Beach Vacation,  Mexico

12 Best Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen + Playa del Carmen Cenotes Map

Cenote near Playa del Carmen: Cenote Azul

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The Yucatán Peninsula is famous for its extraordinary natural swimming holes called cenotes.

Playa del Carmen is not only known as the beach town between Cancun and Tulum but also for its many cenotes along the Riviera Maya. There are a lot of incredible cenotes near Playa del Carmen especially.

You can swim and snorkel in cenotes at the Riviera Maya. At some, you can jump from platforms or cliffs into the cool deep blue water, and at others, you can go scuba and cave diving to explore the underwater worlds and cave systems that are hidden from the eye above ground. And yet others even have a little islands in the middle.

We put together a really extensive Riviera Maya cenote guide with all kinds of helpful information about the natural swimming holes in Mexico. Along with that, we also created a map of the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen, Mexico so you know where they are located. We explain the things you need to know about the Playa del Carmen cenotes followed by information about each of the natural swimming holes.

If it’s your first time visiting a cenote at the Riviera Maya you may find our cenote packing list handy and will get helpful information all around swimming and snorkeling in cenotes.

At the end of this Playa del Carmen Cenote Guide, we will have a list of other cenotes near Tulum, Cancun and Valladolid which are also worth a visititing during your Mexico trip.

This is a long and elaborate post. If you would like to know more about a specific cenote or topic click on the links below in the table of contents to jump to that section directly.

The Best Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Guide To Visiting Playa del Carmen Cenotes

Playa del Carmen Cenotes map
Playa del Carmen cenotes map

Read More

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What Is A Cenote?

Cenotes are sinkholes naturally formed by the collapse of their limestone bedrock ceiling. Yucatán has thousands of these natural sinkholes, called cenotes. It has been found that these cenotes are not standalone waterholes, but rather a vastly interconnected underground system spanning across the Yucatan peninsula.

The water is usually crystal clear and cool which makes them so incredible for swimming and snorkeling. Some cenotes are very deep which makes them great for scuba, cave, and free diving. In yet other cenotes you can explore cavelike underwater worlds with stalactites and stalagmites and sometimes encounter fossils.

Different Types Of Cenotes

Cenotes vary in size, depth as well as type. Some cenotes are partially open through a collapsed ceiling that exposes the underlying groundwater or are even completely open. Other sinkholes are entirely underground and cavelike and again others are semi-underground.

TYPES OF CENOTES

Pit Or Jug Cenotes

These cenotes have a narrow surface connection but a larger underground surface.

Cylinder Cenotes

Cylinder cenotes have vertical walls, their surface connection is as large as their underground diameter.

Basin Cenotes (completely open)

These cenotes appear like shallow water basins.

Cave Cenotes

As the name already gives away, these cenotes are actual caves or caverns. They can be completely submerged or have dry sections, which makes them accessible not only for divers but also for non-divers. Some of these cave cenotes have impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Cenotes In Ancient Mayan History

The ancient Mayans used the cenotes as natural wells for their water supplies. Famous cities like Chichen Itza were built around cenotes for that fact, as the Yucatan Peninsula has almost no rivers and only a few lakes.

The cenotes were believed to be a passageway to the underground world and afterlife. In ancient times, cenotes played a big part in Mayan rituals and sacrificial offerings.

The Mayans deposited valuables and human bodies into the cenotes as a form of sacrifice to their gods. Divers have found several human remains and objects dating back to the Mayan era inside the sinkholes.

Diving in Cristalino Cenote near Playa del Carmen
Cristalino Cenote near Playa del Carmen

How To Get To Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen?

There are many cenotes at the Riviera Maya around Playa del Carmen that you can easily visit. Some cenotes are close to Playa del Carmen or even directly outside of town and others are further away and require a drive to get there.

Rent A Bike To Visit Cenotes Close To Playa del Carmen

The cenotes in Playa del Carmen can easily be reached by bike. For instance, Cenote Chaak Tun is right outside Playa del Carmen and not far from the center and Cenote Xca-ha is actually right in town. So depending on where you stay in Playa del Carmen it can make sense to rent a bike.

Taking A Colectivo To Get To Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen

Since a lot of the cenotes near Playa del Carmen are located along Highway 307 taking a colectivo is an easy and cheap option to get to the natural swimming holes.

