The Insider’s Guide to Tulum’s Best Cenotes for Swimming, Diving, and Lounging
The world is full of beaches, jungles, and parties, but cenotes? These sparkling blue freshwater pools are something truly special about Tulum and the Yucatan Peninsula. We’ve literally got thousands!
There are so many gorgeous cenotes close to Tulum that it’s hard to choose just a few to visit.
Here, we help you decide your best Tulum cenote itinerary, whether you want to swim in pure ancient waters, lounge in luxury, or go diving through mystic caves. Most of these cenotes are close to Shibari Tulum hotel—within a 30 minute drive or 50 minute bike ride from Tulum’s hotel zone.
What’s So Special About Tulum Cenotes?
There are no surface rivers in the Yucatan Peninsula. Instead, our fresh water is all underground. Tulum is surrounded by the world’s two longest underground cave rivers, and cenotes of all shapes and types.
These fresh, clear pools have been sacred to the Maya people for thousands of years as a vital source of pure water, and considered a portal to another dimension.
Today, while some Quintana Roo cenotes are still used for ceremonies, the Riviera Maya has dozens where you can adventure, cool off, and enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty.
Here in Tulum, you can explore three types of cenotes:
Open-air Cenotes:
In an open cenote, the “roof” of an underground cave has collapsed, leaving a crystal-clear sinkhole open to the sky above. These cenotes are perfect for swimming under fluffy clouds in sparkling green or blue waters.
They’re also fun for snorkeling, since many are home to colorful fish and underwater plants.
Our open-air cenote picks: Cenote Tuuch, Cenote Cristal + Escondido, Cenote Corazón, Yax-Kin, Yal-Ku
Semi-Open Cenotes:
Partly covered over and partly open, these are top for dramatic photos, with giant rays of sunlight pouring in like spotlights. Semi-open cenotes are also a great option when you’ve had enough sun for the day, since they are partly shaded.
Our semi-open cenote picks:
Casa Tortuga, Gran Cenote
Cave Cenotes:
For the truly adventurous, you can visit these cenotes with a guide to swim or scuba dive. You’ll get to navigate around stalactites, stalagmites, and unusual fish, and explore ancient waters where the Maya once placed their offerings to the Rain God Chaac.
Use a wetsuit as cave cenotes can be pretty chilly!
Our cave cenote picks: Cenote Caracol, Taak Bi Ha, Sac Actun, Dos Ojos
**Remember! Before visiting any cenote:
Shower off any sunblock, creams, or mosquito repellent to help preserve the fragile ecosystem. Even “reef safe” and “Xcaret approved” etc. sunblocks should always be washed off completely before entering any cenote.
Our Insiders’ Tips:
If you like peace, visit Tulum cenotes as early as possible (most open at 8 or 9 am).
If you like lively crowds, go around noon.
Most cenotes have very limited food offerings, and some don’t allow any food in at all, so plan to eat a good meal before heading out.
Tulum’s Best Open-Air Cenotes
Cenote Tuuch: Top in Luxury
For sure, the most luxurious cenote experience in Tulum is Cenote Tuuch at Shibari Tulum Hotel.
Think clear jade-colored waters in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by Balinese beds and loungers on a spacious wooden deck with upbeat DJ music. Just steps away is one of Tulum’s best fine-dining restaurants, ATTA, with artisanal cocktails and global-local fusion food.
Whether you stay at the hotel, or come with a daypass, you can also shop in two cute boutiques, and get a Japanese-inspired full-body massage. Cenote Tuuch is the total opposite of roughing it, and well worth a visit!
For Cenote Tuuch daypass info, go here.
Cenote Corazón: Best Valentine’s Visit
This open-air cenote is shaped like a heart, which makes for great pictures from the air. It’s also flat to the surrounding land, so there’s no climbing down scary rickety stairs, like at some cenotes that lie deeper in the Earth.
You can rent visors for snorkeling, and there’s a small platform for jumping. Overall, a chill, peaceful spot, especially if you go in the morning.
