tulum cenotes tour

14 BEST Cenote Tours from Tulum

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: August 26, 2024

Categories Mexico , North America

It’s certainly not a secret anymore that you can find incredible cenotes in Tulum and all over Quintana Roo and Yucatan.

In fact, if you’ve been following this blog, you might know I’m just a teeeny tiny obsessed with them and wrote plenty of posts about cenotes. They are, in my opinion, one of the best attractions in the area!

While the cenotes can certainly be visited independently, many travelers (myself included) prefer to join a tour to avoid the hassle of planning the visit and to fully enjoy the day.

I highly recommend this option, particularly if you don’t have a car. Public transportation to the cenotes is scarce , and taxis are extremely overpriced.

While there are hundreds of cenote tours available on the internet, sadly that doesn’t mean they are all good and worth your money! I often get messages on IG asking for recommendations, so I’ve done the research for you .

I’ve selected the best cenote tours from Tulum and compiled them in this article. You’ll only find trips with an unbeatable quality/price ratio, and that come with great reviews from previous travelers. Read on, and take your pick!

Why should you trust me? I have a decade of experience in the travel industry, selecting extraordinary adventures all over the world. On top of that, I’ve spent six months traveling around Mexico and have no problem admitting that I’ve become a tiny bit obsessed with cenotes. How could I not?

I’ve explored plenty of cenotes in Riviera Maya, and know exactly what to look for in cenote tours to make sure they’re high quality, and worth your time.

I personally use (and trust) Get Your Guide and Viator to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy. If your travel plans change for any reason, you can cancel most tours up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Limited time? These are the best options :

OUR PICK: The BEST Cenote Tour from Tulum

Explore the gorgeous cenotes on this adventure-packed Cenote Triple Adventure Tour in Tulum . Begin at Cenote Zemway, where you’ll get to jump from 18 and 15-foot platforms for an adrenaline rush.

Then, head to the famous Gran Cenote, a captivating cave with sunlight filtering through crystal-clear waters. It’s the perfect spot for snorkeling and free diving!

The trip includes a visit to a third location, Casa Cenote, where you can immerse yourself in its jungle-like paradise. Known for its soft sand, lush mangroves, and vibrant marine life, it offers a picture-perfect setting for your water adventures.

Why is this the best Tulum cenote tour? You’ll get to visit some very distinct sinkholes, both cave and open cenotes, which makes it a great introduction to the world of cenotes. You’ll enjoy snorkeling, cliff diving, and swimming all in one day, with gear provided and an expert guide to ensure your safety and entertainment.

Read what the reviews say :

“I can’t say enough good things about this tour and our guide! The tour was the perfect amount of time and the cenotes are stunning!! There are great tour guides but Julio was beyond amazing! He went above and beyond what a tour guide would normally do and provided one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on an excursion. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, this tour will be the highlight of your trip!” Halle_G – Read more reviews

This tour includes : Snorkeling equipment, roundtrip transportation, snacks, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Other 3 GREAT Cenote Tours from Tulum

▶️ If you’re up for some biking through the jungle, check out the Tulum: Cenote Trail Bike Tour . This tour not only has great reviews, but I’ve also received messages from some of my readers who went on it and loved it, so I can safely recommend it.

The trip takes you to Gran Cenote, Cenote Escondido, and Cenote Cristal, three of the most beautiful and famous cenotes in the area. You’ll have time to swim and snorkel in all of them, which are very different from one another.

After some thrilling ziplining above the water, enjoy lunch before heading back.

This tour includes : Round-trip transportation, lunch, bike and helmet, and snorkel gear. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The Tour 4 Cenotes Includes Pick Up Service is a fantastic option to visit (and swim in!) four different cenotes in just half a day. Casa Tortuga is a fascinating location home to cenotes Zapote, Wisho, Jaguar, and Cueva de las Tres Campanas.

You’ll have time to swim and snorkel at each of these cenotes, before refueling with a scrumptious lunch. Transfers are included for a hassle-free journey.

This tour includes : Transportation, entrance fees, life vests, lunch, water, and soda. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ Embark on an unforgettable adventure into the world of cenotes on the 3 Cenotes Adventure with Lunch from Riviera Maya . On this tour, you’ll visit three incredible sinkholes: Casa Cenote, Taak Bi Ha, and a private cenote.

Beat the crowds with an early start at Casa Cenote, where you can snorkel and soak in its natural beauty. Then swim in the pristine waters of Taak Bi Ha Cenote, and refuel with a vegetarian picnic lunch in the jungle.

To end the day on a high note, explore an underground cenote, revealing mesmerizing rock formations by lamplight.

This tour includes : Transportation, all entrance fees, snorkel gear, snacks, water, and a vegetarian lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Snorkel in the Caribbean Sea and in a Cenote

▶️ Explore diverse ecosystems on this Snorkeling with Caribbean Fish and Private Cenote Exploration . You’ll snorkel in the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and colorful schools of fish.

Then, discover a hidden, sacred cenote closed to the public, where you’ll swim past stunning limestone formations.

It’s a half-day escape that blends the richness of the sea life with the mysterious cenotes and cave exploration. If you have little time in the region and are a water baby, it doesn’t get better than this combo!

This cenote snorkeling tour includes : Hotel pickup and drop-off, water, lunch, entrance fees, and snorkel gear. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

An Underground River Tour in Tulum

▶️ If you’re looking for something different, how about exploring an underground river? Book this Rio Secreto Plus Tour in Playa del Carmen to discover the region’s most impressive subterranean network.

Bike, rappel, and hike through the Mayan underworld, known as xibalbá, and its beautiful nature trails.

As you descend into Rio Secreto with a professional guide, learn about its fascinating geology and history. You’ll also get to swim in the fresh waters as you admire the caves, filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

After the refreshing dip, walk along the dry route, which leads to the Room of Peace, where you’ll enjoy a light and sound show that illuminates the unique formations.

Refuel with a regional buffet lunch and non-alcoholic drinks to cap off the trip.

This tour includes : Optional transfers, admission to Rio Secreto, a guide, all equipment, lunch, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Private Cenote Tours in Tulum

▶️ The VIP Dos Ojos Cenote Private Tour with Mayan Lunch All Inclusive is one of the best excursions for groups. It takes up to 12 participants to snorkel in Dos Ojos, one of the best (and most famous) cenotes in the area.

By departing early in the morning, you’ll enjoy the two cenotes away from the tourist crowds. When I went as soon as it opened, I had Dos Ojos cenote all to myself and it was a unique experience!

You’ll get lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and your guide will also help you take as many pictures as you want.

This tour includes : Private transfers, lunch, drinks, and snorkel equipment. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The Private Tour – The best Cenotes in Yucatan – Suytun & Oxman is a photography excursion designed for Instagram enthusiasts. You’ll explore the stunning cenotes in the early morning, ensuring crowd-free, picture-perfect moments.

Not only will you be in awe of their beauty, but you’ll also get to learn about their geological formations and cultural importance from a guide.

Explore Suytun Cenote, the most famous cenote on Instagram. Next, immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman. Finally, savor a tasty breakfast in Valladolid’s historic center before ending the trip at Cenote Xux Ha.

This tour includes : Round-trip transfers, breakfast, bottled water, and access to all the cenotes. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

A Tulum Cenote Tour for Adrenaline Lovers

Who else enjoys their cenotes with a pinch of adventure and adrenaline? A day at Selva Maya Eco Adventure Park: Ziplining, Hanging Bridges, Rappelling, and Cenote will give you just that. You’ll get to zipline, snorkel, rappel, and swim at two cenotes!

You’ll explore a semi-open cenote, great for relaxation and cliff jumping, and a cavern cenote, where you can snorkel to see stalactites and stalagmites.

Small groups of no more than five people at a time ensure the cenotes are protected, and you get to experience them without the crowds.

It’s a kid-friendly tour, and while it doesn’t include transfers, the park is only a short ride away from Tulum by taxi or colectivo.

This tour includes : Lunch, drinks, and all necessary equipment. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Mayan Ruins + Cenote Tours from Tulum

▶️ Anyone who visits the Riviera Maya should check out the unique ruins of Tulum, perched over the Caribbean Sea. No ruins can boast such an incredible view! If you’re staying in Tulum, you have even fewer excuses not to go.

I like this Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves because you get to explore coral reefs, ancient history, and nature all in one day. The tour starts with a guided tour of the magnificent Tulum Ruins.

After the visit, you’ll board a boat and zip to the coral reef in the Caribbean Sea to snorkel with colorful tropical fish and, if you’re lucky, a turtle or two!

The trip ends with a swim at a beautiful cave cenote, Cenote Yax Muul. Be mesmerized by the stalagmites and stalactites that adorn it!

This tour includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, lunch, water, and snorkeling gear. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ Explore Tulum’s archaeological site without the crowds on the Tulum Ruins and 3 Cenotes Jungle Adventure . This is followed by a fun time at Tankah Park on this exclusive tour limited to just 10 travelers.

At the park, dive into the 3 cenotes, experience thrilling ziplines, try canoeing and snorkeling, and embark on a jungle trail. A delicious Mayan lunch fuels your adventure before returning to your hotel.

This tour includes : Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tulum, lunch, water, snacks, use of snorkeling equipment. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The Riviera Maya/ Cancun: Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Tour is an extremely popular trip. This full-day trip brings you to Chichen Itza, the most renowned Mexican archaeological site.

During a guided tour around the ruins, you’ll learn about the fascinating civilization that inhabited it.

You’ll then get to cool off with a refreshing cenote swim, followed by a buffet lunch. The last stop will be the charming colonial city of Valladolid, with enough time to explore its wonders.

This tour includes : Pickup from a meeting point in Tulum, a buffet lunch, a certified guide, and a cenote entrance. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Diving Cenote Tours from Tulum

If you’re looking to dive deeper, check out these astounding diving cenote tours. Whether you’re a certified diver or a newbie, there’s a tour to match your skills.

▶️ Is it your first time scuba diving? How exciting to experience it in the beautiful Mexico cenotes! This Amazing Beginner Dive in Tulum Cenote (or refresher dive) will teach you all you need to know to dive like a pro.

After a safety orientation class, you’ll head to Casa Cenote for an incredible 40-minute dive. You’ll see mangrove roots, tropical fish, and small caverns as you breath underwater.

This tour includes : Transfers, diving equipment, entrance fees, snacks, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ Explore Tulum’s magnificent cenotes with two dives on this highly-rated Cenote 2-Tank Dive Tour . The experience takes place in cenotes like Dos Ojos, Casa Cenote, or Gran Cenote, tailored to your skill level and preference.

Begin by trying out the equipment, receive a briefing, and embark on your first cenote dive. Dive times vary but are around 40-45 minutes each. After the first immersion, enjoy snacks, refreshments, and lunch before heading to your second diving trip.

You’ll need to show your diving certification for this experience.

This tour includes : Transfers, snacks, beverages, entrance fees, and all necessary diving equipment. ➥ BOOK IT HERE  

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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Tulum Ruins + Cenote Tour

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Do two of our favorite activities in Tulum: visit the Tulum Ruins and swim in a cenote. Not only do you get a  private  guided tour of the archaeological site with insane beach views, but also experience a cenote park of your choice: Dos Ojos, Nicte-Ha, Gran Cenote, Calaveras,  or  Sac Actún. Optional lunch stop at our favorite café or taquería in centro Tulum. English-speaking guide, basic admission fees (cenote and ruins) and round trip transportation are included with price. Pick-up is at 8am and ends around 2pm.

Need help selecting your cenotes? Read our blog post here !

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PRIVATE tour includes:

• Roundtrip transportation from Tulum
• English-speaking guide at ruins
• All basic entrance fees to ruins and 1 cenote (Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote, Calavera, or Sac Actún)
• Parking fees
• Bottled water and healthy snacks
• Optional lunch stopover (you pay)

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The Tulum Ruins and Cenote private tour includes roundtrip private transportation from Tulum, English-speaking guide at ruins, all basic entrance fees to ruins and 1 cenote (Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote, Calavera, or Sac Actún), all parking fees, bottled water and light snacks onboard, and optional lunch stopover.

Please bring:

• Comfortable clothes with swimsuit underneath
• Comfortable shoes for trekking the ruins and water shoes for the cenote
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The 15 Best Cenotes in Tulum: Bucket List + My Tips

How to visit the 15 best cenotes in tulum, mexico.

Cenotes are stunning water holes that are a must-see in Mexico.

They are natural freshwater pools , formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, exposing the groundwater underneath. Some are open-air , while others are hidden in amazing rock formations.

But with over 10,000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula , how can you choose which ones to visit?

Don’t worry, I have created this guide to help you find the best cenotes in Tulum for swimming, diving and snorkeling. I have selected the most beautiful cenotes for different types of travelers. Some are perfect for families, others are more suitable for adventurers.

I have also included practical information to help you plan your visit to the cenotes of Tulum . You will find my recommendations for the best hotels nearby, as well as all my tips to make the most of your trip.

What is a cenote?

1. gran cenote, 2. carwash cenote, 3. zacil-ha, 4. cenote calavera, 5. tankah cenote, 6. cenote casa tortuga, 7. cenote dos ojos, 8. nicte-ha cenote, 9. taak bi ha cenote, 10. sac actún, 11. cenote el pit, 12. cenote encantado, 13. cenote cristal and cenote escondido, 14. the cenotes of coba, 15. cenote azul, the tourist map of the cenotes of tulum, my tips for visiting the cenotes of tulum, where to sleep in tulum, want to rent a car in mexico, book your plane ticket at the best price, you’re traveling in mexico these articles will help you.

The word cenote comes from the Mayan word “dzonoot”, meaning water hole. They were sacred to the ancient Maya and today they are one of the main tourist attractions in Tulum and the whole Yucatan Peninsula.

So, which cenote in Tulum is the best for you? Read on to find out!

The best cenotes in Tulum

This is one of the most amazing cenotes in Tulum and a popular tourist attraction in the Riviera Maya .

It was the first cenote I visited in Tulum : I got there by biking under the sun from downtown and the water was just perfect.

You are in a cave with an opening, the water is clear, with a sandy bottom, and you can spot some turtles.

It’s also a fantastic cenote for diving, as it connects to one of the biggest cave systems in the world , many of which are partly underwater.

It’s a great option to take your kids to Tulum, as it’s easy to access for all swimmers (even beginners), with several bathrooms, and a spacious area for relaxing and having a picnic.

The Gran Cenote goes well with Coba or Chichen Itza on the same day because of its location.

But it’s better to go early as the tour buses come in the afternoon after visiting Chichen Itza.

How to visit the Gran Cenote:

• Entrance fee 500 pesos, lockers 30 pesos, snorkeling equipment 80 pesos
• Open from 8am to 4pm
• About 3 miles from Tulum on the road to Coba. Big parking lot. Easy to reach by bike.

My tip If you want to enjoy a fun and eco-friendly way to explore the cenotes of Tulum , you can also take this bike tour that includes Gran Cenote, Cenote Escondido and Cenote Cristal, with brunch. Book it here:

Its real name is “Aktun-Ha” and it got the name “Carwash” because there used to be a car wash nearby before it was discovered.

It’s a beautiful cenote, semi-open, and not too busy.

The diving area is 16 ft deep, with stalactites, aquatic plants, various fish and freshwater turtles.

You need an authorized guide to dive in the 50 ft deep cave.

The cenote is connected by an underground network with the Zacil Ha cenote .

How to visit the Cenote Carwash:

• It’s 5 miles from Tulum towards Coba
• Entrance fee 300 pesos

Its name means “clear water” in Mayan and it’s a stunning natural pool that has been turned into a small ecotourism complex.

You can swim, snorkel and even dive in “Las Lagrimas”, a 26 to 115 ft deep cave that connects with the Carwash cenote and the Calavera cenote .

It’s a perfect cenote for families as it has all the facilities: swimming pool, rest areas, changing rooms, restaurant, cabins, restrooms, parking, snorkeling equipment rental.

There’s even a small zip line over the cenote!

It’s not very spacious and gets crowded fast . Go at 10am when it opens, before the groups come at 11am.

Visit the cenote Zacil Ha:

• Entrance fee 200 pesos, 150 pesos for nationals.
• Open daily from 10am to 6pm
• 5.5 miles from Tulum in the direction of Cobá, just after the Carwash cenote
• There is a large parking lot
• Zacil-Ha Facebook page

Cenote Calavera , or Skull Cenote , is named after its skull-like entrance with three holes on the ground.

You may have seen it on Instagram, where its wooden ladder and rope make a cool photo. However, it is not very crowded, as it is not part of the tours and has no facilities except a basic bathroom. It is ideal for friends and couples who want to have some fun.

You can jump into the deep water from the holes, or use the ladder if you prefer. Once you are in, look up and see the bats on the ceiling. Cenote Calavera in Tulum is a hidden gem that you should not miss.

How to visit Cenote Calavera:

• Entrance 250 pesos, life jacket 50 pesos
• Open every day from 9 am to 4 pm
• Only a mile away from Tulum, on road 109 towards Coba (easy to get to by car, bike or on foot from downtown Tulum)

If you want to enjoy Tulum without sargassum and away from the crowds , you should visit Cenote Tankah.

This cenote is hidden in the jungle, just 165 ft from the stunning Caribbean beach. You can access it through the Beach Club Caleta Tankah , which offers all the services you need (restaurant, loungers, etc.). You can spend a day relaxing on the beach and swimming in the fresh water cenote.

One of my favorite places in Tulum is Casa Tortuga , where you can discover four amazing cenotes!

Cenote Campana and Cenote Wisho are semi-open cenotes with beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and other formations.

Cenote Tres Zapotes is a large open cenote, perfect for swimming and relaxing.

Cenote Dorca is a hidden gem that you can reach by a path surrounded by mangroves.

You can also see the Chechén and the Chacáh , two trees that are sacred to the Maya people. Casa Tortuga is a well maintained and spacious site, where you can enjoy the cenotes without feeling crowded.

How to visit Casa Tortuga:

• Entrance fee from 400 pesos (includes guide, access to the 4 cenotes and life vest). Packages available with buffet and zip line.
• 15 min from Tulum, on the Cancun -Tulum highway
• You can also stay overnight on site (with free access to Tres Zapotes cenote)

You can book this tour to Casa Tortugas which includes transportation from Tulum, access to the 4 cenotes and some snacks :

Cenote Dos Ojos is one of the most famous cenotes in Tulum, and for a good reason.

It has two cenotes of 230 ft in diameter, connected by a large underground cavern . That’s why it is called “Dos Ojos”, which means “Two Eyes” in Spanish.

The first cenote is great for swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear water, while the second cenote is more mysterious with stalactites and stalagmites.

If you are adventurous, you can also take a 1300 ft corridor to reach the “baticueva” (the bat cave), where you can see hundreds of bats hanging from the ceiling.

Cenote Dos Ojos is part of the world’s largest underwater cave , which spans 215 miles. 😮

To enjoy Cenote Dos Ojos, it is best to get there early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when there are fewer tour groups.

How to visit Dos Ojos cenote:

• Entrance fee 400 pesos (200 pesos for children under 12 years old) or 800 pesos for the guided tour with access to the “baticueva” , the bat cave
• Located 12 miles from Tulum towards Playa del Carmen , in Dos Ojos Park
• It’s ideal for the whole family as it has services, including two restaurants
• Open from 8 am to 5 pm

Cenote Nicte-Ha or Nic Te Ha is a hidden treasure in Tulum, where you can enjoy a cenote in the wild with very few tourists . You might even have it all to yourself!

It is a small cenote, but full of life and beauty. You can see tree roots and rocks around the cenote, and water lilies, fish and turtles in the clear water. The bottom of the cenote is covered with aquatic plants that sway gently in the current.

Cenote Nicte-Ha is a place where you can find peace and tranquility in the middle of nature .

And the best part is, it is very close to the popular Dos Ojos cenote, which is part of Dos Ojos Park . You can easily visit both cenotes in one day and have a memorable experience.

How to visit the Nicte-Ha cenote:

• Entrance costs 300 pesos and is purchased at the Dos Ojos parking lot
• Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
• Changing rooms and basic toilets, life jacket rental
• There is nothing on site, so make sure to bring enough water .
• Located 14 miles from Tulum. You can also get there by colectivo, but then you will have to walk 15 min to the Nicte Ha cenote

Taak Bi Ha (or Tak Be Ha ) is a non-touristy cenote in Tulum, run by a local community of 7 families .

It is a stunning cenote in a submerged cave, where you can see many stalagmites, stalactites, roots and skylights. The water is clear and inviting.

You should not miss the 30 minute guided tou r, which lets you snorkel in different depths and narrow areas. It is a lot of fun and a great way to explore the cenote.

How to visit Taak Bi Ha cenote:

• Entrance 350 pesos (life jacket included) or 400 pesos with the guided tour
• Open from 8am to 5pm
• 20 minutes from Tulum on the 307, you have to go to the entrance of Dos Ojos Park (but it’s not part of it), then continue about 2 miles inside.
• You can only buy the entrance fee when you get to Cenote Taak Bi Ha, not at Dos Ojos Park.

Sac Actun is one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico , where you can explore caves, clear waters and numerous rock formations.

It’s also called “Pet Cemetery” because of the animal bones that have been found there, likely from Mayan rituals.

Sac Actun is part of the largest underwater cave system in the world , which has several cenotes.

You have to visit Sac Actun with a guide , who will take you to the different cenotes in about 45 minutes.

How to visit the Sac Actun cenote:

• It’s 15 miles from Tulum, on Highway 307. You can find it in Dos Ojos Park.
• The entrance fee is 650 pesos

I suggest this guided tour to Sac Actun with transportation from Tulum for a complete experience.

It includes a boat ride in the bay of Tulum , where you can snorkel and enjoy a stunning view of the ruins for amazing pictures. Then, you can swim in the cenote of Sac Actun with a guide.

Not only is it the deepest known cenote in the region (430 ft), but it’s also one of the most beautiful cenotes to dive in the Yucatan Peninsula !

You’ll find Cenote El Pit in a cave, and you’ll have to go down some vertical stairs to reach the water level.

In the first dive zone, you’ll encounter a layer of hydrogen sulfate, and then, as you go up, you’ll see the entrance to two caves, one of which connects to the Dos Ojos cenote .

Higher up, you’ll be amazed by the various geological formations and the stunning sight of light rays shining through the water.

How to visit the El Pit cenote:

• It’s an intermediate level dive, with a maximum depth of 130 ft
• Each parking spot has a table where you can set up your diving gear
• You can access it through Dos Ojos Park and then drive for 15 minutes to get to the entrance

Cenote Encantado is a hidden gem located at the end of the Tulum hotel zone , right before the Sian Ka’an reserve .

It’s actually a pretty big lake with fresh water (16 to 33 ft deep) surrounded by mangroves where you can spot iguanas, crabs and even raccoons.

You can swim, snorkel (bring your own gear) and kayak (rent for 50 pesos).

There’s not much space to sit around the cenote, but there’s a small tower with a dock.

How to visit Cenote Encantado:

• The entrance fee is 100 pesos
• It’s open daily from 9 am to 5 pm
• It’s located at KM 10 of the Tulum hotel zone along the beach, just less than a mile before the entrance to Sian Kaan.
• There are two entrances, one with the sign “enchanted cenote” and the other with a yellow kayak. The second entrance is better, as it has parking

These are two outdoor cenotes that are across from each other and you can access them with the same entrance ticket .

Both cenotes are surrounded by lush vegetation and have clear waters, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Cenote Cristal , also called Cenote Naharon , is more popular because it has several areas for sunbathing, hammocks, a table and a 6 ft platform to jump into the water.

If you enjoy diving, you can dive in the 550 yd corridor that links Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido.

How to visit Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido:

• They are south of Tulum, 2.5 miles from downtown on the 307. There’s parking for cars and bikes.
• By public transportation, take a colectivo to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, then walk a little more than a mile.
• The entrance fee is 300 pesos for both cenotes
• They’re open daily from 8 am to 5 pm

When I first visited Coba , I had no idea there were several cenotes near the archaeological site.

Right now, there aren’t many organized tours that include them, and it’s mostly travelers who come by car who make time to visit them.

But they’re amazing!

Cobá’s cenotes are in underground 2 caves and each one has a different experience:

– Choo-Ha is the easiest to get to, with shallow water. This is the one I recommend for children .

– Tamcach-Ha is like a big natural pool with 2 jumping platforms (16 and 33 ft). It’s also the most touristy .

– Multun-Ha (sometimes spelled Multum-Ha ) is the hardest to get to, but the best for snorkeling , as the water is crystal clear. For me, it’s the most magical of the three.

How to visit the cenotes of Cobá

• The entrance fee is 100 pesos per cenote (you can buy tickets at the parking lot of Coba)
• They’re near the town of Cobá, towards San Juan de Dios (it’s marked). There’s parking available.
• If you go to Cobá by bus, you’ll have to take a cab to get to the cenotes.
• Another option is to rent a bike in Cobá (4 miles)

The Cenote Azul (blue cenote) is a gorgeous place with trails that lead to different water sources.

There are 3 natural pools , and the first two are shallow.

You can swim and snorkel in the pools to see the rocks, plants and fish.

There’s also a spot where you can jump into the water from a height of 16 ft . A little adrenaline, in total safety 😉

Cenote Azul is great for families with children because of its shallow areas. It’s also close to Playa del Carmen , and just a short distance from the cenotes Jardin del Eden and Cristalino, Xpu-Ha beach and Akumal .

How to visit Cenote Azul

• The entrance fee is 150 pesos, children up to 7 years old pay 100 pesos
• It’s open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
• It’s 25 miles from Tulum and 15 miles from Playa del Carmen on Highway 307
• By public transportation: from Tulum it’s 40 pesos (20min), from Playa del Carmen it’s 45 pesos (corner of 20 north avenue and 2 north street). From Playa del Carmen, the colectivo drops you off at the entrance but from Tulum you have to cross the road, so watch out.

To help you organize your trip in Tulum, here is the location of the cenotes mentioned in the article:

• Don’t judge a cenote by its price: some of the best cenotes are cheap and run by communities that don’t have much publicity.
• Bring cash to pay for the cenotes (pesos or US dollars). Most cenotes don’t accept cards and you may need to rent some equipment (like snorkeling gear or life jackets).
• Arrive before 16:00, as most cenotes close at 17:30 or 18:00 and won’t let you in after that.
• If you take public transportation to a cenote, make sure to tell the colectivo driver where to stop , as it may not be their final destination.
• Wear aquashoes ! They will protect your feet from the rocks in the cenotes. They were the best thing I bought in Mexico.

Here are my recommendations for hotels in Tulum , for all budgets:

• Mayan Monkey Tulum:  An excellent value for money . Nice modern hostel with a good atmosphere, a pool, bar and garden. Including fast wifi, kitchen access, yoga classes, coworking spaces, and bike and motorcycle rentals. Dorms and private rooms starting at only 24 $usd per night.
• Casa Almendro:  If you are looking for a little more comfort, you will like this small cheap hotel in the center of Tulum . It’s a green oasis with a rooftop terrace with chairs and hammocks. There are king size beds and breakfast is included, from only 50 $usd per night!
• Diamante K:  Is a high-end hotel but at a very fair price , which is exceptional in Tulum, especially for a hotel with direct access to the beach in the hotel zone! Bohemian chic atmosphere, including a restaurant, hammocks and beds on the private beach, and a massage service. Bungalows are 207 $usd per night.
• Our Habitas Tulum:   This small eco-friendly hotel with a chic design is ideal for a romantic stay in Tulum . It is a true oasis of peace, hidden among the palm trees, with a magnificent swimming pool and a private beach. There are also yoga classes on the terrace at sunset. From 371 $usd per night!
• Kanan Tulum- Adults Only:   This is the ultimate option for a luxury stay in Tulum . It is an ecological hotel for adults only, located on a beautiful private beach with hammocks and beds. With a fantastic rooftop terrace with a bar; the hotel also has an excellent restaurant, great rooms and a very friendly welcome. From 566 $usd per night!

Renting a car is for sure the best way to visit tulum and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies , so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

Until recently, there was no airport in Tulum , and the nearest airport was Cancun . So you had to take a flight to Cancun (e.g. Iberia, Aeromexico, Interjet, KLM, etc.), then transfer from Cancun to Tulum (3h15).

Alternatively,  Tulum’s brand-new airport Felipe Carrillo (TQO) is located at 40 min away from Tulum.

Before choosing an airport, compare the prices and stopovers from your original destination. Cancun might still be better than Tulum, since there are not many direct flights to Tulum right now.

To find a cheap flight to Tulum or Cancun , I recommend using our flight comparison service in partnership with Skyscanner. You’re guaranteed to pay the best price!

My tip To get to Tulum from the Cancun airport, you can rent a car , take an ADO bus , or book an airport transfer

Discover all my articles about Mexico : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.

• The 35 Best Things to Do in Mexico
• Tulum: 35 Best Things to Do + All My Best Tips!

Where to Stay in Tulum? The best areas and places to stay

• 1 Day in Tulum – Top Spots in 24 Hours
• 2 Days in Tulum – Exploring Paradise in 48 Hours
• 3 Days in Tulum – The Ideal 72-Hour Itinerary
• Why You Should Visit Cenote Dos Ojos (Tulum)
• Tulum Ruins : Everything you Need to Know for your Visit
• Where to Eat in Tulum : The Ultimate Guide to the Top 25 Restaurants!
• New Tulum Airport (Felipe Carrillo) : All You Need to Know
• Cancun : the 35 Best Things to Discover
• Playa del Carmen : Top 30 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions
• Itinerary : 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City , Chiapas and Yucatan
• Itinerary : 2 weeks in Mexico   – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
• Itinerary : 3 weeks in Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla , Oaxaca , Chiapas, Campeche , Yucatán and Riviera Maya
• Itinerary : 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
• Road trip in Mexico : The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month
• Itinerary : 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
• Itinerary : 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
• Itinerary : 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
• Itinerary : 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
• Itinerary : 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
• Road trip in Yucatan : The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month

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I have created this blog to give you all my best tips to plan your next trip to Mexico, regardless of your budget. I share detailed itineraries, advice about places to visit as well as recommendations for transportation, hotels and restaurants. I hope I will also help you to discover amazing off the beaten path destinations in Mexico!

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• All our Guides about Mexico

Tulum ruins and Snorkeling in Cenote

PRIVATE TOUR: Enjoy a private guided tour of Tulum ruins, followed by a swim in a cenote of your choice and a delicious lunch at a Mayan restaurant in the jungle. This tour is available with the option of 1 or 2 cenotes.

• Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation
• Experienced certified private guide
• Ruins and cenote entrance fees
• National park bracelet at Tulum
• High quality snorkeling gear
• Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
• Lunch with one main course a la carte and one bottle of water

Scroll down for all information, cenotes options & itinerary.

Seamless Booking & Free Cancellation

Book your tour now and if your plans happen to change, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours prior to the tour!

• Tulum & 1 cenote with Mexican lunch Tulum & 1 cenote (no lunch) Tulum & 2 cenotes with Mexican lunch Tulum & 2 cenotes (no lunch)
• Number of adults 2 adults (154 USD per person) 3 adults (149 USD per person) 4 adults (139 USD per person) 5 adults (135 USD per person) 6 adults (129 USD per person) 7 adults (119 USD per person) 8 adults (119 USD per person) 9 adults (119 USD per person) 10 adults (115 USD per person) 11 adults (115 USD per person) 12 adults (115 USD per person) 13 adults (115 USD per person) 14 adults (115 USD per person) 15 adults (115 USD per person) 16 adults (115 USD per person) 17 adults (115 USD per person) 18 adults (115 USD per person) 19 adults (115 USD per person) 20 adults (115 USD per person) 21 adults (115 USD per person) 22 adults (115 USD per person) 23 adults (115 USD per person) 24 adults (115 USD per person) 25 adults (115 USD per person) 26 adults (115 USD per person) 27 adults (115 USD per person) 28 adults (115 USD per person) 29 adults (115 USD per person) 30 adults (115 USD per person) Total for adults USD

For larger groups, contact us.

