The best cenotes are in Tulum Mexico, a town in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. This beautiful town will amaze you with its culture and the incredible must-see cenotes. Located along the Caribbean coastline you can escape to a tropical paradise, perfectly situated in the history-rich town.
Most Instagrammable Cenotes in Tulum Mexico
What is a cenote?
Cenotes are freshwater-filled Mexican sinkholes. The word Cenote is of Mayan descent originally called dzonot or ts’onot, which means well. There are over 3,000 unique cenotes throughout the Yucatan peninsula, these are the 6 best cenotes in Tulum.
Tulum Cenotes Map
The Tulum cenotes map below includes all the best cenotes in the area. Make sure these are at the top of your Mexico bucket list!
Secret cenote no one knows about hidden in the jungle near Tulum. To find out more and how to locate Caleta Tankah cenote read my post below.
If you’re looking for the ultimate adventure, check out this 3-in-1 tour that takes you to the Tulum Ruins, reef snorkeling, and visits to the cenote caves!
Dos Ojos Cenote
There were 6 travelers in our group and four of them were certified divers. While they went diving at Dos Ojos, Manny & I would explore them in a completely different way. We went snorkeling around the surface! There wasn’t a ton of fish to see, but the rock formations above and below the surface were incredible.
Casa Cenote
Kayak & Diving in Cenotes
As with most cenotes, Casa Cenote offered scuba diving and snorkeling. But what the others didn’t have, this cenote did! This time as the diving crew submerged below the water, I kayaked! It was great because the water is crystal clear and following them was easy. We all were able to see a gator in the water just a few feet away, I have never been more thankful for being above the water. There are kayaks and paddleboards for rental as well.
Grand Cenote
Family Friendly
Located a short drive from Tulum this popular cenote will amaze you. Contrary to its name, the Gran cenote is actually several cenotes connected by wooden walkways. The water is crystal clear and colorful! To keep it that way, they require everyone to rinse off in an outdoor shower before entering the cenote. This is a great family spot, as there are lots of green spaces and picnic areas.
Zip Line at Xunaan-Ha Cenote
For $100 pesos you can zip-line yourself into this adventurous cenote until your heart’s content. Xunaan-Ha cenote is located down a long bumpy dirt road in the small town of Chemuyil, just a short drive from Tulum or Playa Del Carmen. This cenote is not as crowded as the more popular surrounding cenotes such as the Grand but is still just as fun and beautiful.
Car Wash Cenote
Go High Diving
The last and final dive the travel crew did was in the car wash cenote. We asked where the name came from… and it is exactly as it sounds. Due to its close proximity to the roadway- this cenote was once used to wash the local’s cars!
Know Before You Go
PIN IT for when you plan your Mexico trip!
52 comments
This list is AMAZING! I was living in Mexico for 6 months and wish I had gone to Casa Cenote to do some kayaking. I’m like you, I’m not certified but had a lot of friends at the time that were. That cenote would have been perfect for us!
That must have been awesome living there! There is just so much to do and see. I was so grateful we were in kayaks because there was deff an alligator chilling just feet from the scuba divers.
I loved this guide! I felt swept away and transported back to Mexico. I love cenotes. They are so stunning. I’ll definitely be using your guide if I go back. I love that you can snorkel instead of dive. And I would opt to kayak too! No thank you to the croc sighting! I’ll have to visit the car wash definitely! The name made me laugh.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I want to do a cenote road trip next time and see as many as I can, I just can’t get over how beautiful they are 😍
Cenotes are pretty, but MY beef with them is that they’re always SO COLD!!!
Really?! Which ones did you visit? All the ones we went to were almost lukewarm 😪 we went at the beginning of September though, so it was unbearably hot the whole time haha
All these places are so beautiful. I’ve been to a few Cenotes near Tulum but can’t wait to go back and visit the rest. Thanks so much for sharing.
They were my favorite part! I’d like to do a road trip next time to see more!
Oooh these cenotes are soooo pretty! I love that there are so many options depending on what you are after. But all of them have that beautiful clear water to swim in! This is a fab post Chelsea!
It was very nice that there were other things to do other than diving. I just took photos of the beautiful water and then swam so I wouldn’t melt in the heat haha
Gorgeous photos and loved learning about cenotes
Wow these cenotes look so beautiful. Each one has different features so it must have been wonderful to visit different ones. I don’t think it matters that you didn’t dive as you were still able to snorkel and kayak to enjoy the cenotes. Great tip about the sunscreen.