Plenty of colectivos run up and down Highway 307 between Cancun and Tulum. From Playa del Carmen you can easily take one to go in either direction. Let the driver know at which cenote you want to hop off so he can make a stop on his route.

On the way back to Playa del Carmen you have to flag a colectivo of the street that drives in your desired direction.

Taking A Taxi To Visit Cenotes

Taking a taxi to get to a cenote could be an option too. However, we would only recommend it to popular and highly frequented cenotes. Some cenotes around Playa del Carmen are not very busy so you may have a hard time finding a taxi ride back to town. Check with the people at the cenote if they can call you one.

Taking A Tour To Visit Cenotes Around Playa del Carmen

An easier and comfortable option to visit cenotes around Playa del Carmen is taking a cenote tour. You will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel and don’t have to worry about the logistics or being stuck in the middle of nowhere as cenotes sometimes tend to be in secluded areas.

There are different types of cenote tours: Usually half-day tours or full-day tours. On guided full-day tours, you typically also do another activity or visit an archaeological site.

These are some of the most popular cenote tours near Playa del Carmen that can easily be booked online:

Popular Playa del Carmen Cenote Tours

Getting Around By Rental Car

The most flexible option to get around Playa del Carmen and visit the many cenotes is by rental car. With a rental car, you will be able to also visit all the more remote cenotes around Playa del Carmen. Renting a car is usually our personal preference to get from place to place and explore, but it always depends on your budget and itinerary of course.

We would recommend renting a car right away at Cancun airport when you arrive in Mexico if you are looking to get a rental car for your trip.

Down below, with the information about each cenote, we included the distance and directions from Playa del Carmen. That way you can see how far the cenotes are from Playa del Carmen and how to get there best.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Playa del Carmen Cenotes?

You can visit the cenotes all year round. They are usually open from 9 am to 5 pm, with the last entry being at 4 pm. (Check below for the exact opening hours for each cenote.)

The popular cenotes in Playa del Carmen like Cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino can get pretty busy, especially during the high season. If you prefer a less crowded time and/or if you are looking to take photos, the morning hours are your best bet. The cenotes get pretty busy around midday and afternoon. Some are highly frequented by tours as well.

Pro tip: Travel off season to avoid the crowds!

Lesser-known cenotes like Cenote Los Buhos for instance are usually not that busy. Visiting anytime during the day will be fine.

How Much Does Visiting Playa del Carmen Cenotes Cost?

How much the entrance fee to cenotes in Playa del Carmen costs varies a great deal. A general rule of thumb is the more popular a cenote, the higher the entrance fee.

The not so well-known Cenote Los Buhos located just outside of Playa del Carmen is with an entry fee of 50 MXN pretty cheap.

Most other cenotes that are located around Playa del Carmen cost around 100-200 pesos. Some have a restaurant on-site and offer an all-inclusive ticket which then costs a bit more but can be a good deal.

Cenote parks offer an entire experience and therefore cost more.

Life jackets can cost you an extra fee too. At some of the cenotes in Playa del Carmen, they are required. In Tulum, they charge you for camera gear like a GoPro or DSLR. We haven’t seen that in the Playa del Carmen cenotes, but things may change.

As you can see pricing for the cenotes varies greatly, but in general the cenotes in Playa del Carmen are cheaper than the ones in Tulum.

We are trying to be up to date with the entrance fees to the cenotes, but prices often change quickly. So it could be that a fee is not accurate anymore. Especially in the last two years costs to visit cenotes increased quite a lot. Should you encounter that a fee isn’t up to date anymore, let us know in the comments and we’ll correct it. Thanks a lot!

Snorkeling in an open cenote near Tulum
Exploring cenotes with our own snorkeling gear

Sunscreen & Swimming In Riviera Maya Cenotes

Not only are cenotes precious with their crystal clear water, they also contribute to the health of the peninsula’s ecosystem. Therefore it is paramount to keep them clean. This means, cenotes need to be kept free from trash and waste and this also includes sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

Can I Wear Biodegradable Sunscreen In A Cenote?

The short answer is: No! Sunscreen, mosquito repellent as well as other lotions and sprays that we apply to our bodies are toxic to the ecosystems and aren’t decomposable. Even biodegradable sunscreen!