• Number of adults 2 adults (142 USD per person) 3 adults (137 USD per person) 4 adults (127 USD per person) 5 adults (123 USD per person) 6 adults (117 USD per person) 7 adults (107 USD per person) 8 adults (107 USD per person) 9 adults (107 USD per person) 10 adults (103 USD per person) 11 adults (103 USD per person) 12 adults (103 USD per person) 13 adults (103 USD per person) 14 adults (103 USD per person) 15 adults (103 USD per person) 16 adults (103 USD per person) 17 adults (103 USD per person) 18 adults (103 USD per person) 19 adults (103 USD per person) 20 adults (103 USD per person) 21 adults (103 USD per person) 22 adults (103 USD per person) 23 adults (103 USD per person) 24 adults (103 USD per person) 25 adults (103 USD per person) 26 adults (103 USD per person) 27 adults (103 USD per person) 28 adults (103 USD per person) 29 adults (103 USD per person) 30 adults (103 USD per person) Total for adults USD
• Number of adults 2 adults (184 USD per person) 3 adults (179 USD per person) 4 adults (169 USD per person) 5 adults (165 USD per person) 6 adults (159 USD per person) 7 adults (149 USD per person) 8 adults (149 USD per person) 9 adults (149 USD per person) 10 adults (145 USD per person) 11 adults (145 USD per person) 12 adults (145 USD per person) 13 adults (145 USD per person) 14 adults (145 USD per person) 15 adults (145 USD per person) 16 adults (145 USD per person) 17 adults (145 USD per person) 18 adults (145 USD per person) 19 adults (145 USD per person) 20 adults (145 USD per person) 21 adults (145 USD per person) 22 adults (145 USD per person) 23 adults (145 USD per person) 24 adults (145 USD per person) 25 adults (145 USD per person) 26 adults (145 USD per person) 27 adults (145 USD per person) 28 adults (145 USD per person) 29 adults (145 USD per person) 30 adults (145 USD per person) Total for adults USD
• Number of adults 2 adults (172 USD per person) 3 adults (167 USD per person) 4 adults (157 USD per person) 5 adults (153 USD per person) 6 adults (147 USD per person) 7 adults (137 USD per person) 8 adults (137 USD per person) 9 adults (137 USD per person) 10 adults (133 USD per person) 11 adults (133 USD per person) 12 adults (133 USD per person) 13 adults (133 USD per person) 14 adults (133 USD per person) 15 adults (133 USD per person) 16 adults (133 USD per person) 17 adults (133 USD per person) 18 adults (133 USD per person) 19 adults (133 USD per person) 20 adults (133 USD per person) 21 adults (133 USD per person) 22 adults (133 USD per person) 23 adults (133 USD per person) 24 adults (133 USD per person) 25 adults (133 USD per person) 26 adults (133 USD per person) 27 adults (133 USD per person) 28 adults (133 USD per person) 29 adults (133 USD per person) 30 adults (133 USD per person) Total for adults USD
• 0 1 kid (115 USD per kid) 2 kids (115 USD per kid) 3 kids (115 USD per kid) 4 kids (115 USD per kid) 5 kids (115 USD per kid) 6 kids (115 USD per kid) 7 kids (115 USD per kid) 8 kids (115 USD per kid) 9 kids (115 USD per kid) 10 kids (115 USD per kid) Total for kids USD
• 0 1 kid (103 USD per kid) 2 kids (103 USD per kid) 3 kids (103 USD per kid) 4 kids (103 USD per kid) 5 kids (103 USD per kid) 6 kids (103 USD per kid) 7 kids (103 USD per kid) 8 kids (103 USD per kid) 9 kids (103 USD per kid) 10 kids (103 USD per kid) Total for kids USD
• 0 1 kid (145 USD per kid) 2 kid (145 USD per kid) 3 kid (145 USD per kid) 4 kid (145 USD per kid) 5 kid (145 USD per kid) 6 kid (145 USD per kid) 7 kid (145 USD per kid) 8 kid (145 USD per kid) 9 kid (145 USD per kid) 10 kid (145 USD per kid) Total for kids USD
• 0 1 kid (133 USD per kid) 2 kids (133 USD per kid) 3 kids (133 USD per kid) 4 kids (133 USD per kid) 5 kids (133 USD per kid) 6 kids (133 USD per kid) 7 kids (133 USD per kid) 8 kids (133 USD per kid) 9 kids (133 USD per kid) 10 kids (133 USD per kid) Total for kids USD
• 0 1 kid (50 USD per kid) 2 kids (50 USD per kid) 3 kids (50 USD per kid) 4 kids (50 USD per kid) 5 kids (50 USD per kid) 6 kids (50 USD per kid) Total for kids USD
• 0 1 infant 2 infants 3 infants 4 infants 5 infants 6 infants Total for kids USD
• Select your hotel Not on the list Condo / Rental ACANTO HOTEL & SUITES AHAU TULUM AKUMAL BAY – BEACH &WELLNESS RESORT AKUMAL CARIBE ALDEA THAI LUXURY HOTEL ALL RITMO ALLEGRO PLAYACAR ALOFT CANCUN ALOFT PLAYA DEL CARMEN ALOFT TULUM AMANSALA ANA Y JOSE ANDAZ MAYAKOBA AQUAMARINA BEACH ARTISAN THE HANDMADE AZUL BEACH RIVIERA CANCUN AZUL SENSATORI AZULIK BAHIA PRINCIPE GRAND COBA BAHIA PRINCIPE GRAND TULUM BAHIA PRINCIPE LUXURY AKUMAL BAHIA PRINCIPE SIAN KAAN BANYAN TREE MAYAKOBA BARCELO COSTA CANCUN BARCELO MAYA BEACH BARCELO MAYA CARIBE BARCELO MAYA COLONIAL BARCELO MAYA PALACE BARCELO MAYA TROPICAL BARCELO RIVIERA MAYA BARCELO TUCANCUN BEACH BARDO TULUM BAY VIEW PUERTO FINO BE PLAYA BE TULUM BEACH PALACE BEACH SCAPE KIN HA BELMONT MAROMA BLUE BAY GRAND ESMERALDA BLUE DIAMOND BREATHLESS RIVIERA CANCUN BSEA CANCUN PLAZA HOTEL CABANAS COPAL CABANAS LA LUNA CABANAS PLAYA CONDESA CABANAS TULUM CALALUNA CALETA TANKAH HOTEL CANCUN BAY RESORT CANOPY HILTON CANCUN CARMEN HOTEL CASA MAGNA MARRIOTT CASA MIRAMAR CASA VIOLETA CATALONIA PLAYA MAROMA CATALONIA RIVIERA MAYA CATALONIA ROYAL TULUM CATALONIA YUCATAN BEACH CHABLE MAROMA CHAN CABANAS CLUB MED COCO LIMITED TULUM COCO TULUM CONRAD TULUM COPAL TULUM HOTEL COQUI COQUI CORAL IBEROSTAR CANCUN COZUMEL HOTELS – PLAYA DEL CARMEN PIER CROWN PARADISE CLUB DELEK TULUM DESIRE PEARL RIVIERA MAYA DIAMANTE K DON DIEGO DE LA SELVA DREAMS JADE RESORT & SPA DREAMS NATURA DREAMS PUERTO AVENTURAS DREAMS RIVIERA CANCUN RESORT &SPA DREAMS SANDS CANCUN RESORT &SPA DREAMS SAPPHIRE RESORT & SPA DREAMS TULUM DREAMS VISTA CANCUN EL DORADO MAROMA EL DORADO ROYALE EL DORADO SEASIDE EL PARAISO EL PEZ EL TAJ EMPORIO CANCUN ENCANTADA TULUM ESCENCIA ETEREO AUBERGE RESORT EXCELLENCE RIVIERA CANCUN FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA FIESTA AMERICANA CONDESA FIESTA AMERICANA VILLAS CANCUN FLAMINGO CANCUN RESORT FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON GENERATIONS RIVIERA MAYA GOLDEN PARNASSUS GR CARIBE BY SOLARIS DELUXE GRAN PARK ROYAL GRAN PORTO REAL GRAND CARIBE REAL GRAND FIESTA AMERICA CORAL BEACH GRAND HYATT GRAND LUXXE RIVIERA MAYA GRAND OASIS CANCUN GRAND OASIS PALM GRAND OASIS SENS GRAND PALLADIUM COLONIAL GRAND PALLADIUM KANTENAH GRAND PALLADIUM RIVIERA MAYA GRAND PALLADIUM WHITE SAND GRAND RESIDENCES PUERTO MORELOS GRAND RIVIERA PRINCESS GRAND SIRENIS GRAND SUNSET PRINCESS GRAND VELAS HABITAS TULUM HACIENDA TRES RIOS HARD ROCK CANCUN HARD ROCK HEAVEN HARD ROCK HOTEL RIVIERA HAVEN RIVIERA CANCUN HIDDEN BEACH RESORT PUERTO AVENTURAS HILTON CANCUN HILTON PLAYA HILTON TULUM HIP HOTEL HM HOTEL PLAYA DEL CARMEN HOTEL CASA TURQUESA HOTEL PALLADIUM HOTELITO AZUL TULUM HYATT VIVID GRAND ISLAND HYATT ZILARA RIVIERA MAYA HYATT ZIVA HYATT ZIVA RIVIERA CANCUN HYATT ZYLARA IBEROSTAR CANCUN IBEROSTAR GRAND HOTEL PARAISO IBEROSTAR PARAISO BEACH IBEROSTAR PARAISO DEL MAR IBEROSTAR PARAISO LINDO IBEROSTAR PARAISO MAYA IBEROSTAR QUETZAL IBEROSTAR TUCAN ISLA MUJERES – PUERTO JUAREZ JASHITA JW MARRIOTT KANAN TULUM KEMPISKI HOTEL CANCUN KIMPTON ALUNA TULUM KORE TULUM KRYSTAL CANCUN KRYSTAL GRAND LA VALISE LA ZEBRA LAS CASITAS AKUMAL LE BLANC LIVE AQUA CANCUN LIVE AQUA PLAYA DEL CARMEN LUNA MAYA HOTEL LUV TULUM MA’XANAB TULUM MAGIC BLUE MAHEKAL BEACH MARGARITAVILLE ISLAND MARIA DEL MAR MARINA EL CID SPA & BEACH RESORT MARRIOT CANCUN RESORT MAYA TULUM MAYAN PALACE MEZZANINE MI AMOR MOON PALACE MOTTO BY HILTON TULUM NAALA TULUM NICKELODEON HOTEL NIZUC RESORT & SPA NOMADE NOW ESMERALD CANCUN NYX CANCUN OASIS CANCUN LITE OASIS PALM OCCIDENTAL COSTA CANCUN OCEAN CORAL & TURQUESA OCEAN MAYA ROYALE H10 OCEAN RIVIERA PARADISE OCEAN SPA HOTEL OCEAN VIEW CANCUN ARENAS OLEO CANCUN PLAYA CANCUN OMNI CANCUN OMNI PUERTO AVENTURAS BEACH RESORT PAL MAR TULUM PANCHO VILLA PAPAYA PLAYA PARADISUS CANCUN PARADISUS ESMERALDA PARADISUS LA PERLA PETIT LAFITTE PIEDRA ESCONDIDA PLATINUM YUCATAN PRINCESS PLAYA CANEK BEACHFRONT TULUM PLAYACAR PALACE PLAZA CARIBE POSADA LAMAR POSADA PUNTA PIEDRA PRESIDENTE INTERCONTINENTAL PURE MAREAZUL RIVIERA MAYA RENAISSANCE CANCUN RESORT & MARINA RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT PLAYA DEL CARMEN RESIDENCE INN CANCUN RIU CANCUN RIU CARIBE RIU LUPITA RIU PALACE LAS AMERICAS RIU PALACE MEXICO RIU PALACE PENINSULA RIU PALACE RIVIERA MAYA RIU PLAYACAR RIU TEQUILA RIU YUCATAN ROSA DEL VIENTO ROSEWOOD MAYAKOBA ROYAL HIDEAWAY ROYAL SOLARIS ROYAL SUNSET ROYAL UNO CANCUN ROYALTON CHIC ROYALTON RIVIERA CANCUN ROYALTON SPLASH RIVIERA CANCUN ROYALTON SUITES CANCUN SANARA TULUM SANDOS CANCUN SANDOS CARACOL SANDOS PLAYACAR SECRETS AKUMAL SECRETS MAROMA BEACH SECRETS MOXCHE SECRETS SILVERSANDS RIVIERA CANCUN SECRETS THE VINE CANCUN SECRETS TULUM SENSES RIVIERA MAYA BY ARTISAN SENSIRA RESORTS & SPA RIVIERA MAYA SHAMBALA PETIT HOTEL SIAN KAAN AT GRAND TULUM SOHO HOTEL SOLYMAR ST REGIS KANAI SUENOS TULUM SUN PALACE SUNSCAPE AKUMAL BEACH RESORT TEMPTATION CANCUN RESORT THE BLISS AT VIDANTA RIVIERA MAYA THE BRIC HOTEL THE FISHERMENS VILLAGE THE FIVES DOWNTOWN BY HILTON THE FIVES OCEAN FRONT PUERTO MORELOS THE FIVES RESIDENCES PLAYA DEL CARMEN THE GRAND MAYAN VIDANTA THE PALMS THE REEF 28 THE REEF COCO BEACH THE REEF MARINA PLAYACAR THE RITZ CARLTON THE RIVIERA MAYA EDITION AT KANAI THE ROYAL CANCUN THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN THE ROYAL HACIENDAS THE ROYAL ISLANDER THE ROYAL PLAYA THE ROYAL SANDS THOMPSON PLAYA DEL CARMEN TROPICALITO TULUM TRS YUCATAN TULUM VILLAS TUNICH UNA VIDA TULUM UNICO 20N 87W VALENTIN IMPERIAL MAYA VENTUS HA AT MARINA EL CID VENTUS MARINA EL CID VICEROY RIVIERA MAYA VIDANTA VILLA PESCADORES VILLAS AKUMAL VIVA WYNDHAM AZTECA VIVA WYNDHAM MAYA WESTIN LAGUNAMAR WESTIN REGINA WESTIN RESORT & SPA CANCUN WYNDHAM ALLTRA CANCUN WYNDHAM ALLTRA PLAYA DEL CARMEN XCARET ARTE XCARET MEXICO XCARET OCCIDENTAL XSCAPE TULUM ZAMAS HOTEL ZAZIL KIN ZOETRY PARAISO DE LA BONITA ZULUM Additional fee for this hotel:
• Select the closest area of your hotel/airbnb/condo Cancun Hotel Zone Boulevard Kukulkan or Cancun Centro Puerto Morelos Playa del Carmen Puerto Aventuras – Akumal Tulum Additional fee for this location: USD We don't operate from Cancun Playa Mujeres

Enter name and address of the place.

We advise 06:00am from your hotel.

• 06:00 06:30 06:45 07:00 07:15 07:30 07:45 08:00 08:15 08:30 08:45 09:00

We advise 06:30am from your hotel.

• 06:30 06:45 07:00 07:15 07:30 07:45 08:00 08:15 08:30 08:45 09:00

We advise 06:45am from your hotel.

• 06:45 07:00 07:15 07:30 07:45 08:00 08:15 08:30 08:45 09:00 09:30 10:00

We advise 07:00am from your hotel.

• 07:00 07:15 07:30 07:45 08:00 08:15 08:30 08:45 09:00 09:30 10:00

We advise 07:30 from your hotel.

• 07:30 07:45 08:00 08:15 08:30 08:45 09:00 09:30 10:00

We advise 07:30am from your hotel.

We advise 07:45am from your hotel.

• 07:45 08:00 08:15 08:30 08:45 09:00 09:30 10:00

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Tulum ruins & Snorkeling in Cenote Private Tour

When it comes to the Riviera Maya, there are two things every visitor simply must do: visit one of the area’s impressive Mayan archaeological sites and take advantage of its breathtaking natural beauty.

With our Tulum Cenote Tour, you’ll be able to check both things off of your list in a single day, and you’ll enjoy them even more because our private tours allow you to avoid the crowds in order to have a much more personal experience.

Our private guided Tulum Cenote tour starts with a visit to the Mayan ruins of Tulum, one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in existence. It was primarily used as a trading hub, where everything from precious stones to chocolate and textiles were traded.

Due to its prime coastal location, it also offers some of the world’s finest views of the Caribbean Sea. As you explore the ruins, your guide will point out highlights like the main temple and the impressive Temple of the Frescoes, where you can see ancient Mayan artwork.

Our next stop is one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s famous cenotes, underground caves that formed from rainwater eroding limestone for centuries. One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the Riviera Maya is to go snorkeling in cenote in their crystal clear waters.

It’s a fun, relaxing activity that is perfect for everybody since there are no waves/current to contend with. We also provide all the equipment you need, with a professional guide to show you around! Best of all, the cool, refreshing water is one of the best and most beautiful ways to escape the constant heat for a while.

After you’ve fully explored the cenote, we’ll end the tour by stopping at a local restaurant in the jungle where you can enjoy a delicious traditional meal.

• Private Tour: Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
• Duration:  6/7 hours
• Physicality:  Easy
• Age:  All ages
• Snorkeling:  Basic swimming skills required. This excursion suits everyone from novices to experts.
• Which cenote will you visit?  The day of your tour, you can choose one cenote between  Nicte Ha ,  Taak bi Ha , or  Jaguar .  For the tour option with 2 cenotes, you can visit one more cenote from the same list above. If you prefer to go to Dos Ojos or  Pet Cemetery , we will add 10 USD per person on your balance. Your guide will be happy to help you to select the best cenote for you and your party according to your expectations and snorkeling skills.
• What’s on the menu? Selection of quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, grilled chicken, grilled fish, tortas (sandwiches), soup of day, … with vegetarian, fish, shrimp, chicken & meat options. With corn or flour tortillas. We can accommodate special diets and allergies, just let us know!
• Mobility:  We can adapt this tour for people with disability.
• Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation (Booster car seat and baby car seat available on request)
• All entrance fees
• High quality snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, wetsuits, life jackets)
• Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte and one bottle of water

Price excludes

• Extra drinks at the restaurant
• Ruins: In case you bring a go pro camera, a video camera or a phone with a selfie stick, there is a 60 pesos (around 3USD) per device charged at the entrance of each archeological site, to be paid in pesos (INAH tax) – Drones and Tripods for video/cameras are forbidden.

Our tours are scheduled at the best hours to avoid high traffic and heat on the sites.

07:00am Private transportation from your hotel to Tulum Discover the benefits of early departure to visit Tulum 08:00am – 10:00am: Visit of Tulum ruins 10:00am – 10:30am: Transportation 10:30am – 12:00pm: Snorkeling in cenote 12:00pm – 01:00pm: Lunch in a restaurant 01:00pm – 02:00pm: Transportation to your hotel

Itinerary is based on a departure from Playa del Carmen. Pick up time is recommended time to avoid the crowds. We can leave later if you want to.

This tour doesn’t include Tulum centro/Tulum beach-hotel areas. Only Tulum Mayan ruins.

• Resusable water bottle: at Tulum Ruins, it is forbidden to enter the ruins with plastic water bottles. If you wish to bring water for the visit, please bring your own reusable water bottle. We’ll have water in the van for you to fill or refill.
• Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
• Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
• Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen and we recommend wearing a rash-guard/UV-Shirt for water activities*
• Mosquito repellent*
• Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone
• Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
• Ruins: In case you bring a go pro camera, a video camera or a phone with a selfie stick, there is a 50 pesos (less than 3USD) per device charged at the entrance of each archeological site, to be paid in pesos (INAH tax) – Drones and Tripods for video/cameras are forbidden.

  * It is forbidden to apply sunblock and repellent before swimming or snorkeling activities to prevent water pollution in the cenotes, even if they are biodegradable products. Compliance with this rule is essential for the protection of the environment.   You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone, camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting or snorkeling you can leave the things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always be in the van, so keeping your things safe!

188 reviews for Tulum ruins and Snorkeling in Cenote

Shannon – August 30, 2024

This tour was the highlight of our trip! We were two families, with kids ages 8-15 and everyone loved it. Online booking was super easy, prices were reasonable, and communication from the company was great. Alex was an amazing guide! Very knowledgeable and friendly. We were picked up promptly and the van was clean and comfortable. They had it stocked with waters, juices and beers for us. Tulum was a great option to see ruins with the little kids. We chose the cave cenote and WOW. We could have stayed there all day. Alex had water proof flashlights for us to swim with which really helped us explore and see more (none of the other tour guides had those for their groups). After the cenote we had a fantastic lunch at the family owned restaurant onsite at the park where the cenote was located. We highly recommend this company and would absolutely use them again!

jacquelineb – August 27, 2024

Amazing private tour We had the best day today with Alex and Omar. We first went to Tulum and Alex shared some amazing Mayan knowledge with us. After Tulum we went to the cenote which was amazing. 😍 It was our first time snorkeling and honestly, incredible doesn’t describe it well enough. We then went and had a delicious lunch before coming back to the resort. The private tour was absolutely the right choice for us. We could go at our pace, ask questions, and it was so nice to have Alex with us throughout. Highly recommend this company and hopefully you get Alex as your guide. 🩷

Alejandro – August 23, 2024

We took a private day tour and our guide Arturo was awesome, he was very informative and patient with us. Made the tour memorable with how he was showing us the ruins and exploring the underground cenote.

Shobhit – August 13, 2024

We took 2 private tours with Arturo, and both were phenomenal! We had two young kids, and it was not a problem for them to go slow and customize the tour for us. Highly recommended!

Hink44 – August 5, 2024

Breathtaking cenotes, Tulum and the best guide in the business We couldn’t have had a better day and experience. With several companies to choose from, we chose Absolute Adventures because of how friendly and helpful Claire was in addition to all of the great reviews, which were 100% accurate. We consider ourselves incredibly lucky that our guide was Juan Jose and driver Omar. Juan was deeply knowledgeable and kind, and simply a cool dude. It was like we had been friends for years. His tour of Tulum was informative and fun, and he chose the perfect breathtaking cenotes for us to visit. Wonderful and beautiful natural attractions in Tulum and the cenotes + the best guide and driver there could be = a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will never forget and can’t recommend highly enough!

Angelica – July 29, 2024

This was the perfect tour for our family! Our tour guide, Joshua, was knowledgeable and taught us so much about the Mayan/Tulum culture with explanations of each house, building, and temple, as well as swimming with us and showing us the ins and outs of Cenote Taak Bi Ha. Our driver Rodrigo got us safely from location to location, while keeping the air on in the van, which was a much needed respite from the humidity and the heat. From the ruins to the cenote to our delicious lunch, we had a beautiful experience, and we were so happy that we went with this company! Thank you again to Joshua and Rodrigo for accommodating our party of 11 in the best way possible. What a great memory for all of us to share together!

Yeni – July 23, 2024

Amazing Tulum Cenote Experience We’ve done several tours in MX over the years. This is the only way we will do tours on future visits. Arturo was amazing and the whole experience was spectacular. Lunch was so good and even had vegan options. What a great experience! We will be using absolute tours for future trips!

Brandy – July 22, 2024

Our guide Jacob was amazing. He hung around and had lunch with us, held on to those who couldn’t swim and we’re still scared in the cenote.

Katie – June 30, 2024

Great Trip Great time! The guides were amazing and made the excursion suit our preferences. Very knowledgeable about the Mayan ruins

Jscheffer4 – June 29, 2024

Wonderful time in Tulum Our tour to Tulum ruins and a cenote was spectacular! Joshua and Arturo did an amazing job. They were extremely accommodating, kind, and helpful. Would 100% recommend using this company again for future tours.

Raegan – June 29, 2024

Such a great experience! Our guides were knowledgeable, attentive, and made sure everything was taken care of. They offered to take pictures when needed and made sure we had plenty of time to look around shop. They made the day super easy and I’d highly recommend!

Chantel – June 23, 2024

We loved our tour! Joshua and Rodrigo were amazing. It was very rainy other day of our tour and we were worried it would be a ruined day. They adjusted our tour so we were still be able to experience Tulum and a Cenote (we had originally booked swimming with turtles but the beach was closed). They provided drinks for our kids, umbrellas, and amazing information throughout the day. Joshua was amazing and took great family photos for us at key points of our tour. We loved our tour and would highly recommend it!

Anonymous – June 21, 2024

Alex was an incredible guide. From pick up to returning. He was incredibly knowledgeable and patient with the kids who were struggling with the humidity. The cenote was an amazing experience. Jumping and swimming into the cenote was thrilling and relaxing. The tour took us too an excellent restaurant after the cenote.

Kimberly – June 11, 2024

Top notch company! Very professional and friendly service! They tailored the experience to exactly what we wanted and it was nice that it was just us. They showed up on time with cold drinks. Joshua was amazing and thorough at explaining the history and helped us feel safe while traveling through the caves. A+++ highly recommend!

Dixxie – June 11, 2024

Do yourself a favor and book with Absolute Adventure Mexico! My family had two major adventure goals for our vacation – seeing the Tulum Mayan ruins and snorkeling. With this tour, we got to do both and so much more! Arturo was fantastic – knowledgeable, kind, and attentive! He picked us up early in the day for our private tour of the ruins, where he taught us about the history and culture of the Mayan people of Tulum. He helped us take photos and pointed out incredible details and sights. Then he took us to our choice of cenote. He taught us how to snorkel and led us through an underground wonderland of cool, clear water and incredible rock formations. Afterwards, we enjoyed a delightful authentic Mexican lunch and more conversation with Arturo. He was a delightful guide, never hurrying us, cheerfully assisting with photos, and engaging us in every phase of our adventure. If you’re in the area and have the opportunity, book your tour with Absolute Adventure Mexico. I only wish there were more stars to give them.

Yehdahm – June 9, 2024

Joseph was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide showing us the history and beauty of dos ojos in tulum! Highly recommend

Jonathan – June 3, 2024

Juan was a great guide ! Very personable, funny, and knowledgeable. He made the experience very memorable and I would gladly recommend this tour. The car was very clean and there was cold water / soda available. The Tulum Ruins were amazing and it was clear Juan had a passion for the history as he explained different things to us and answered our various questions. We struggled to make a decision on which Cenote to go to, but Juan made a great recommendation. If you book, you’ll have a great time.

Bonny – June 2, 2024

Shared Magic Our recent tour with Absolute Adventure Mexico exceeded our expectations (2 adults, & kids 15, 12). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a private tour as it saves time and provides a more intimate experience. Don’t go with the crowded tours advertised at the resorts!!! Our pickup and drop-off were timely and comfortable; we had just the right amount of time at each location without feeling rushed. The Tulum ruins and history are fascinating and Cenote Nicte-Ha was pure magic. The fabulous, fresh lunch and margaritas at Restaurante Juanita was the perfect way to end our tour. Alex (guide) and Omar (driver) were courteous and professional, and Alex’s knowledge of the area and Mayan history is vast. He is a credentialed, experienced tour guide and fluent English speaker. Alex made our trip to Tulum truly magical! He believes in the importance of shared experiences to connect us and we wholeheartedly agree. His love for the local history, and culture, and joy for sharing it with others is a special experience not to be missed on your visit to the area. However, if you don’t end up getting Alex as your guide, it’s apparent that Absolute Adventure values quality tours and guides, so you are in good hands. We will book another tour with Absolute Adventure when we return to Mexico and specifically request Alex. Thank you, Alex and Omar!

Bonny E. – June 2, 2024

Our recent tour with Absolute Adventure Mexico exceeded our expectations (2 adults, & kids 15, 12). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a private tour as it saves time and provides a more intimate experience. Don’t go with the crowded tours advertised at the resorts!!! Our pickup and drop-off were timely and comfortable; we had just the right amount of time at each location without feeling rushed. The Tulum ruins and history are fascinating and Cenote Nicte-Ha was pure magic. The fabulous, fresh lunch and margaritas at Restaurante Juanita was the perfect way to end our tour. Alex (guide) and Omar (driver) were courteous and professional, and Alex’s knowledge of the area and Mayan history is vast. He is a credentialed, experienced tour guide and fluent English speaker. Alex made our trip to Tulum truly magical! He believes in the importance of shared experiences to connect us and we wholeheartedly agree. His love for the local history, and culture, and joy for sharing it with others is a special experience not to be missed on your visit to the area. However, if you don’t end up getting Alex as your guide, it’s apparent that Absolute Adventure values quality tours and guides, so you are in good hands. We will book another tour with Absolute Adventure when we return to Mexico and specifically request Alex.

Canela – June 1, 2024

Juan was amazing! On time,, knowledgeable, and took his time in every place. He made sure we got all the photos we wanted, he was warm and engaging. The stops were amazing, the food delish, highly recommend!

Garret – May 26, 2024

JJ was an entertaining and informative guide. Had a great time on their tour.

Ian – May 23, 2024

If you’re staying anywhere near Playa this is a must do!! Alex is an incredibly knowledgeable guide and gave us tons of interesting historical background on the ancient Mayan civilization in Tulum as well as the geology and history of the cenote we snorkeled in. Omar was a fantastic driver and was very helpful giving us snorkeling gear and keeping us safe. I’d give this tour 6 stars if I could.

Odyssey66388877983 – May 20, 2024

Family trip to Mexico Alex and Arturo are the BEST!!! They arrived to our house on time! Van was large enough and comfortable for all 9 of us. Arturo was a super safe driver, very courteous and helped Alex take care of us, making sure we all had our gear and anything else we needed. Alex knows his history and has so much knowledge!! He was accommodating to all questions, needs and requests. He even got down to our 8 yr old granddaughters level to listen to her question and explain answers. So sweet! Their care and concern for your safety was spot on!! We choose the Tulum Cenote adventure. We never felt rushed. The cave Cenote was so awesome! We smorkled at our comfort level. They were there for our safety!! Highly recommend Arturo and Alex!! Thank you both for an amazing adventure!!

X6671DTryane – May 17, 2024

Amazing experience! Alex was our guide and provided fantastic historical insight into the history of the Mayans. The Cenote was beautiful and maintained by a fantastic Mayan family. The lunch was delicious and the hand made tortillas were the best we had while on vacation. Arturo was a fantastic driver and got us every where. Definitely ask for Alex and Arturo!

Neicha – May 17, 2024

Absolutely worth it. Our guide Juan was so friendly and knowledgeable about the area. He helped me get comfortable with snorkeling as I had never done it before. He was so patient and gave excellent directions. By the time the tour was over I was almost a pro! The cenotes we went to were absolutely amazing and the Tulum ruins are a must see! We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and would 100% recommend it to anyone! Thanks again, Juan and our driver Omar!

Michael – May 16, 2024

Our tour to Tulum and a Cenotes. Alex, our guide, was amazing with a wealth of knowledge explaining many of the history details and escorted us around Tulum. We chose the underground cave Cenote which was spectacular. When would you get a chance to be in an underground cave with stalagmites. The water was nice and cool and crystal clear. It was an amazing adventure in a nice AC’d van. I would absolutely recommend this company and I would encourage the cave Cenote if you choose this tour type.

Canaryblue – May 15, 2024

Excellent tour and guided! Absolutely thrilled with our experience with Alex and Omar from Absolute Adventure Mexico! From the moment we embarked on our journey through the Mayan Ruins to diving into the crystal-clear waters of a Cenote and swimming with majestic turtles, every moment was seamlessly orchestrated by Alex and expertly navigated by Omar. Their passion for the history and beauty of the region was contagious, and Alex’s depth of knowledge added immeasurable value to our adventure. Simone and I couldn’t have asked for a more memorable day, and we wholeheartedly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico to anyone seeking an unforgettable exploration of Mexico’s wonders. Thank you, Alex and Omar, for making our experience truly exceptional!

