A cenote is in a few words a cavern with water. But the natural environment of the Yucatan Peninsula is what makes these places truly spectacular. Diving or snorkeling inside the cenotes in Cancun or Riviera Maya is one of the most requested water activities, as it is a unique experience.
If you are on vacation in this area of Mexico, dare to discover the bowels of a world that few privileged people can see. Along Cancun – Riviera Maya corridor there are a lot of cenotes, on this guide we will show you the best 20 cenotes where you can swim, snorkel or dive in Cancun or Riviera Maya.
These are some of the best Cenotes in the Riviera Maya that you will surely love:
1. Seven Mouths Cenote (Siete Bocas)
This is an excellent place if you want to experience a Cenote without a lot of people. Bring your equipment, life jacket, visor and fins because there is not much infrastructure yet. It’s located in a “rustic” and developing place, but the cenote is one of the best. Location: km 15 of the Ruta de los Cenotes, very close to Puerto Morelos.
2. Chac Mool Cenote
It is an ideal cenote for diving. If you have only practiced open sea diving in Cenote Chac Mool you will feel a very special adrenaline rush. It’s not very deep, below it you will find an incredible world full of stalactites. Respect the signs and don’t go beyond what is allowed for your safety. To go there we recommend AluxDivers, you can find them at Av 35, Playa del Carmen, they will provide you with all the necessary equipment and they also have qualified instructors. Location: 22 km south of Playa del Carmen, on Highway 307.
3. Ponderosa Cenote
It is one of the Cenotes in the Riviera Maya known as the Edens Garden, and it lives up to its name, it’s a family place to swim and spend a relaxing and fun day. Location: look for the entrance 24 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen, on Highway 307. There is no restaurant there but you can bring your own food.
4. Crystalline Cenote
The Cenote Cristalino at first glance seems like a large pool, its waters are sweet and transparent, and you can see hundreds of fish that live here. It is a good place for diving and other activities such as swimming, snorkeling, zip-lining and hiking. There is a restaurant and enough services to spend an excellent day with the family. Location: South of Playa del Carmen, after the Aktun Chi Park on Highway 307.
5. Chi kin-Ha Cenote
It is located in front of the Hotel Barceló on the Federal Highway, it’s one of the most beautiful open Cenotes in the Riviera Maya. Its waters are crystalline and shallow. There are fish and algae that give life to this cenote, which makes it an ideal place to relax and practice snorkeling.
6. Blue Cenote (Cenote Azul)
The “Cenote Azul” is another little paradise, to get there you can take a taxi from Playa del Carmen. The entrance is approximately one kilometer from the Hotel Barceló along the federal highway. It is a good place to dive, swim and get involved in the green jungle that surrounds it. There is a restaurant, handicraft shops and bathrooms. It’s worth it!
7. Taj Mahal Cenote
Diving in a Cenote in the Riviera Maya will be one of the most wonderful sensations you can experience in your life. And the Taj Mahal Cenote is an excellent option for this, there you can see what few people in their lives will see. Feel that feeling of loneliness, but at the same time of joy, as if you were in space. To visit it, we recommend hiring the services of certified instructors such as Beyond Diving located in Playa del Carmen.
8. Aktun Chen
Aktun Chen is a theme park with one of the caverns and cenotes in the Riviera Maya which can be visited with the whole family. There are services, guides and zip lines. It is best to hire a tour with round trip transportation, it will be cheaper and they will take you and bring you back to your hotel. Located on Federal Highway 307, Km 107 between Akumal and Xel-Há.
9. Xunaan Ha Cenote
It is one of the most rustic but very pleasant cenotes in the Riviera Maya. It is necessary to bring your snorkeling or diving equipment, there are fish in generous quantities and a freshwater turtle that lives in the place that can be seen occasionally. The use of oils or creams is not allowed unless they are biodegradable. It is recommended to bring mosquito repellent.
10. Tak Be Ha Cenote
Take your time, this cenote is a cavern formed thousands of years ago and has a singular beauty, you can dive or snorkel, it is best to visit it on a tour or bring your own equipment. You can go to the dive shops in Playa del Carmen and if you come on your own it is approximately 15 minutes from Tulum and 30 from Playa del Carmen.