This is because most so-called biodegradable sunscreens are actually not really biodegradable. Even the ones that are, still leave a residue in the water which ends up polluting the pristine clear cenote water.

At most cenotes, you will be asked to take a shower before entering the water to remove all products from your skin. Please do your part and help keep these precious ecosystems clean and healthy!

What To Pack For Swimming & Snorkeling In Cenotes

We’ve put together a brief list of things that we have found handy when visiting cenotes along the Riviera Maya.

If you want to take underwater photos a GoPro and GoPro Dome or other action camera is great. All the new GoPros are also waterproof and you can take them into the water without a case.

If you bring your phone, there are really cheap phone cases for the water or more professional underwater phone housings. They work surprisingly well and the photos can also turn out great.

One thing that makes a difference and things a lot more comfortable are water shoes.

Playa del Carmen Cenotes Map

Playa del Carmen Cenotes map
Map of the best cenotes near Playa del Carmen

We split the cenotes into 2 areas: Cenotes in Playa del Carmen directly and cenotes around Playa del Carmen.

Whether you are into swimming, snorkeling, or scuba and cave diving, or just like to hang out and have a great time, there is a cenote for everyone. So, let’s take it away with the best cenotes along the Riviera Maya:

The Best Playa del Carmen Cenotes


Cenote Xca-ha Parque

Cenote Xca-ha is the closest cenote to Playa del Carmen because it is located directly in the city.

The cenote is fairly small and it is more of a water park. It has several pools and slides and plenty of pick-nick tables. It’s a good place for families with kids to spend the day. A plus point is that it is super close to the center of Playa del Carmen.

Check out Parque Xca-Ha’s Facebook page for more information.

Cenote Xca-ha

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: In town

Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm daily

Entrance Fee: 100 MXN

Cavern Park Cenote Chaak Tun

Opening of caves cenotes near Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen cave cenote

Just outside of Playa del Carmen you will find Cenote Chaak Tun Caverns. It is a cenote park with different underground caverns to explore and Mayan traditions like the Temazcal to take part in.

A Temazcal is an ancestral ritual for cleansing, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. Through the purification of one’s body, soul, mind, and heart in the form of a relaxing steam bath and the use of medicinal plants, a Temazcal provides the opportunity to reconnect with mother nature and oneself.

The entrance fee to Chaak Tun Park includes a guided tour to two different caverns, snorkeling gear, wet suit, water shoes, lifevest, and locker rental. In addition, you can book a Temazcal and tequila tasting.

For more information visit the Chaak Tun Cavern Park website.

Cenote Chaak Tun

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 7 km / 4.5 mi

Opening Hours: 9am – 3pm daily

Entrance Fee: 800 MXN for tour

The Best Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen


Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul close to Playa del Carmen
Cenote Azul close to Playa del Carmen

One of the most popular cenotes near Playa del Carmen is Cenote Azul. For good reason! With its amazing blue water, hence the name Azul, the ‘Blue Cenote’ is one of the most beautiful cenotes we have been to. It is our favorite cenote in Playa del Carmen, actually.

Cenote Azul is located along Highway 307 towards Tulum. To get there it takes about 20 minutes by car from the center of Playa del Carmen.

There are two rather shallow pools at Cenote Azul. A small one and a very large basin. Both swimming holes are open-air cenotes.

The collapsed light-colored limestone at the bottom of the cenote creates a contrast to the otherwise dark blue basin. This play of different shades of blue is what makes Cenote Azul so beautiful.

Popular cenote near Playa del Carmen: Cenote Azul
Popular cenote near Playa del Carmen: Cenote Azul

The larger cenote basin is great for swimming and snorkeling. You will find plenty of areas to explore at the blue cenote. There is also a cliff from which you can jump into the cenote if you are up for it.

Cenote Azul is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. It is probably the most visited cenote around Playa del Carmen. If you want to avoid the crowds, you should come early in the morning.

There is a small souvenir and snack shop on site and as well as pick-nick areas.

Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Colonial, and Barceló Maya Riviera are just across the highway. If you are staying at one of these resorts you can just walk across the street (with caution of course!) and get to Cenote Azul on foot.