I was so glad that diving wasn’t the only option because i’m absolutely terrified of it 😂 I enjoyed my time at each one just as much though.
Thanks for taking me back to the Mexican cenotes. We had a great time scuba diving in the denotes. I didn’t realize there were so many. And yes they are instagramable! The rock formations with the streaming light sure caught our camera!
You’re welcome! I hope you could feel the heat through the pictures in this cold winter lol🤗💜
I am terrified of diving, so when I saw the kayaking option it made me happy to see that non-divers can enjoy the crystal clear waters too! Great tip about not wearing sunscreen. That would have not crossed my mind.
hahaha yes, I too am terrified of diving. It was great because each cenote they dove at, I was able to snorkel, kayak or do other activities.
The cenotes of Mexico sure are a wonder! I visited a couple near Tulum and it was one of the best experience. I agree, they are off the beaten track, careful before diving and definitely plan for food and drinks before you go. Such beautiful places, especially when the light streams in.
I agree! They had been on my bucket list for some time (thanks pinterest) so when I saw them in person they blew my mind 💜
There’s some amazing recommendations here. I’m sure I’ll get a great shot in the end 😂
I love the water in all of these cenotes! Definitely wanting to go to at least one of these when I go to Tulum.
I have been to cenotes in Merida but not in Tulum. These look great. I will definitely visit some of these next time.
Looks like a great time! There are so many great cenotes in Mexico. We love finding new ones every time we go back.
I’ve swam the cenotes further up the Yucutan peninsula but next time I get to Tulum, I’ll use this guide.
There are thousands in the Yucatan & Quintana Roo, I’m dying to go back.
A perfect post for when I go t Tulum. I’m not a swimmer but I look forward to experiencing everything else about the cenotes. Your hidden gem of Caleta Tankah sounds fascinating and warrants a visit.
Mexico has wonderful Cenotes and I have seen such type of thing in Oman and loved it. You have listed splendid Cenotes near Tulum and all are worth visiting. Caleta Tankah is really Instagrammable place.
Our family visited this part of Mexico a few years ago and swam in a cenote (I’m afraid I don’t remember which one), but it was so much fun. The water was so cold and so clear, but unlike anything else I’ve ever done. When we return we will have to check out some of these other options.
I love how clear and vibrant the water is in the cenotes. They look so refreshing and fun to explore.
Wowww, I totally love how pristine clear the water is at Tulum!! Definitelya fun getaway and I’m sure you all had wonderful memories there
This place looks absolutely wonderful. I would love to visit one day!
Such beautiful cenotes! I can’t believe the colours! What a dream trip!
I know right?! the colors are unreal.
That is definitely a pristine, crystal clear blue water I want to dive it. I could imagine it is quite cooler. I can’t wait to explore this paradise 🙂
They’re certainly beautiful..and each unique from the other. They’re a must when visiting Mexico to escape the melting heat lol
That sounds like a awesome place to visit. I don’t think I’d have the courage to dive in that place so will probably be snorkeling if we ever get the chance.
Wow, this sounds like such an incredible experience! I had no idea what a cenote was (so thank you for filling me in), but I definitely need to go check these out for myself! How cool!
The water is so inviting. I’d love to visit this place and try out the zipline.
I wish I can visit all of them one day. Those water are so pristine! Thanks for sharing!
Wow I’ve never heard of the Cenotes but they sound and look beautiful. I am with you about renting a life vest though. Always better to be safer.
Oh my goodness the water looks so stunning. I loving anything having to do with water so I’d be DOWN. Thanks for sharing!
Add this one to your list!
This is the first time I heard and read about this place. Looks very interesting!
I definitely see myself swimming in those blues. It is just so pretty. I first heard of cenotes in the series “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.” And I think it’s really worth visiting.
Oh wow! This looks like a wonderful place for a summer visit! I’ve never had a chance to make use of cenotes before, it seems to be a great spot for swimming. Love all of these photos! 🙂
These waters look so clear. I would love to swim and snorkle in them.
These are amazing!…
I need to get out and experience more natural wonders… Truly is breathtaking and now on my bucket list!
Pretty incredible history, too! 🦖
I so need to get here one day! I would love to play in this water. Plus I’ve always wanted to try a zip line.