11. Dos Ojos Cenote (Two Eyes)
For many, the Cenote in the Riviera Maya: Dos Ojos is considered the paradise of cavern diving. It is one of the most visited cenotes since it is for novice and experienced divers, it has three different caverns connected by underground rivers. We recommend you hire a guide either to snorkel or dive and an underwater camera. There are services, hammocks and places to rest. Come and fill yourself with Magic!
Tip: Try to arrive early, it is 14 kilometers away from Tulum, you can arrive by taxi or car, on the road look for the deviation towards a narrow dirt road.
12. Cenote Manatee
It is 11 kilometers north of Tulum and is an excellent place to snorkel, swim and practice a bit of kayaking. There is a restaurant with bathrooms and in general, the facilities are adequate to spend a good day with the family and enjoy this beautiful cenote.
13. Nohoch Nachich Cenote
It is one of the favorite Cenotes in the Riviera Maya for divers in the world, if you want to experience the adrenaline of cavern diving this cenote will exceed all your expectations. It is located 16.5 kilometers south of Akumal.
14. Temple of Doom or Skeleton Cenote
The recommendations for diving in caverns continue, the Skeleton Cenote is another excellent option to delve into the mysterious world that is hidden under our feet in the Yucatan peninsula. Find the signs to get there on the road to Coba near Tulum.
15. Gran Cenote
This is one of the biggest Cenotes in the Riviera Maya, which is located on the side of the road to Coba from Tulum. There you can swim or snorkel through a cave system, which makes it ideal for children (if they know how to swim) and adults. It has a maximum depth of 10 meters and you can also dive. There are restrooms, snorkel equipment rental, and parking.
16. Carwash (Aktun Ha) Cenote
Many years ago this cenote was used as a taxi car wash, but its fame spread and today it is one of the cenotes in the Riviera Maya which attracts tourists from all over the world. You can snorkel, swim or just enjoy the scenery. Its depth is barely 3 meters. It is easily accessible and is located 8 kilometers from Tulum towards Coba.
17. Crystal (Naharon) Cenote
Cenote Cristal or Cenote Naharon (as it is also known) is located on federal highway 307 about 3 kilometers south of Tulum, it is like a large natural pool surrounded by abundant palm trees and vegetation. You can swim, dive or snorkel, its depth is 5 meters, ideal to go with the family since it has a palapa to meet and eat.
18. Hidden Cenote
It is right in front of the Cenote Cristal, it is another good place to swim, dive or snorkel and it is also surrounded by exuberant vegetation. It is a very good place for beginners and children (who know how to swim), you can dive into some areas and spend an unforgettable day.
19. Angelita Cenote
17 kilometers south of Tulum on the federal highway is the Angelita Cenote. Getting to it is quite an adventure because first, you have to walk a section of approximately 500 meters through the jungle. Its depth is 60 meters but it has a visibility of up to 30 and it is a spectacular place for diving or snorkeling.
20. Ik Kil Cenote
It is located near Chichen Itza (around 2 hours away from Playa del Carmen), it is common for tours that come from Cancun to Chichen to stop at this cenote for those who want to swim and cool off after visiting the archaeological zone. There really isn’t much to explain, as its natural beauty is obvious.
Map of Cenotes in the Riviera Maya
As you will see, most of these cenotes are located in the triangle formed by Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Coba. Almost all of them are easily accessible and on the edge of the highways. If you are not an experienced diver or swimmer, try to bring or rent equipment and a life jacket.
Tips to Visit the Cenotes in Cancun / Riviera Maya
Many people may say that “it was not what I expected, is way much better” the first time they visit a cenote Cancun. What is truly impressive is not only the outside but the world that is hidden under its waters. So try as much as possible to go swimming, lose your fear of the dark, perhaps of loneliness, go inside and search for the unexpected.
- It is recommended to bring insect repellent, especially for mosquitoes
- Respect the signs
- In several of these cenotes there are no services, so try to be prepared
- Preferable if you hire a tour with round trip transportation
- You can go by taxi but ask who offers you a good rate, especially if you can take it from Playa del Carmen
- Pets are not allowed in some cenotes, nor creams, sunscreens, or products that are not biodegradable