I5220IQalexf – May 2, 2024

Great tour and enjoyable day This was a great tour. It was especially nice to arrive at the Tulum ruins earlier than the crowds. We had a choice of cenotes and the one we chose was fanastic. Our guide Arturo was very knowledgeable. We did do a swim with turtles. This was a little busy for our liking with lots of people crowding the turtles. Didn’t stay at that stop long. Oh and the restaurant stop was really good.

Bart – April 16, 2024

Absolute Adventure Mexico is the perfect company to book your private tours. They were so helpful and saved us a lot of money. Our guide, Joshua, gave us a tour in English and Spanish so my Spanish high school students were able to hear and practice their language skills. We were short on time so they helped us design the best tour to see as much as possible in the few hours we were off the cruise ship. We visited Tulum and cenotes and they gave us lunch on the run to get us back in time for the cruise. We would recommend this company and love to go back to visit more of Mexico with them.

Karen – April 12, 2024

Private tour with an amazing guide. We booked 2 private tours with Absolute Adventure after reading several reviews. Both were amazing experiences. We were fortunate enough to have Arturo as our guide for both tours. The first tour was to visit the Ancient Mayan Ruins in Tulúm. Arturo was very knowledgeable and informative all while keeping us engaged. He made the tour fun and even takes the best pictures! The second tour we took was to Dos Ojos. To be honest I was a bit nervous about going into a bat cave but Arturo made sure I was comfortable and to be honest, there was nothing to worry about. The tour was amazing. We could take as much time as we wanted. If you want to stay away from the crowds this company made sure we were one of the first ones at each tour. I would definitely recommend this company. Also Arturo is a gem. Hope you will be lucky enough to have him as your guide.

Stacy – April 5, 2024

This was truly the only tour we needed to do & a highlight of our trip to the Mayan Riviera. Our driver Enrique safely navigated us through the busy roads & then stayed with the van keeping our belongings safe. Arturo, the most engaging & knowledgeable guide ever, showed us around the Tulum ruins. By using them, we avoided the crowds, an absolute must! Our next stops were 2 cenotes recommended by Arturo. They were truly magical & we are still talking about them! All this was finished off with an authentic Mayan lunch owned by a Mayan family. We highly recommend Absolute Adventures, it’s worth the splurge!

Matthew – April 4, 2024

We will use again and tell our friends!

Carlos – March 30, 2024

We did a private tour to Tulum and Cenote swim. Arturo our guide was amazing, knowledgeable with great insights from Tulum. He was flexible and patient with our youngest who is on the spectrum. This is the only way to go after seeing all the other big tours. I would recommend Absolute Adventure for any of your tours.

Matina – March 29, 2024

An enjoyable tour we won’t forget! Arturo was our guide through Tulum, lunch and a snorkeling swim in a Cenote. He was so knowledgeable and made our tour interesting and fun. He knew so much about the ruins of Tulum, we learned alot and even discovered the Mayan words we still use today! Lunch was delicious and we relied on him for ordering as well, I got the mole special, very good. Then we swam and snorkeled in a lovely cenote and discovered things about them. It was the perfect ending to a day full of memories. We were two adults and two teenagers and we all agreed it was a memorable day. I highly recommend this tour and ask for Arturo, you will have a wonderful time.

Cindy – March 28, 2024

Juan was such a great guide! He knew exactly where to go for the best pictures (and takes amazing photos) and had a great knowledge on the history. Definitely would recommend for anyone and will be using Absolute Adventure again!!

Kelly – March 28, 2024

We had booked a customized private tour to Tulum, a Cenote, and Lunch and a transfer from PDC to Cancun. Our driver (Enrique) and our guide (Juan) were fantastic. Very professional, courteous, and overall a pleasure to spend the day with. I can’t recommend this company enough!

Sophia – March 25, 2024

Amazing tour! Arturo was an amazing guide. He was very knowledgeable and was happy to answer all of our questions. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

Annette – March 12, 2024

Tulum ruins and cenote from Cancun My 16-year old son and I did the Tulum ruins and cenote tour from Cancun. We had an early start and got to the ruins before the crowds. When we arrived to the cenote, we had it to ourselves. Alex our guide was fantastic and full of knowledge. My teen son even said, you can tell Alex loves his job. Thank you to Alex for a great tour and Omar, our driver, for driving us around safely. Highly recommend this tour.

Discover05042496571 – March 12, 2024

Great day with knowledgeable guide Our guide and driver were great! Our drive was safe and punctual. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun to spend the day with. He was able to answer all of our questions and gave great suggestions for cenote choices and lunch.

Blair – March 10, 2024

5 Star … Highly Recommend! Beautiful tour of the Tulum ruins, including an unforgettable swim at a Cenote and authentic Mexican lunch with Arturo.

Corinne – March 9, 2024

We spent a great half day with our friendly guide, Arturo. We were one of the first groups to enter the ruins in the morning and received interesting information as well as enough time for photos. We even had the cenote all to ourselves! It was incredibly beautiful there. We even saw bats! We were able to decide for ourselves how long we wanted to stay and were offered a good mix of care and free time. Thank you for the good organization!

Mark – March 6, 2024

This experience was amazing! The tour guides were awesome, and didn’t rush you and made you enjoy your time. I highly recommend this tour

David – February 22, 2024

Exceptional Experience. Great tour! Arturo was an amazing guide sharing the secrets of Tulum, guiding us through the beautiful Cenote and hosting us for an extra-tasty authentic Mexican lunch. 5+ stars !

Shauna – February 22, 2024

Seeing the Mayan ruins of Tulum and swimming in a cenote was high on our wish list for our recent family holiday to Tulum. I loved how easy it was to find the type of tour we wished to take and book it with Absolute Adventure Mexico. I think it took me less than 10 minutes and I did it all from a sun bed at the resort. Far better than sitting at a tour desk! So firstly, the company gets an A+ for that. The private tour itself was great. We beat the crowds by going early in the morning. Joshua was our guide and Gregorio our driver. Both were warm and personable and Joshua was engaging and very knowledgable on so many topics – the history, flora/fauna/ecology, the region and geology. He had good answers for just about any question we asked. I could tell he really loved his job! We also really liked the small touches such as cold drinks in the car and offers to take photographs of us as a family. Finally, the lunch we had was delicious. Overall, it was a great half-day excursion. I highly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico and would book with them again. Thank you, Claire, and your team.

Sara – February 19, 2024

Excellent tour experience This excursion was amazing! The ruins and cenote were beautiful and Joshua and Rodrigo were great hosts. We had a wonderful lunch and got to snorkel with some turtles and manta rays. Definitely recommend doing this tour!

Robin – February 19, 2024

Wonderful tour! I never write reviews, but this tour was an amazing experience for our girls trip to Mexico! Our guide Arturo was wonderful, informative and patient as we stepped outside our comfort zones while snorkeling and jumping into cenotes. He taught us a lot about Mayan history during the ruin tour. It felt like we had a local friend guiding us around–he even went out of his way to find coconuts. We had a blast, and I wouldn’t hesitate to book another tour here!

Loma – February 18, 2024

Such a great experience. Our guide was kind, informative and went out of his way to make sure we were having a good time. He found us fresh coconuts, helped us decide on the right cenote for us and worked around some special requests. The Tulum tour was stunning and the cenotes were stunning. Definitely recommend the private tour!

Deanna – February 14, 2024

We did the Maya ruin tour at Tulum and a cenote with fish, underwater lillies, small cave. Our tour guide, Alex, was very knowledgeable, professional, personable and courteous. English being our first language, he spoke very good English and was easy to understand. Very smooth process, start to finish. We did not feel rushed and thoroughly enjoyed our time. We are planning our next snorkeling tour with them in a couple days before we head back home.

Frank – February 13, 2024

Arturo was an excellent guide! He was professional and knowledgeable also personable and patient. We would recommend this tour and would also consider other tours this company operates.

Sarah – February 7, 2024

Really the BEST experience Went with to Tulum for a bachelorette party, and our group wanted to go to a Cenote during our stay. As you can imagine, no one was fond of the idea of leaving super early in the morning, but we are so glad we did. Alejandro and Rodrigo picked us up at our airbnb in Tulum town, and patiently waited for all 6 of us to get in the van. Alejandro was extremely knowledgeable and able to answer all of our random questions while touring the ruins. There were hardly any people when we did our tour, so we were able to appreciate the ruins and enjoy the beauty of the landscape. We realized how lucky we were to beat the crowds as other tours started to pour in as we were walking out. The cenote was absolutely magical, and once again we arrived before any of the crowds. At one point we had the whole cenote to ourselves. Alejandro made sure we were comfortable the whole time, often helping take pictures, bringing us snorkels or lifejackets so we didn’t have to get out of the water, etc. Do not even hesitate to book this tour – and 100000% ask for Alejandro. He’s just one of those people that truly stands out as a kind soul.

Kha-Mei B – February 4, 2024

We loved our tour with Aquaman/Alejandro (we’re big fans of his work). I wanted a tour that wouldn’t take all day and was attracted to the exclusivity of a private tour. It is absolutely worth it. Alejandro and Rodrigo were punctual and stopped for coffee on our way to Tulum since our pick up time was 6AM. We arrived at the entrance of Tulum a few minutes before the gate opened and we experienced total serenity in a magical place. As we left it was filling with tourists and we were so glad we got there early. Alejandro is an amazing tour guide. He is incredibly knowledgeable and considerate. We appreciated that he was passionate about the Mayan culture and loved the history. He allowed us to explore the cenotes but also taught and showed us interesting aspects of them. We had plenty of time at each location and were well cared for. Do not hesitate to book and make sure to ask for Alejandro!

Tom – February 3, 2024

Cenote and Ruins in Tulum. Arturo, our guide, was excellent; from his knowledge of the area, to his friendliness and easy going mentality, it was a treat to spend the day with him. They were on time in a nice clean vehicle waiting to welcome us. Would highly recommend.

Mitchell Hecht – January 31, 2024

Not the cheapest option but you get what you pay for. Timely, informative, friendly, and helpful. What else can you ask for? Highly recommend this if you’re looking for an exceptional guided tour in playa.

610dcd – January 30, 2024

Tulum Ruins with Cenote snorkel Excellent tour. Private is the way to go. Just the two of us, our guide, Juan, and our driver (sorry can’t remember his name!) Pick up right on time in a van, very early to beat the crowds. Juan was very energetic and gave us lots of information. We arrived at the ruins early, very quiet, not busy. Good tour around the site, lots of information. As we were leaving, the crowds were pouring in! Good timing! Off to the Cenote. Beautiful cave and not very crowded. A little scary getting down there and into the water, but Juan was very patient and helpful and got me in there in one piece! Lunch was a great choice, with great food and great conversation with Juan. Would highly recommend for couples or small groups. Claire (co-owner) also very prompt at returning email requests.

April – January 28, 2024

Excellent experience Josh and Enrique were excellent! Josh was extremely knowledgeable and taught us a lot about the Mayan ruins. He took some family photos of us at the site that turned out great. We have good photos to remember our time there. At the cenote, Josh was great with my kids. He even jumped off the rocks into the cenote to make my kids more comfortable with it and both my 11 year old and 6 year old jumped in! He made it a good thing for them to try it and experience that. Definitely recommend them for anyone going there.

Kim – January 28, 2024

I can not rave enough about our tour and our tour guide, Alex! This was my sister and I’s first time in Playa Del Carmen and I really wanted to swim in a Cenote and see the Tulum Ruins and this was the perfect way to do it!! They picked us up right at our hotel and we got to Tulum right away when it opened when there was hardly anyone else there. After we chose to swim in the Cenote Taak bi Ha, which was absolutely incredible!! Alex was so informative teaching us all about Mayan culture and Mexico, not to mention just an all around good person and super easy to talk to, and I’m so glad we got to “hang out with a local” having an amazing experience! He also took some great pictures of us to capture the experience! The lunch was also incredibly delicious!! This was without a doubt the highlight of our trip and an experience I know I’ll be talking about for years to come. I can not recommend this company and tour enough!

Jonathan – January 22, 2024

Juan and Enrique were excellent, Juan gave us a fantastic tour of Tulum, extremely knowledgeable about the history of The Maya and the city. He took us to the best spots and and great views! After the ruins we went to two different cenotes, Nycta and Tak Biha, both were beautiful and Juan was great about showing off the different features making sure we didn’t miss anything! If you use this company be sure to ask for Juan and Enrique!

Brenda – January 21, 2024

Juan and Omar were a pleasure. On time and quick to get us to the sites ahead of everyone else. We were the first to go into Tulum

Ann – January 13, 2024

Incredible experience! Recommend 1000%!!! We did a private tour beginning with Mayan Ruins, then snorkeling in 2 very different cenotes, followed by an authentic Mayan lunch in the jungle. Our guide Alex was fantastic! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and fascinating. Alex clearly loves his work and passes on his passion as he shares and informs all day long. Our driver Enrique was also terrific. We felt completely at ease going from place to place and leaving our belongings in the van while we toured. Every detail of the day was in their hands, including pre-purchased tickets to each destination, so all we needed to do was relax, learn, and have fun! The cost of the private tour was very reasonable and included all ticket entries and even the delicious lunch. In summary, this awesome tour was exactly as promised and lived up to its many 5-star reviews! We STRONGLY recommend Absolute Adventures!

David J – January 13, 2024

Great tour to Tulum and the Nicte Ha and Taak bi Ha cenotes, followed by an authentic Mexican lunch at Juanita’s restaurant. Our tour guide Josh was amazing, so knowledgeable about the Mayan culture and the history of Tulum. He was also very informative about the cenotes and helpful with snorkeling instructions. As a bonus he spoke very good English. Thank you Josh for leading a great adventure and a lifetime of memories.

Stacy – January 12, 2024

Juan Jose “JJ” was FANTASTIC! We really couldn’t have asked for a better guide. He was personable, interacted with our whole group, and was incredibly knowledgeable about the area as well as the Mayan history. We toured Tulum early and he knew exactly when and where to go to avoid the crowds and get the best views/pics. Then he guided us on our two cenotes – Jaguar and Taak Bi Ha. Jaguar ziplining was so much fun – if you get the chance to go upside down, do it! And our group enjoyed jumping off the platforms and snorkeling in the water (you can see the bottom but it’s darker water). Taak Bi Ha was amazing – I enjoyed it much more since the water in the cave was completely clear. Finally, we enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading back to the resort. I feel horrible that I don’t remember our driver’s name (he was a little quiet but very friendly 🙂 ), but we were very thankful for his navigating us to and from safely! 10/10 recommend going with Absolute Adventure Mexico, and even more so if you have JJ as your guide- he really made everything enjoyable! Thank you for a great day!!

Monica – January 11, 2024

Just ended a fantastic day with tour guide Joshua and driver Enrique. Our pick up was extremely early so we were delighted to be allowed to stop for a coffee and snacks on the way to Tulum. Joshua gave us an excellent history of the ruins, people and customs of that era. Then we headed to Dos Ojos cenote. So exciting to snorkel through caverns covered with stalagmites and stalagtites, and end with the bat cave with ceiling covered with… you guessed it, bats. Our family felt safe as Joshua snorkeled with us. Lastly we enjoyed a delicious authentic Mexican lunch. The ride back allowed us to learn even more about the Mayan as well as modern Mexican culture. Would highly recommend this company and of course Joshua! Thank you Absolute Adventure

Troy – January 5, 2024

Omar was a great driver and Alex was very knowledgeable of Tulum and history of the Mayans. I would easily do another tour to experience more of the local culture and history from local experts.

Deonne – December 27, 2023

Arturo was a fantastic tour guide. We had time constraints due to an accident on the way to Tulum but Arturo worked around our schedule to make sure we got to do as much as we could with the time we had. The air conditioning van was super roomy and an authentic lunch was provided too. A shout out to the owner Claire who was available at all times to answer any questions and I loved the fact that it was just our group of 4, so private and there was no one else at our cenote and zip line but us! I would highly recommend Absolute Adventure tours and well definitely be back!

Murtaza – December 16, 2023

We did the Private Tulum ruins and single Cenote tour. It was absolutely wonderful thanks to Omar and Arturo. Arturo suggested the Cenote we should try and it was wonderful for snorkeling novices. Definitely try them out and use their services and surely you won’t be disappointed.

Gloria – December 9, 2023

Tour Arturo guide was wonderful. Very patient answered all questions learned history that I did not know. Took time to make sure we enjoyed our visit. Highly recommend.

Nixi – December 8, 2023

Our guide, Arturo, was excellent – kind, knowledgeable & friendly. He was attentive to our needs (offered water, had us stand under shade when possible, took photos for us, helped us decide which cenote to visit). The ruins & the cenote were beautiful! The snorkeling was amazing! 100% recommend this company 🙂 Thanks again!

Ethany – December 6, 2023

We just finished up our tour at the Tulum ruins, a cenote and then had an amazing lunch with our tour guide. We loved it! We had so much fun and learned a lot.

Patrick – December 5, 2023

Awesome time seeing the ruins of Tulum with Carlos and Arturo, swimming in the cenote caves, enjoying authentic Mayan cuisine!

Louis – December 2, 2023

We had an awesome private group experience with JJ! First time to Cancun and they picked us up on time, was great on the tour and had a lot of good knowledge to share with us. The ruins and the cenote were awesome! We had a great time and felt safe. Thanks JJ! Your friends from Alaska!

Carissa – November 30, 2023

AMAZING!! So worth it to do the private tour! Our guide Alex was the best ever, and Carlos was our driver who was also the best! We totally got to ask all our questions and get told a ton of info while seeing the sights! 💯 Worth it!

Doug – November 29, 2023

A fascinating tour and one of the best guides ever. Excellent tour in every way. We took the complimentary ferry provided by Virgin Voyages from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. Our guide Juan P was on time to pick us up at the Playa ferry port, and Omar, our driver, was ready a block away to start the tour. Tulum was, as expected, spectacular, all the more so with the engaging commentary provided by Juan. Besides the valuable information provided by Juan, he was very strategic in helping us avoid much of the line and finding shady places at Tulum to fill us in on what we were experiencing. The following snorkeling in a nearby Cenote was not only scenically fascinating but very refreshing after a fairly hot morning at Tulum. We then had a delicious lunch at a charming local restaurant.

Mel – November 27, 2023

Arturo, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the history of the ruins, polite, fun to visit with, and very personable. Do not look any further than this company to schedule an unforgettable adventure!

MJ – November 25, 2023

This is a must-do tour! There’s nothing like having your own personal tour guide to maneuver you around and show you all the wonderful sites. Arturo, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable about the ruins, polite, fun to talk to, and very personable. Carlos, our driver, got us to our destinations safely and quickly. I guarantee you’ll have a blast and enjoy every second of it!

Melissa – November 24, 2023

This is a must-do tour! There’s nothing like having your own personal tour guide, maneuvering you around and showing you all the beautiful sites. Arturo, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the ruins, polite, personable, and kind. Carlos, our driver, got us to our destinations quickly and safely. I guarantee this is one adventure you don’t wanna miss!

Matthew – November 19, 2023

Joshua was a great tour guide! This private tour was the best part of our trip to Tulum. Highly recommend.

Abigail – November 18, 2023

I really enjoyed my trip. It’s my first time coming to Mexico and was deciding whether booked with a private tour or a group tour. After this trip, I can say confidently, choosing the private tour is the best decision!! With our tour guide, Arturo, we were able to avoid crowds when we were at Tulum, to know all the details of the Tulum building, and to go to the two best cenotes (dos ojos and cenotes nicte ha), to slow down our trip whenever we needed to. Mind blowing and relaxing at the same time. My friend and I are already talking about our next trip with them to Chichen Itza 😊

Pin-Yu K. – November 17, 2023

I can’t recommend this company enough. We did a private half-day tour to Tulum + Cenote Nicte Ha + Cenote Dos Ojos with Arturo. We beat the crowd and had the highest tour quality. Arturo is very professional and knowledgeable, and he is great at taking pictures. The whole tour was chill while super interesting and breathtaking the whole time. They never rush us through anything, which makes the private tour better than the group tours.

Trevor – November 16, 2023

We went on the Tulum Ruins tour with a visit to a cenote with Absolute Adventures Mexico and we had a blast! Our day started out at 6:30 am with our guide Arturo and our driver Carlos meeting us in our hotel lobby. They showed up on time, and extremely friendly. We had about an hour and a half drive down to the Tulum ruins where we were the first to arrive. Arturo and Carlos offered us water and soda before we entered the ruins. Being the first people to walk in the ruins that day was an amazing experience seeing all the history up practically all to our selves. Arturo was full of facts and knowledge, being able to answer all the questions we threw at him. He is also quite the photographer taking excellent photos of us. After walking through the ruins and absorbing all the knowledge, we walked back to the van seeing hundreds of not thousands of tourists walking towards the ruins, making us glad we had opted for the private, early tour. It is worth all the money to see the ruins to yourselves. We were offered cold soda, juice and water after getting back to the van and headed to Cenote Nic Te Ha. We were given the option to choose between 3 cenotes but after discussing with Arturo we figured based on the weather and what we wanted this would be the best one. The Cenote was beautiful with lots of different fish and plants. We snorkeled in a cave and enjoyed the crystal clear water. We had to all to our selves for about 75% of the time we spent there. Arturo again shared all his knowledge with us and swam around with us to show us all the cool spots. We were never rushed and Arturo reassured us that there is no rush and we can swim how ever long we like. When we decided to head to lunch Carlos offered us more beverages and we drove down the bumpy road with Carlos navigating extremely well to avoid as many bumps as possible. The lunch spot was a very authentic Mexican restaurant that was delicious. We got to choose what we wanted to eat and had some greats chats with Arturo who at this point felt like a family member! Once done lunch we were again offered beverages before the hour and a half drive back to our resort.

I have to say Arturo and Carlos provided A+ Service. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. They were so professional yet personable, and full of knowledge and fun that I would recommend to anyone I know to request to tour with them! Next time we are in the area I would love to go on another tour with Absolute Adventures Mexico.

Katherine – November 5, 2023

Tulum ruins and cenote- great private tour! Great half day adventure with Joshua! We did the tulum ruins and 1 cenote tour. We learned so much and really enjoyed our time exploring. We never felt rushed at any point. Joshua was very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. I would definitely recommend them to anyone!

Peter – October 17, 2023

Great experience! With our tour, we were able to learn a lot about Tulum while we toured it. Our guide, Arturo, was amazing — very friendly, and very knowledgeable! We also felt very safe, as there was a dedicated driver who stayed with the vehicle and our belongings. We snorkeled in a Cenote, and our kids loved jumping in from the cliff. Our tour ended with a great meal near the Cenote… couldn’t be happier!

Marco – October 12, 2023

The entire experience was amazing. From the booking process, to the email follow up by Claire (one of the owners), to the half day spent visiting the Tulum ruins, cenote and lunch in a typical local restaurant (with the added benefit of the adorable puppy Tula). Juan is an excellent and very personable guide. He is knowledgeable and funny, and made our experience even better. I would highly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico and Juan if you are traveling to the Cancun area. Muchas gracias!

Jasleen – September 25, 2023

Fun adventure Absolute adventures was very accommodating to us. They were able to modify/customize a private tour for us to tulum. Juan was our guide and Carlos our driver and they were amazing! Juan was very helpful, fun, energetic and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this company.

A.S. – September 8, 2023

Private, Not Crowded, Personable Experience! My husband and I toured the Mayan Ruins in Tulum and went to the most beautiful cave cenote. Juan was very personable and knowledgeable and made the day fun! Omar was a great driver and the van was comfortable and clean. I would highly recommend this trip! I have been to Mexico many times and haven’t seen anything like it!

Ahsley – September 8, 2023

We picked the best tour! Out of all. Of the options out there, we had a great private tour. Juan was very personable and knowledgeable and enjoyable to spend the day with. Omar was a great driver and the van was nice and clean. I would highly recommend this company for any tour and private was the way to go!

Tifany – August 12, 2023

Alex was the best tour guide. He made our experience so relaxing and fun. He was very accommodating to all our requests and ensured we were safe the entire adventure. Very knowledgeable about the tulum ruins. The cenote swim was incredible. Also enjoyed a lovely lunch after a day of swimming! 10/10 would recommend if you’re ever visiting. Thanks Alex for the amazing time.

Deborah – August 4, 2023

DEFINITELY RECOMMEND We took this tour for a friends bachelorette so we had 18 people and we had such an amazing time. Rodrigo, Joshua and Alex picked us up early in the morning from Cancun and drove over to tulum. Alex was the most knowledgeable tour guide and told us so much about Mayan history and Tulum. He was so considerate of our group and being in the heat and was mindful to keep us in shaded areas. We then headed over to the cenote and we got there early enough so we felt like we had our own private cenote. It was so fun and refreshing especially in the heat. We were able to enjoy a delicious meal at Juanita’s. We all had such a good time with Alex and would definitely recommend him to anyone wanting to visit tulum and go on a tour and visit cenotes. Alex really ensured that we all had a great time. We also enjoyed our car ride due to our drivers Joshua and Rodrigo. They made sure the car with stocked with cold water and our car was cold whenever we would get in the car.

McRebel93 – August 1, 2023

Great Mayan experience If you are vacationing in the Cancún area, I highly recommend this private tour. Mayan ruins, Cenote cave swim, and a local Mayan restaurant with an incredible personal Mayan history lesson. Alex G was fantastic as he guided us through this experience and became like one of the family. Omar kept us safe and took us everywhere we needed to go with plenty of drinks to stay hydrated. My kids had a blast. Last, the process to book this was seamless and the customer service after booking was the best experience I have found.

Heidi – July 29, 2023

Wonderful experience with our tour guide Arturo and the driver. Very professional company. Highly recommend.

Wendy – July 9, 2023

Our tour and time with Alex was amazing!!!! So much fun and so knowledgeable!!! Would 100% recommend!!!!

Kellie – July 3, 2023

Amazing trip to Mayan Ruins and Cenotes! We had the best time with Arturo to see the Mayan Ruins and swim in the cenotes! He brought us drinks in a cooler and life vests and snorkel gear! He was so great with our two families – we got an early start to see the ruins (best way to go) and we had fun zip lining and jumping off platforms, and swimming in the cenotes! Thank you!

BB – June 27, 2023

JJ was our guide to Tulum and the amazing Mayan ruins and a cenote! He had us at both locations before other tours were coming through so we were able to explore essentially alone! He was very knowledgeable and did a great job!

BK – June 26, 2023

JJ was our guide to Tulum and the Mayan ruins as well as a cenote. He was an amazing guide and so knowledgeable about the history. He was fun and engaging and kept us entertained while seeing these amazing Tulum sites!

Brenda – June 26, 2023

Secluded vibes at all our locations due to our knowledgeable guide! JJ was our guide and was full of knowledge about the ruins. He brought us there at the perfect time when essentially no one else was there yet! The cenote was beautiful and our lunch was delicious!

Jakob – June 24, 2023

A wonderful experience. We had a great time with Alex G as our guide and Omar the driver. Alex was very knowledgeable of the ruins and of the cenote we went to. We chose the underground one and it was one of the coolest things we’ve ever done. The lunch at Juanita was delicious and there is a small shop where you can buy souvenirs with part of the proceeds going to the local school. The early departure is well worth it, you can beat the crowds and some of the heat at the ruins. Overall 11/10. Well worth it, would 100% book again and ask for Alex and Omar.

Crystal – June 22, 2023

We had the absolute best time with both the tours we booked through Absolute Adventure Mexico! Alex G. was our guide for both excursions. He was knowledgeable and fun every minute. He showed up early with a smile, coolers full of water & juice and then organized the group of 20 of us, took our food orders to call ahead to the restaurant (this was no small task as many of us have life threatening allergies) and took us on the most incredible adventures we could ever imagine all while maximizing shade, time and fun! I can’t possibly go into each detail but we were safe, hydrated, had all of our history and culture questions answered fully and had an amazing time! In total we did Tulum Chichen Itza, 3 gorgeous cenotes, toured Valladolid and ate at two fantastic restaurants. I highly recommend Absolute Adventures to everyone!

Aurora – June 21, 2023

Me and my family visited Playa Del Carmen and took two tours with an amazing guide Alex G. Our first tour was to Tulum and we visited the ruins and two cenotes. After the beautiful cenotes we went to lunch at Restaurante Juanita, and had delicious authentic food with a great atmosphere. Our guide was amazing and did great with keeping 20 of us together and entertained for both adventures!!!

Tony – May 14, 2023

We booked a private tour for 4, and I can’t emphasize how efficient and informative this tour is. Our tour guide was Juan Jose and we did the Tulum ruins and cenote tour. He was very knowledgeable and made the experience for us a memorable and very enjoyable one. If you want to make the most out of your time in Tulum, this is the best way to do it. Next time we come we will definitely be booking with them again to check out Chichén Itzá! Thank you Absolute Adventure Tours!

Mary – April 25, 2023

Amazing service and an incredible tour! Highly recommend:)

CrazyC – April 25, 2023

We highly recommend booking through Absolute Adventure! Alex was the most amazing guide and a beautiful human! It was so nice meeting you Alex! Thankyou again for a memory of a lifetime!

J.H. – April 22, 2023

I can’t express how amazing the tour was, from Tulum to the cenote. We have been to several Tulum tours and cenote trips over the years but we had the chance to bring our large family – many of them for the first time in the area, and Juan surprised some of us experienced people with fantastic new detail and insight into Tulum. He also was amazing helping some of the non-swimmers relax and enjoy the cenote snorkel adventure. He made this trip so incredibly memorable for everyone on the trip.

Katie – April 19, 2023

Amazing¡ Highly recommend. Beautiful views and perfectly planned. Food was delicious too. TheTulum stories were informative and educational. The cenote was fun and stunning.

Jason – April 19, 2023

Juan and crew are consumate professionals. Incredibly knowledgeable and friendly! They know how to make your experience memorable and will go above and beyond to provide a wonderful day. Juan took extra time to help my wife who cannot swim, enjoy the cenote we visited. Would highly recommend their tours!!

Eliza – April 13, 2023

We had a wonderful trip to Tulum and the Taak Bi Ha cenote finishing with a lovely meal at a local restaurant! Thank you to Alex and Rodrigo for taking such good care of our family!

Alison – April 13, 2023

We took the tour of the Mayan ruins in Tallum and Dos Ojos cenote with Arturo and Alan. We could not have asked for a better experience! The guides were friendly and personable as well as very knowledgeable about the land and history of the regions we visited. It was truly a once in a lifetime day!

Michelle – April 13, 2023

The tour we did was amazing! Alex was so knowledge about the Tulum Ruins and the cenotes. The tour was geared especially for us and we had a great time. A highlight of our vacation. Thank you Alex and Omar our driver.

bilzfam – April 11, 2023

My extended family and I spent a day with Arturo as our guide. We were picked up early in the morning at our resort, on time, and made our way in a comfortable van to the Mayan ruins of Tulum. Arturo was a fantastic guide! He was personable, friendly and fun as he imparted his knowledge of the Mayan people, their history and the architecture. Then we travelled to the Dos Ojos Cenote, where we snorkeled and explored the awesome rock formations above and below water. We even swam into a hidden bat cave, which was a highlight of everyone’s day. Most importantly was Arturo’s warm and patient demeanor with my young niece and my daughter who has special needs. She requires a bit more assistance in unfamiliar situations, and Arturo went above and beyond to accommodate her and make us all feel comfortable. I would highly recommend Arturo and Absolute Adventure Tours to anyone looking for a memorable experience in Mexico!

Christine – April 8, 2023

Arturo was so informative and fun. Really enjoyed learning about Tulum city and all the ruins. Swimming in the Cenotes was the highlight of the day. Capped off the tour with a fantastic Mayan lunch. Great experience all around.

Michael – April 7, 2023

Top notch tour guides! I learned way more about the Mayan ruins and cenotes ecology than our friends that used another company. I’d guess all their guides are professional, but book with Arturo if you can. He’s the kind of person you’d like to spend the day with, no matter what you’re doing.

