Spending a summer season weekend on a sunny seashore is all nicely and good, however when you’re actually seeking to make one of the best of your Yucatan Peninsula vacation, it’s possible you’ll need to contemplate visiting a number of the greatest Playa del Carmen cenotes for a very completely different kind of trip expertise.
Playa del Carmen hits the geographical candy spot for anybody who could be seeking to see Mexico’s most interesting pure landmarks, and the native cenotes are a tremendous place to start out.
The commercialization of cenotes has solely added to Mexico’s already-impressive tourism résumé, and Playa del Carmen occurs to deal with a number of the most lovely sinkholes in your complete world.
With so many superb cenotes vying in your consideration, we’re right here to make issues a bit simpler for you by exhibiting you a few of our private favorites.
The Adventure in You founders spent a yr residing in Playa del Carmen which is why they’ve a ton of insider ideas that will help you go to these gorgeous cenotes.
Playa del Carmen Cenote Tours
- Cenote Hopping Tour– Visit 4 completely different cenotes in Playa del Carmen with an area information the place you may swim and snorkel your method via crystal clear waters.
- Journey right into a Hidden Cenote– Explore a hidden cenote, deep into the jungles with a information as you stroll via a cave and discover an underground river. This is a extremely rated tour and is without doubt one of the greatest to do in Playa del Carmen.
- Biking to a Jungle Cenote– This distinctive tour takes you on a enjoyable day trip biking to a cenote in the course of the Mayan jungle the place you may swim and discover.
- Paddleboard and Cenote Exploration– Paddleboard via mangroves and clear waters in top-of-the-line cenotes in Playa del Carmen with an area information!
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What Is a Cenote?
You can consider a cenote as an all-natural swimming pool fashioned by the collapse of limestone caves with river water and a little bit of rainwater sprinkled in.
In truth, the phrase cenote comes from the Mayan phrase for nicely, though these beauties are not like any nicely you’ve in all probability ever seen.
There are quite a lot of completely different sorts of cenotes, every as beautiful because the final. Some of the completely different variants are:
Open cenotes
This might be essentially the most universally interesting subcategory, as these cenotes have a tremendous sky view but in addition characteristic underground passages.
Underground cenotes
These cenotes are virtually untouched by daylight, making them the coldest but in addition essentially the most aesthetically pleasing by many individuals’s requirements
Semi-open cenotes
Certain components of those cenotes are immediately uncovered to daylight, though they’re largely below the bottom.
Cave cenotes
As the identify implies, you may entry these cenotes by way of a surface-level cave system that burrows its method underground.
Quick Answer: Best Playa del Carmen Cenotes
In our humble opinion, that is the definitive listing of one of the best Playa del Carmen cenotes:
- Cenote Azul
- Cenote Chaak Tun
- Cenote Suytun
- Cenote Chikin-Ha
- Gran Cenote
- Cenote Aktun Chen
- Cenote Cristalino
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Best Cenotes in Playa del Carmen
If you’re seeking to take your Mexico trip to stratospheric ranges of fashion and swag, these are a number of the greatest cenotes in Playa del Carmen, and arguably the best in your complete area as a complete.
Here are a number of of our high favorites that will help you plan your go to to Playa del Carmen and the cenotes close to there.
Cenote Azul
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 8:30 am to five:00 pm
- How to Get to Cenote Azul: Cenote Azul Maps
- Price: $120 MXN pesos ($7 USD) You may lease snorkel gear for an additional $
- Facilities: Showers, loos, and a small restaurant
Starting off our listing of one of the best Playa del Carmen cenotes is Cenote Azul, one of many area’s crowning jewels.
If you’re searching for a scenic vista that received’t burn a gap in your pockets, you’ll be delighted to know that the entry price to Cenote Azul is below $4, and because it’s an open cenote, you don’t need to do any spelunking to get to the great components.
Whereas a number of the different Playa del Carmen cenotes on our listing are on the massive facet, this 5-meter-deep magnificence is ideal for novice swimmers and households with young children.
Some snorkeling expertise is really helpful if you wish to benefit from Cenote Azul, because the waters are crystal-clear, however even when you don’t significantly need to go underwater, you’ll have simply as a lot enjoyable all the gorgeous fish that decision this place dwelling.
Just as a result of cenote Azul is kid-friendly, that doesn’t imply the remainder of the household will likely be bored right here – one of many two swimming pools (the cenote is break up in two by a stunning deck) is positioned under a cliff, providing some superb picture ops and even a spot to leap from when you can stick the touchdown.
One factor price conserving in thoughts is as a result of Cenote Azul is so reasonably priced, it’s certain to attract massive crowds all through many of the day.
Your greatest wager is to get right here early within the morning, return to city for lunch, and doubtlessly come again for an additional dip earlier than closing time within the night.