For us, Cenote Azul or the blue cenote is the best cenote in Playa del Carmen.

Cenote Azul Tours

Swimming With Turtles And Snorkeling In Cenote Azul

4 Cenotes Day Trip – Incl. Cenote Azul In Playa del Carmen

Cenote Azul

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 25 km / 15.5 mi

Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: 120 MXN

Read More

Visiting Cenote Azul Near Playa del Carmen

Cenote Chac Mool

Cenote Chac Mool is located in Puerto Aventuras nearby Cenote Azul. The natural sinkhole, known for cenote diving around Playa del Carmen, is great for scuba diving and also cave diving. There is no snorkeling at Cenote Chac Mool.

Chac-Mool system consist of three cenotes: Chac Mool Cenote, Little Brother Cenote and Kukulkan Cenote.

In the so-called Dome Room at Cenote Chac Mool divers can admire a lot of beautiful stalactites and see some fossils. At Cenote Kukulkan an amazing light show can be witnessed on sunny days when the sun is at the optimal position.

Divers can also see an halocline layer (where salt and fresh water mix) at Cenote Chac-Mool.

Guided Chac Mool Dive Tour

Chac-Mool Cenotes 2-Tank Dive In Playa del Carmen For Certified Divers

Cenote Chac Mool

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 25 km / 15.5 mi

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: Diving tour only

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Cenote Los Buhos

Cenote Los Buhos is not a very well-known cave cenote right outside of Playa del Carmen. Although not well know, it is very pretty. The cave cenote is partially open and has stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

If you are looking to explore a less popular but still pretty cenote, this is for you. Since the cave is not very touristy, the entry fee is also a lot cheaper.

Cenote Los Buhos

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 10 km / 6 miles

Opening Hours: 9 – 5 pm daily

Entrance Fee: 50 MXN

Cenote Cristalino

Swing at Cenote Cristalino near Playa del Carmen
Cenote Cristalino near Playa del Carmen

Our second favorite cenote around Playa del Carmen is Cenote Cristalino. It is located right next to Cenote Azul along Carretera Cancun – Tulum.

Cenote Cristalino has three different natural pools, each different from the other. You will find a small cave-like pool at the very beginning when you come in. The second one is a large open-air basin that connects with a smaller part via a little cave. There are a lot of mangroves as well which are also pretty cool to see from underwater. The third pool is a smaller open-air pool.

As the name Cristalino already gives away, the water at this swimming hole is crystal clear and therefore a very popular cenote around Playa del Carmen.

Cenote Cristalino swing

Another attraction of Cenote Cristalino is the two swings. One swing is hanging in front of a half-cave and the other swing hangs from a tree on top of a cliff. Besides great swimming and snorkeling, you can also do some cliff jumping at Cenote Cristalino.

Since this cenote is very popular it also gets crowded, especially on the weekends. To encounter fewer people, avoid the weekends and come in the morning.

Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Colonial, and Barceló Maya Riviera are just across the highway. If you are staying at one of these resorts you can just walk across the street (with caution of course!) and get to Cenote Cristalino by foot.

For us, Cenote Cristalino was the second best cenote near Playa del Carmen, right after Cenote Azul.

Cenote Cristalino Tours

3 Cenotes, 1 Lagoon and Playa Paraiso Day Trip From The Riviera Maya

Cenote Cristalino

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 25 km / 15.5 mi

Opening Hours: 9am- 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: 150 MXN

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Visiting Cenote Cristalino: All You Need To Know

Cenote Jardin del Eden (Cenote Ponderosa)

Cenote Jardin del Eden: Lush open cenote around Playa del Carmen
Lush open cenote around Playa del Carmen

Located also in the same area as Cenote Azul and Cristalino is Cenote Jardin del Eden (aka Cenote Ponderosa).

From the highway, it is about a kilometer / half a mile walk to get to the swimming hole. Keep that in mind if you are taking a colectivo, since you will be getting off next to the highway and have to walk the rest.

Cenote Jardin del Eden is a large open cenote. The swimming hole is surrounded by the lush jungle with trees and mangroves growing in the water. With all that rich greenery it is truly a garden of Eden!

The cenote has shallow and also pretty deep areas. In the middle of the sinkhole, you can sit on the big limestone rock plates, that have collapsed from what used to be the cenote’s ceiling.