Peggy – March 13, 2023

Perfect Tour. “Absolutely” wonderful! Private tour is the only way to go. Dulce our guide and Rodrigo our driver were very knowledgeable and DELIGHTFUL company…they made the experience perfect!

Jess – March 7, 2023

We did the tour of Tulum & 2 cenotes (Jaguar and Taak Bi Ha) Feb 2023. Juan, our tour guide, was amazing- full of knowledge, personable, and fun. Rodrigo, our driver, was efficient and helpful. We were a group of 9 women and had been cautioned not to use a tour group unaffiliated with our hotel, which made us a bit nervous. However, I’m so very glad we trusted the reviews and kept our booking with Absolute Adventure Mexico. It really was the highlight of our trip! Claire was also very responsive to all of our inquiries and even accommodated the addition of another person to our trip at the last minute. The van was clean, stocked with beverages, and comfortable. It was nice being able to leave belongings in the van. The information Juan gave us was engaging and he navigated us through the ruins with ease. Our lunch in the Jungle was excellente. The adventure and beauty of the cenotes will be a favorite memory forever. I would 100% recommend this company to others.

Jaime – March 1, 2023

Amazing experience. My friends and I really enjoyed this private tour. Alex G. and Carlos showed up at our hotel on time and provided some history on our drive to the Tulum ruins. Alex made sure we had everything we needed and provided so much information we wouldn’t have learned had we done the trip by ourselves. We had a choice of cenotes and we went with Taak Bi Ha, which was amazing. I’ve never experience anything like that in my life. We really enjoyed our time and highly recommend Absolute Adventure.

Kelly – February 28, 2023

The BEST-don’t hesitate! Amazing!!! This experience exceeded any expectations that I had. Our tour guide, Juan, was knowledgeable, experienced, savvy, fun and thoughtful. He knew all the tricks of getting us around in Tulum-with amazing photo ops to start, shady spots to tell us about the history and all the ways to skirt around the crowds. He then took us to the Cenotes where we had the best experiences! Zip lining, cliff jumps, snorkeling in caves shopping all followed by an amazing lunch at a restaurant in the jungle. I highly recommend this tour!

Arbuttz – February 28, 2023

Just book it! Incredible experience, it definitely exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide Arturo is a fantastic guy, very knowledgeable about Tulum and Mayan history. Tulum was busy but Arturo took us on a good route to see everything and learn about the site. Next, the cenote he recommended was just magical and we couldn’t believe how quiet it was, there were only a few other people there. Arturo was patient teaching us how to snorkel which I was most nervous about. Lunch afterwards was super tasty! Omar was a great driver and the van was very comfortable. Overall a very special experience I highly recommend you book with Absolute Adventure!

Brandy – February 26, 2023

Our guide Arturo was awesome! We had an amazing time and even though our visit to the Tulum ruins was early, it was totally worth it. The people were coming in by the bus loads as we were leaving. Timing is everything on a holiday!! The cenote was amazing!!! Lunch was an incredible stop! Awesome traditional Mexican lunch. Our daughters gluten free needs were met better than expected!! We will stop there for lunch again!! Our guide was very informative and had a terrific sense of humor. Spoke English very well as our Spanish is very limited.

Sarah – February 14, 2023

We had a group of 14 adults and 3 kids under 3 years old for the Tulum and Cenote tour and everything went wonderfully.

Mary – February 11, 2023

Wonderful day out. Dulce was an excellent guide and Omar was a great driver. We first went to the ruins – dulce was so informative and the morning was quite pleasant. Then off to an underground Cenote. Great fun. Would highly recommend this tour.

esco79ph – February 2, 2023

We were picked up on time. The van we traveled in was comfortable. They had cold water and soda in a cooler ready for us. Our guide was Juan. He was such a pleasure! Spoke very good English and was very knowledgeable about Mayan culture and history. The Tulum and cenote experience alone was great but Juan made it even better. We had an amazing time! Worth every penny. Will definitely use this company again on future trips.

GO6805 – February 1, 2023

Our tour guide Alex was a wealth of information. Not only did he explained what we were seeing but the why and how. He knew the path to take through the site to tie the story together upon exit. We were allowed to travel at our pace, not rushed, answered all questions, gave his opinion on “why” the Mayans did what they did, inserted humor and was an engaging guide. The cave denote was incredible and the meal provide yes fantastic.

Suzanne – January 25, 2023

What an amazing excursion! We did a private tour of Tulum and a cenote as a group of 5, and Alex was an incredible guide. He’s super knowledgeable, explains things clearly, gives great context, and is just fun to hang out with. The cenote we chose was an underground cave, and Alex knew all about stalagmites, stalactites, geological formations, etc. Lunch was excellent and we were even able to add on a stop on Quinta Avenida for a few hours. Rodrigo was also a great driver, on time and accommodating. The private tour was well worth it, but I highly recommend booking with Absolute Adventure either way.

Andrea – January 22, 2023

Our family of four had an amazing private tour back in December. Chris was our guide, and we toured the ruins and two cenotes. We also had delicious tacos for lunch. Our kids (ages 21 and 15) said it was their favorite part of our trip. I highly recommend booking your private tour with this company. Chris was wonderful- very easy going and knowledgeable about the sites and fun to talk to. The communication after booking up until the day of was very prompt and thorough. Everything exceeded our expectations.

Tara – January 12, 2023

Tulum and cenotes w/o hassles. We fit two cenotes into this day trip (We got to choose from three possibilities) including a spectacular swim through a cave filled with stalactites. We chose this tour hoping to fit a lot in one day and Arturo made that happen, expertly getting us through throngs of tourists to enjoy the highlights of Tulum. It was great to be picked up and to be able to leave our items without worry in the van with our driver. All snorkeling equipment was provided. Thanks Arturo for your insight into Mayan culture! Wonderful day.

Peter – January 9, 2023

We had such an incredible time on our tour with Alex as our guide and Carlos as our driver! We started the day touring the Tulum ruins, then went snorkeling in a beautiful cenote, and finished with a tasty Mayan lunch. Alex was a very knowledgeable tour guide and made the ruins come alive with interesting facts and stories. He also was able to answer all of our many questions. Carlos was professional and friendly. We highly recommend this tour!

Jose – January 3, 2023

We went jan 2nd 2023 with Arturo as our guide. He was very knowledgeable, friendly, spoke English well, and took time to explain things to our 8 and 10yo. Would highly recommend thos service with Arturo. Easy well paced tour. Well worth the money and much better than a group guided tour.

Whitney – December 28, 2022

Had a wonderful tour of Tulum and a relaxing cenote swim. Arturo was a very knowledgeable and entertaining guide. I would definitely recommend this tour for anyone visiting the area!

Sofia – December 27, 2022

Great experience! We had private tour Tulum and cenote with guide Alex, Was really great experience. The tour provided also snorkeling gear, wet suit and Mexican lunch. Highly recommended

Jamie – December 5, 2022

We booked with absolute adventures because of what they offered and all of the reviews we saw were highly praised the tour and tour guide. I can not tell you enough how awesome our tour and guide were. Arturo was absolutely wonderful and knowledgeable. He took his time, answered all of our many questions, was very helpful and was even taking pictures for us. We went to the tulum ruins and 2 cnotes. Lunch in the jungle was beautiful juanitas restaurant was set up for everyone to enjoy. The views were breathtaking. We felt safe and cared for Carlos our driver stayed with our personal belongings the whole day. If we could give more stars we would..

James – December 3, 2022

We had a wonderful tour with Dulce as our guide and Carlos as our driver. Both were professional and courteous. Dulce was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions. After a very interesting tour of the ruins we snorkeled at a beautiful denote. The beauty of the area was sensational. We then had a delicious lunch topped off by a shot of tequila. Dulce is an excellent guide and a pleasure to spend the day with.

Jennifer – November 23, 2022

We had an incredible time on our excursion! We had a group of 10 and the private tour with Arturo as our guide was top notch 🙌🏼 The lunch restaurant was absolutely delicious and a fun ambiance. Arturo was very accommodating with my handicap dad throughout the whole day!! So thankful we found this excursion with Absolute Adventure!!

Luke – November 22, 2022

So much fun! Learned a lot, clean vehicle with great AC, never felt rushed and Arturo was awesome !! Would highly recommend.

Yan – November 2, 2022

One of the best things of our vacation! This private tour has ruined us for any group tours from here on out. Alex the tour guide and Omar the driver were the best dynamic duo! Alex was very knowledgeable and Omar was a very safe and steady driver! They picked up us on time, plenty of community and confirmation through WhatsApp days before, and never rushed us during the whole trip. Would recommend 100%.

Lisa – October 31, 2022

My sister and I went on a private tour to the ruins and had originally booked a tequila tasting. The morning of the tour we were not feeling quite up to a bunch of tequila so we asked our guide, Arturo, if it would be possible to switch to go to a cenote instead. Arturo was so accommodating and was able to change for us. We had an amazing time touring the ruins, swimming in the cenote, and having a great lunch afterwards. Arturo was super knowledgeable, kind, accommodating, and most of all delightful to spend time with. We would for sure book another tour (and request Arturo) on our next trip to Tulum!!!

Gramma – October 28, 2022

Don’t even know where to start with this review! Wish we could give our guide Alex and driver Omar 10 stars! BEST TOUR EVER!!! The whole day was perfect!.We were picked up at our hotel at 7am. As Omar drove us to Tulum, Alex began sharing interesting facts and stories about the Mayan culture and people. When we arrived, it was as if we were the only ones there. It was great being there before the heat and the crowds. Alex was so knowledgeable about everything we were seeing, and he pointed out things we would have never noticed. The walk around the ruins was so beautiful and peaceful. After a very leasurely walk around the grounds we were driven through the jungle to Nicte-Ha Cenote. Again, we were the only ones there except for some scuba divers who came out from the caves as we were snorkeling. The water was clear, cool and so refreshing. Again, we stayed as long as we wanted and we never felt hurried. On the way out of the jungle we were treated to a delicious lunch at a tiny family-owned restaurant.

S O – October 28, 2022

We had an excellent experience with Absolute Adventure. Our tour guide Juan is incredibly knowledgeable and hospitality. When we first arrived at the Tulum ruins, he brought us to the viewpoint and took the photos without the crowd. After that, he walked through the Mayan culture with us. He had a booklet with him that included some pictures to help us better understand. His explanation was easy and clear to understand. Meanwhile, he took many high-quality photos of us. The two cenotes he recommended to us was fantastic. Our tour driver is also very professional and caring. He prepared drinks in the car and snorkelling equipment when we arrived at the cenotes. He is also very polite and gentlemanly. It is my unforgettable tour experience in Cancun. Thank you, guys!

Jennifer – October 6, 2022

We had a wonderful time on our tour! Our guide Juan was so friendly and super informative! It was like spending the day with a friend. Carlos was a great driver who navigated the freeway great!!

Joey – September 10, 2022

Our tour guide Dulce was really nice and knowledgeable. Dulce picked us up from the Hilton in a van with a driver who stayed while we visited Tulum and a Cenote. They provided lunch as well as waters and cola in between stops. We had a great time! Highly recommend this tour company.

Ashley R. – September 5, 2022

Excellent tour guide!! Very informational, patient, and kind

Jared – September 2, 2022

Tulum & Cenotes We had an amazing tour led by Dulce of Absolute Adventures Mexico. We started our day at the magical ruins of Tulum, where Dulce gave us an exceptionally thorough education in the history of this unique Mayan community. She was happy to answer our questions, patient with us when taking photographs, and also acted as a great photographer for us to be included in photos. Following Tulum, we visited two cenotes: Nicte Ha and Taak Bi Ha. Each were exquisite and unique. Dulce expertly guided us through and around each. We finished our tour with a fun lunch at a local restaurant where we were able to further enjoy Dulce’s delightful personality. If you are considering a tour of Tulum and/or the cenotes, do not hesitate to book with Absolute Adventures Mexico; and ask for Dulce!

Dee W – August 23, 2022

We went to the tulum ruins not chicken itza due to our time schedule for a wedding, but this was still one of the best tours ever!! Ask for Juan, he was amazing!! We had the time of our lives! Juan was so informative and fun, he was simply amazing. The experience of swimming in the cenote was not to be missed. And lunch was delicious. I highly recommend this tour and this tour company.

Natasha – August 5, 2022

We had a great time on our excursion with Dulce (our guide) and Omar (our driver). We were picked up on time at 7:30 a.m. We got to Tulum about five minutes before it opened. Dulce guided us through the ruins, gave us a lot of historical information and took pictures of us. Then we went to two cenotes where she swam with us. Highly recommend going to the cenote in a cave. That was a very unique experience. Omar also came along to take pictures of us. Then we had a nice lunch at the restaurant with Dulce and returned to the hotel by about 12:30. We loved doing this completely private tour and would use this company again.

Lynn – July 28, 2022

We had a great private tour with Juan! We beat the crowd at the ruins and then headed to two Cenotes. The Sac Actun Cenote exceeded our expectations. It was huge and spectacular! Every turn was a visual wonder and exhilarating! Totally recommend this Cenote. Thanks Juan for being such a great sport with our daughter.

Mikayla – July 3, 2022

Our favorite excursion of our trip! Easy communication with the tour company throughout the entire process, and 100% worth the price to have our own private tour. Claire was our tour guide & she was outstanding. Very knowledgeable about Tulum, the cenote, and Playa in general. She knew where to get the best photos and how to maximize your experience. Being able to leave our bags with Angel (the driver) in the van was an added bonus. Tulum was beautiful, but the cenote (we chose Dos Ojos) was in a class all on its own. Gorgeous clear water, perfect for snorkeling. Claire swam with us and took all the photos we wanted. Lunch & a nice chat afterward at the lunch in the jungle was a wonderful bonus. We would take this excursion again in a heartbeat.

Travis – June 30, 2022

Booked this for my honeymoon. Juan was our guide for this, did xplorer park the day before for reference so we were pretty tired. Juan went at our own pace as we were slow to move along. The 1st stop was to the ruins which are quite a scene if you have never seen anything like this before it’s worth a look. There is a bit of a walk so wear comfortable shoes. They also provided refreshments immediately. After the ruins we stopped at the shops so if you forgot something you can get it there and save yourself a cab ride and fare beforehand. After the ruins we went to the cave cenote( I mentioned earlier I went to xplorer ) this by far was head and shoulders above anything I saw the day before. Water was refreshing and clean snorkeling gear was provided for use. We wrapped up the trip on my own schedule as he provided my and my new wife some alone time in the cave. Once we completed this we went to a nearby restaurant. The food was great and the best tacos I’ve had in Mexico so far. We took tons of photos and rode back comfortably. This is worth the money and exclusivity compared to the larger groups. If you value time this is a no brainer.

Nancy – June 6, 2022

our tour guide Alex was the absolute best! He knows so much about Mayan ruins, just talking with him made the history come alive. The whole day was incredible! The cenote was such a cool experience, I’ll never forget swimming in the cave. Lunch was delicious too. The whole excursion was perfect and really the highlight of our trip. Booking with Absolute Adventure was super simple too, such an easy process. Thanks so much for the epic experience, you guys rock!

Ben – June 1, 2022

This was a truly amazing experience and a must do in Tulum. I recommend this crew specifically. The driving was safe and comfortable. The guide was knowledgeable and showed you all the secret spots. Listen to his suggestions and you will have a great time. The lunch was excellent. The adventure will be told many times over. Book this for Tulum!

Chad – June 1, 2022

Juan and Roderigo were awesome! We had a great experience with our teenagers and they took great care of us. We will come back! We ate an outdoor restaurant near the denote in the jungle that had great food. The company was great to work with and made us feel comfortable with booking with then (we talked via e-mail, phone, and text).

Amanda – April 21, 2022

I had searched for a while and read a ton of reviews before going with Absolute Adventures. It was above and beyond anything I could have expected!! Claire was so amazing, so friendly, so knowledgeable. The driver drove very safe and made us all so comfortable. The van was new and clean, they even kept cleaning it out in between each stop while we were doing an adventure! The guide knew all the right places and ways to go to skip lines… it was just so fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better day and I will most definitely be back for another adventure!!

Camper – March 26, 2022

This company is a gem! Private tour of the ruins, swimming in a cenote & lunch in the jungle. Our tour guide Manuel was so friendly and knowledgeable. We were picked up from our hotel promptly at 6 am. The early wake up was so worth it to be the first one at the ruins. We had the place to ourselves. as we were leaving the mobs of people were first arriving. The lunch at Juanita’s was the best authentic food we had the entire trip. We were back at our hotel by 2:30. We would definitely book again with this company.

Jeffrey – March 22, 2022

Had Juan as our private tour guide who took care of every need, guiding, educating and picture taking. Had a great time wondering through Tulum with his understanding of culture and history. Moved at our desired pace and then to the next site. The cenote was amazing and he guided us through a unique safe experience. We ended with a wonderful Mayan lunch before heading back to resort. We truly felt cared for for the entire trip. Thanks Juan and absolute adventure!

Carley – February 9, 2022

We had an absolute blast on our tour including the cenotes. JJ was THE best tour guide and completely made the adventure. He was super knowledgable, fun, friendly and great at making sure we had amazing photos to remember our trip. Can’t recommend him and this group enough!!

mmtom – January 29, 2022

Great guide to fully appreciate Tulum. Jose Manuel was a wealth of knowledge, and helped us better understand Mayan history. The cenote visit was wonderful.

Ross – January 26, 2022

My friend and I booked a private, half-day Tulum ruins and cenote tour with Absolute Adventure. The booking process was extremely easy, pre-departure communication was great, and it was a great value for a private tour. Daniele (tour guide) and Rodrigo (driver) were amazing – funny, knowledgeable, personable. We really enjoyed that we were able to go at our own pace throughout the day and LOVED that we got to experience the ruins and cenotes early before the crowds arrived. It felt like we had the place to ourselves. All in all, I will definitely be using Absolute Adventure for my next trip to the Riviera Maya.

Ross M – January 23, 2022

Everything was great! Daniele and Rodrigo were exceptional. Gracias por todo!

Kelly – January 21, 2022

Do not Hesitate to book with Absolute Adventure Mexico. Four of us (from the U.S.) travel yearly to the Riveria Maya and this was by far one of our best experiences ever! It was great to be able to customize our day, choosing to tour Tulum and snorkeling the ‘Pet Cemetary” cenote. We felt comfortable and safe the entire time. Booking on line was easy, their pricing is reasonable, and I can not say enough good things about our driver Pascual and our tour guide Manual. It was just us and them, and we had an Absolute Blast! Both of them were very accommodating and seemed to genuinely enjoy what they do. Conversatiion was easy and interesting, and Manual is very knowledgeable on so many different topics. Not only was he able to answer any question we had, but also gave us much insight to their culture, past and present. Tulum and the cenote are breathtaking on their own, yet Pascual and Manual made our experience truly incredible! Also, I have to mention that at the end of our tour, we had the freshest, most delicious taditional meal I’ve ever had in Mexico. I whole heartedly recommend Absolute Adventure Mexico and look forward to being a repeat customer soon!

Kevin – January 17, 2022

Great tour of Tulum and beautiful cenotes. We had a tour of the Tulum ruins and two cenotes recently, and it was great. Our guide Daniel and driver Rodrigo were helpful and friendly, and did a great job showing us all the best spots. They also accommodated our group on very short notice. Would highly recommend.

Anne D – January 12, 2022

We had a private tour of the Mayan Ruins near Tulum with Daniele and Pascual. Daniele was very knowledgeable and so much fun. We never would have learned any of the information by wandering around by ourselves. We went to an underground cenote afterwards and Daniele was very patient and made sure we had the experience that we wanted and our safety was never in question. Afterwards we had a spectacular lunch at a family restaurant in the jungle. Pascual did an excellent job as our driver navigating the roads. That day was truly the highlight of our trip to Mexico!

Dan H – December 22, 2021

Just wanted to tell you how fantastic our tour was today. Jose was an incredible guide and really went above and beyond to show us such a great time. My wife and I had such an amazing time!!!

Emily – November 18, 2021

1000/10 recommend! We got an early start and beat the crowds which was awesome. Chris was such a friendly, knowledgeable guide! He knew all the best spots to take pictures and went above and beyond by using the different iPhone features to make sure we have great photos/memories to look back on. Omar was awesome as well. We had an absolute blast!! We will definitely be booking our future tours here!

Kim S – November 17, 2021

Tour was great…Daniel was awesome!! To finish at the Cenote was very cool and lunch in the jungle was excellent!!

Adam – November 17, 2021

Extremely fun trip! Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and driver was very safe! 10/10 recommendation. We will be back and using this same company!

Brian – November 16, 2021

We had an amazing trip to Tulum that included pick up, lunch and 2 cenotes. 100% recommend!

Haley – November 5, 2021

The tour was AMAZING! We had a great time and both our driver Omar and our guide Daniele we’re super! Daniele was very informative and easy to talk to! Thanks a million!

Kevin – October 2, 2021

We had a wonderful day with Chris. Loved visiting the ruins, 2 cenotes and lunch was delicious.

Stephanie – September 23, 2021

Our private tour with JJ and Daniel was a blast. We had 18 people who wanted a “speed” tour of the ruins and then 2 cenote stops. We had a blast with them throughout the day and at all stops. Both JJ and Daniel were knowledgeable, fun and great tour guides. Booking the tour was easy and Claire was quick to make suggestions and respond to emails. We highly recommend Absolute Adventure.

Victor – June 15, 2021

Perfect day trip! Our guide, Chris, was very knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommend!

Jessica – February 16, 2021

Amazing and relaxing adventure with Claire today exploring Tulum and swimming in an underground cenote. Absolute Adventures is absolutely the way to go for personal tours around Playa del Carmen. Claire even provided wetsuits for us. There was time to pick up gifts at artisan shops and lunch was delicious. I hope to return one day for another tour with my kids!

Penny L – December 2, 2020

This was great and definitely worth the money!!

Amber – October 30, 2019

did some research before deciding to book a private tour with Absolute Adventure, and this is the best decision we could have made! My boyfriend and I had our tour on October 22, 2019, and were picked up at our hotel in Cancun, at the recommended time of 6am. Ervin was our driver, and Hector was our tour guide. They were both so friendly and made the 2 hour drive to Tulum fly by quickly. The van was air conditioned and also had plenty of cold drinks to choose from. Hector is really knowledgeable about Mayan and Aztec culture, and educated us on the entire history on our drive over. He really made us feel as if we were close friends. When we got to Tulum, Hector took many amazing pictures of us, and knew exactly where we needed to stand to get the best shots. Hector was also very patient; we were not rushed at all and went at our own pace. After Tulum, we went snorkeling in the cenotes, followed by a lunch at a Mayan restaurant. I was not sure what to get, and ended up ordering a dish that Hector had recommended, which was absolutely delicious. Overall, this was the best excursion that we had ever gone on, and definitely recommend booking a private tour with Absolute Adventure. When we come back to Mexico, we will definitely be booking different tours with them!

Sean – April 28, 2019

Great Tulum Adventure I would highly recommend this group for private tours of Tulum. We selected the half day tour of the Mayan Ruins and a Cenote to tour. Nothing disappointed as they provided extensive knowledge and entertainment at each venue. Our tour guide Hector was great for the Cenote and Claire was very knowledgeable about the history of the ruins. The tour was reasonable in price and included waters, beers and sodas and a Mayan jungle lunch, which provide the best fish tacos I’ve ever eaten. They even take a ton of photos for you and send them to you the next day. Absolutely love it and would do it again!

Hillary C – March 25, 2019

We started our trip at 630 am from our hotel, which I highly suggest! We were able to get to the Tulum ruins early and avoid the huge crowd that was lined up while we were leaving. We then visited 2 separate cenotes where our small group of 4 were the only ones there! They were absolutely breathtaking! My very favorite part of the whole week long trip to Mexico. It was a very laid back trip but we saw and learned so much. Our guide, Jose Manuel, was very knowledgeable and so much fun. And a big thanks to our driver, Rodrigo, for safely transporting us and watching our things so we could enjoy the day with lugging around a bunch of bags. The lunch at Juanita’s was fantastic and a great experience as well.

N.S. – March 22, 2019

My fiance and I did a tour to Tulum and snorkled in a cenote. Juan was full of information and his passion for the Mayan culture showed. We had the best time and recommend Absolute Adventures 100%

Sir A – January 23, 2019

Absolutely amazing!! We did a private tour for the two of us and was amazed at the level of communication before the trip as well as amazing service during our tour. We were able to leave super early to beat the rush of the other tourist and also literally had the cenote’s to ourselves (hello isnta worthy photos). Worth every penny and will always use when I am in the area! Highly recommended!!

Nick – November 30, 2018

Absolute Adventure met all our expectations. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable, the whole experience was incredibly simple and fun.

LIZZ – November 26, 2018

Juan and Pascual were nothing short of amazing. Juan was entertaining and adjusted to the family like he was a member of our unique family group. When my granddaughter was a little apprehensive about the underwater cave he led her through it while we explored on our own. She is 7 and was not bored one bit with this tour. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone!

Maria – September 2, 2017

The Tulum and cenote tour was definitely one of the best moment of our holidays in Mexico. We chose a private to avoid waiting for other guests and move at our own pace. Claire explained us everything about the Mayan ruins and history, and made sure we were having a good time snorkeling. I can’t recommend Absolute Adventure enough!

Justin – April 29, 2017

Our guide was timely, knowledgable and passionate about his work. Although this tour starts quite early it is WELL worth it. They are treating guests to a unique experience to be away from the crowds. I highly recommend this tour.

Mark – April 29, 2017

So happy we booked with Absolute Adventure and not some other of the hotel. This is a small business where they give great service and attention to detail to their guests. Excellent service and safety shown throughout the day. Lovely lunch in the jungle. Private tour makes it even more special.

Curtis – April 14, 2017

This tour was absolutely amazing and my favorite while visiting Playa del carmen Our guide Juan was very informative. We were alone at the Cenyote. Loved this tour and would do it again! Water was beautiful and amazing. Tour van was air conditioned with drinks in the cooler! We got pics by email after the tour.

Alex – March 29, 2017

I recently traveled to Riviera Maya with my family of 4 as well as my brother’s family of 4. One of the highlights of our trip was our day spent touring Tulum and snorkeling in a cenote. We had children ranging from 6-13 and all had a wonderful day. Chris, our guide, was fun, knowledgeable, and always working to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves. Our lunch in the jungle was wonderful too!

Vic – December 17, 2016

They made sure we had the best time! the guide that rowed us was amazing and super funny. He took care of us and also made sure we were safe in the cave. I can’t describe enough what an amazing time we had. The tour starts early and there is a very legitimate reason! which is that we were able to visit the ruins before the crowds. The cenote was a unique experience, we were the only ones snorkeling! Well done

Andrea – August 29, 2016

Athuro did an amazing job guiding us in Tulum and Tak Be Ha cenote! He was knowledgable and passionate about sharing his culture with us. Waking up early was 100% worth it. We got ruins and cenote for ourselves. We had such a great family moment, away from the crowds. Would definitly recommend this tour to families !

Morgan – August 28, 2016

The outstanding professionalism started with the booking process. Clair and Chris were wonderful to work with and were willing to answer any question we had during the booking process. Our trip to Tulum was amazing, we were the first group to enter, which in itself was priceless. We were able to truly take the experience Tulum without being crowded by other tourist. The authentic Mexican meal that we had was outstanding. We were also very impressed how willing they both were to work with us the week of our vacation and accommodating our trip around the weather so that we got the most out of our trip.

Justin – June 30, 2016

The Absolute Adventure team did a great job on the day. Our guide was very personable, the trip was well organized, everything went exactly as described and as we had planned. I am really happy that I selected Absolute to help us experience the Tulum area.

Brad – June 30, 2016

Claire was an amazing guide for my wife and I on our vacation away from kids. Private tour of Tulum ruins was exquisite and a must experience to avoid the crowds and heat! Swimming in caves is an experience not to be missed, followed by an authentic local Mayan lunch. Would highly recommend Absolute Adventure to any friends, family or fellow travelers. We will book again with Absolute Adventure for the personalized experience and authentic tour.

David – June 27, 2016

Visiting Tulum and a cenote with Absolute Adventure felt like being a special guest. Not only we had a guide, a driver, a van for ourselves but we also enjoyed Mayan ruins and cenote before everyone else. Excellent organization and service, safety was on point. We didn’t have to pay anything during our tour, the snorkeling gear, drinks and lunch were included. We had an amazing moment, glad we booked this tour with Absolute Adventure!

Trevis – June 4, 2016

We recently took this tour and I have to say it was worth every penny. It is an early start (pick up 6:30am from our hotel in Puerto Morelos) but that was one of the reasons I booked this tour so that we could avoid the masses arriving at the beauty spots later in the day. They provide you with lunch and drinks all day. The guide and the driver were friendly and welcoming, our guide constantly offered to take photos of us which was nice.

Susie – September 11, 2015

I was traveling with a 15 people group. We were picked up in 2 comfortable vans and drove to Tulum early which was amazing because there were literally about 20 people there total. I have been to Tulum before on an afternoon tour and it was so crowded that we could barely take pictures. Tulum was incredible and Chris gave our group so much knowledge and took tons of group pictures for us. Finally we headed to the cenote (all snorkel gear was included). Most of our group was having a great time but my son was panicking so Chris helped him. We went back to the hotel, we were all very exhausted and I cannot imagine renting a car. I would highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a tour in the riviera maya area!

Vicky – July 1, 2015

Great for all ages and good value. From the efficiency of the transfer and pleasant informative points offered by the guide even the drive to this activity is enjoyable.

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14 Best Tulum Cenotes (Epic Hidden Gems & Most IG-Worthy) 

If you google “ best things to do in Tulum ,” you will find that the top results include cenotes. They’re some of the most unique things to do on a visit to Tulum, but with more than 6,000 in the region, it can feel almost impossible to narrow down the best Tulum cenotes.

Don’t worry, because we’re going to help with that.

As someone who grew up going to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico to visit family, I would often hear them talk about these magical cenotes that filled the area, but I didn’t truly understand the hype until I visited Tulum for the first time in 2020. 

Luckily, my cousin has lived in Playa del Carmen for over 10 years (located less than an hour from Tulum) and acts as a tour guide in the area. He gave me the inside scoop on cenotes that are actually worth the hype, which I’ve since explored in depth! 

This guide will cover everything you need to know about visiting the best Tulum cenotes on your next trip to the Yucatán! It’s broken up into two sections: cenotes that are conveniently situated right in Tulum, and ones that are a bit further away (but worth the trip)!

Keep reading for important travel tips including locations, entry fees, hours and much more.

Words contributed by Anissa Borchardt, travel blogger behind Her Jolie Journey . Images by Anissa Borchardt and Michelle Halpern.

But First, What Exactly is a Cenote?

So what exactly is a cenote? Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with fresh water that have been formed over centuries due to erosion—and they’re pretty freaking cool.

Fun Fact: The largest underground system of rivers in the world can be found here and connects all the cenotes along the Mexican Caribbean. 

These cenotes were important to Mayan culture, because not only were they a clean water source but also a symbol of life and death. It was believed that these cenotes were a gateway to the underworld and as a result, many rituals and ceremonies took place here.

You will find that the best Tulum cenotes fall under one of the three categories below: 

• Cavern Cenotes: These cenotes can be found inside caves and sometimes will include cracks in the rock that allow sunlight to pour in. 
• Open Cenotes: The oldest type of cenote and possibly the most recognizable. The limestone rock once surrounding these cenotes has fallen away, leaving them more open air and surrounded by beautiful jungle vegetation. They are often called natural swimming pools because they are above ground. 
• Semi-open Cenotes: Walls of limestone surround these cenotes featuring a large opening that allows sunlight and vegetation to funnel in. 

Another type of cenote is an underground cenote, but these are tough to reach as only experienced divers can access them.

Tips for Visiting Cenotes Near Tulum 

Best time to visit cenotes

Some cenotes are more popular than others, which means you can expect crowds at the most frequented spots. If crowds don’t bother you, you will find that most cenotes are generally open from 9 am to 5 pm.

