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Cenotes in the Riviera Maya: where to swim, snorkel and dive
Cenotes are freshwater sinkholes you can swim in. Here are the Riviera Maya's best, open and cave, how far they are from the coast and what to bring.
The short answer: a cenote is a natural sinkhole in the limestone, filled with clear, cool fresh water from the rivers that run underground through the Yucatán Peninsula. The Riviera Maya has thousands of them, and they come in three kinds: open pools in the jungle, half-open caverns, and caves you snorkel or dive through. Five to start with are Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote, the Sac Actun system, Casa Tortuga and Kantun-Chi. From Puerto Aventuras, in the middle of the coast, the nearest cenotes are about 10 minutes away.
What is a cenote?
Over thousands of years, rainwater ate through the soft limestone of the peninsula and carved caves and underground rivers. Where a cave roof fell in, a cenote opened. The word comes from the Maya dzonot, a hollow with water. For the Maya they were the main source of fresh water and sacred places, seen as doors to the underworld, so treat them with respect when you swim.
The three kinds of cenote
| Kind | What it is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Open | A round pool open to the sky, often with jungle around it | Swimming, children, a relaxed afternoon |
| Semi-open | Part cave, part open, with light falling through the roof | Snorkeling and photographs |
| Cave | Underground, lit by openings or lamps, with stalactites | Snorkeling with a guide; diving for certified cave divers |
Five cenotes in the Riviera Maya to start with
Dos ojos
Two cenotes, the “two eyes”, joined by a cavern of very clear water. One of the best-known places in the region to snorkel among stalactites, and a classic dive. About 35 minutes south of Puerto Aventuras.
Gran cenote
Just outside Tulum town on the road to Cobá: a semi-open cenote with wooden boardwalks, caverns to snorkel through, small fish and turtles. Go early; it is popular.
The sac actun system
Sac Actun is the longest known underwater cave system in the world, and Dos Ojos is part of it. Guided tours take you through its turquoise water, stalactites and the traces of the people who once lived here.
Cenotes casa tortuga
A park with four cenotes on one visit: the bats at Wisho, Maya culture at Cenote Jaguar, and the clear water of Tres Zapotes.
Kantun-chi
An eco-park with several cenotes along jungle trails. Explore them with a local guide or on your own, by swimming, snorkeling or kayak.
Cenotes on a ruins day
A cenote is the best way to end a morning at the ruins. Gran Cenote sits on the road between Tulum and Cobá, so it fits either visit. See our guide to the Mayan ruins of the Riviera Maya to plan the day.
What to bring and what to expect
- No sunscreen, a shower first. Most cenotes ask you to rinse off and skip sunscreen and repellent, to keep the water clean.
- Water shoes and a snorkel. Rocks can be slippery; many cenotes rent masks and life jackets.
- Cash. Many smaller cenotes charge a small entrance fee and some take cash only.
- Go early. The light is better and the popular ones are quieter in the morning.
- Diving. Cavern and cave diving need certification and a local guide; snorkeling needs neither.
Where to stay near the cenotes
The cenotes are thickest along the coast between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, so staying in the middle puts dozens within half an hour. Puerto Aventuras is about 10 minutes from the nearest cenotes and about 35 from Dos Ojos, and about 1 hour from Cancun airport.
That is where our four beachfront haciendas in Puerto Aventuras stand, side by side, each with its own chef and team: 51 suites for up to 126 guests together. The concierge arranges the day out, cenotes included, so the whole family or group can go together. For a smaller party, see our villas and condos in Puerto Aventuras.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cenote?
A natural sinkhole in the limestone of the Yucatán Peninsula, filled with clear fresh water from underground rivers. Some are open pools, some are half caves, and some are full caves you snorkel or dive through.
How many cenotes are there in the Riviera Maya?
Thousands. The Yucatán Peninsula is often said to have around 6,000, and the coast between Playa del Carmen and Tulum has some of the best known.
Can children swim in cenotes?
Yes, in open cenotes with calm, shallow edges. Many cenotes rent life jackets; keep children close, as the water is often deep.
Do I need to dive to see a cenote?
No. Most visitors swim or snorkel. Cavern and cave diving need certification and a local guide.
Can you wear sunscreen in a cenote?
Usually not. Most cenotes ask you to shower first and skip sunscreen and repellent to protect the water.
Which cenotes are closest to Puerto Aventuras?
The nearest cenotes are about 10 minutes from Puerto Aventuras by car, and Dos Ojos about 35 minutes south. Our concierge at the haciendas arranges cenote days for the whole group.
Where to stay
Your base on the coast.
Four haciendas on the beach in Puerto Aventuras, about 1 hour from Cancun airport (1 hour 15 from Tulum’s), plus villas and condos along the Riviera Maya.