There is a platform and a cliff from where you can jump into the refreshing water.

Cenote Jardin del Eden is great for swimming and snorkeling but also for scuba diving. Divers can explore the underground cave that is not visible from above the water.

On Saturdays the cenote is closed. On Sundays it can get pretty crowded, especially during high season. If you visit in the mornings during the week it won’t be as crowded.

Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Colonial, and Barceló Maya Riviera are just across the highway. If you are staying at one of these resorts you can just walk across the street (with caution of course!) and get to Cenote Jardin del Eden easily by foot.

Cenote Jardin del Eden Tours

Jarding del Eden Cenote Diving Near Playa del Carmen For Certified Divers

Cenote Jardin del Eden

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 25 km / 15.5 mi

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm / Saturdays closed

Entrance Fee: 200 MXN

Read More

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Ecopark Kantun Chi

Swimming and diving in a cave cenote near Playa del Carmen
Swimming and diving in a cave cenote in Playa del Carmen

Ecopark Kantun Chi is an ecological park with 5 beautiful cenotes and an underground river. Kantun Chi Ecopark is located along the Riviera Maya next to Cenote Cristalino.

You will be able to take different tours exploring the eco-park’s majestic crystalline waters and underground caves.

Cenote Kantun-Chi

Kantun-Chi means yellow stone mouth in Mayan language. This is a semi-open cenote with a depth of 1 to 12 meters.

Cenote Saskaleen Ha

Translated to “transparent water”, this cenote is one of the largest sinkholes on the property. It is a semi-open cenote with a depth of 1 to 6 meters.

Cenote Uch Ben Ha

Meaning “ancient water”, this cenote is and open swimming hole with a depth of 4 meters.

Cenote Zacil Ha

The “clear water” cenote is a cave-type cenote which you will be able to access

Zihil Ha

Meaning cenote “where the water is reborn”, Zihil Ha is an open cenote with rich flora and vegetation.

Río Subterráneo

The underground river, is a system with impressive stalactites and stalagmites and two incredible underground cenotes with crystalline waters.

Cenote Tours

There are different tours at Ecopark Kantun Chi that you can take: Tour Aguas Magicas – Magic Waters Tour, 4 Cenotes Tour, and Grutaventura – cave adventure tour. You can book these tours online at Ecopark Kantun Chi’s website.

There is a restaurant on site, Restaurante Lol-Ha, that serves traditional Mayan and Yucatan food.

Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Colonial, and Barceló Maya Riviera are just across the highway. If you are staying at one of these resorts you can just walk across the street (with caution of course!) and get to Cenotes Kantun Chi easily by foot.

Ecopark Kantun Chi

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 25 km / 15.5 mi

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: 26 USD / 45 USD / 72 USD for tours

Playa del Carmen cenote: Swing at Cenote Cristalino
Semi-open cenote with swing

Chikin Ha Park

Cenote Chikin Ha Park is right next to Ecopark Kantun-Chi South of Playa del Carmen. It is about a mile inland from the highway. Keep that in mind when taking a colectivo as you will have to walk that distance to and from the cenotes park.

Chikin Ha is an ecopark with actually three cenotes: Cenote X’tabay, Cenote X’balba-Ha, and Chikin-Ha Cenote.

Cenote X’tabay

It is an open cenote ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. The natural pool is between 2 and 8 meters deep and has a variety of flora and fauna such as turtles, fish and water lilies.

Cenote X’balba-Ha

In Mayan mythology, Xibalba is known as the underworld. The cave cenote got its name because of its depth and rock formations that can be found inside.

Cenote Chikin-Ha

The name Chikin-Ha meaning water of the East in the Mayan language was given due to the location of the cenote. The cavern cenote is the main attraction of the park. It has 2 entrances and is 2 to 15 meters deep and great for scuba diving.

Besides the cenotes, there is also an underground cave with mineral decorations and fossils in the eco-park – the Motz-ha Cave. Motz-ha means the root of the water.

You can only visit the three cenotes mentioned above or explore more of the park. With a full park ticket, you can do zip-lining, participate in a Mayan ceremony, Temazcal, and ride bicycles to yet more cenotes. Cenote Lakin Ha, Cenote Tak Bil Ha.

