Cenotes are large underground caves housing subterranean lakes that are perfect for diving, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. Numerous cenotes are scattered around the Yucatan. Below we have listed the best ones near Playa del Carmen & Chichen Itza.
Chaak Tun Cenote
15 minute taxi ride from Playa del Carmen
This cenote has a mysterious, spooky kind of feel. It has many rooms to explore, impressive stalactites, and limited crowds. It is one of the best in the Yucatan and very close to Playa del Carmen. Open 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. 15 minute taxi from Playa del Carmen (100-200 pesos). 100 pesos entrance fee to swim without guide (includes life vest and hardhat). $30 US (450 pesos) per person is cost for 2 hour tour with a guide and comes with wet suit, mask, light, and water shoes. Bring a towel. Water can be cool, so you might want to use the wet suit. Consider having cab come back in 2 hours to pick you up. If driving, head out Avenue Juarez North past the large school on the right and past where the road converts from 4 lanes to 2, it's probably 1/2 mile after that on the right. Get there around 1:30pm as the afternoon is less crowded
Cenote Dos Ojos
40 minutes south from Playa del Carmen on highway 307
Dos Ojos, meaning ‘two eyes’, refers to the two cenotes connected by a large cavern zone. One of these cenotes is clear blue water, giving snorkelers high visibility. The other, named the ‘black eye’, is virtually light-free & need a flashlight to dive here. There are also dry caves including the famous bat cave. This cenote caters better to scuba divers but also a good experience for snorkeling.
Cost $100-200 pesos for swimmers, snorkelers, and onlookers.
$450 pesos is for tour. You can swim without the tour but may not be able to see the bat cave.
2 hours is good amount of time for exploring.
Water can be chilly so consider the wetsuit.
Sac Actun
BEST OPTION for the adventurous type who want a unique experience. Intensely gorgeous haunting space, you travel from one cavern to another, looking at the stalactites/stalagmites, enjoying crystal clear blue water, and watching bats. You'll start at Pet Cemetary cenote which links up to Sac Actun. Scenery is above the water so you don’t use the snorkel and mask much. You easily float the whole time and could choose to look under water using your mask, or keep your head above water and just paddle forward. Can be a bit chilly and claustrophobic for some people. Not for jumping and swimming, and not for small children
Arrival about 1 hour. 450 entrance fee includes everything. Take the Dos Ojos cenote entrance and tell the guys you are going to Sac Actun (do not pay the Dos Ojos entrance fee even if they ask for it). It's about 3 miles (15mins) down a bumpy dirt road and you’ll pass several other cenotees. There are no lockers at the facility. If you don’t drive then have the taxi either wait for you for 2 hours or come back to pick you up. Tips: Wear a t-shirt as the jacket rubs. Take a waterproof camera. There are bathrooms to change in so you can take a change of clothing. Bring your own waterproof flashlight. wet suits not currently provided but that may change.
Cenote Azul
Just off the highway between Chichen Itza and Valladolid is the secluded Cenote Azul. The cenote is 26 metres deep, surrounded by vegetation, and has crystal clear water perfect for swimming or diving.
Bacalar Lagoon - Near the Cenote Azul, travelers can find one of Mexico’s most magical marine landscapes: Lago Bacalar, otherwise known as “The Lake of the Seven Colors.” This lagoon is the result of various cenotes that overflowed over the years, resulting in a peaceful lagoon which, as the name suggests, offers visitors seven distinct shades of blue. Bacalar is a bit of a local’s secret and is a great place for some natural beauty and relaxation
Bacalar Lagoon
Cost: entrance Approximately $3