Tulum–Cobá Road
Gran Cenote
Clear, shallow pools linked by caverns, with turtles and easy snorkeling.
Things to do
Cenotes near Tulum
Freshwater sinkholes in the jungle, from shallow open pools to cathedral-like caverns. These are the ones worth the drive, with prices, hours and when to go.
No cenotes match those filters.
How to choose
Open, semi-open or cavern?
Open cenotes look like jungle lagoons: sunny, warm and easy for kids. Semi-open cenotes mix daylight with a partial roof, and caverns are cooler, darker and the most dramatic, with stalactites and shafts of light.
Go early. Most cenotes open at 8 or 9 am and tour groups arrive from about 10:30. Bring cash, water shoes and no sunscreen: almost every cenote asks you to shower before swimming.
Cenote questions, answered
What is a cenote?
A natural sinkhole where the limestone collapsed and exposed groundwater. The Yucatán Peninsula has thousands of them.
Which cenote is best near Tulum?
Gran Cenote for clear water and easy access, Calavera for a fun jump, and Dos Ojos for snorkeling in caverns.
Can I wear sunscreen in a cenote?
No. Most cenotes ban all sunscreen and repellent to protect the water. Shower before you get in.
How much does a cenote cost?
Entry near Tulum usually runs from MXN 200 to MXN 500, paid at the entrance.
Keep exploring