There is also a restaurant on site that offers buffet style traditional food.

More information about Chikin Ha Park can be found online on Chikin Ha’s website.

Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Colonial, and Barceló Maya Riviera are just across the highway. If you are staying at one of these resorts you can just walk across the street (with caution of course!) and get to the cenotes of Chikin Ha Park on foot. Remember it takes about a mile to get to the actual park though.

Tours To Chikin Ha Cenotes

Half-Day Cenotes Experience Tour With Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off

Chikin Ha Cenote Park

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 25 km / 15.5 mi

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (Saturdays closed)

Entrance Fee: 350 MXN 3 cenotes / 650 MXN entire park experience

Cenote Abierto

Cenote Abierto is also located along Highway 307. It is an open-air cenote with a diving platform and a zipline.

The cenote is operated by tour company Aventuras Mayas which offers all-inclusive cenote tours including pick up and drop-off and lunch buffet.

On their three cenotes tour, you will snorkel in the Yal Ku Lagoon in Akumal, in an underground cenote, and in Cenote Abierto.

You can get more information on the Aventuras Maya cenote tour here.

Cenote Tajma Ha

Cenote Angelita, scuba diving cenote in Tulum
Light rays underwater

The Tajma Ha Cenote is especially known amongst cave divers. It is located 3 kilometers off of Highway 307 near Xpu-Ha.

The Tajma Ha system consists of three cenotes: Cenote Point of Lights, Cenote Esmeralda and Cenote Sugar Bowl. The sinkhole system is about 12 meters deep on average but goes as deep as 30 meters.

Tajma Ha Cenote is known for its amazing light spectacle that is created by the sun’s rays hitting the water at the perfect angle.

Divers can see a dense halocline layer underwater. The halocline effect occurs when fresh water and saltwater mix. There are also fossils to be seen in the caves down below.

There is a small area for swimmers, but the cenote is mostly known for cenote diving in Playa del Carmen.

Cenote Tajma Ha

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 29 km / 18 miles

Opening Hours: 8:30 – 4:30 pm (Sundays closed)

Entrance Fee: Inquire with dive shop

Cenote Minotauro

Cenote Minotauro is a small off-the-beaten-path cenote. Not a lot of snorkelers come here, as it is more for scuba divers but actually also very pretty from above the water.

There are some facilites around, check out Minotauro Park’s Facebook page.

Maya Blue Dive Center is located right on Highway 307 from where you take the road to Cenote Minotauro as well as Canote Tajma Ha

Cenote Minotauro

Directions: Get directions here!

Distance from Playa: 29 km / 18 miles

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm daily

Entrance Fee: 350 MXN

Read More

Swimming With Turtles At The Riviera Maya In Akumal

Cylinder cenote aka semi-open cenote at Hacienda Oxman near Valladolid

Summary: The Best Riviera Maya Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen


The Most Popular Cenotes Around Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Cenotes

Cenote Azul

Cenote Cristalino

Cenote Jardin del Eden

Lesser-Known Cenotes Within The City

Cenotes In Playa del Carmen

Cenote Chaak Tun

Cenote Semiabierto Pajaros

Cenote Los Buhos

Best Cenote Snorkeling In Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Snorkeling Cenotes

Ecopark Kantun-Chi

Chikin Ha Cenote Park

Chaak Tun Cavern Park

Cenote Azul

Cenote Cristalino

Cenote Jardin del Eden

Guided Snorkeling Tours From Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Cenote Tour: Snorkeling, Rappelling and Ziplining

Cenotes Snorkeling Excursion From Playa del Carmen (Incl. Transport & Lunch

Half-Day Cenotes Experience Tour With Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off

Reef & 3 Cenote Snorkeling + 5 Zip-Lines + Mayan Lunch & Pictures

Paddleboarding & Riviera Maya Cenote Snorkeling From Playa del Carmen

Off-The-Beaten-Path Riviera Maya Cenotes

Off-The-Beaten-Path Cenotes

Cenote Minotauro

Cenote Los Buhos

Scuba & Cave Diving Cenotes, Riviera Maya

Scuba Diving Cenotes

Cenote Jardin del Eden

Cenote Minotauro

Cenote Chikin-Ha

Cenote Tajma Ha

Guided Scuba Diving In Playa del Carmen

Intro Course To Cave Diving in Playa del Carmen – TDI Course

Discover Mystical Playa del Carmen Cenotes – 2 Tank Cavern Diving

2-Day Scuba Diving Package In The Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen Cenote Tours

A lot of the Riviera Maya cenotes can be visited with guided cenote tours. Cenote tours from Playa del Carmen are a comfortable way to explore the sinkholes without the trouble of figuring everything out by yourself.

