba! If you have any questions about visiting Coba cenotes or exploring the Mayan village, feel free to drop a comment below.

Make sure to check out my other guides to plan your trip to Quintana Roo:

  • 21 Epic Things to Do in the Riviera Maya
  • Tulum Street Art: Exploring the Pueblo’s Muralism Culture
  • 12 Epic Day Trips From Tulum You Cannot Miss
  • The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in Tulum, Mexico
  • Floating Down Ancient Mayan Canals in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

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

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Comments

  1. Laura says

    June 22, 2021 at 11:15 am

    Thank you so much for the info. i’ve been to the first cenote twice. now i know I HAVE to see the other two.

    Reply
    • Bri says

      June 22, 2021 at 11:30 am

      Happy to share, Laura! I love the Coba cenotes so much!

      Reply

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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 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

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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! 🐳🦈

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