2025 Cost: 200 pesos entrance, 30 pesos life vest rental
Distance from Shibari Tulum Hotel: 15 km (9 miles)
Drive time: 30 mins
Bike time: 45 mins
Cenotes Cristal and Escondido: Best Neighborhood Cenotes
These two cenotes just outside Tulum’s Centro are super easy to get to, yet very nice to visit, especially on less-crowded weekdays. Snooze in colorful hammocks or swim through the crystalline waters. Since they are right across the road from each other, it’s an easy way to experience two cenotes in one visit.
One tip: If you want to snorkel, bring your own visor and snorkel, since there is no snorkel rental here.
2025 Cost: 300 pesos entrance to the two cenotes
Distance from Shibari Tulum Hotel: 10 km (6 miles)
Drive time: 19 mins
Bike time: 36 mins
Cenote Yax-Kin: Best Cenote for Non-Swimmers
Not a confident swimmer? Never fear, this gorgeous yet mostly shallow cenote is perfect for you.
At Yax-kin (pronounced Yash-Keen) you can laze around among the tropical vines and forest palm trees, check out the iguanas and colorful birds, or sunbathe on the rustic lawn chairs. If you come with a strong swimming friend, no worries—one part of this extensive cenote is much deeper, so they’ll have plenty of space to splash around.
2025 Cost: 150 pesos
Distance from Shibari Tulum Hotel: 23 km (14 miles)
Drive time: 30 mins
Bike time: 1 hr 5 mins
The Best Semi-Open Cenotes
Casa Tortuga
If you want to see a whole array of cenotes in one spot, this is it! Casa Tortuga is home to 4 separate cenotes ranging from completely open-air, to partially covered.
Expect kayaks, mangroves, and swimming under a natural bridge full of fossils in sparkly emerald green water. Casa Tortuga is a more comfortable visit than most, with a built-in tour, restaurant food and well-made walkways, so you’ll pay a little more. Still, where else can you visit 4 different cenotes in one trip? It makes it all worth it.
2025 Cost: 400+ pesos (depending on the package you choose)
Distance from Shibari Tulum Hotel: 16.7 km (10 miles)
Drive time: 30 mins
Bike time: 50 mins
The Best Cave Cenotes
Cenote Taak Bi Ha: Best Place To Beat the Heat
No matter how fierce the tropical heat is outside, the temperature inside this well-lit cave cenote is going to be cool as a cucumber. Here you can swim surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites, in brilliant turquoise water.
Most people head to Dos Ojos (it comes first on the same road), so if you go early, you’ll have a good chance of a peaceful, uncrowded visit and awesome photo ops.
After you cool off here, grab some bites at Juanita’s Restaurant just a few minutes walk from the cenote.
2025 Cost: 350 pesos (includes life vest rental)
Distance from Shibari Tulum Hotel: 25 km (15.5 miles)
Drive time: 45 mins
Bike time: 1 hr 10 mins
Sac Actun: Most Epic Cave Cenote Experience
If you want to swim in the world’s longest underground river, here it is! You’re guaranteed an astounding experience as you paddle through one small part of this vast cave network stretching over 230 miles.
For 650 pesos, you’ll have a knowledgeable guide to lead you through otherworldly cave tunnels. It’s an amazing ecosystem straight out of a fantasy movie, so as long as you’re brave enough to face bats and chilly water, this will likely be one of the highlights of your whole Tulum trip!
2025 Cost: 650 pesos (includes life vest rental)
Distance from Shibari Tulum Hotel: 28 km (17 miles)
Drive time: 45 mins
Bike time: 1 hr 20 mins
Stay in the Heart of the Cenote Lands
Whichever cenotes you choose to explore, when you stay at Shibari Tulum Hotel, you’re right in the heart of the world’s main cenote zone, close to dozens of beautiful cenote parks.
Adventure all day and come back to rest in ultra-comfortable eco-chic suites, some with steps leading right into our own private Cenote Tuuch. Wake up to the tropical sun and jungle birdsong in our secluded resort, enjoy a delicious breakfast with fresh local ingredients at ATTA Cenote Restaurant, and head out to enjoy even more of our beautiful region!
Shibari Tulum offers a full array of top amenities, from a private cenote with a lounging deck and jacuzzi, to a full-service spa, cenote and cacao ceremonies, yoga and meditation classes, a fine-dining restaurant, two boutiques, and attentive service year-round.
Paradise is waiting! Come have the time of your life at Shibari Tulum resort.