You can book private cenote tours from Playa del Carmen just for your group alone or go with a small group of other people.

There are guided snorkeling and scuba diving day trips that visit only cenotes and nothing else. Or there are tours that visit a cenote and other attractions like the Mayan ruins and pyramids like Chichen Itza and Coba or other activities like paddleboarding or ziplining.

See the popular Playa del Carmen cenotes day trips below:

Visiting The Best Cenotes of the Riviera Maya Via Guided Tour

Read More

Best Things To Do On The Yucatan Peninsula

Awesome Cenotes Near Tulum

Guide to the best cenote in Tulum and cenotes near Tulum
Cenote Calavera in Tulum

The beach town Tulum is also known for its many beautiful cenotes. In fact, some of the most popular cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula are located around Tulum.

Cenote Calavera in Tulum is one of them. Lots of people flock to this cenote because of its instagrammable ladder and swing. The cenote is also located just outside of town and easy to get to by bike.

Other popular cenotes in Tulum include Cenote Dos Ojos and the Gran Cenote. We wrote an entire post about the cenotes near Tulum. Check it out if you want to find out more about the cenotes below.

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The Coolest Cenotes In Tulum

The Best Cenotes In Tulum

Clandestino Cenote & Bar

Cenote Calavera

Gran Cenote

Cenote Santa Cruz Tulum

Cenote Zacil Ha

Casa Cenote

Cenote Dos Ojos

Cenotes Sac Actún

Casa Tortuga Cenotes

Cenote Cristal & Escondido

Cenote Corazón del Paraíso

Cenote Angelita

Kaan Luum Lagoon & Cenote

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Top Things To Do When Visiting Tulum For The First Time

Cenotes Near Valladolid

Kayaking at Sac Aua Cenote Near Valladolid, Mexico
Cenote Sac-Aua near Valladolid

Valladolid is also known for its many cenotes. In fact, there is a cenote directly in the town center of Valladolid – Cenote Zaci.

Many people like to visit the San Lorenzo Oxman Cenote. In the past year, the pit cenote gained a lot in popularity on Instagram due to its rope swing. The cenote is actually located at Hacienda Oxman which you can stay at. For hotel guests the entry to the cenote is free.

Probably the most instafamous cenote of Valladolid is Cenote Suytun. It is famous for the sun rays shining through the narrow hole in the ceiling. At the right time of day, the sun hits the platform down below in the water which creates the perfect photo opportunity.

From Playa del Carmen, it takes almost two hours to get to the Valladolid cenotes, which might be a bit too long for only a day trip. But if your vacation time allows, stay in Valladolid for a few days and explore the area and cenotes from there.

We wrote an entire post about the cenotes near Valladolid. Check it out if you want to find out more about the cenotes below.

The Best Cenotes In Valladolid

Cenote Zaci
Cenote in Valladolid town

Cenote Xkeken (Dzitnup)
Cave cenote in Valladolid

Cenote Samulá
Cave cenote in Valladolid

Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman
Famous for its rope swing

Cenote SAC-AUA
Island with trees in the middle of the cenote

Cenote Hubiku

Cenote Ik Kil
Located at Chichen Itza

Cenote Suytun
The Instagram cenote famous for its light beam shining from the ceiling

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The Best Cenotes Near Valladolid – Guide & Map

Travel Insurance For Mexico

While looking for the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen it is a good idea to also look into travel insurance for your trip to Mexico.

Playa del Carmen Cenotes Map & Guide

Playa del Carmen Cenotes map
Map of the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen

The Best Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen

We hope our extensive cenote guide to the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen gave you a good overview of the many swimming holes there are to visit and helped you to decide which Playa del Carmen cenotes to explore during your Mexico vacation.

Have fun exploring the amazing cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula!

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