Dive into a Cenote

Take your family for a swim in a stunning, fresh water Cenote

Day trip idea: Swimming in a Cenote

What is a cenote?

Can you make a day trip visiting a cenote?

Are cenotes safe?

Visiting a cenote is a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. These natural swimming holes are unique to the Yucatan Peninsula and offer you a chance to experience something truly special. Some cenotes were formed from collapsed limestone, others are the result of an ancient asteroid strike. There are hundreds throughout the Mayan Riviera, many connected underground – each with its own features and flavour. Whichever you decide to visit, these are an unforgettable dive into nature, and definitely worth a visit. Continue reading below to see our choices for an amazing day trip for the family.

Cenote Choo-Ha

This is one of three cenotes relatively close to Coba Ruins. It’s about 6km (an easy 11 minute drive) from the ruins site. We paid 100 MXN (5 USD) for entrance. When comparing the features of the various sites, something that really made Choo Ha special was how shallow it is. Once you get down to the water, there are easy access point for kids.

The site has bathrooms, change rooms and outdoor showers. You’re required to rinse off before entering the water and there are signs about not wearing sunscreen.

The cenote is quite deep underground and you have to take a steep staircase down for a couple of flights of stairs. If you have mobility issues, you might want to skip this one. The water is refreshing and not too cold. Since it’s fully underground, the area is lit by artificial lights. There is a rope that kids can use to hold on to if they are not strong swimmers. There are also easy access steps into the water, once you’re down there. We liked the nooks and crannies which you can explore while swimming.

We would recommend a good quality snorkelling mask for kids as the water is very clear and you can see small fish swimming around.

Overall, we spent around 2 hours swimming and exploring here and felt that this was an excellent cenote for kids and adults alike.

Pros: shallow water, nice facilities, reasonable entrance fees, picturesque, not too busy

Cons: artificial light is a little harsh, long stairway entrance

Accessibility: 2/10. This is not a good location for anyone with limited mobility due to the long stairs

Cenote Calavera (Skull Cenote)

This cenote is about 2.5km from Tulum. We drove there in our rental car but we saw lots of people cycling and even walking to the cenote from Tulum centre.

Calavera is quite unique, but being so easy to get to, it was busier than some other sites we had been to. We felt that the entrance fee was relatively expensive. We paid $250MXN (12USD) per person to get in. There are two primitive bathrooms that also serve as change rooms. You are required to rinse off at an outdoor shower. The owners ask that you do not wear any sunscreen or lotion.

The cenote itself is quite small but very deep. Aside from the ladder and the swing, there is nowhere to rest, so weak swimmers and young children should wear lifejackets. The cenote itself is a sunken hole in the shape of a skull (you’ll have to use your imagination!) It has one large (and somewhat slippery) ladder that you can use to get down into the water. Alternatively, you can jump in from about 10 feet up. There are two smaller holes (the eyes of the skull) where you can drop in – but beware– the openings are quite small and very sharp. They have probably resulted in many deep gashes.

If you do drop in through an eye, simply step off (don’t jump or you risk whacking you face on the other side of the opening). There is a swing that you can sit on but expect there to be a few others waiting for their turn. There are ropes under water to rest on, but again, not ideal for weak swimmers. Finally, the ceiling of the cave is covered in bats and a type of cave-dwelling bird called a swiftlet. You can watch them swooping in and out of the mouth of the cave constantly.

This cenote was quite busy and visitors had to wait their turn to jump in, use the swing and even access the ladder. You can’t climb up while someone is coming down, so prepare to tread water for a while. If you do need a break, the mouth of the cenote is surrounded by lounge chairs and a couple of string hammocks where you can relax and watch the fun.

Pros: good features (swing, jumping platform, lounge chairs, hammocks)

Cons: slippery ladder can be tricky, lots of bats (if that bothers you!),

Accessibility: 2/10. This is not a good location for anyone with limited mobility due to the ladder

Cenote Dos Ojos

This cenote is located about 20km north of Tulum and is one of the most popular ones to visit in the Mayan Riviera.

It’s a beautiful site but the crowds are significant. It’s also on the expensive side. Entrance fees are $350MXN (20USD). As the name suggests (Two Eyes), this is actually two cenotes (one small, one larger) that you can visit.

One of the unique features of this site is that these cenotes are part of an extensive underground cave system and if you’re a certified diver you can try scuba diving in the caves (with a guide, of course). It is quite beautiful with very clear, very cold water. The dive is unique since there isn’t any marine life to see, but the terrain is extremely interesting. This is a good option for taking kids to as they’re able to enter the cenote using stairs and then there is a large wooden boardwalk at the entrance to the water that makes it easy for kids to get in.

In terms of safety, lifejackets are mandatory at this cenote and there are lifeguards patrolling. Toilets, change rooms and showers are available. Overall this is a beautiful cenote that is great for kids, but very busy and definitely on the tourist track.

Pros: shallow water, easy access, nice facilities, picturesque, scuba diving

Cons: busier than others, relatively expensive

Accessibility: Although there are some challenges depending on your situation, this is a good location for travellers with limited mobility.

Safety tips

We have never had a bad experience at a cenote and we have been to many. That said, there are some general considerations when it comes to safety, but most have more to do with common sense than any external danger.

Cenotes can be deep. They are fresh water, so don’t expect the added buoyancy that salt water provides. They are also potentially very cold. Be sure to acclimatize yourself to the water before getting in over your head.

The rocks can be wet, and potentially slippery. Being limestone, they can be jagged. Even lifting yourself out using a sharp section of limestone is going to leave a mark on your palms. The water is typically extremely clear, but be careful. Underwater rocks can be sharp and dangerous while swimming. Water shoes might not be a bad idea for little ones with delicate skin.

Cenotes tend to bring out your inner adventurer. Jumping off ledges and through holes is exciting, but be aware of the dangers. Those sharp edges are going to leave a mark if you’re not careful, and you’re nowhere near medical attention.

Keep your belongings safe. Just like anywhere you go, be sensible. Leave anything critical locked in your car or hide it well. Phones, money, keys, cameras: these are all targets.

What to bring

Bring the following depending on your situation:

snorkel and mask
water shoes
towel
floaty wings for little ones (incase lifejackets aren’t a good fit)
hat
long sleeve sun shirt
sunglasses (and a case)
(no bug spray!)
(no sunscreen!)
this is the perfect place to use our keys and wallet hide-away hack!

More awesome day trips from Cancun, Mexico

Swim with a sea turtle

Swimming with sea turtles is an incredible experience that you and your family will never forget. Get on your swimsuit, grab your mask and snorkel and see these giants up close and personal.

Explore the seafloor in a submarine

Want to experience the excitement of diving without actually scuba diving? Try a submarine excursion! Great for children who are too young to scuba dive.

Explore Coba Ruins on a bicycle

A cenote is a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. There are hundreds throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, and whichever you decide to visit, they make an amazing day trip.