I recommend visiting the more popular cenotes early in the morning to really enhance your experience. There is something special about going for a dip in these cenotes without the crowds and noise of other tourists that will make for a more relaxing visit.

However, if you want the best photos with vibrant turquoise water, that’s always easiest to find when the sun is overhead to bring out the color.

What to bring with you to Tulum’s best cenotes

Some essential items include towels, bathing suit (it’s better if you arrive already wearing one), water and cash.

Some optional items to bring include snorkel gear , water shoes , camera, GoPro , waterproof phone case , snacks, a change of dry clothes, and a life jacket (if the cenotes you are choosing to visit do not provide any on site).

Check out my full Tulum packing list , if you need a more extensive packing guide for your trip.

Do you have to rinse off before going for a swim in cenotes?

To protect the water and the ecosystem found in these cenotes, most require you to rinse off before stepping foot in the water. Yep, that includes your hair—so expect to get your hair wet when visiting the best Tulum cenotes.

Sunscreen, body lotions and perfumes can contain harmful chemicals, so rinsing off eliminates these threats. 

What does it cost to visit the cenotes?

Prices vary from cenote to cenote, and we’ll cover that in more detail below! Just make sure to bring cash, as we found that most places only take cash and not card. 

Can you bring camera gear?

There are many cenotes near Tulum that don’t allow DSLR cameras or drones , but permit phones and even GoPros . Some will charge you a fee to use a camera and/or drone, but more details on that below. 

How do you get to the cenotes?

This varies depending on the distance. If the cenotes are located within city limits, taking a taxi or even riding a bike is doable from downtown Tulum.

Renting a car or booking a tour will be your best option if you’re looking to travel to one or more of the cenotes that are further out. 

If you really want to make the most of visiting the cenotes near Tulum, consider booking a full-day private cenote tour , which will allow you to enjoy multiple cenotes without worrying about the parking and logistics or the hidden costs and fees, as these tour companies will charge you for everything up front!

The Best Cenote Tours to Book!

▶️ Private Tour of Cenote Suytun & Oxman – Beat the crowds with this private tour to some of the Yucatán’s most photogenic cenotes included in this guide! ▶️ Tulum Ruins and Cenote Tour – If you’re traveling from Cancun to Tulum to explore the cenotes, this affordable tour takes you both through the archaeological ruins of Tulum and a nearby cenote. ▶️ Cave Diving Scuba Tour – For the truly adventurous and experienced divers, book this cenote diving tour to experience the rock formations and marine life under the surface. ▶️ Private Tour of 3 Cenotes in One Day – Visit multiple cenotes near Tulum in one day including Gran Cenote and Dos Ojos, without worrying about the logistics.

The Best Tulum Cenotes to Visit

Gran cenote.

• Distance from Tulum: Just over 3 miles from the center of Tulum
• Location: Quintana Roo 109, 77796 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $500 MXN or $25 USD (must be paid in cash)
• Camera Fee: Not allowed
• Open Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
• Facilities: Lockers, bathrooms and changing rooms.
• Best For: Photos, convenience from Tulum and spotting small turtles in the water, so bring your snorkel gear!

Say hello to the most photographed cenote in Tulum! Due to its location, the Gran Cenote is super accessible and is considered one of the best Tulum cenotes.

This semi-open cenote is filled with some spectacularly, crystal clear blue water and is a popular spot for both snorkelers and divers.

For my snorkel fans, there are several small turtles that call this place home and are easy to spot. And if you forget to bring snorkel gear, you can easily rent some for 80 pesos. The Gran Cenote is 30 feet deep, so it’s possible to scuba dive here as well. 

Some rules to be aware of when visiting the Gran Cenote include rinsing off at their facilities before you get in the water and wearing a life jacket (they’re included in the cost of your entry).

• Distance from Tulum: 13 miles north of Tulum
• Location: Cenote Jaguar Rd, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $350 MXN or $21 USD (cash only)
• Camera Fee: 300 MXN or $15 USD
• Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Facilities: Bathrooms, changing rooms and lockers.
• Best For: Scuba diving and visiting multiple cenotes in one trip.

As if Tulum, Mexico needs another show-stopping cenote, Dos Ojos has been featured in multiple movies and documentaries due to its striking beauty.

It’s part of the Sac Actun system, one of the largest underwater cave systems in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The English translation of this cenote means two eyes, because this spot consists of two cenotes connected by a passageway that is 1,312 feet long! Talk about a scuba diver’s paradise.  You can book a diving tour of Dos Ojos here .

If you are worried about the depth of these cenotes, you can rest assured there are both shallow areas and deep areas found here, making it more family-friendly. 

A bonus of visiting Dos Ojos is that the space is a tourist park that includes four additional cenotes you can experience for an extra cost.

Cenote Cristal & Cenote Escondido

• Distance from Tulum: Less than 2 miles from the southern exit of Tulum
• Location: Km 223.8, Chetumal-Cancun, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $120 MXN for both. Cash only. 
• Camera Fee: No fees and drones are allowed
• Facilities: Access to bathrooms, changing rooms and showers. You can also find a few picnic tables.
• Best For: Family-friendly spot and best for beginner snorkelers and divers

These are two separate cenotes that we included together, because they can be found just minutes from each other and the admission price covers a visit to both. Gotta love those two for ones!

Even better, these cenotes are some of the cheapest in the area, making them one of the best Tulum cenotes to visit.

Cenote Cristal is an open cenote with water so clear you don’t even need to worry about bringing snorkel gear (unless you want to).

Here you’ll find a fun little diving platform and a rope in the water that extends from one end of the cenote to the other where you can rest. I recommend bringing water shoes here, as you will find it can get quite rocky. 

Cenote Escondido is another open cenote located just 10 minutes by foot from Cenote Cristal. Cenote Escondido resembles the shape of a river and has more fun features like a rope swing and cliff-diving.

Cenote Vesica  

• Distance from Tulum: Found on the southern side of Tulum just minutes from Cenote Escondido and Cristal
• Location: PARCELA No. 198Z-2P-1 EJIDO, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $300 MXN (cards accepted here) 
• Camera Fee: No fee
• Open Hours: Mondays closed, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Tuesday – Sunday)
• Facilities: Towels, showers, bathrooms, wifi.
• Best For: Luxury lounging, live music and wellness experiences.

Did you know there is an actual CENOTE DAY CLUB in Tulum?? This place really does have it all, and the best part is it remains relatively unknown!

This spot can be found on the outskirts of Tulum, so you’ll want to take a cab here or a pretty long bike ride. There is parking available if you have a car.

It’s best to make a reservation in advance, although not essential. Day beds around the cenote have a minimum spend on food and drinks of $1000 MXC per person and chairs around the cenote are $500 MXC per person.

If you want to save on costs and not be tied to a minimum spend, there is seating available just a short distance from the cenote.

This is easily one of the best Tulum cenotes, so if you want to skip the crowds and enjoy an authentic Tulum cenote with some great vibes, add this spot to your Tulum itinerary!

Cenote Calavera 

• Distance from Tulum: 10 minutes from the center of Tulum
• Location: Carretera Tulum Coba Km 1.7, 77796 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $250 MXN in cash
• Camera Fee: $200 MXN in cash (applies to GoPros as well)
• Open Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Facilities: Restrooms and showers
• Best For: Cenote jumping! 

Though tiny, this cenote packs a punch and is growing in popularity; many locals claim this is the best Tulum cenote!

Did you know that this cenote was named after a skull because of its shape? Looking at the cenote from above, you’ll notice two holes in the ground that resemble eyes and the main hole resembles a mouth like the face of a skull.

You can choose to enter the cenote by jumping into one of the three holes, or you can use the large wooden ladder found at the main hole to climb in.  

The visibility found deep below the surface is actually quite good making it a popular spot for divers, but I recommend going mid-day if you want the turquoise colors to pop from the sun.

where to stay in tulum: town or beach?

Cenote Corazon 

• Distance from Tulum: 4 miles from downtown Tulum
• Location: Carretera A Tulum Carrillo Puerto KM 200, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $150 MXN in cash
• Camera Fee: None, drones are allowed and no extra fee is added. 
• Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Facilities: Bathrooms, showers and snorkel equipment for rent.
• Best For: Photos and snorkeling

Perhaps best known for its heart shaped (when viewed from above), this cenote is a memorable one.

The wooden platforms that surround this cenote provide plenty of jumping points and seating options. The setting provides more of a tranquil atmosphere, as it’s not nearly as well-visited as its neighbors (Cristal and Escondido).

This makes it one of the best Tulum cenotes to relax. The water provides plenty of visibility for snorkeling and diving. If you do plan on going for a dive, you do need to book through a diving center.

Casa Tortugas Cenotes

• Distance from Tulum: Less than 20 minutes Northeast of Tulum
• Location: Carr. Cancún – Tulum 239, Ejidal, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: There are multiple packages to choose from, but the first guided tour package starts at $650 MXN. All packages include four cenotes. 
• Camera Fee: You must leave personal cameras and phones in lockers, but you can bring a GoPro. A photographer does follow your group and has photos available for purchase. 
• Facilities: Bathrooms, changing rooms, lockers, wifi and a restaurant and bar.
• Best For: Multiple cenotes in one, guided tours and zip-lining.

What if I told you that instead of bouncing between various cenotes all over the Yucatán, there was a cenote that would entice you enough to stay all day?

Casa Tortugas is home to a natural park filled with four unique cenotes, so you can visit all of them at once!

You will need to book a guided tour to explore these four cenotes, but you get to learn some amazing history along the way. The four cenotes include two open cenotes and two cavern-like cenotes.

After you visit all these cenotes with your guide, you are given a couple of hours of free time to choose which open cenote you would like to explore some more. There are multiple tour packages to choose from including a zip-line! 

Cenote Nicte-Ha 

• Distance from Tulum: Located 20 minutes North of Tulum
• Location: Cenote Nic Te Ha Rd, 77774 Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $250 MXN
• Camera Fee: None
• Facilities: Bathrooms
• Best For: Less crowds, snorkeling and diving

When it comes to the best Tulum cenotes, this one checks all the boxes.

Cenote Nicte-Ha can be found within Parque Dos Ojos just 5 miles past the Dos Ojos parking lot. It doesn’t get nearly enough attention that it deserves, but that just means less crowds you have to deal with.

This spot will make you feel like you’ve escaped deep into a secret jungle. It’s covered in the prettiest water lilies that float above striking turquoise blue water.

This is a great spot to do some snorkeling and if you want to take a dive, you will need to arrange with diving center beforehand.

Book this highly-rated private tour that takes you to Cenote Nicte-Ha plus one other.

Best Cenotes Near Tulum

Willing to put in a little more effort for some of the Yucatán’s best cenotes? Here are a few that are within driving distance from Tulum and worth the hype!

Cenote Oxman

• Distance from Tulum: 1.5 hours North West of Tulum
• Location: Periférico, 97780 Valladolid, Yuc., Mexico
• Entry Price: $150 MXN in cash only
• Camera Fee: No fee for cameras, but 150 MXN to fly a drone
• Open Hours: Open 7 days a week, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Facilities: Bathrooms, changing rooms and showers. 
• Best For: Unlimited entertainment and great facilities

Let me start by saying, I had the most fun at this cenote! This semi-open cenote is filled with hanging vines, but the best feature here is definitely the rope swing. I lost count on the number of times I took a swing on that thing.

Although once considered a hidden gem, this cenote has slowly gained more and more popularity so make sure to get there early to avoid the crowds.

Cenote Oxman is actually located on the grounds of Hacienda San Lorenzo hotel, so there are some extra amenities here that you won’t find at other cenotes like a large swimming pool, restaurants and bars.

To gain access to Cenote Oxman you will need to pay 150 MXD in cash. If you plan on eating here, you can pay 200 MXN to enter, and this will include a 50 MXN voucher to use towards the hotel restaurant.

Another option includes paying a 300 MXN entrance fee and this grants you access to everything on the property with a 150 MXN voucher to use at the restaurant.

If you aren’t planning on spending a lot of time here, I would pay the basic 150 MXN admission fee and head to Valladolid for food.  

Want to beat the crowds? Book a private tour here that takes you to Cenote Oxman and Cenote Suytun for the best photos.

Cenote Suytun

• Distance from Tulum: Located less than 1.5 hours North East of Tulum. 
• Location: Carretera Ticuch Km 8 S/n, 97780 Valladolid, Yuc., Mexico
• Entry Price: $200 MXN, but includes entry to 2 cenotes and life jacket rental. Cash only. 
• Camera Fee: None, but drones are not permitted.
• Open Hours: Open 7 days a week from 9 AM – 4:30 PM, but get here early to beat the crowds!
• Facilities: Food and drink stands, lockers, changing rooms and restrooms and gift shop. Towels available for rent.
• Best For: The perfect Instagram photo.

This is easily the most Instagrammable cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula and can be found less than 15 minutes from Valladolid.

The unique feature of this semi-open cenote is the circular viewing platform that juts out right through its center. Light beams directly overhead hit the center of this platform around midday, making for dream-like photo ops. 

INSIDER TIP: Don’t expect to do too much swimming here, as it’s considered one of the most shallow cenotes in Yucatán. It ranges from 3.5 feet to 16.5 feet. And tbh, you will find that most people come here to take photos.

You can expect to stand in line with other visitors who are also dying to catch the perfect picture, so just be patient and you’ll capture your perfect shot.  Or book this private cenote tour that will take you to both cenotes Suytun & Oxman before the crowds arrive!

PS – Keep your eyes out for the cenote’s resident peacocks on property.

Cenote Ik Kil  

• Distance from Tulum: Located 2 hours Northwest of Tulum
• Location: Km. 122 Valladolid – Merida Tablaje Catastral 510, Merida – Valladolid Km. 122, 97753 X-Calakoop, Yuc., Mexico
• Camera Fee: No camera fee, $50 MXN for domestic video camera, no drones allowed
• Facilities: Lockers, bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms, plus two restaurants.
• Best For: Beautiful views and a little cliff jumping

This one is a must-see if you are planning on visiting the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.

Cenote Ik Kil is located less than 5 minutes south of these ruins. Given its close proximity to the ruins, you can expect a lot of people, but this shouldn’t deter you from visiting.

The cenote resembles something straight out of a Tarzan Disney movie with beautiful vines and vegetation that pour into this cenote. 

And if you’re looking for a little dash of fun, you can jump in from the edge of the staircase. The cenote is 164 feet deep, so life jackets here are required (but are included in the price).

Cenote X’ux Ha 

• Distance from Tulum: Located just over an hour Northwest of Tulum
• Location: Carr. Costera del Golfo 148, Yucatán, Mexico
• Entry Price: $150 MXN, $80 MXN for Children 12 and under
• Open Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Facilities: Showers, restrooms, changing rooms, lockers and a snack stand with beverages and fresh coconuts.
• Best For: Escaping the large crowds

In an area that is often overrun by tourists, you can feel confident in knowing that this cenote is considered more of a hidden gem.

The sheer size of this cenote makes it stand out. You have to go down 82 feet of stairs to reach the cenote, but will be blown away to find beautiful, deep blue water found inside a massive limestone dome.

There are some small openings at the top of the dome that allows sunlight to filter in and make this cenote feel truly magical. 

This is the perfect spot to do some snorkeling and catch sightings of numerous fish and small turtles. And if you love scuba diving, you can find a network of passages and caverns down below.

Another great feature of this cenote is the large diving platform found here, although not for the faint of heart. The diving platform looks mild in height…that is, until you reach the top. It was definitely a one and done jump for me!

15 Magical Tulum Beach Hotels to Book

Cenote Azul 

• Distance from Tulum: 30 minutes North of Tulum by car
• Location: Riviera Maya, Carr. Cancún – Tulum Km 266, 77734 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
• Entry Price: $120 MXN in cash
• Camera Fee: No fee, but drones are not allowed
• Open Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Facilities: Restrooms, changing rooms, showers, snack booth and snorkel equipment available for rent.
• Best For: Families and open-air swimming

Just 30 minutes north of Tulum, you will find this incredible open-air cenote filled with some of the most stunning, crystal clear water.

Rumor has it this is one of the largest cenotes in Mexico. This means you will find a good balance between shallow parts and deep parts, making it a great family-friendly cenote near Tulum to check out. 

Due to the sheer size of this cenote you can find areas that feel less crowded. And if you’re looking for a little bit of an adrenaline rush, you can do some cliff jumping here from as high as 15 feet.

Map of the Best Tulum Cenotes

I hope this guide helped you better narrow down the best Tulum cenotes to visit on your trip and help you feel less overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cenotes near Tulum and the Yucatán.

Here’s a handy map you can reference that will help you visualize where all the top cenotes in Tulum are located!

About the Guest Writer: Anissa Borchardt is a part-time content creator based in Arizona and the face behind Her Jolie Journey, a travel blog dedicated to helping part-time travelers make the most of their PTO and weekends. Follow along with Anissa’s travels on Instagram and TikTok

Want more Mexico travel tips ? View all Mexico blog posts here .

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20 Best Cenotes Near Tulum You Have to Visit in 2024

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 Mexico cenotes!

In this article, I’m going to highlight the 20 most beautiful cenotes near Tulum that you won’t want to miss when you visit Tulum.

To make sure you’re in the right place, these aren’t the cenotes in Tulum — but you can find those in this article, The 25 Best Tulum Cenotes in Tulum .

What you’ll find in this articles are the cenotes with 30-90 minutes of Tulum Town, which are all ideal for a day trip from Tulum.

Considering a guided tour of the cenotes near Tulum? I recommend this Best Instagram Worthy Yucatan Cenotes Tour . On it, you’ll visit 3 of the most beautiful cenotes close to Tulum, like Cenote Suytun.

In this Tulum cenote guide, you’ll also 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.

Ready to get to this list of the 20 best cenotes near Tulum Mexico?!

Let’s get to it, and after you see the list, don’t miss the Cenotes FAQs and Cenote Map at the end of the article, so you have enough info to visit like the Yucatan cenotes like a pro.

What is a cenote?

A cenote is a deep sinkhole in the natural limestone floor, which exposes the freshwater underground. This sunken-in area forms a natural pool (or cenote), and these cenotes are found especially in Yucatan Mexico.

The word “sinkhole” describes the process of how the cenotes came to be. At one time, all cenotes were encased in the Yucatan Peninsula’s native limestone rock.

🛑 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.

Over time, some rock has eroded, collapsed, and “sunk in” to reveal the water beneath — which is the cenote water we can now swim in.

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 Best Cenotes Near Tulum Mexico

1. cenote dos ojos.

• 📍 Location: About 30 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307 on the way to Playa del Carmen
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Diving
• 💰 Cost: $350 pesos (about $21 USD), which will give you access to several cenotes in Dos Ojos Cenote Park
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-5pm

When it comes to the best cenotes to visit near Tulum Mexico, this one is on everyone’s list because it’s great for swimming, but it’s also among the best snorkeling cenotes near Tulum and best diving cenotes in Mexico as well.

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. Cenote Dos Ojos 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.

🚻 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

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

💧 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 around Tulum in this area, like Cenotes Sac Actun 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 cave, and Cenote El Pit, which is open to divers only.

best cenotes near Tulum

2. cenote azul.

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

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 by Tulum, and best cenotes in Riviera Maya.

Of all the Playa del Carmen cenotes, the most popular is Cenote Azul (meaning “blue cenote”).

Of the most beautiful Playa del Carmen cenotes, there’s Cenote Azul (and Cenote Jardín de Eden, up next on the list).

This cenote is popular with both locals and visitors, so to avoid the crowds, head on a weekday early when they open, or 1-2 hours before closing.

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, and one of the best cenotes around Tulum 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

⚠️ Note: There’s are two Cenotes Azul

There is a Cenote Azul is near Tulum, and a Cenote Azul one in Bacalar Mexico , which is three hours south of Tulum.

In short: Always make sure you’re looking at info for the correct Cenote Azul near Tulum, and not Cenote Azul Bacalar.

3. Cenote Jardin Del Eden (AKA Cenote Ponderosa)

• 💧 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

4. Cenote Cristalino

• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Jumping, Diving
• ⏰ 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

5. Cenote Suytun: The Instagram Cenote

• 📍 Location: About 90 minutes northwest of Tulum on Highway 109 (Carretera Chemax-Coba), towards Valladolid
• 💧 Best for: Photos, Quick Swim

The Suytun Cenote  is located fully underground in a cave, with large stalactite rock formations hanging from the ceiling.

There is a small hole above the cenote so a single ray of light will shine in, and a circular platform in the center where many take their Instagram worthy cenote photos.

This cenote isn’t large, though it is very popular — so it will fill up quite quickly.

If you want it all to yourself for photos and swimming, you’ll want to arrive by about 9am-10am, and preferably on a weekday rather than a weekend.

(However, note that the light beam is strongest at midday when the sun’s overhead.)

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

6. Cenote Yax-Muul at Jungle Maya Native Park

• 💧 Best for: Adventurers & Adrenaline Junkies
• 💰 Cost: About $125 USD

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 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 in a 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, adrenalins 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.

7. Cenote Ik-Kil: The Chichen Itza Cenote

• 💰 Cost: $80 pesos (about $9 USD)

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.

As you might imagine, 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, snack bar, gift shop, convenience store, free packing lot, lifeguards, Hotel Ik-Kil with cabañas to stay overnight — it’s truly the most equipped Mexico cenote of them all!

8. Cenote Xunaan-Ha: The Chemuyil Cenote

• 📍 Location: About 25 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307 in the town of Chemuyil Mexico
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Diving, Photos
• 💰 Cost: $70 pesos (about $8 USD)
• 🚻 Cenote Xunaan-Ha Amenities: Just restrooms

Located in the small pueblo of Chemuyil Village, midway between Tulum and Akumal , you’ll find the picturesque Xunaan-Ha Cenote.

For those headed to Akumal Beach to swim with the turtles , make sure you also plan for a stop at this secret cenote that has a diving platform and zipline!

Cenote Xunaan-Ha is an off the beaten path cenote in Riviera Maya, though it’s getting more popular each year.

For now it’s still a hidden gem, and for those who do know about this hidden cenote, you may have this beautiful place (almost) all to yourself.

9. Cenote Yal Ku Lagoon: The Akumal Cenote

• 📍 Location: About 30 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307 in the town of Akumal Mexico
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling
• 💰 Cost: $300 pesos (about $18 USD)

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 and rays.

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

10. Cenote Nicte-H a at Parque Dos Ojos Park

In my opinion, Nicte-Ha Cenote is the best of all the cenotes at Dos Ojos Park (besides the Dos Ojos Cnoete itself). Cenote Nicte-Ha, however, is the perfect lagoon for swimming and relaxing.

The water is lined with water lilies, but underneath, the crystal clear waters are teeming with life, so don’t be surprised to see tons of little fish, other marine life, and maybe even turtles swim past you.

As one of the most popular cenotes, Cenote Dos Ojos is a must visit for many Tulum visitors — though it’s located outside of Tulum.

If you’re headed to Dos Ojos Cenote, which is often quite crowded, its neighboring Cenote Nicte-Ha is a great less-crowded alternative.

11. Cenote El Pit at Parque Dos Ojos Park

• 📍 Location: About 30 minutes from Tulum, just off Highway 307 and on the way to Playa del Carmen
• 💰 Cost: $450 pesos (about $27 USD)

While not the most poetic name, “the pit” perfectly describes the El Pit Cenote — the deepest cenote in Quintana Roo State , at 390-feet (119m).

This cenote is only for scuba divers (swimmers and snorkelers aren’t allowed), as it’s just a hole in the jungle floor that descends straight down into a cavern.

For those who want to dive Cenote El Pit, you’ll need to be dive certified.

However, for cave divers, this is said to be the best diving cenote in Mexico.

12. Cenote Taak Bi Ha

• 💧 Best for: Cave exploration, Swimming, Snorkeling, Diving
• 💰 Cost: $350 pesos (about $21 USD)
• ⏰ Hours: 9:30am-5pm
• 🚻 Cenote Taak Bi Ha Facilities : Just restrooms

Taak Bi Ha Cenote is an underground cave cenote, located near the popular Cenote Dos Ojos.

If you’re headed to the Dos Ojos Cenotes Park area, make sure to plan for a visit to Cenote Taak Bi Ha as well — especially if you’ve never been inside a cave cenote.

Once inside, you’ll feel like you’re in another world and quickly see why this is known by many as the most beautiful and best cenote near Tulum!

There are white-colored stalactites and stalagmites rock formations, extending from the ceiling above the water below.

A privately-owned cenote, it’s well-kept and well-lit so visitors can see and enjoy all the subterranean beauty.

You can go on your own through the cave — up to a point . There will come a time when you’ll need a guide with a flashlight to take you into the deeper parts.

If you want to explore the entire cave, ask for a guide at the entrance; the price is only $50 pesos (about $3 USD) more for a tour guide, and well worth it.

13. Cenote Zaci: The Valladolid Cenote

• 💧 Best for: Photos, Snorkeling, Quick Swim
• 💰 Cost: $30 pesos (about $2 USD), but if you’re eating at the Cenote Zaci restaurant, you get FREE admission to the cenote
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-4pm

Zaci Cenote is located within walking distance of Downtown Valladolid . It is popular with both visitors and locals, who gather there as though this cenote is the town swimming pool.

This deep-water cenote also has plenty of ledges where you can jump into the cenote, and also staircases to enter in a calmer fashion.

For the truly dating, there is a giant tree branch you can jump or dive off of to enter this cenote.

After spending the day exploring downtown, you can walk to Cenote Zaci for a swim and a meal at the onsite restaurant called Restaurant Zaci.

They serve traditional Yucatan foods , like cochinita pibil tacos , and traditional Mexican drinks , like horchata.

🚻 Cenotes Zaci Facilities

Restrooms, restaurant, life jacket rentals, lockers, parking lot

14. Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman (Cenote Oxman)

• 💧 Best for: Photos on the Rope Vines, Quick Swim
• 💰 Cost: $150 pesos (about $9 USD), of you can pay $200 pesos (about $12 USD) and get a meal in the onsite restaurant
• ⏰ Hours: 9am-6pm

Among the best cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, Oxman Cenote is located on the grounds of Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman (you can also tour the hacienda).

It is a beautiful, semi-open cenote, with bright blue water and long tree roots and vines hanging down, making it look otherworldly.

This cenote is popular for photos, as the rope swing plus the cenote’s tropical jungle background make for a stunning photo.

Though so beautiful and photogenic, Cenote Oxman doesn’t see the huge crowds some other Valladolid cenotes do, so it makes a great option to beat the crowds.

🚻 Cenote Oxman amenities

Restrooms, showers, restaurant, cabanas, regular swimming pools, life jackets

15. Cenote Xcanche: The Ek Balam Cenote

• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Photos, Adventurers
• 💰 Cost: $70 pesos (about $4 USD) for just the cenote, or $400 pesos (about $24 USD) for the cenote, zip line and rappelling

Located only about one-mile (1.5 km) from Ek Balam Mayan Ruins, Cenote X’Canche has earned itself the nickname of “Ek Balam Cenote.”

After a long day of exploring the ruins, you can catch a rickshaw taxi from Ek Balam to X’Canche Cenote for a nice swim in this large cenote.

Besides just swimming, there’s also some fun things to do here for more adventurous travelers — like the cenote zipline and rappelling.

This is definitely a hidden gem cenote that so few visit, so there’s a good chance you’ll have the whole place to yourself at one of the best cenotes near Valladolid.

🚻 Cenote Xcanche amenities

Restrooms, showers, lockers, life jacket rentals

16. Cenote Choo-Ha: The Coba Cenote

• 📍 Location: About 45 minutes northwest of Tulum on Highway 109 (Carretera Chemax-Coba)
• 💰 Cost: $100 pesos (about $6 USD)
• 🚻 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 — it’s name 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.

17. Cenote Tamcach-Ha Coba Cenotes

• 📍 Location: About 45 hours northwest of Tulum on Highway 109 (Carretera Chemax-Coba)
• 💧 Best for: Photos, Swimming
• 🚻 Cenote Tamcach-Ha Facilities: Restrooms, showers, lockers

Unlike Cenote Choo-Ha which isn’t the best for swimming, the Tamcach-Ha Cenote is a deep-water cenote perfect for a swim.

In fact, tamcach-ha mens “deep water” in Maya, and life jackets are actually required to swim here (you’ll get one at the entrance).

Take advantage of the life jacket and float around a while, looking up at the rocky stalactites hanging from the cave roof and watching the bats fly around.

To enter this cenote, you’ll walk down a spiral staircase and then enter the water. The water here is a bit cool, though very refreshing.

18. Cenote Multum-Ha Coba Cenotes

• 🚻 Cenote Multum-Ha Facilities: Restrooms, showers, lockers

Of the three cenotes in Coba, the Multum-Ha Cenote might be the best of the three, in terms of swimability and beauty.

Do note that this one is located deep underground, and you’ll need to go down (then back up) about 100 stairs.

Like Cenote Tamcach-Ha, this is a deep-water cenote, 🤿 perfect for swimming .

The water here, however, is much more crystal-clear blue in color, and you can see down to the rocks on the bottom in some parts.

19. Cenote Chikin-Ha

• 📍 Location: About 35 minutes north of Tulum, just off Highway 307
• 💧 Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling, Adventurers
• 🚻 Cenote Chikin-Ha Facilities: Restrooms, showers, lockers, snack bar

Chikin-Ha Cenote is a Mayan culture park. There are three cenotes here, but many also come for the temazcal (sweat lodge) — a purification ceremony and ritual performed by a Mayan shaman.

For culture travelers, this is among the best cenotes close to Tulum.

1️⃣ Cenote X’tabay: This is an open, swimming pool style cenote with beautiful blue water that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There’s also a zipline you can use to enter the cenote.

2️⃣ Cenote Chikin Ha: A semi-covered cavern cenote, with hanging tree roots that give it an otherworldly look (see the photo above). You can swim around in the cenote water, exploring all the corners and crevices here while searching for fish and cool rock formations under the water.

3️⃣ Cenote Ta’ak Bil-Ha: This cenote is used only for ritual purposes, and not for swimming. It is said this is the most sacred of the three, and here, a shaman will perform a ritual before the temazcal ceremony .

Even if you’re not participating in the sweat lodge, you might be lucky enough to visit while one is going on.

If so, the Ta’ak Bil-Ha Cenote will be all lit up with candles, and the smell of copal incense will fill the air — and this whole sacred space will look magical!

For those who aren’t into the spirituality associated with visiting Cenote Chikin-Ha, there’s plenty of other things to do here.

For the adventurous, there’s the cenote zip line and rappelling, and swimmers will love splashing around and snorkeling in Cenote X’tabay .

⚠️ Note: Always remember that though the cenotes are popular for tourism — they are sacred places to the Maya people.

Remember to act respectful of the people and environment when you visit Cenote Chikin-Ha and any cenotes.

20. Cenotes Dzitnup: Cenote Samula & Cenote X’Keken

• 💧 Best for: Swimming
• 💰 Cost: $80 pesos (about $5 USD) for one cenote, and $125 pesos ($8 USD) for both
• ⏰ Hours: 8am-7pm

What’s known as Dzitnup Cenote is really two cenotes next to one another in the same cenote park: Cenote Samula and Cenote Xkeken.

These are somewhat off the beaten path cenotes in Valladolid , so they rarely get too crowded.

If you can, visit them both — though if you have to pick just one, here’s some info on each of these cenotes to help you decide:

1️⃣ Samula Cenote is a cave cenote which looks similar to the popular Cenote Suytun , with a single ray of light that shines in through a smaller hole at the top of the cenote. It is great for swimming around, but usually get more crowded than Xkeken.

2️⃣ Xkeken Cenote is also located underground in a cave, but lit up by colored lights for a funky and cool vibe. If you want to (possibly) have a cenote all to yourself, this one tends to be less crowded. Personally, I liked this one more, as it’s so unique looking.

