A long time item on my bucket list was to swim in a cenote. Thankfully I went to the best place in the world (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico) to accomplish it. I wasn’t just able to put a check mark, but to do some cool things too. I jumped through tiny holes and from 32 ft high platforms, swam with turtles and between stalactites, and saw some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
Cenotes are underground pools of groundwater that have been exposed due to the collapse of the limestone bedrock. There are several kinds of cenotes, open, semi-open, and closed. They aren’t exclusive to Mexico, but they are lucky to have thousands of them. Taking a dip in a cenote is a magical experience, especially when you are by yourself or just with your mates.
The Mayans thought cenotes were entrances to the underworld, and now I can see why. The entrance of some cenote do look like portals to another dimension. I highly recommend to visit at least two of them since they all their own set of unique characteristics.
Cenote Calavera
Cenote Calavera is comprise by three holes that give access to the water. Since the first time I saw someone jumping through the small holes into the cenote, I have been anxious to go.
It’s main feature are the two small holes on the ground that you can jump through into the water, which is a thrilling experience. And I highly recommend to be the first thing you do when you get there. Is really cool because from the outside you can’t see nothing but just where the sunlight is passing thru. When you jump to the darkness and come out of the water you can see everything, including the bats flying and hanging from the ceiling.
Why is it called Calavera (skull)? because from above the two holes look like the eyes and the big one like the mouth of a skull.
Another thing I loved about Calavera are the underwater sunbeams from the light that enter through the “eyes”, they are spectacular. Seeing people swimming through them will remind you one of those alien movies where they abduct people with the light that comes out of the spaceship.
For best photo opportunities go when the sun is high and illuminating the rope swing, between 1 and 3pm.
Located five minutes from Tulum town it is the easiest one to get to, you can even go on bike.
Entrance fee is $70 pesos
Cenote Tankach-Ha
Tankach-Ha (The Playground) – is an underground cenote with no external light whatsoever, though two baseball lights have been installed to provide light.
If you’re planning on visiting the Cobá Archeological site, a dive in Tankach-Ha is the perfect way to cool down, and believe me, you’ll want it.
You go down through a set of spiral staircase where you are quickly greeted by a 32 ft. height platform from where you can jump off into the deep blue water. If that’s to high for you, don’t worry, there is a lower one too.
Tankach-Ha is basically a giant pool with a crazy visibility range, you can see from one side of the cenote all the way to the other, though being underground without natural light, the two big light bulbs that have been installed provide enough light so you can snorkel. I had the more fun here. I did my best to document it, but my photos don’t make justice to it, it was hard to photograph.
There are two more cenotes on this site, Cenote Multum-Ha and Cenote Choo-Ha, but this is the best one. You can rent life jackets for rent for $20 pesos and the entrance fee is $65 pesos.
Gran Cenote
Gran Cenote (Jungle Paradise) – is one of the most touristy, but one of the most beautiful too. From the exposed roots growing over the limestone, beautiful turquoise water, turtles swimming around, bats hanging, caves, to the little island, everything adds to the beauty and charm of this place. It actually has two areas connected by a tunnel that you can swim through.
One of the iconic photos of cenotes is from here. They rent life jackets for $50 pesos and lockers $30. There are also restrooms, showers to wash off any chemicals, and an area to chill out with hammocks.
If there’s a cenote you have to make the effort to wake up early, is for this one because it gets crowded on a blink. Otherwise your experience won’t be pleasant.
Entrance fee is $150 pesos.
Cenote Dos Ojos
This cenote is part of Dos Ojos Park, which has several cenotes, Nicte-Ha, El Pit, and Cenote Jaguar. It’s is comprised by two cenotes connected by underwater caves, thus the name Dos Ojos (two eyes). To my knowledge it’s one of the most popular cenotes, but seems like it was my lucky day, since it was almost empty when I went.
At 350 pesos it’s the most expensive cenote I went to, though it includes lockers and life jackets. In my opinion it’s worth the money.
Also, bear in mind that cenotes here al far from the main road. If you are taking a colectivo (public transportation) you will have to walk quite a bit.
First eye – Though it’s not big, the vibrant turquoise water, exotic birds flying in and out of their mud nests, and tiny fish that if you stay still, will give you a therapy session, make it one of the top. I loved swimming to the bottom to grab a rock to see the divers coming in and out of the underwater caves.
The Second eye is also half open and almost surrounds a small “island”. Providing epic underwater views, it’s is excellent for snorkeling. The bottom is full of rocks that you clearly see have collapsed. There are also stalactites from the ceiling to the bottom of the cenote, which are super cool.
The photos below show the bigger part of the cenote but for the most part you snorkel through a narrow space, and because light doesn’t enter directly in one side you have light and on the other one is completely dark, so it’s a bit scary in some parts.
The outside of the cenote is beautiful too. It’s full of palm trees, hammocks, and trees with roots that go from the top of the cenote all the way to the ground. Perfect for an Indiana Jones movie.
There are also guided tours where they take you to small caves and passages that otherwise you’re not allowed to go.
Cenote Nicte-Ha
Cenote Nicte-Ha is an astonishing underwater garden that will leave you speechless. Beautiful water lilies, palm tress, and air plants decorate the outside while underwater plant and fishes decorate below. An oasis in the middle of the jungle.
It is located in Parque Dos Ojos, about a 100 yards before cenote Dos Ojos.
Tip: Bring a snorkeling mask so you can appreciate the beauty of these places.
Note:
In some cenotes they make you shower to remove any chemicals (sunscreen, hair products, and mosquito repellent) from you body, which I think is a great thing. But in others you don’t have to. Please be conscious and don’t use any of the aforementioned products (or opt for biodegradable products) if you you’re going to a cenote. Let’s all do our part to help preserve these wonders of nature.
I hope this post helped you to discover some incredible cenotes.
Have you been to other cenotes that aren’t on this list? Let me know in the comments.
If you liked, please share it with family and friend.
Thanks for reading.
j ⋀⋁ i e r ✧ ☽
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