🚻 Cenote Dzitnup Amenities

Restrooms, showers, restaurant, lockers, life vest rentals, parking lot

Best Cenotes Near Tulum Map

Wondering, What are the best cenotes near me right now?

The cenotes are hidden in the Yucatan jungle, sometimes down dirt roads and off the beaten path, so check out the map of cenotes near Tulum Mexico above to find out which ones are where — and which ones are near one another so you can visit a few on a Tulum day trip .

Cenotes Packing List: What to Bring to Tulum Cenotes

Wondering what to pack for Tulum cenotes ? You’re not alone!

Since this will likely be your first visit to any of the best Mexico cenotes, you’re probably unsure what to take and what to leave home. Don’t worry — I’m here to help.

Below, you’ll find a list of seven things you need to consider when making your Tulum cenotes packing list.

The one additional thing you need to have with you is cash (preferably in pesos) , because the majority of cenotes don’t take credit cards.

This list highlights what you’ll want to bring to any cenotes in Tulum (or cenotes near Tulum) you’re visiting, like Laguna Kaan Luum & Cenote , Gran Cenote , Cenote Sac Actun, Cenote Carwash (AKA Cenote Aktun-Ha).

1. Go Pro Waterproof Camera

• 5.3K 60 Ultra HD Video
• 27 Megapixel Photos
• Award-Winning HyperSmooth 6.0 Image Stabilization
• Webcam with Live Streaming
• 1/1.9 Image Sensor
• Whats Included: HERO12 Black, Enduro Rechargeable Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle + Thumb Screw, USB-C Cable

If you’ve been considering getting a GoPro Hero , the photogenic Yucatan cenotes make for the perfect place to put the camera to good use.

📸 Looking for an inexpensive GoPro alternative? I recommend this Akaso EK7000 , an Amazon Best Seller.

2. Long Sleeve Bathing Suit (AKA Rash guard or Swim shirt)

🚨 In case you didn’t know: Sunscreen is prohibited in ALL cenotes!

That’s right: You’re not allowed to wear sunscreen of any kind in any cenote in Mexico. Yes, this also includes eco-friendly sunscreens and reef safe sunscreens because they can harm the natural environment.

However, you will want sun protection, so opt for these long sleeve bathing suits and even these waterproof sun hats so you don’t end up with a bad sunburn on your Tulum vacation.

3. Mask and Snorkel

• 180° Panoramic View
• Anti-Fog and Anti-Leak Dry Snorkel Technology
• Made of High Quality PC and Medical Grade Silicone
• Detachable Camera Mount (Fits GoPro, Akaso, and most models)
• Adjustable straps designed for comfort in the water

You can snorkel in many Tulum cenotes to see the rocks underneath and all the little fish.

For those who want to conserve luggage space, these small goggles and this roll up snorkel are a great option, but this combo mask and snorkel is the best option for snorkeling in Tulum cenotes, as well as the Tulum lagoons and the Caribbean Sea.

4. Water Shoes

Here’s one of the best Tulum travel tips: Don’t forget to buy and bring your water shoes ! As cenotes are natural pools, most have slippery rocks, muddy ground, etc.

Water shoes also help you not slip in general, especially when walking down any staircase entryways.

5. Waterproof Phone Holder

If you’re planning to take Instagrammable cenote photos, this inexpensive waterproof phone holder that goes around your neck really comes in handy.

With these, you can take them in water and capture the Tulum cenotes from all angles.

6. Waterproof Fanny Pack

This waterproof fanny pack is another great option. Not only are they cute, but it will also hold all your valuables, not just your phone.

Wondering about lockers at Tulum cenotes? While some do have locker rental options, some don’t, so the best option is to keep all your belongings on you with this waterproof waist bag.

7. Quick Dry Towel

This quick dry towel is one of the best things to throw in your suitcase when packing for Mexico , and will definitely come in handy when you visit the cenotes and Yucatan beaches .

How to Visit Cenotes Near Tulum

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.

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.

3. Taxi or Private Driver

Besides booking your 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.

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

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.

Best Cenotes Near Tulum: FAQ

What are the 4 types of cenotes.

Of the (approx.) 6,000 cenotes in Yucatan , there are four distinct types of cenotes: open, semi-open, cave , and diving cenotes.

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.

2. Semi-Open Cenotes

These cenotes are semi-encased in their native limestone rock.

Semi-open cenotes have large walls surrounding the pool itself, and a large hole in the top where sunlight gets in — like Cenote Ik-Ki l, Cenote Zemway and Cenote Atik , a strong contender for the best cenote in Tulum!

3. Closed Cenotes in Caves

Cave cenotes are exactly as the name says. These are located underground in a cave, and you’ll have to access them by going down some stairs — like Cenote Suytun .

This one does have a hole at the top where a single light beam comes in, but it’s still considered a closed cave cenote.

4. Dive Cenotes for Diving

The final type is also located inside a cave, but the water in these cenotes is much deeper so they are sought out for diving.

These include Cenote Dos Ojos , Cenote Calavera , Cenote Ponderosa, and Cenote El Pit, known as one of the best Tulum diving cenotes.

🤿 Note: You must be scuba dive certified for cenote diving in Mexico !

For those who are, check out these two tours: Cenotes Scuba Diving Tulum Tour and Go Dive Cenotes in Tulum Tour — both of which have great reviews on Tripadvisor.

How many cenotes are there?

There are about 6,000 cenotes in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula — which is the largest concentration of cenotes found anywhere on Earth. 

How do you pronounce cenote?

Wondering how to say the word cenote? You’re not alone! The cenote pronunciation is sen-no-tay , and it’s sen-no-tays in plural.

How many cenotes are in Tulum?

About 200 — This answer depends on who you ask, as some people say there are exactly 226 of cenotes in Tulum, but other people say there are a bit more or a bit less.

What are the Top 10 cenotes near Tulum Town Center?

The 10 best cenotes near Downtown Tulum include: Calavera Cenote , Gran Cenote , Atik Cenote , Carwash Cenote , Zacil Ha Cenote , Escondido Cenote, Cristal Cenote, Kaan Luum Lagoon & Cenote , Cenote Santa Cruz and Zemway Cenote.

On many lists of “Best Cenotes in Tulum” (this one included) you’re going to get a mix of those that are actually in Tulum, and the popular or Instagram cenotes you’ve likely seen on IG or in YouTube videos — like Cenote Suytun and Cenote Ik-Kil .

The 10 best Tulum cenotes just listed are actually located in Tulum.

If you only have a few hours, a half day or a full day and want to see as many Tulum cenotes as possible, stick to these best Tulum cenotes in Tulum Mexico.

What is the best Tulum cenotes 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 with a private guide, and enjoy a traditional lunch — with everything included in the purchase price, and no additional fees!

Do you need a tour to visit cenotes in Tulum?

No — You can absolutely visit the cenotes on your own.

If you want to do so, be mindful of time because many are located in rural areas and you’ll want to be out of there before dark because you likely won’t have a cell signal to safely navigate back to Tulum.

What’s the best way to visit Tulum cenotes on your own?

As cenotes are pretty spread out, the easiest way to go on your own is to rent a car in Tulum and make a plan to visit a few cenotes in one day.

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.

Are cenote tours worth it?

Yes — These best Tulum cenote tours will offer you something invaluable that going on your own does not: Advice from a local .

As Tulum cenotes tours are led by Tulum locals who know the area well, you end up visiting all the hidden gem cenotes without crowds of people.

Best Tulum Cenote Tours

How many cenotes can you visit in a day.

1-3 — Really, you can visit as many as you want in a day, though there usually aren’t more than three cenotes located in the same general area, and the drive time between these cenote areas can be long.

How much is a cenote tour in Tulum?

It varies — Tulum cenote tours range in price based on how many cenotes you visit and if there are any extras included, like lunch or a visit to other Tulum attractions. ON average, expect to pay $30 USD-$150 USD per person for the best cenote tours Tulum has to offer.

Are the cenotes in Tulum worth it?

Yes — Not only are they worth it, but there are people who travel to Tulum only to enjoy the 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.

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.

What are the best cenotes in Tulum?

This is a subjective answer, because different people fall in love with different Tulum cenotes for different reasons. Of all the cenotes in Tulum and cenotes near Tulum, some of the most popular and most-visited include Cenote Ik-Kil , Gran Cenote , Cenote Dos Ojos , Cenote Calavera and Cenote Suytun .

What is the best non-touristy cenote in Tulum?

There are a few non-crowded cenotes in Tulum to check out, like Cenote Cristal , Cenote Escondido and Cenote Corazon del Paraiso . These are all located just minutes from Tulum Town (also known as Tulum Pueblo or Downtown Tulum).

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

What is the most picturesque cenote?

There are A LOT of beautiful cenotes in Mexico, and some of the most famous are the Instagrammable cenotes like Cenote Suytun , Cenote Ik Kil , Cenote Calavera and La Gran Cenote Tulum . 📸 To visit them all, book this Mexico Instagram Cenotes Tour .

Can you swim in Tulum cenotes?

Yes — You can swim in the Tulum cenotes, and they contain freshwater, so it is a very refreshing activity on those hot Tulum days.

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

Can non-swimmers go in cenotes?

Yes — Depending on the cenote, most have shallow areas near the edges. Also, many cenotes have life jacket rentals, and they’re usually only about $1 USD, so make sure to rent one if you need to.

Can you snorkel in a cenote?

Yes — Cenotes contain freshwater, so they all have visibility for snorkeling to some degree.

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.

Do you need water shoes for cenotes in Tulum?

No, but they do come in handy — As cenotes are natural pools, most have slippery rocks around the sides and mossy-covered staircases to enter into the cenote. Water shoes like these will help you not slip, especially when walking down any staircase or ladder entryways.

How cold is cenote water?

77° Fahrenheit (25° Celsius) on average — The temperature of the water in cenotes doesn’t really fluctuate much, so it’s about the same year-round. While it might feel cool when you first jump in, you’ll warm up in about one minute.

Do crocodiles swim in cenotes?

Yes, but you probably won’t see one — While you can theoretically find crocs in any body of fresh water in the Yucatan (including cenotes and lagoons), they tend to prefer larger swimming spaces and shallow water.

Since cenote sinkholes are usually small and deep, it’s very uncommon for people to see a small crocodile in cenotes.

How deep is the water in a cenote?

Wondering, How deep are cenotes? On average, cenotes are quite deep at about 10- to 50-feet (3-15 meters) .

Cenote El Pit is the deepest cenote in Quintana Roo State at about 390-feet-deep (119 m), but it’s reserved for divers only.

What is the best time of day to go to cenotes?

Right when they open — To beat the crowds, especially at the most popular cenotes in Tulum like Calavera Cenote , Cenote Car Wash and El Gran Cenot e (sometimes spelled as El Grand Cenote), head there right when they open.

Can you wear sunscreen in cenotes?

No — To practice responsible and sustainable tourism in Mexico, do not wear sunscreen, lotion and/or insect repellent of any kind, and do your part to keep cenote water clean.

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

Are cenotes free in Tulum?

No — You can expect to pay an entrance fee at all Tulum cenotes, which can range from $50 pesos to $400 pesos (about $3-$25 USD). There is one exception, Cenote Aldea Zama, which is the only free cenote in Tulum Mexico.

Final Thoughts: Best Cenotes Near Tulum 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 of the top cenotes near Tulum? I recommend this Best Instagram Worthy Yucatan Cenotes Tour . On it, you’ll visit 3 of the most beautiful cenotes close to Tulum, like Cenote Suytun.

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

I hope the 20 Best Cenotes Near 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 that 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 .

Additional Tulum Cenote Blogs

Want to explore ALL the coolest cenotes in Tulum? Smart choice, as the cenotes are some of the top sites you can’t miss when you visit Tulum.

Check out these additional Tulum cenote guides for more info on Tulum cenotes, and cenotes nearby:

• 11 Best Tulum Cenote Tours
• El Gran Cenote Visitor’s Guide
• Cenote Dos Ojos Visitor’s Guide
• Cenote Calavera Visitor’s Guide
• Casa Cenote Visitor’s Guide
• Cenote Carwash Guide (Aktun-Ha)
• Cenote Zacil Ha Visitor’s Guide
• Laguna Kaan Luum Visitor’s Guide
• Cenote Atik Tulum Visitor’s Guide
• Cenote Corazon del Paraiso Guide
• Cenote Ik Kil Visitor’s Guide
• Cenote Suytun Visitor’s Guide
• Yal Ku Lagoon & Cenote Visitor’s Guide
• 20 Best Cenotes Near Cancun
• 30 Best Cenotes Near Merida

Tulum Travel Planning Guide

1. should i buy mexico travel insurance.

100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. ( Read more )

2. Can you drink the water in Tulum?

No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle , which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. ( Read more )

3. Is it safe to rent a car in Tulum?

Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. ( Read more )

4. Will my phone work in Tulum?

Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy this Telcel SIM Card . As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. ( Read more )

5. What’s the best way to book my Tulum accommodations?

For Tulum hotels, Booking.com is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World . If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb.

6. What do I pack for Tulum?

Head to the Ultimate Tulum Packing List to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico.

7. What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?

For finding cheap Mexico flights, I recommend Skyscanner .

8. Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you do a Mexico travel visa. The majority of travelers will receive a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa or passport stamp upon arrival.

The Cenote Adventure

Definitive adventure in the underground world of cenotes, the cenote adventure snorkel in 3 cenotes, this experience is the definitive adventure in the underground world of cenotes. explore 3 of the yucatan's most amazing sink holes in this trip of a lifetime, designed to broaden your perspective of the awesome landscape underneath tulum. an experience packed with adventure and eye-opening exploration. you will snorkel among fish, observe underwater caves, amazing rock formations, explore limestone passageways by lamplight and finally, immerse in the peace and magic only found inside the caverns known as 'the womb of the earth'. if you only have time for one cenote experience while in tulum, make it this one..

3 AWESOME CENOTES AND CAVES EXPLORATION AND NATURE AQUATIC FAUNA AND FLORA SWIMMING AND SNORKEL

FUN AND EDUCATIONAL

Transportation in air-conditioned Van

Mexico Kan Tours guide

Snorkel, mask, adjustable fins and waterproof lamps

All entrance fees

Water and snacks (fruit, seeds and granola bars)

Local  lunch

"Discover a Realm of the Earth you didn't know existed, where light, darkness & water combine to create a magical context out of this World"...

TOUR PROGRAM :

• 7:30am: Pick-up • 1st Stop: Casa Cenote (early, before any crowds) • 2nd Stop: Taak Bi Ha Cenote • Picnic Lunch to recharge. • 3rd Stop: Private Cenote Experience.

• 2-3pm: Drop off

People eager to discover stunning underground cenotes in Tulum

People who like swimming. Basic swimming skills required (life jackets provided) 

Not recommended for highly claustrophobic people (the roof top inside the cave is around 6 meters high with smaller sections)

Not recommended for children under 5 years old

TOUR RECOMMENDATIONS

We recommend that clients bring:

- Comfortable clothes and shoes (sport sandals ok)

- Bathing suit, sun glasses, towel, camera, binoculars

- Sun protection (bio degradable, but preferably clothes to aid with sun protection)

- Water sandals/shoes

- Insect repellent (eco friendly , some cash.

Please note that there are no ATM machines in the area, nor do any of the vendors accept credit cards.

The guides, drivers and waitress appreciate tips for their excellent service. Anyway it s also thanks to them that you will leave with many great memories!

IMPORTANT TO KNOW 

Minimum participants :

Most of our group tours require a minimum of 4 people to run the tour. If we do not hit this minimum, we reserve the right to cancel the tour, in which case we will contact you to offer an alternative tour or send a refund.

Pick Up Time :

Please be aware that we will communicate your pick up time via a personalized email and it will vary from the automatic pick up time sent by the booking platform as we have to calculate it manually depending on your hotel/airbnb location.

Drop Off Time :

Please be aware that drop off time vary depending on hotel/villas locations and the rythm of each group.

Cancellation policy :

Each tour should be booked by paying a deposit.

In case of cancellation more than 24 hrs before the pickup, we do not charge you any cost and will give you back your deposit.

In case of cancellation between 24 and 12 hrs before the pickup México Kan Tours will take your deposit in order to pay for the costs already made.

In case of cancellation less than 12 hrs before the pick up or in case of no show we will charge you 100% of the total amount of your tour.

Credit card payments have a fee up to 7% depending on Credit Cards. We recommend bringing cash.  Our prices are in USD. Please be aware that we work with a monthly based exchange rate for Payments in Pesos or Euros. When you book your tour, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details.

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The Best Cenotes in Tulum You Need to Visit

Posted on Last updated: 23/09/2022

Categories Things To Do

Looking for the most beautiful cenotes in Tulum? This guide will take you through 18 of the best cenotes in and around Tulum, Mexico.

Cenote (pronounced seh-NO-tay ) is the Spanish word for “ sinkhole .” These natural sinkholes are limestone rocks that created caves and stalagmites over thousands of years. The Yucatan Peninsula has around 6,000 cenotes. 

The caves and caverns contain crystal clear water and were an important water source to the ancient Maya. Today, these are great diving, snorkeling, and swimming spots. These natural pools are a wonderful way to cool down after visiting some of these unmissable things to do in Tulum .

Tulum has many gorgeous cenotes in and around the town for you to discover, many within a short drive from the center. 

We’ve split this Tulum guide into those cenotes in Tulum and its immediate surrounds and those a little further away.  Anything mentioned in the outside Tulum section is typically a 20-minute or longer drive. 

PS. Don’t have your own transport? Book onto one of these Tulum cenote tours 

• 5 hour Tulum Cenote Tour
• Guided Bike Tour to cenotes
• Tulum and Coba cenotes and ruins

Only question is… how many cenotes in Tulum from this list can you visit?

Best Cenotes in Tulum

El gran cenote, tulum.

Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, Mexico. It is an open cenote surrounded by caves and caverns. 

The best way to explore the cenote is through a diving excursion. It has two diving sites frequently explored by snorkelers, scuba divers, and the occasional sea turtle.

The eco-systems around this underground cenote are well protected and preserved. 

Before entering the cenote, you should rinse under the on-site showers first to preserve the ecosystem. Some cavern roofs have bats hanging from the magnificent stalagmites.

Arrive a few minutes early before opening time to enjoy a few minutes without big crowds.

Cenote Calavera, Tulum

Cenote Calavera translates to “skull sinkhole” in English. It got its name from the three swimming holes that resemble two eyes and a mouth.

You’ve probably seen this cenote all over your social media feeds. Its tell-tale swing over the sinkhole is in countless Instagram and Pinterest posts.

The ladder on the side of the cenote gives you a 13-foot drop as you jump in the pools. It is one of Tulum’s must-visit spots. 

Cenote Carwash, Tulum

Cenote carwash (also known as Aktun Ha ) is an open-air cenote. 

The name comes from the fact that it was used by local taxi drivers to wash their cars along the road!

While it is easily accessible, the cenote has few visitors and rarely gets crowded.

It is popular with snorkelers and sunbathers who want a more relaxing trip. In summer, algae forms on top of the water. This traps in the sun’s heat, and the cenote becomes a heated pool.

• Cenote Zacil Ha

This cenote is a bit off the beaten track and, as a result, is one of the less crowded sinkholes near Tulum center. 

It is right next to Cenote Carwash, less than a 12-minute drive from Tulum city center.

Discovered around 30 years ago, Zacil Ha is a relatively new find compared to the other cenotes on this list. 

While it was only found a few decades ago, these caves are ancient. The cave chamber, Las Lágrimas, has unique stalactites shaped like teardrops.

While this cenote isn’t so great to snorkel in, it makes up for that with a zipline in the middle to help you jump in the pool. Thrills galore. 

Cenote Angelita, Tulum

Cenote Angelita is beautiful, but the underwater views are more thrilling than what’s above. This is a ±196-feet deep cenote that is ideal for diving. This cenote is interesting because of a peculiar natural wonder that happens here. 

Due to the phenomenon called halocline , water densities in this cenote differ. As a result, this cenote looks like it has an underwater river running through it.

 Another oddity about the “river” has a strong egg-like smell because of the gas that some divers say they can even smell underwater.

Yax-Muul, Tulum

This natural park cenote is just 15 minutes north of Tulum. It is another well-kept secret and has very few visitors. 

Yax-Muul is an underwater crystalline cave in this cenote that sports thousand-year-old stalactites. The sunlight peeks in ever so slightly and hits the water, creating a beautiful play of lights on the cave walls.

There is another smaller cave just next to Yax-Muul called Sac Tuunich. The forest’s fauna and flora engulf this cave. The water in Sac Tuunich is clear and shallow, which is great to float in. 

Besides the beautiful caves here, you’ll also see an actual ancient Mayan Ritual on the grounds.

Cenote Cristal, Tulum

This open-faced cenote almost feels like a giant swimming pool. Towering trees and shrubs surround this natural swimming pond in the forest. Cenote Cristal, unsurprisingly, has crystal clear waters.

There are three platforms with a rope in the middle of the water tired swimmers can hang on to. 

The platforms are at varying depths so the whole family can enjoy the cenote. Divers can jump from the 12-foot platform and make a splash landing in the crystalline pool below.

The cenote is right next to Cenote Escondido, and most tourists buy one ticket to visit both.

Escondido Cenote, Tulum

Escondido translates to “hidden” in English. This hidden cenote in Tulum is in the heart of the Quintana Roo forest. 

Plunge off the rock with the rope, swing into the icy pools, or spot the fish in the hidden pools.

Escondido is ideal for cenote diving in Tulum. Both beginners and experts can dive in these deep waters to see the 66 feet deep rock formations.

• Kaan Luum Lagoon

This lagoon is close to downtown Tulum. It looks more like a lake than a cenote because it’s so big. Locals love this cenote and visit here often because of the lack of crowds and tourists. 

It has a beautiful contrast of light, and dark blue waters that kind of resembles an eye. The light blue ring is shallow waters, which are ideal to lazy or float in. 

The staff supervising the cenote prohibits anyone from entering the dark sinkhole. There’s also a net placed in the middle to keep swimmers safe. 

Cenote El Pit

El Pit is near Dos Ojos Cenote and Cenote Sac Actun. The name is fitting in that it looks like a bottomless pit in the middle of the forest. 

The oval-shaped sinkhole is 130 feet deep and is a popular diving destination in Tulum for this reason.

However, the main attraction is the sunbeams sparkling through the water as you dive. The beams of light dance above the layer of hydrogen sulfide at the bottom. The smokey layer looks like clouds swaying below the water.

• Cenote Sac Actun

This is a cave diver’s dream because it’s the largest underwater cave system in the world. The cave system is about 226 miles long and around 390 feet deep. 

If you’re not a diver, you can still enjoy this cenote because it has vibrant turquoise water you can float in. The cave system has multiple cenotes connected to it, which makes cenote hopping easy.

Cool Cenotes Near Tulum 

Cenote dos ojos, tulum.

Dos Ojos, meaning two eyes, got its name from the two sinkholes in the middle that stare up at the sun like two piercing blue eyes. Dos Ojos boasts the record for the cenote with the deepest underwater passageway at 387 feet deep.

This deep passageway makes it a popular snorkeling cenote near Tulum. The clear waters help you effortlessly spot schools of fish or underwater rock formations. Reel lines map out the cave systems so even a novice snorkeller won’t get lost.

The cenote is about a 20-minute drive from Tulum. Arrive before 9:30 to bypass most tourists.

Cenotes Casa Tortuga, Tulum

Casa Tortuga is a cluster of cenotes close to Tulum. This cenote cluster consists of four cenotes- Cenote Wisho, Cenote Tres Zapotes, Cenote Campana and Cenote Jaguar, Tulum. They offer a nice variety of open, semi-open and cave cenotes.

Tres Zapotes is popular among swimmers because of the open-pool area which offers a great spot to splash around in. It’s also the largest of the cenote clusters, at about 9 feet deep. 

The semi-open cave cenotes, Cenote Wisho and Cenote Jaguar lead to a dry cavern with some fossils and tree roots. 

The only closed cavern, Cenote Campana, has an underground cavern where you swim under bats and stalagmites. 

Cenote Manati

Cenote Manati got its name from the manatees in the area that used to visit this cenote. There are seven cenotes connected by a single channel. The channel travels through underground caves and mangroves before reaching the sea.

Visitors often snorkel and dive in the ±164-foot deep cenote. While that is fun to do, this is one of the few kayak cenotes in Tulum. Bring your own or rent one at the cenote site. 

Here, you can see the hidden forests of the Riviera Maya both under and above water.

Cenote Azul, Bacala

This Tulum cenote’s near Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Cenote Azul is thus about an hour’s drive from Tulum. This “Blue cenote” is quite big, so the pools have varying depths to swim in. 

The main area has a cliff visitors love splashing into the pool from. There’s also a dock to jump from if you don’t like heights.

The fish in the pools will swim by and gently nibble on you to say hello. Bring your snorkel gear to see the bigger fish underwater. 

The cenote has a little tuckshop that sells snacks if you get peckish.

Cenote Eden, Tulum

This is the perfect name to describe this watering hole. The paradise of a cenote has lush green shrubs all around it as well as turquoise blue waters. 

Tourists don’t overrun this cenote since it is a little distance away from Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Caves cover some cenotes, while others’ roofs have caved in, allowing some sun to shine through. Some of these rocks now lie in the middle of the pools creating a nice lounging spot for swimmers.

Some divers prefer exploring the underground caves at this Eden. There are many fish and fauna underwater. 

Cenote Xunaan-Ha, Tulum

The crystal clear cenote is in Chemuyil village, just a few minutes away from Tulum. It sits between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and tourists rarely visit it.

Cenote Xunaan-Ha is the fourth-longest cave system in the Riviera Maya. The cave system is especially enticing for cave divers, but swimmers and snorkelers are welcome here too. 

There are quite a few fun things to keep visitors entertained, like the high cliffs to jump off of or the zipline.

Cenote Choo-Ha, Coba

Cenote Choo-Ha is a cenote near Tulum in Coba. The cenote is about a 52-minute drive from Tulum and 11 minutes away from Coba.

This cenote is part of a series of cenotes close to the Mayan site. Follow the wooden staircase to the underground cave. It has shallow waters and some days has almost no crowds. This sinkhole cave is the perfect stop for a tranquil swim in the turquoise waters. 

Practical Tips for Visiting Tulum’s Cenotes 

How to travel cenotes in tulum, mexico.

If you’re visiting the many cenotes near the town center, then the best way to see cenotes in Tulum is by bus or bicycle. Both are the most economical ways, but not always the most convenient. 

You’ll still need to walk a few steps to reach the cenotes if you take the bus or cycle there.

The most convenient way to reach Tulum’s cenotes outside of town is by renting a car or taxi. 

Some cenotes can be quite far, especially if they’re out of the city of Tulum. 

Taxi fares add up and can become expensive. It’s much cheaper to rent a car or a driver if you’re not comfortable driving in a foreign country. 

Cenotes in Tulum Tours

Alternatively, you can book onto one of these tours 

Top 10 Cenotes Near Tulum’s Town Center

The best cenotes close to Tulum, on this list are:

• El Gran Cenote
• Cenote Dos Ojos
• Cenote Carwash
• Cenote Angelita
• Cenote Calavera
• Escondido Cenote

Tulum Cenotes Map

Looking for More Tulum Guides?

• Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide
• Best Things to do in Tulum 
• Gorgeous Resorts for Your Tulum Stay

The Best Cenotes in Tulum (2022 Mexico Expert Guide)

• 08 August, 2021

Crystal Egan

• 46 Comments
• 163583 Views

This page may contain compensated links. For more information read our disclaimer .

This is the number one list of best cenotes in Tulum, Mexico you’ll find on the web. Filled with loads of useful information about each cenote, it’s perfect for helping you find the top cenotes in Tulum for your needs.

CONTENTS OF BEST CENOTES, TULUM

❶ Best Snorkeling Cenotes ❷ Best Scuba Diving Cenotes ❸ Best Cave Cenotes ❹ Best Free Cenotes ❺ Playa del Carmen Cenotes

❻ Tulum Cenotes Map ❼ Getting to Cenotes in Tulum ❽ Cenote Packing List ❾ Where to Stay in Tulum

How do I Know So Much About the Tulum Cenotes?

While living in Mexico , my local friend took me to all of the best cenotes near Tulum. I went to about five different ones at that time. Then later, I came back to Tulum with my own Mexican car to explore the cenotes once again. I was on a search to find out which cenote is the best in Tulum. By this time, you could say I was cenote-obsessed and I spent even more time exploring as many off-the-beaten-path cenotes that I possibly could on my very own Tulum cenote tour!

That means this post is about the best of the best Tulum cenotes, with insider local knowledge just for you! Hell, you may even discover your own favorite cenote Mexico has to offer in this very guide!

But, What is a Cenote?

According to  Wikipedia’s cenote definition; “A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath.”

There are over 6, 000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula alone. The cenote meaning to the Mayan people was so sacred that they believed that cenotes were the crossroads to the underworld. It is also believed that some Gods resided in these underwater caves. Cenotes were highly significant as they were one of the only sources of water, plus they were also used for sacrifices to please the Gods and bring good fortune. The Cenotes are still sacred to the Mayan people today, meaning most cenotes are closed off from public use.

The amazing cenotes in Mexico are extremely unique in the world and are only found on the Yucatan Peninsula. So ‘what are Cenotes’ exactly? They are out-of-this-world, incredible, fascinating, spectacular and should be high up on your Mexico itinerary!

Tulum is home to the largest underwater cave system in the world. The Sac Actun System (Sistema Sac Actun) meaning “white cave system” is impressive at 347 kilometers (215 miles) long. Having this unbelievable local feature means you’ll be sure to find the best cenotes around Tulum.

The Tulum cenotes in the Sac Actun System are highly decorated, with beautiful stalactites hanging from the roofs of the underwater caves leftover from when the caverns were dry. Cenote Dos Ojos is a good example of this and is the perfect cenote to do your first cavern dive. Other cenotes, such as Cenote Pet Cemetery , have the remains of ancient animal fossils that can still be seen today.

But exactly ‘how many cenotes in Tulum’ itself? I hear you ask… Roughly 226 cenotes! Not all open to the public but the best Tulum cenotes are!

Why not use our find a cenote near me map below?

READ:  How to Choose the Best Snorkel Gear on the Market!

THE BEST CENOTES FOR SNORKELING NEAR TULUM

Cenote car wash.

Car Wash is a large open cenote, filled with brightly colored lily pads, turtles and even the odd shy cayman. It’s sometimes referred to as “Pond Cenote” due to its peaceful exterior. Underwater, there are a large variety of plants and fish which make it the best cenote for snorkeling. Cenote Carwash is easily one of my top 5 cenotes, because not only was it much more peaceful than the more popular cenotes in Tulum, but there is something under the water that makes this cenote more unique than all the others!

Carwash Cenote is named so because the cenote is close to the road and taxi drivers used to bring their cars to this cenote to wash them. People particularly loved to wash their cars here because each new day, all the soapsuds and cleaning products would “magically” disappear from the cenote! This “phenomenon” sparked one of the first cenote cave explorations in the area, to find out where the suds went.

The opening of the underwater cave is partly covered by giant submerged trees, and with the odd diver darting in and out of the cave; the snorkeling at Car Wash Cenote is some of the most impressive of all! If you want to take a peek at Tulum underwater caves this is the place to do it! There is also a wall of lily pad leaves that are fun to explore with a snorkel mask too!

The cenote diving at Carwash is also incredible. Adorned with colorful rock decorations, stalactites, and the giant fallen trees, this cenote has an eerie, otherworldly vibe! These features make it one of the best cenotes Tulum has to offer.

ᐉ  Request to visit Cenote Car Wash on your own private cenotes tour!

Cenote Dos Ojos

In this winding underwater cave system, both diving and snorkeling are stunning in Cenote  Dos Ojos  (Two Eyes Cenote). I’ll take a hot minute to talk about the snorkeling in Dos Ojos, but if you think you’d prefer to dive, make sure you jump down to the scuba diving section to read about diving at Dos Ojos.

One of the best cenote caves in Tulum (and probably Mexico), Dos Ojos is named so because two 70-meter sinkholes connect by a 400-meter passageway, which gives the appearance of two eyes. Though you cannot enter the passage, the “eyes” are a beautiful place to go snorkeling. You can view dramatic rock formations, play with schools of fish and watch under the crystal-clear waters as the divers cruise through the caves.

On the road out to Dos Ojos, you can also drop into the quieter Cenote Nicte Ha which is part of the Dos Ojos park and included in your entrance fee.

ᐉ Dos Ojos Cenotes and Tulum Ruins Tour from Cancun

Casa Cenote (Cenote Manati or Cenote Tankah)

Casa Cenote has always been one of my favorites even though it is now super popular and busy. Cenote Manati is an open cenote that connects a long underwater cave system (Nohoch Na Chich) to the sea. Because the cenote contains both fresh and seawater, both ocean and freshwater fish live here. You don’t get that in the cave cenotes. Some of the most interesting fish are the Cichlids, and they can be viewed in abundance here, darting around the mangrove roots.

Casa Tankah is like a big, natural swimming pool, making it perfect for paddle boarding, snorkeling, scuba diving and free diving. It is also commonly referred to as Cenote Manati because (you guessed it) it used to have manatee sea cows living in it.

Scuba diving here is just as good as the snorkeling. You’re able to cruise under the wetland mangrove roots, through a limestone passage and face-on with interesting fish. Sometimes, you’ll even be able to spot the halocline that occurs when the saltwater mixes with the fresh. It’s one of the most unique cenote dives in the area. Plus, because it is mostly open water, it’s great for beginner divers who need some practice before they head into the Tulum caves.

Casa Cenote is one of the best cenotes near Akumal if you are thinking of combining activities into a day trip.

ᐉ Paddleboard & Snorkel at Casa Cenote + Photos + Tacos! ᐉ Cenote Triple Tour in Tulum – Casa Cenote, Gran Cenote and Temple of Doom

Cenotes Casa Tortuga

Casa Tortuga might just be one of the best off-the-path cenotes in Tulum. It is newly opened so not too many people actually know how awesome this place is… Yet.

Visiting Casa Tortuga is sort like a cenote tour of a series of three cenotes in a park. A tour guide leads you to visit two cave cenotes and an open cenote. One of the cave cenotes you are led inside where you can see bats and interesting blind cave fish. In the other, you are taught about the rock formations and interesting cave geology facts while experiencing slight vertigo caused by the crystal-clear water and the sheer depth of the cave. The open cenote is mainly for fun. You can jump in off the edge and swim around. If you’re lucky you’ll spot a resident turtle swimming alongside you.

The cenotes of Casa Tortuga are perfect for newbies who want an in-depth introduction into the cenotes on a tour. They provide snorkel gear , life jackets, and a guide is included in the price. The cenote tour can take some time, especially if you need to wait for more members before the tour can leave, so make sure you leave at least a few hours to complete the entire route.

ᐉ Visit 4 Cenotes at Casa Tortuga

BEST SCUBA DIVING CENOTES IN TULUM

Cenote calavera.

You’ve probably seen gorgeous pictures like the one above. This is the cenote with a swing and a jumping platform, all surrounded by Mexican jungle foliage; it’s a great cenote to photograph, that’s for sure.

But there’s a lot more to Cenote Calavera than first meets the eye. Under the surface, the caved-in middle platform juts downward in an almost perfect circle, with boulders tumbling down the sides.

This means that when you scuba dive there, you can follow the edge around past rainbow-colored rock formations, a prehistoric fossil and have fun swimming through the halocline. Because of this formation, Cenote Calavera is known as a jug-type formation.

Cenote Calavera translates to ‘skull cenote’ in English, and the reason it is called this is that the sunlight that pours in through the holes of the cenote looks exactly like a skull at certain angles of the dive. It is also known as ‘The Temple of Doom’ possibly due to the appearance of small “altars” in the wall of the cave, one that contains pottery and bones.

This unassuming yet impressive cenote is usually pretty quiet, especially in the mornings, since it is usually more popular with divers than it is with swimmers or snorkelers. This is weird because it’s a cenote close to Tulum center, and quite easy to get to. It’s also the best cenote near Tulum Ruins (only 4.5 km), so easily make the two a day trip! This cenote would be at the top of the best diving cenotes Tulum recommendation list. Check it out on our Cenote Map Tulum below!

ᐉ Cenote Triple Tour in Tulum – Casa Cenote, Gran Cenote and Temple of Doom

Cenote Angelita

The incredible Cenote Angelita (or “Little Angel”) is one of the most interesting cenotes to scuba dive in Mexico. Although I have not personally been, I know that there is a magical gas layer 30 meters deep called halocline. Decomposing leaves create hydrogen sulfide and it becomes caught between the fresh and salt waters, creating the illusion of a sandy bottom.

Eerily poking out of the gas layer are giant dead trees, of which you can swim amongst the branches. On the dive, you can hover above and dip below the gas layer if you feel comfortable. Under the gas, it is completely dark and feels as if you are floating through a haunted forest.

The cenote is sometimes dubbed “the underground river” because once you are down there, the gas layer coupled with the fallen trees and boulders look like the edge of a peaceful river. It is a cenote dive that, if you are adventurous, you definitely should not miss!

ᐉ  Request to visit Cenote Angelita on this cavern diving tour

The Sac Actun System

Sac Actun, meaning ‘white cave’ in Mayan, is the second-longest underwater cave system in the world, accessible by hundreds of sinkholes (cenotes). A relatively recent discovery that the Dos Ojos System was connected to the Sac Actun system, gave Sac Actun the title of the world’s largest flooded cave system.

Stalactites punctuate gorgeous caverns and stalagmites jut out all over the place, making Sistema Sac Actun some of the best diving in Tulum. Sac Actun is only 4 km from Tulum but is also easily accessed from Playa Del Carmen as well. The Sac Actun System is home to the best cenotes Tulum has to offer for scuba diving. Check them out listed below.

Cenote Dos Ojos is one of the best places to go diving in Mexico and perhaps the world, for first-time cavern divers. The cave system is mapped out by reel lines, helping the first-time cavern-diver like myself feel safe navigating these confusing tunnels.

This passage is filled with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that you come face-to-face with as you cruise past. As the divers wind their way through the cave system, they can occasionally get a glimpse of the snorkelers and free divers alongside them. It’s totally breathtaking here and absolutely worth the price. It is one of the BEST diving I’ve ever done in my life!

If you are looking for famous cenotes in Tulum, the Dos Ojos system has featured in an IMAX Film ‘ Journey Into Amazing Caves ‘, the 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel series Planet Earth and parts of the Hollywood movie ‘ The Cave’ were filmed in Dos Ojos.

There are two scuba dive routes that can be taken in Cenote Dos Ojos. The most popular route is ‘The Barbie Line’ which leads divers around the light-filled cavern of the second eye, where divers encounter incredible rock formations, huge columns, and stalactites. With lots of space to swim around, this is ideal for the less experienced cavern diver. ‘The Batcave Line’ is a lot darker and feels more like a cave dive. It leads around an air-filled bat cave, where divers will actually ascend to take a look at the bats and the stunning cave decorations.

I mentioned this particular cenote in the snorkeling section above , too. The snorkeling and diving are somewhat separated and both incredible in their own right. Cenote Dos Ojos is easily one of the most versatile and best cenotes to visit in Tulum.

ᐉ 5 Hour Tulum and Dos Ojos Tour ᐉ Dos Ojos Cenote Private Tour with Mayan lunch

Cenote El Pit

The Pit Cenote is the deepest cenote in the state of Quintana Roo. The visibility is incredible at this cenote, you can see about deep into the crystal clear water, even from the surface! The entrance is steep and narrow but once in the water, it opens up into a huge menacing cavern. At about 30-meters deep, divers can see what looks like the sandy bottom with an eerie branch sticking out from it. Actually, this is a white gas layer, which is caught between the salt and fresh waters. It is similar to the gas layer that makes Cenote Angelita so famous. The cave then drops even further but can’t be reached by untrained divers.

On the deepest point of the dive, your guide will point out some animal and human bones on the floor of the cavern, before beginning the ascent. On your way back you’ll notice the mesmerizing light beams that dance around in the depths on a sunny day.

The Pit is easily one of the best cenotes for divers, due to the amazing things you’ll see down there and the fact that it’s open-water, so suitable for almost all diver certifications. Recently, snorkellers and swimmers were banned and only scuba divers are allowed to enter El Pit these days. 

ᐉ  Request to visit Cenote El Pit on this cavern diving tour

BEST TULUM CAVE CENOTES

Cenote pet cemetery.

Cenote Pet Cemetery is also part of the Sac Actun (White Cave) system that we talked about above. It is famously called ‘Pet Cemetery’ due to the animal skeletons found inside that can still be seen when scuba diving today. One set of remains was first believed to be that of a dog but was later found to be of an extinct prehistoric camel. For snorkelers, the cave inside is lit up by lights, there are bats everywhere and lots of cool crevices to explore. For advanced divers, it’s one of the best cenotes in Mexico to do cave diving because all of the bones and fossils are still in their original position, and the spectacular caves are highly decorated with delicate white rock formations.

This beautiful cenote is deep in the jungle and difficult to get to because of how remote it is. But that just means there will probably be fewer people there and you might have the whole cenote to enjoy to yourself. It can be accessed from the same entrance as Cenote Dos Ojos and El Pit, so it is possible to do these cenotes on the same trip. But you cannot visit this cenote without an approved guide.

Above the cenote, there is a rainforest walk and spider monkeys and other animals can be spotted in the trees.

ᐉ Pet Cemetery + 2 More Cenotes and Lunch!

Gran Cenote

One of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, or should I say one of the most Instagram famous cenotes in Tulum, Gran Cenote (Grand Cenote or Great Cenote) is a large connection of a series of smaller caves more than one giant cenote (as the name suggests). All of the sections are connected by wooden walkways, laid down on the jungle floor. It boasts such crystal clear blue water, that fish and turtles can be seen swimming around without the need of a snorkel!

I did not personally visit this cenote, but I have included it because of all the raving reviews – in person and online. It is possibly the most expensive cenote in Tulum, and most packed with people. And although I wanted to visit, I simply couldn’t afford to.

The Gran Cenote price doesn’t include life jacket rental, you will have to organize that at the gate as well as snorkel gear hire and/or locker rental.

ᐉ Tulum Ruins and Grand Cenote Tour from Playa del Carmen ᐉ Cenote Trail Bicycle Tour (including Grand Cenote) from Tulum

BEST CHEAP OR FREE CENOTES

Laguna kaan luum.

Laguna Kaan Luum is a wide, bright green lagoon cenote located just outside of Tulum. Kaan Luum is a locals’ secret and if you go in the afternoon, you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself.

Laguna Kaan Luum is similar to the Blue Hole in Belize. The center of the cenote is fenced off because it is REALLY DEEP (80 meters deep, actually). But the outside area is shallow and most people could stand up. It’s the perfect cenote to bring your kids to, too! The soft sand at the bottom is known to be a great skin exfoliator, but it smells like rotting eggs! Maybe that’s why it’s so good for you…

It is certainly not the most beautiful cenote in Tulum, but if you want to relax in the sun away from the crowds, this place is ideal.

ᐉ Sian Kaan Lagoons and Cenote Escondido ᐉ  5 PLACES ONE PRICE! Kaan Luum Lagoon, 2 Cenotes, Tulum Ruins + Quinta Avenida

Clan-Destino Cenote Bar

Finally, someone made a bar at a cenote! Clan-Destino Bar is perfectly located on the main beach strip of Tulum. It’s ideal for those that want to experience a cenote, but really don’t want to leave Tulum (or the bar). I personally think this place is a hidden gem in Tulum. It’s right in the middle of all the action; they sell good burgers and round-the-clock alcohol and the young guys who run Clan-Destino Tulum are fun and upbeat. This place has a sister bar owned by the same guys, which is on the beach and has some of the best tacos in Tulum, called Taqueria La Eufemia.

The cenote itself is fairly average. Not spectacular, but a nice place to cool off and to escape the harsh Mexican sun and the only cenote bar Tulum has to offer. It is one of the only free cenotes Tulum has, however, make sure you bring some money for beers and your swimmers and prepare to get seriously relaxed. The entrance is easy to miss, so be on the lookout for the orange ‘Clan-Destino” sign on the roadside.

Cenote Arco Maya

Cenote Arco Maya Tulum is the only non-commercialised free cenote in the area that I could find. It’s quite well hidden but is a great place to get some quiet time as no one else will be around. It’s also a great place to go for sunset since the tree-line is low. There’s a nice deck for you to sit on and a few active cichlid fish swimming around the mangroves as well as a resident cayman that I never got the pleasure of meeting. There’s a small deck for sunbathing and the walk to the cenote is along wooden stumps through the mangroves. It’s quite an adventure!

A little further down the road in the Biosphere Reserve, there is a platform over the lake with hammocks, which are even better to watch the sunset from if you want to make an afternoon of it.

I read recently that sometimes this cenote is blocked off from the public due to an ongoing ownership dispute. However, it usually isn’t manned so if someone is there that day you will just have to pay a small amount to enter.

BEST CENOTES NEAR PLAYA DEL CARMEN

These Playa del Carmen cenotes are located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, about 20-30 minutes driving down the main highway (Carretera 307). There are no cenotes in Playa del Carmen city center, so these are the best (and closest) cenotes if you are coming from Playa del Carmen.

There are three really good Playa del Carmen cenotes right near each other, so they would make a fantastic day trip from either Tulum or Playa del Carmen. On the opposite side of the road, near Akumal Beach, there is a lagoon-style cenote called Laguna Yal-Ku (sometimes called Cenote Akumal).

Below, I have posted some of my favorite photos from the cenotes near Playa del Carmen. If you want to know more about these cenotes, just read the article!

Want to travel to the cenotes near Playa del Carmen pictured above? From top left, these are:

• Yal Ku Lagoon (1 + 2)
• Cenote Azul
• Jardin del Eden Cenote
• Cenotes Chikin Ha

By clicking on any of the above links, you will be taken to that exact cenote in my other post. All of these Playa del Carmen cenotes are of a moderate price range from $100 MXN pesos to $350 MXN pesos.

READ: Road Trip the Yucatan Peninsula! 

My Tips for Visiting the Cenotes of Mexico

1. Swimming/Snorkeling:  The oils from human hands and certain elements in lotions and repellents can severely damage this natural growth process and also harm the fish. Some cenotes will require you to shower before entering and you may also like to get a biodegradable sunscreen .

2. Scuba Diving:  You MUST dive with an experienced guide in the cenotes of Tulum so you don’t get lost. It’s quite dangerous; people have got lost in the many tunnels and drowned inside. You’ve been warned. 

3. Free Diving: Never lose sight of the cave entrance unless you are following a line. The complex cave systems of the cenotes are extremely easy to get lost in, it is not worth the risk.

READ: How to Choose the Best Snorkel Mask to Fit You!

A Quick Note on the Cenote Prices

There are many beautiful cenotes close to Tulum that are open to the public, just waiting for you to explore. Prices differ between each cenote and are subject to change. S ince most Mexico cenotes are located on private land and the owner of the land decides their own cenotes’ prices. Most of the best cenotes in Yucatan cost money, but there are also some free cenotes around Tulum. I will talk about all of your options below.

This is my ultimate list of cenotes in Tulum, complete with current prices and the facilities found at each cenote.

TULUM CENOTE MAP

This custom map of cenotes near Tulum includes all of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya as well as cenotes in Tulum that I didn’t go to but have been recommended. The Tulum and Playa Del Carmen cenotes that I went to and thought were the best are marked with a heart.

Click on each icon to see more information about the cenote and its entry price.

To open this cenote Tulum map in Google Maps simply tap the small square icon on the top right-hand side of the map. This way with your location and these cenote pinpoints on the map you will be able to see where the awesome ‘cenotes near me’ are.

If you are using the map from your phone, the map should save into “Your Places” > “MAPS” automatically. You can select an area to download and use offline if you won’t always have access to data in Mexico. For more information on how to download maps for offline use,  click here . 

READ: Visit My Favorite cenote in Mexico. Cenote Oxman in Valladolid!

How to Get to the Cenotes in Tulum

The cenotes range from less than a kilometer (1/2 mile) from Tulum to over 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from Tulum. This means picking your transport type is dependant on which cenotes you go to.

Bike Hire in Tulum

Bike rental places are common around Tulum town center and main beach road. Rental usually costs $180 MXN pesos per day from various hotels. You can get to quite a few really good cenotes with a bicycle. It will be a hot ride though – take lots of water! My picks would be either Cenote Calavera, Gran Cenote or Casa Cenote by bike.

Some of the cenotes along the Carretera that runs between Playa del Carmen and Tulum are accessible by taking the colectivo from Tulum. A colectivo is a shared minivan. I have marked on the cenote map where you can get these colectivos. The cost will between $20 and $40 MXN pesos. Easily head to Cenote Azul, Cenote Cristalino or Cenotes Casa Tortuga using the colectivos.

The best way to see all the cenotes you want is to rent a car and do your own Tulum cenotes tour. We did this and think it is the best way if you love cenotes. There are several car rental offices in Tulum, and you can also rent cars at Cancun Airport. The roads are safe in the day and easy to drive . I prefer to book online with Hertz as they are trustworthy and well-priced. Always take pictures/video of the car before you leave the rental office to avoid scams (they can happen anywhere, not just Mexico).

READ: How to Choose the Best Snorkel Fins for Your Needs

CENOTE PACKING LIST

After extensive time exploring countless cenotes, I have compiled a list of items you really should not forget to take. Seeing the cenotes in real life is absolutely incredible and I’m sure you will want to know what items are an absolute must-bring when spending time in these mesmerizing natural structures.

Snorkel Gear

If you’re doing your own trip to the cenotes you will definitely want to bring your own snorkeling gear . Some of the bigger cenotes will rent snorkel gear to you at a price, from my experience at around 50-200 pesos each time you rent. But most of the time the gear is old, crappy and has had other people’s mouths all over it! On my first trip to Mexico, I bought a top-of-the-line snorkeling kit and I did not regret it. Cenote Tulum snorkeling may become your favorite thing to do in Mexico!

Packing light and don’t want to bring too much baggage? I have found a tiny pair of Goggles just as useful for exploring the cenotes. Sure, what you’re seeing isn’t as clear and you can’t breathe underwater, but it still does the job!

Biodegradable Sunscreen

You read that right! You are 100% NOT ALLOWED to wear normal sunscreen in the cenotes in the Riviera Maya. The bio-diversity in cenotes is fragile and the ingredients of most sunscreens and insect repellants can severely damage the cenotes and harm the fish. Some popular cenotes will even require you to shower before entering because of the oils on the human skin. This is also a problem for the fragile reefs surrounding the beautiful shores of the Yucatan Peninsula. If you plan to do any cenote snorkeling or diving, anywhere in this area, you will be asked not to wear normal sunscreen. It’s best to buy biodegradable sunscreen at home and bring it because it can be difficult to find and/or very expensive in Mexico.

GoPro Hero Action Camera

You really don’t want to travel to Mexico without a top underwater camera. Mexico is a water-lovers paradise and it would be a shame not to capture all your special memories made in the cenotes. GoPro underwater cameras are so cheap now and you can use them for loads of different types of photography, not just water. You really don’t have an excuse not to buy one when their prices start at only $250 USD!

Waterproof Phone Cover

Perfect for those of you who aren’t in the market for a GoPro right now or just want another awesome way to capture your watery memories! I find them easiest to use by pressing buttons above the water then dipping the phone under.

Dive Light for GoPro

This was one of my most frequently used GoPro attachments in Mexico! Did you know that the deeper you go the more colours you’ll lose out of your photos or video? Water cuts out light, meaning by about 10 meters deep your GoPro footage will be all blue. The dive light is a way of adding colours back into your picture is by using artificial light. This dive light starts at only $25 USD and is so bright you’ll be sure to easily take gorgeous underwater video, especially in the cenotes!

Have you seen those amazing half-underwater and half-above-water photos? They are done with this awesome contraption called a dome. It essentially makes it much easier to get those awesome shots. Check out some of the shots it took in the cenotes above!

Waterproof Head Torches

Exploring cenotes seriously quickly became one of my favorite activities in the Rivera Maya, and I am confident they will become one of your favorites too. The dark underground cenotes, such as El Pit, Dos Ojos, and Pet Cemetery Cenotes, are much better explored with a head torch. The market for waterproof head torches is slim, but I have researched the crap out of them and these ones I think are the best:

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

Super low-cost waterproof head torch.  This headlamp had been on my radar for a long time because it’s cheap, waterproof, sleek and small. It outputs quite a bright light (400 lumens), which you will want inside the cenote caves. It also dims and flashes. Another thing I love about this torch is the red light, which is good for spotting animals at night! It is only waterproof up to one meter for 30 minutes though, so this is NOT a diving lamp.

Princeton Tec Apex LED Headlamp

A sturdy waterproof torch with a lifetime warranty.  This is my second choice for a waterproof headlamp. This is a seriously sturdy headlamp that can be used for literally everything. It comes with five output modes, up to 170 hours of burn time and you can even buy a rechargeable version of this torch!

BESTUSN Diving Headlamp

If you plan to dive, you’ll want a dive light in the cenotes! There are loads of different types of dive lights out there to choose from but I particularly love headlamps. It shines where you look, leaving your hands free to play with cameras or do other more important things. It has rubber straps to grip better underwater, it is seriously bright, and you can take it 150-meters underwater. We used this headlamp to find bones at the bottom of a cenote that was once used as a graveyard!

Aqua Booties / Reef Shoes

Some of the less popular cenotes are set amongst the jungle with more rustic facilities. Protect your feet around and inside the cenotes by wearing these super stylish booties.

Also don’t forget:

• Picnic blanket
• Beach bag or waterproof bag

MORE:  See more travel gear I love and use!

WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM

Best beach hotel: habitas.

The gorgeous Habitas hotel right on the beach is life-changing , no word of a lie! This eco-hotel in Tulum features a Gram-tastic infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean beach’s turquoise waters, seriously sumptuous day-beds and, best of all, glass-walled tree houses with unsurpassable jungle sea views. Perfect in every way!

Best Hotel in Centro: Una Vida

With elegance and style at the very core of its being, this serene guesthouse is located in a beautifully quiet spot deceptively close to Tulum town’s main street. Una Vida’s gorgeous modern buildings complement its ancient jungle surroundings, and the luxurious pool and beautifully decorated dining area are set off by cozy twinkling lights each evening. Enjoy cocktails and private dining, free bike rental, yoga lessons and luxury massages as part of your stay – we promise you won’t be disappointed!

Best Hostel: Mama’s Home

Shabby but cute, Mama’s Home has the best backpacker vibes! The rooms are packed with beds, but the breakfast is flipping amazing. It’s also one of the cheapest hotels you’ll find in Tulum.

Who to Dive with in Tulum

In Tulum, I dived with Jean-Claude at   Zen Diving . JC was one of the most professional and friendly dive instructors I have ever encountered. He obviously loves his job cenote diving and goes out of his way to ensure his customers have the best day diving of their lives diving some of the best cenotes Mexico has to offer!

He took us to three lesser-known but seriously incredible cenotes, helped us perfect our buoyancy and had really nice diving gear. Zen Divers are the only dive center I can wholeheartedly and without any doubt recommend when diving in Tulum!

READ: The ULTIMATE GUIDE to Isla Mujeres, Mexico 

How Often do I Update the Prices of Cenotes?

Yucatan cenotes are usually located on private property, meaning prices can change at any time at the owner’s discretion. I check prices regularly whenever I can but sometimes the price I have listed may not be the most recent.

To keep prices as updated as possible, I ask if you can please comment and let me know if a price is different to what I have listed in this article. I thank you greatly if you do this 🙂

Book a Tulum Cenote Tour!

Cenote tulum mexico faqs.

The depth of the cenotes in Tulum varies. Some cenotes are shallow enough for a regular size adult to stand in, while some others (like Cenote El Pit and Laguna Kaan Luum) are over 30 meters deep. That is why some cenotes are perfect for diving and snorkeling, but some are just good for swimming. Most cenotes have life jackets for rent so you do not need to be afraid of the deep crystal clear waters!

It depends. Some cenotes will require you to rent a life jacket, even if you don’t need one (as a way to make money from tourists). Some cenotes restrict part of the cenote for guided tours only. And then there are some cenotes that offer you more freedom and you can do pretty much whatever you want – freedive, snorkel, swim, whatever your heart desires!

This is one of the most frequently asked questions as it seems like different people are getting offered different prices. As cenotes in Mexico get increasingly popular, locals see this as an opportunity to make more and more money from tourists. This leads to cenotes offering “mandatory” guided tours, varying entrance prices, and other add-ons just to make a quick extra buck from unaware tourists. Obviously, this doesn’t happen in every cenote. But when it does, there isn’t much that you can do as a tourist. Learning some Spanish will definitely help you barter, but sometimes, you just have to accept that you won’t be paying nearly the same price as the locals.

For something a bit more popular, we recommend Gran Cenote, which is located only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the town of Tulum. There you can swim, snorkel, or even scuba dive, though swimming and snorkeling are more popular. For something less touristy, we recommend Cenote Pet Cemetery. It is one of the most remote cenotes near Tulum so you are more likely to have some peace and quiet. Visiting is only available through a guided tour because diving is the only option at Cenote Pet Cemetery. It is all worth it because you can see remains of animal skeletons (if you are into that sort of thing)!

Because the water from the cenotes comes from an underground water system, the temperature stays constant at around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 C), regardless of which season you decide to visit. Of course, if you decide to visit in the summer and the cenote is an open-air type, the water temperature will be marginally warmer. Though 77 degrees F might sound quite cold, it is hardly cold enough to cool you down from Mexico’s summer heat! In the cooler months though, the temperature of the water in the cenotes is ideal!

YES!!! The majority of the cenotes in Mexico are available for visitors without a tour. Read our huge guide to find out which ones! You simply rock up to the place, pay the entrance fee (and other amenities you might want), and then you are free to explore! However, things tend to get more complicated if you decide to dive in one of the Tulum water caves, as those might require certifications and a tour guide to lead the way.

Unfortunately, most of the cenotes are not free in Tulum. They were once upon a time, but locals now know how big of a hit they are with tourists, so they’ve decided to start charging to enter the cenotes. With the profit they make, part of it goes to maintaining this natural wonder and making it better and more accessible for everyone.

Cenotes form when underground limestone erodes and collapses, creating essentially an underground river. This means that the water in cenotes is straight from the source and extremely clean. In fact, some cenotes are the only clean water supply for locals!

Heading to Mexico Soon?   Read more of our Mexico content!

I hope this post has helped you choose the best cenote in Tulum for your needs. If you need any help or have anything to say, feel free to comment them below!

Originally Posted:  November 30, 2016. Frequently updated.

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Passionate baby goat cuddler and part-time adventurer, Crystal can often be found doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, taking photos of abandoned buildings or sleeping on deserted islands with dangerous criminals. She has too many awesome stories and helpful tips to keep them all to herself so follow along and in return she will bring you inspiring pictures, travel videos and a whole load of fun!

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What a beautiful place!

They have 4 different cenotes.

UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

It's worthy, cenotes tour in tulum from $ 25 usd per person, important information.

• Description

Meeting place

Not included.

• What to bring
• Payment Methods
• Frequent questions

Restrictions

Cancellations, to guarantee this is no scam: don't pay anything in advance, you can pay the day of the excursion ***restrictions apply, description 4 cenotes tour.

Excursion 4 cenotes of Casa Tortugas

Incredible promotion!:

• Entrance fee at the cenotes
• Visit 4 Cenotes (2 open air cenotes + 2 cavern type cenotes)
• Lifejackets

Detailed description

• Life vests with are mandatory to use in the closed cenotes
• Expert guide who will give you an explanation of all of the cenotes

Cenote Campana (Closed Cenote):

Cenote Wisho / Jaguar (Cenote closed):

Cenote Dorca:

Cenote Tres Zapotes:

Recommendations:

• The cost of the lockers is approximately $100 pesos per locker
• We recommend that you bring snorkeling mask so that you can enjoy a better view of the bottom of the cenotes
• Bring cash, preferably pesos. In this location the cell service is really bad and they do not accept credit cards, the exchange rate is very low
• Bring your towel and swimming suit
• We recommend that you don't bring many things along with you through the visit of the cenotes

Your best option

• First departure at 11:00am: good option for those that want to leave a little later in the day
• Second departure at 01:00 pm: if you do not have anything else planned this is a great option to partake in a fun activity at a great price, you won't regret it

Transportation

Other options.

• Tulum + Beach + Cenote (1 cenote)
• Tulum + Cenotes (4 cenotes)
• Tulum + Coba + Cenote
• Tulum + Coba + Beach
• Tulum + snorkel with turtles
• Tulum ATV Tour
• Cenote, Tulum
• Private cenote tour Tulum
• Gran Cenote Tulum
• Tulum cenotes map
• Cenote Dos Ojos
• How to get to Gran Cenote from Tulum

Prevention measures against COVID-19

• Mandatory use of mask in public areas
• Antibacterial gel
• Sanitized equipment before the excursion
• Guides are required to wear a mask during the excursion
• Temperature measurement of all personnel upon arrival at work

Social media

Incredible price, beautiful cenotes, the best combination of the Riviera Maya of Tulum. We have several prices, which depends largely on whether you have a way to get to the place or if you need transportation

For example

• The price with transportation is $55 USD or $800 pesos per person
• If you have your own vehicle and want to arrive on your own, the price is $350 pesos / $25 USD per person (It is required that the reservation be a minimum of one day in advance)
• Unfortunately at this time we do not have departures from Puerto Morelos or Cancun
• Price with transportation is $45 USD or $900 pesos per person
• If you have your own vehicle and want to arrive on your own, the price is $ 400 pesos per person (It is required that the reservation be a minimum of one day in advance)
• Incredible promotion. If you want the excursion with transportation you have a 10% discount during the months of February, March and April with the code LOVECENOTE *** Only applies for excursions with transportation included ***

The excursions that depart from Cancun or Puerto Morelos are a little more expensive because the distance is longer and takes more time and more gasoline.

If you purchase the excursion with transportation, the meeting place will be in 90% of the cases in the lobby of your hotel. The only way that we do will not pick you up is if you are staying in an AIRBNB, in which case we will designate a meeting place nearby that can be reached by walking to

We have pickup service from your hotel in Playa del Carmen or Tulum

If you take the excursion without transportation, it is understood that you have a way to get to cenotes Casa Tortuga on your own, in which case the round trip transportation is at the customer's expense.

If you do not have a vehicle to get to the Casa Tortuga cenotes, I strongly recommend that you take the excursion with transportation. It would be more expensive to find transportation there and back on your own. You will also waste lots of time waiting for a Riviera Maya public transportation system transportation or a taxi

We include the most basic things to spend a wonderful day, however, it is important to make clear what is included in this excursion

With transportation

• Round-trip transportation from your hotel or an area close to your lodging place
• Visit 4 cenotes (2 open cenotes and 2 closed cenotes)
• Guided visit to the cenotes
• Life vests during the guided tour portion

If you want the excursion without transportation, take into account that transportation is at the customer's expense.

Just as there are things that are included, there are also things that are not included, for example

• Lockers ($100 pesos per locker)
• The life vests are available during the guided tour, if you would like to use a life vest during your free time you can rent one at the central area of Casa Tortugas
• Snorkeling masks during the guided tour portion

If you choose the excursion without transportation, all transportation costs to and from are paid by the client.

The best promotions on the market without affecting the quality of the excursion only here at Tulum Tours

Unfortunately at this moment there are no promotions available

• During the months of April, May, and June get a 10% discount on excursions with transportation, use the code LOVECENOTE

These promotions are valid until June 30, 2022

*Terms and conditions

• Reservations with promotions require reservations at least 7 days in advance of the day of the excursion.
• Promotion valid until June 30th, 2022
• This promotion does not apply or cannot be combined with another promotion, offer or package

If you want to apply for this promotion please send an email or call and let our customer service department know so that the desired discount can be applied

What to Bring

There are certain things that we feel are necessary to bring, others that are optional, but in general the most common things are on this list

• Caps or sun hats
• Light and comfortable clothing we will be walking a lot in temperatures that can reach the upper 80's
• Sandals or water shoes
• Backpack or bag to put your things in
• Mosquito repellent
• Swimming suit, you can wear it underneath your clothing if you are more comfortable
• Bring cash for any purchases, photos, or food

Forms of payment

We accept the most common forms of payment however, it is important on this excursion to bring cash in case you want to buy a snack or drinks etc.

We recommend bringing Mexican pesos because the exchange rate is not very good. It is important to emphasize that credit cards are not accepted in the cenotes facilities.

• Bank deposits (At least 1 day in advance)
• PayPal (At least 1 day in advance)
• If you are at all apprehensive we do have the option to pay the total cost of the excursion at the time of pickup Restrictions apply

Frequently asked questions

Regarding the excursion.

1.- How long is the tour of the 4 cenotes?

This all depends on where your hotel is located for pickup, but it is approximately 5-6 hours long if your departure from Playa del Carmen or Tulum

2.- How long will we spend in the cenote complex?

We will be in the complex of the cenotes Casa Tortugas for approximately 5-6 hours

3.- I would like the most affordable option, what option do you have?

If you have your own vehicle you can get to the Casa Tortugas facilities and there the price would be the lowest, send us a message to get the updated prices

4.- Do you need to know how to swim in order to take this tour?

It is recommended, but not necessary. You don't need to be an expert swimmer; you just need to be comfortable in the water in order to enjoy the cenotes

5.- What is there to do in cenotes Casa Tortugas?

The main activity is the beautiful cenotes that this place has to offer. There is also a small restaurant because after swimming in the cenotes one ends up hungry. There are also areas that sell many snacks such as marquesitas, ice cream etc.

6.- What is and what is not included in this tour of the 4 cenotes?

• Round-trip transportation if you select this option
• Visit 4 cenotes
• Guide for explanations
• Snorkeling mask

7.- Are life vests included during the excursion of the 4 cenotes?

The price includes one life jacket per person, which is mandatory to use in the closed cenotes, however, it is only included while you are with the guide. If you want to use a life jacket during your free time it is necessary to rent it in the cenote facilities Casa Tortugas

8.- The price seems really low is there some kind of trick?

We are always looking for ways to offer you excursions with a good price and with very good quality. So no, there is no trick and proof of it, is the very detailed explanation that is offered. Remember, you do not have to pay anything in advance, you can pay the total amount of the excursion the day of your tour

9.- Is food included in the tour of the 4 cenotes?

Unfortunately no, there is no food included, there is a restaurant where you can eat something after swimming in the cenotes.

It is important to emphasize that only cash is accepted. Credit cards are not accepted, and we recommend carrying Mexican pesos because the exchange rate is very low

10.- Are drinks included?

No, unfortunately this excursion does not include any type of drinks.

11.- Can we swim in the cenotes after the tour?

Yes, after the tour you will be given free time. During this time you can return to the 2 open cenotes to swim

12.- Can I bring in food for my baby?

Yes, if its baby food you can bring it in, the only thing you cannot bring in to the complex Casa Tortugas is food for adults

13.- Can we bring food into the complex of cenotes Casa Tortugas?

No, unfortunately in this area it is prohibited to bring in food

14.- How much time will we be in each area?

The time in each cenote is approximately 10-20 minutes depending on several factors. At the end of the tour with the guide you can return to any of the 2 open cenotes and spend your free time there. You will have approximately 2 hours before the transportation leaves

15.- Do we need to leave a deposit for the lockers?

No, you do not have to leave a deposit for the lockers, but you have to pay $100 pesos for rental of each locker

Important: You will be given a key to the locker, it is important to be aware that if you lose that key, it has a cost of $200 pesos. They do not have copies of the keys and will have to break the lock in order to access your things. Therefore, you will be responsible for buying a new lock.

16.- Does this tour include life vests?

Yes, it includes life jackets which are mandatory in the closed cenotes. These are only available while you are with the guide. During your free time if you wish you can rent a life jacket in the cenotes boutique Casa Tortugas and you have to leave an ID

Reservations, Changes, Customer service and Cancellations

1.- How can I make my reservation?

The fastest way to make your reservation is through WhatsApp, you can also send us and email or give us a call

2.- If I buy the excursion online how do I get my tickets?

At the time of closing the reservation process, a PDF with your confirmation will be sent by WhatsApp with all of the necessary information. If you sent an email, another email will be sent with all the information in text format

3.- We are still unsure what date we would like to take the tour, is that information necessary?

Yes, without the date we cannot complete the reservation process

4.- Is it necessary to have a credit card in order to reserve this excursion?

No, it is not necessary to have a credit card to make this reservation

5.- I am very apprehensive can I pay for the tour the day of, once I am picked up?

Yes, just inform our customer service operators that you would like to pay on cash the day of your excursion so they may complete the appropriate reservation

6.- What are your office hours?

We work all day but, the office hours are 07:00am- 10:00pm Monday thru Friday. Saturday and Sunday 07:00am – 09:00pm

7.- Can I make a reservation in someone else's name?

Yes, as long as the detailed information that will be sent to you is shared with everyone in your group to avoid any misunderstandings. Also, please let us know if you are reserving for a different person

8.- How can I call the office from outside of Mexico?

If you are calling from outside of Mexico you can dial +52 987 112 9491

9.- I have reserved a date now and have changed my mind. What can I do?

Just let us know as soon as possible so that we can make changes in our reservation system

10.- I don't have a credit card, can I pay with someone else’s credit card?

No, unfortunately we have very strict rules against credit card fraud. The cardholder must pay for the tour

11.- I can't print my coupon, what can I do?

You do not need to print anything. We are a 100% green company so everything is digital, you can show us your reservation on your cell phone.

12.- An issue has arisen, how can I cancel?

Cancel at any time, just let us know as soon as possible so that we have time to make the necessary adjustments in our daily operation

13.- How can I get in contact with you?

The easiest way to get in touch with us is by WhatsApp, however we do have other forms of communication such as Facebook, email, or call us

14.- I am about to make a reservation but I have a question can you call me?

Yes, just send us your telephone number, and the time you want us to call and one of our operators will gladly call you

15.- What are the cancellation policies?

We will never charge you anything in advance if you cancel, nothing happens, because you have not paid anything. We only ask for obvious reasons to notify us as soon as possible to avoid wasting time looking or waiting for you

Costs, Promotions, and Payment forms

1.- What is the price of the tour 4 cenotes?

• The price is $800 pesos per person adults and children above the age of 2 years old, this includes round-trip transportation
• The price is $350 pesos per person (does not include any type of transportation), it is understood that the client will arrive/leave by his own means to the cenote facility Casa Tortugas. Reservation is necessary at least 1 day in advance

2.- What is considered an adult vs child for pricing?

In this excursion adults and children pay the same price, only infants under the age of 3 years old are free

3.- We are a big family, do you have group prices?

Send a message there might be something available for you

4.- What promotions do you have?

5.- I'm not local. Is the price the same?

Yes, the price and promotions are the same for everyone

6.- How can I pay?

You can pay in cash on the day of the excursion, either pesos or USD. If you pay in advance you can pay by electronic transfer, bank deposit, or PayPal restrictions apply

7.- Can I pay with dollars or euros?

Yes, just inform us in advance how you will be paying if you are using a currency other than pesos

8.- Can I pay by credit card?

Yes, just take into account when paying by credit card there is a 5% bank fee that applies

9.- Can I show my confirmation number using my cell phone?

Yes, you don't have to print anything, just show us using your phone.

1.- Does the excursion 4 cenotes include transportation?

Yes, we have transportation from the comfort of your lodging center either in Tulum or Playa del Carmen.

There are also options without transportation, send us a message for more details

2.- Where will you pick us up?

In the lobby of your hotel, as long as you book with transportation included. If you are not staying in a hotel, we will designate a nearby meeting location

3.- How can I be sure that you will come pick me up?

We have a reputation to uphold and nowadays with social networks it is very easy to get a bad reputation. We take great care of our image and we will never sell you something that we are not sure we can fulfill. In addition, we offer you the following, pay everything at the moment that we pick you up. We have no problems in this regard, only note that restrictions apply, if you have questions send us an email, we are here to serve you

4.- How many minutes will you wait for me at my hotel?

Usually 5 minutes, we ask that you be waiting on time at the meeting point. Remember that this is a shared excursion and others will be waiting

5.- Where is the meeting point to return to my hotel?

At the first entrance of the Casa Tortugas facilities, you must walk to this place which is 10 minutes from the second entrance of Casa Tortugas, follow the sidewalk

6.- What is the return time to my hotel?

We only have two departure times

If you decide to leave before, you can take a taxi but the cost will be paid by you directly

7.- Can I leave at any time to return to my hotel?

Unfortunately not, we only have two departure times, as the vans are taking and bringing people to and from other places. If you'd like you can take a taxi back, however, that expense is paid by you directly

8.- Why can't you pick me up at the second entrance of cenotes Casa Tortugas?

To avoid conflicts with the taxi union, the meeting is the place assigned to us and this is stipulated in the agreement with the taxi drivers

During this excursion 4 cenotes are visited, 2 open and 2 closed cenotes. The order in which we will visit the cenotes may vary depending on the number of groups that are in the area. We guarantee that we will visit all four cenotes. The following is a general idea of the itinerary

• Transportation to cenotes Casa Tortugas
• Guided visit to 4 cenotes (2 open and 2 closed)
• Transportation to return to your hotel

We try to make it so that most people can experience the excursion. However, there are certain restrictions that must be taken into account

• To apply the payment the day of the excursion is only groups of less than 4 people. If you make two reservations we cannot guarantee that they will go on the same transportation
• Because of the complicated terrain and stairs this tour is not recommended for people who are in wheelchairs
• Need to have the ability to walk through different terrains including hills, and gravel roads
• There is a 10 min walk from the parking lot to the entrance of cenotes
• You can not visit a closed cenote without a guide
• You cannot touch the stalagmites or stalactites for conservation
• It is necessary to shower before entering the cenote in order to wash of any chemicals you might be wearing
• You cannot enter the cenotes with sunblock, tanning oils, makeup or other chemicals that may affect the cenotes
• Under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult
• You are not allowed to bring food into the area of the cenotes
• The life vests are for use during the guided tour. If you would like you may rent one for your free time
• The use of life vests is mandatory in the closed cenotes
• You do not need to be an expert swimmer but you should be comfortable in the water
• During the excursion it is possible that there will be a photographer taking photos, if you would like you may purchase these photos. This is completely optional
• The water is a little cold but after about 5 mins you will get used to the temperature

We are flexible on the issue of cancellations, we only ask that you let us know as soon as possible to make the necessary adjustments and try to sell those spaces to other clients

• If there is very heavy rain, you have the option to cancel without any type of penalty

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14 Beautiful Cenotes to Explore in Tulum, Mexico

These natural swimming holes are a great way to cool down in the state of Yucatan.

Elijah-Lovkoff/Getty Images

Throughout Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula , tens of thousands of natural swimming holes, called cenotes, beckon travelers and locals, especially on warmer days. These natural limestone sinkholes are filled with cool waters that make them ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving.

If you're visiting the popular Yucatan city of Tulum , exploring nearby cenotes is a must. Some are more crowded than others, some more challenging to get to, and some require tour guides. To help you narrow down your options, we've curated a list of 14 of the best cenotes near Tulum.

Related: What Every Traveler Should Know About the Maya in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula

Simon Dannhauer/Getty Images

About 20 minutes northeast of Tulum is a pair of spectacular cenotes called Dos Ojos, or two eyes, which are highly regarded for their crystal-clear water. As such, they're a very popular scuba and snorkel spot — divers can even explore 1,300 feet of underwater passageways that connect the two cenotes. One is known as the "blue eye," as sunlight illuminates its blue waters, while the other is a cave known as the "black eye," and it requires flashlights or headlamps to explore. 

Jardin del Eden

Алексей Облов/Getty Images

Located in Xpu Ha, 30 minutes outside of Tulum, this gigantic open-air cenote surrounded by jungle is popular with swimmers, sunbathers, and snorkelers. It can get busy, but its size prevents visitors from feeling too constrained. There are also convenient amenities here, including snorkel and life vest rentals, bathrooms, and food vendors.

Casa Cenote

LanaCanada/Getty Images

This unique cenote just 20 minutes from Tulum is unique in that it feels a lot like a river — it's not just an open pit, but more of a snaking path through mangroves. It has a gentle current, a mix of freshwater and saltwater (as it's connected to the sea), and a fair amount of wildlife, including birds, fish, and crabs. It's also the home of a local legend: Panchito the crocodile. He's small and relatively harmless, as long as you don't bother him. 

Spacewalk/Getty Images

Half cenote, half lagoon, Yal-Ku is a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers looking to spot sea life — you can see sea turtles, rays, parrotfish, and barracudas here, just to name a few of the local residents. These creatures are drawn by the cenote's reef, which provides shelter from larger predators. As such, Yal-Ku is something of a natural aquarium, so arrive ready for wildlife encounters.

SergeYatunin/Getty Images

If swimming in a cave sounds good to you, head to cenote Chaak Tun in Playa del Carmen , about one hour from Tulum. You must book a guided tour to come here, and getting to the cenote requires a combination of walking and snorkeling. With the price of your tour, you'll also receive all the gear you need, including a wetsuit and snorkel equipment. 

El Gran Cenote

John Crux Photography/Getty Images

There's a good reason this cenote is called "grand" — it has immaculately clear waters, several chambers for exploration, and even some resident turtles. Located just outside of Tulum, this very popular cenote is great for the whole family. Be sure to bring goggles or snorkels to peer at underwater stalagmites, and don't forget to look up, where bats often dangle from stalactites.

Wirestock/Getty Images

This swimming hole is 10 to 15 minutes from the center of Tulum, yet it's still one of the less-crowded cenotes in the area. The small, open-air pool is highly regarded for its amenities — there's a restaurant here, as well as bathrooms and changing rooms. For a little more action, ride the short zip line over the cenote, which has you land in the water with a splash.

Yax-Muul isn't a single cenote, but rather a nature park with four cenotes. As it's rather tucked away down a dirt road, it's often pretty quiet here, allowing you to float or snorkel through the cenotes peacefully. Its calmness makes it great for families. Note that weekends are of course busier, so if you must go on a Saturday or Sunday, arrive early. Yax-Muul is about 15 minutes outside of Tulum.

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This is another option for cave lovers. Sac Actun is the world's longest underwater cave system, measuring about 228 miles in length, though new passages are still being discovered. It's filled with hundreds of cenotes, so you could spend a whole day cenote hopping here. This is an ancient system of caves was found only recently — Mayan artifacts and fossilized animals are among treasures spotted in the waters.

Mauricio Handler/Getty Images

As you might've guessed from the name, this cenote is a giant pit, measuring 130 feet deep and ideal of scuba divers. For those diving far below the surface, beams of sunlight penetrate the water in a mesmerizing display. El Pit is technically part of the Sac Actun network, but its significance as a dive site makes it worthy of an individual mention.

Azul Bacala

Oleh_Slobodeniuk/Getty Images

Although it's a 40-minute drive from Tulum, this large cenote is a cliff jumper's paradise — and that makes it worth the trek. Many guests leap into the cool waters from a small cliff at the cenote's edge, but there's also a dock for easier access. We recommend bringing snorkel gear to see all the fish that live here.

Not far from the center of Tulum is this picturesque cenote. Surrounded by the jungle, Atik is only accessible by a large ladder that descends into its blue waters, where you'll likely spot turtles. Surrounding the cenote are art installations, including a wall of skulls that nods to the Mayan belief that cenotes are entrances to the underworld.

This cenote is certainly not misnamed — it has crystal-clear waters popular with swimmers of all ages. One of the best things about this cenote is that its entrance fee is rather affordable at around $10 (though this is always subject to change). Because of that, it can get crowded, so visit on a weekday morning for a more serene experience. 

Tortuga is a nature park with a lovely cluster of four cenotes, all located about 15 minutes from Tulum. Three of the cenotes are cavernous, so you'll see rock formations like stalagmites and stalactites, plus fossils. The fourth cenote is a large, open-air pool good for cliff jumping. There's an onsite restaurant, and even a hotel if you'd like to stay for more than a day.

Related Articles

10 Best Cancun Tours to Tulum You Can’t Miss in 2024

Are you looking for the best Tulum tours from Cancun? Look no further!

Tulum makes for a great day trip from Cancun, offering the chance to explore ancient Mayan ruins, swim in some incredible cenotes, or partake in adventure activities like ziplining or snorkeling.

But with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which Tulum tour is right for you. That’s where I’m here to help!

As a travel blogger who lives in nearby Playa del Carmen , I’ve visited Tulum countless times and have personally experienced many of the best tours and activities.

MY TOP PICK

⌚️ Don’t have time to read the full article?

The best Cancun tour to Tulum is this Viator Exclusive Combo Tour: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Plus Cenote & Caves with over 2,900 5-star reviews!

In this post, I’m sharing my top recommendations for the very best Cancun tours to Tulum , each offering an unforgettable experience and giving you a taste of Tulum’s natural beauty and historical landmarks.

These top-rated Cancun to Tulum tours all have tons of 5-star reviews, and offer round-trip transportation from Cancun for a stress-free trip.

Read on to find out which of these best Cancun to Tulum tours is right for you!

Top 3 Picks: Best Cancun Tours to Tulum

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Viator Exclusive Combo Tour

✅ 2,900+ 5-Star Reviews ✅ Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, & Cenote

Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, & Lagoon Snorkeling

✅ Tulum Ruins ✅ Cenote + Lagoon Snorkeling

Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal, & Cenote Tour

✅ Tulum Ruins ✅ Sea Turtle Snorkeling

Best Cancun Tours to Tulum

1. viator exclusive combo tour: tulum ruins, reef snorkeling plus cenote and caves.

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 2,900 5-star reviews)
• 🕘 TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours
• 🎟 HOW TO BOOK: Check rates & availability here

Why book this tour?

This Viator Exclusive Combo Tour is the perfect way to explore both ancient Mayan history and the natural wonders near Tulum.

You’ll get to see the best of Tulum in just one day starting with a guided visit to the Tulum Mexico Mayan Ruins followed by reef snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea.

Absolutely loved this tour and recommend it highly! Snorkeling was awesome – we saw a sea turtle and at least five or six stingrays! –Patrick ( Read MORE REVIEWS )

After, you’ll get to explore Cenote Xtun , an underground cavern cenote filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. You’ll feel like you’re trekking through the Mayan underworld!

Plus, this tour includes door-to-door transport from your hotel in Cancun, entrance fees, a buffet lunch, all equipment, and a bilingual guide.

And with more than 2,900 5-star reviews , this is the best of the best and the top-rated Cancun tour to Tulum!

What’s included in the Exclusive Combo Tour :

• Guided tour of the ancient Mayan Ruins of Tulum
• Coral reef snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea
• Visit to Xtun Cenote
• Bilingual guide
• Round-trip air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup from Cancun
• Equipment required for water activities
• Bottled water

2. Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 1,125 5-star reviews)
• 🕘 TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours

This Tulum Guided Tour is an ideal way to explore the many wonders of Tulum and the Riviera Maya in one day.

This guided adventure takes you to the archaeological site of Tulum, where you’ll get to explore the ruins of the former Maya city and learn about its rich history from your experienced guide.

This tour was the highlight of our trip! Our guide, Mario, was fantastic from start to finish. Every stop on the tour brought something different. –Teresa ( READ MORE REVIEWS )

Then, you’ll visit two cenotes to discover a stunning underground river system, and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Yal Ku Lagoon for an unforgettable experience.

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from Cancun hotels, a professional guide, snorkeling equipment, and a delicious beachside lunch—the perfect way to end the day!

What’s included in the Tulum Guided Tour :

• Guided tour of the Tulum Ruins
• Visit to two cenotes
• Snorkeling at Yal Ku Lagoon
• Beachside Lunch
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cancun hotels
• Professional guide
• Snorkeling gear
• Life jacket

3. Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote tour

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 595 5-star reviews)

You’ll get three-for-one in this Tulum Ruins, Turtles, and Cenote tour from Cancun to Tulum, which is one of the most popular Riviera Maya tours .

But this tour’s real highlight is getting to swim with sea turtles and other marine life in Akumal Bay!

The tour starts with a guided Tulum Ruins tour, where you’ll learn more about ancient Mayan culture from your experienced guide.

Then you’ll head to Akumal Bay , a protected conservation area where you can snorkel and swim with the abundant sea turtles that feed there.

Everything I wanted to do in one day, on time, so well planned, with a professional photographer too! I can’t believe I got to see massive turtles right next to me! –Stefania ( read more reviews )

To finish off the tour, you’ll visit Xtun Cenote, a spectacular underground cave system with crystal-clear water and stunning rock formations.

This tour also includes round-trip transportation from your Cancun hotel, a delicious traditional Mexican buffet lunch, and all the necessary equipment you need for your Cancun tour to Tulum.

What’s included in the Tulum Ruins, Turtles, and Cenote Tour :

• Snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal Bay
• Lunch: Traditional Mexican buffet
• Fresh fruit water and bottled water

4. Tulum Day Trip Mayan Ruins With Cenote Swim

• ⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 465 5-star reviews)

This Cancun to Tulum day tour is perfect for budget travelers, offering great value and plenty of adventure.

Not only will you get to explore the ancient ruins of Tulum, but you’ll also get to enjoy a refreshing swim in Cenote Casa Tortuga .

We had the most amazing day traveling to Tulum and the Cenotes. We also managed to squeeze in a tequila tasting which was so much fun. I would recommend this trip to all my friends and family. –Sarah ( Read more reviews )

With priority access and pre-booked admission tickets, this tour makes it easy and convenient to skip the long lines and explore two unique activities in Tulum.

Plus, with round-trip transportation from Cancun included, you don’t have to worry about getting there or back.

What’s included in the Tulum Day-Trip Tour :

• Guided tour of Tulum Mayan Ruins
• Cenote swim at Casa Tortuga Cenote
• Admission fees and priority access at Tulum archaeological site
• Roundtrip transportation to and from your hotel in Cancun

5. VIP Tulum Private Tour

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 360 5-star reviews)
• 🕘 TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours

With 5-star treatment, this VIP Tulum Private Tour is perfect for those looking for the best private Tulum tours from Cancun.

You’ll get to ditch the crowds with private hotel pickup and have your own personalized guide to show you around the Tulum Ruins archaeological site.

This tour was outstanding and it will be one of the highlights of our trip. We were so well taken care of by the company and especially our tour guide, Abraham. The entire experience from booking to follow up were executed flawlessly. –Robert ( Read more reviews )

Not only that, but you’ll also get to explore two unique Cenotes—Xunaan Ha and Taak Bi Ha –at your own pace. Snorkeling equipment is also available for you to use at no extra cost.

As one of the best private tours in Cancun , you’ll get to experience the best that Tulum has to offer in a convenient and hassle-free way.

What’s included in the VIP Tulum Private Tour :

• Visit to Xunaan Ha Cenote
• Visit to Taak Bi Ha Cenote
• All entry fees
• Private Tour Guide
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• Private transportation with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle

6. Private (only you!) Discover Tulum & Coba with a Delicious Beachside Lunch

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 240 5-star reviews)

This Cancun to Tulum private tour allows you to explore two of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most important Mayan ruins in a convenient and hassle-free way.

You’ll get to ditch the crowds with private hotel pickup and have your own personalized guide to show you around the Tulum Ruins and the Cobá archaeological site .

Fantastic day, our guide was superb, incredibly knowledgable and considerate of ours needs. The sites were fascinating, the service was impeccable. We’d highly recommend this experience! –Sophiae ( REad more reviews )

Plus, you’ll also get to have a delicious beachside lunch after exploring the ruins and before heading back to Cancun in your own private vehicle.

What’s included in the Private Discover Tulum & Coba Tour :

• Private Guided tour of the Tulum Ruins
• Private Guided tour of the Coba Ruins
• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• Live commentary on board
• All activities
• Driver/guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cancun in a private vehicle

7. Tulum Express Half-Day Tour from Cancun

• ⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 60 5-star reviews)

This Tulum Express Half-Day Tour from Cancun is perfect for those who just want to visit the Tulum Ruins.

After getting picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel in Cancun, you’ll head south to the Tulum Ruins, getting to hear live commentary on the way.

Our guide Ariel was so pleasant and extremely informative! The pickup and return went without a hitch. It all made for an awesome tour and we would highly recommend. –Debra ( read more reviews )

Once at the archaeological site, you’ll get to explore the ruins with a knowledgeable guide, getting to learn about its ancient history.

You’ll have a bit of free time after the tour before heading back to Cancun, where you’ll still have time to hit the pool or beach!

What’s included in the Tulum Express Half-Day Tour from Cancun :

• Guided visit to the Tulum Ruins
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Cancun

8. Coba, Tulum, Cho-Ha Cenote and Paradise Beach, Premium Service

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 200 5-star reviews)
• 🕘 TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours

This premium Coba, Tulum, Cenote, and Paradise Beach tour is the perfect Tulum tour from Cancun tour for travelers who want to experience the culture and history of Tulum while also enjoying time on a beautiful beach.

This tour offers an all-in-one experience, with a knowledgeable guide to show you the highlights of Tulum, from the Tulum and Coba Ruins to Cenote Cho Ha and Paradise Beach .

The ruins at Coba and Tulum were enriched by the historical and cultural knowledge and significance that our guide Carlos brought to the table. The cenote was such a cool experience. I would absolutely recommend! –Doris ( read more reviews )

Plus, with group sizes limited to 15 participants, you can be sure that your experience will be more personalized and intimate.

And with included hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels in Cancun, getting to and from Tulum will be seamless and stress-free.

What’s included in the Coba, Tulum, Cho-Ha Cenote, and Paradise Beach Tour :

• Guided tour of Tulum Ruins
• Guided tour of Coba Ruins
• Visit to Cho-Ha Cenote
• Visit to Paradise Beach
• Professional art historian guide
• Small group

9. Tulum and Cenotes Tour plus Zip lines and lunch from Cancun

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 75 5-star reviews)
• 🕘 TOUR LENGTH: 12 hours

This full day Tulum cenote tour offers something for everyone, from exploring the archaeological zone of Tulum to rappelling in the Mayan jungle and snorkeling in cenotes.

You’ll get to experience both cultural and adventurous activities, with a professional guide to show you the way and teach you about the area’s history.

What a wonderful experience we had from the ruins of Tulum to swimming in an underground cenote. To top the day off we had a wonderful lunch and beach time at a beautiful beach club. I would highly recommend it for everyone to do. –Laurie ( Read more reviews )

After exploring the ruins in Tulum, you’ll head to Native Park Tulum for an exciting zip line adventure, before taking a refreshing dip and snorkeling in a beautiful cenote.

Plus, with lunch included, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all the necessary equipment, you’ll be sure to have a stress-free morning and afternoon of fun in Tulum.

What’s included in the Tulum and Cenotes Tour :

• Rappel and zipline circuit at Native Park Tulum
• Swimming and snorkeling at a cenote
• Round trip air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup from Cancun
• Mexican buffet lunch
• Bottled water and snacks
• Umbrella at the archaeological zone and train trip

10. Maya Adventure from Cancun Coba and Tulum Ruins with Cenote swim

• ⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (with more than 25 5-star reviews)

This Maya Adventure Tour provides the ultimate fun-filled adventure from Cancun with the perfect combination of cultural insight, exploration, and adventure.

You’ll get to explore the archaeological sites of Tulum, go zip lining in the Mayan jungle , canoe through a lagoon, snorkel in cenotes, and have a traditional Mexican buffet lunch.

Blessing with shaman in jungle, rappel into cenote, ziplining, and canoeing! And conclude with yummy authentic cuisine! Tour guide is friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and fun. –David ( read more reviews )

But what makes it most unique is that you’ll get to meet present-day Mayas at a Mayan village, receive a traditional blessing from a shaman, and learn about their culture and daily life.

For both history buffs and thrill seekers, this Cancun day trip to Tulum offers an unforgettable experience in Tulum.

What’s included in the Maya Adventure Tour :

• Guided tour of the Coba Ruins
• Cenote swim
• Visit to a Mayan village with a shaman blessing
• Use of all necessary equipment
• Use of showers

Tours to Tulum from Cancun: FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about a Tulum day trip from Cancun:

Yes, Tulum is located about 2 hours south of Cancun, which makes for a fun and interesting day trip to see ancient Mayan ruins and enjoy outdoor activities like zip lining and cenote swimming.

Yes, absolutely! Not only will you get to explore the Tulum ruins, but you’ll also be able to experience the area’s unique culture and its stunning natural beauty. Plus, you can take part in some awesome outdoor activities like rappelling and zip lining through the jungle.

Yes, it is possible to visit the Tulum Ruins without a tour. However, since the drive from Cancun to Tulum is about 2 hours, it may be more convenient to book a Cancun tour to Tulum so you don’t have to worry about transportation.

Yes, definitely! Even though Tulum has grown in popularity in recent years, it is still one of the best places to visit in Mexico. It has stunning natural wonders, beautiful beaches, and Mayan ruins to explore, making it well worth the visit.

Conclusion: Best Cancun Tours to Tulum

I hope this article was helpful in deciding which day trips to Tulum from Cancun are best for you!

From rappelling and ziplining through the jungle to exploring the archaeological sites of Tulum, Cancun to Tulum tour packages offer a unique and unforgettable experience.

My top recommendation is the Viator Exclusive Combo Tour from Cancun , which offers 3 activities in one day: exploring the Mayan ruins at Tulum, reef snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea, and a visit to the stunning Xtun Cenote.

And with over 2,900 5-star reviews , this is the most popular tour from Cancun to Tulum!

But no matter which of these best Tulum excursions from Cancun you choose, Tulum is sure to provide an incredible experience. Just be prepared for the 2 hour Cancun to Tulum drive!

• Best Cancun Private Tours
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• Do You Need Pesos in Cancun?

🇲🇽 Traveling to Mexico soon?

These are the Mexico travel resources I use and recommend:

🏨 Hotels : I always find the best deals for Mexico hotels and resorts on Expedia or Booking.com . If you prefer a vacation rental, check VRBO as they are often cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!

✈️ Flights : I recommend using Skyscanner for the best Mexico flight deals. Be sure to sign up for their price alerts for your preferred travel dates.

🚗 Rental Cars : I recommend using Discover Cars because you can compare multiple car rental companies and see detailed ratings for overall value, ease of pick-up, efficiency of agents, car condition, and overall time spent.

🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation : I recommend booking a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation for the quickest and most hassle-free option!

🤿 Tours & Activities: I always use Viator or GetYourGuide for booking tours and activities in Mexico. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, plus they have excellent customer service if you were to have any issues.

🚨 Travel Insurance: After my Dad broke his hand in a taxi accident in Playa del Carmen, I always recommend buying travel insurance before your trip for added peace of mind! I recommend Travel Insurance Master for short trips or Safety Wing for digital nomads.

☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen : Don’t forget to add biodegradable sunscreen to your Mexico packing list ! Regular sunscreen is prohibited on most snorkeling tours, so you’ll need to pack some biodegradable sunscreen for sun protection. I recommend Sun Bum Sunscreen , which is reef-friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Allison Sicking is the founder of Viva La Travelista. After moving to Playa del Carmen, Mexico in 2018, she created her travel blog to empower others to travel safely and confidently in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries. Using her Spanish language skills and expertise in Mexico travel, she is passionate about teaching others to travel Mexico like a local.