Cenote Azul is without doubt one of the greatest cenotes in Playa del Carmen and is price visiting when you’re within the space.
Need a spot to remain in Playa del Carmen? Check out these superior trip leases in Playa del Carmen for an epic keep!
Cenote Chaak Tun
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 9:00 am to three:00 pm
- How to Get to Cenote Chaak Tun: Cenote Chaak Tun Maps
- Price: $100 MXN pesos ($5 USD) You may lease snorkel gear for an additional $
- Facilities: Showers, loos, and a small restaurant
For one thing just a little bit completely different, Chaak Tun is without doubt one of the greatest Playa del Carmen cenotes for individuals who are out there for a extra enclosed expertise.
This place is outlined by its gorgeous stalactites – you may catch some rays any day of the week, however it’s not typically you get to see a cave this aesthetically pleasing.
After making your method alongside the boardwalk, you’ll be rewarded by a small community of caverns and a pool so massive you’ll overlook all concerning the Caribbean Sea being proper across the nook.
The faint glimmers of daylight that pierce their method into the pool are among the many most breathtaking we’ve seen, even by Mexican cenote requirements, and so they’re positive to offer you some unbelievable photos – it’s possible you’ll or might not get photobombed by a bat or two, although!
This is without doubt one of the space’s swankier cenotes in Playa del Carmen, and the overall consensus is that the place’s status is well-deserved.
This isn’t precisely the most cost effective possibility on our listing (in actual fact, you’d be fortunate to ebook a full day’s keep for lower than $40), however the bundle comes with lunch and transportation companies, primarily bringing every other preparatory bills right down to zero.
It needs to be famous that this place is comparatively darkish in comparison with extra open cenotes, so contemplate bringing a flashlight or no less than ensure that your telephone battery is full within the curiosity of visibility, particularly when you’re visiting out of season (when the times are shorter) or within the night.
A number of different cenotes in Playa del Carmen that we love are the next:
- Cenote Jardin del Eden (Cenote Ponderosa)
- Cenote Rio Secreto
Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen
The cenotes under should not precisely in Playa del Carmen however are situated close to it. There are tons of cenotes close to Tulum and Merida, however given the brief distance they need to Playa, they had been price mentioning on this article.
Cenote Suytun
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- How to Get to Cenote Suytun: Cenote Suytun Maps
- Price: $150 MXN pesos ($7.50 USD) / Locker rental $35 MX ($1.75 USD)
- Facilities: Showers, loos, and a small restaurant
Chances are you’ve seen Suytun someplace earlier than, and that’s as a result of it’s top-of-the-line cenotes close to Playa del Carmen so far as visuals go. For solely about $6, you’ll have entry to a pure landmark that appears like one thing out of a science-fiction film in the absolute best method.
This would possibly simply be one of many few cenotes within the area the place swimming and diving aren’t precisely the focal factors of most peoples’ visits.
In the center of the pool is a round platform with a mesmerizing view, and when you’re lucky sufficient to be right here early within the day, you’ll get to see shreds of daylight illuminate the turquoise waters in what we will solely describe as a miraculous feat of nature.
If you do choose to go swimming, although, keep in mind that sporting a life jacket is obligatory.
Want tips about one of the best locations to go diving in Mexico? Check out our full information
Even when you’re not a lot of an image individual, don’t make the error of considering this place received’t entice you with its distinctive ambiance. Not bringing a water resistant digital camera right here can be one of the crucial regrettable selections you could possibly ever make.
The cenote is technically nearer to Valladolid than the middle of Playa del Carmen, so one among your choices can be to catch a bus or cab relying in your time and price range.
It is without doubt one of the greatest cenotes close to Playa del Carmen and is one which we advocate making time for!
Despite the lengthy traces, the wait is nicely price it, although, if all of the viral social media photos are any indication! Once you’ve had your enjoyable, contemplate taking a brief detour to Chichen Itza earlier than making your method again to city.
Cenote Chikin-Ha
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- How to Get to Cenote Chikin-Ha: Cenote Chikin-Ha Maps
- Price: $150 MXN pesos ($7.50 USD) / Locker rental $35 MX ($1.75 USD)
- Facilities: Showers, loos, and a small restaurant
One factor all the greatest Playa del Carmen cenotes have in frequent is their distinctive ambiance, and Chikin-Ha is definitely no exception.
Besides being spectacular to have a look at and discover, this place affords a lot in the best way of group actions when you go to throughout the fitting time of yr.
The one catch right here is that you simply’d be paying practically $20 {dollars} to enter, however when you break every little thing down, the price is chump change relative to what you’re getting in return. It is without doubt one of the greatest cenotes close to Playa del Carmen and is an efficient possibility when you’re searching for a enjoyable day trip.
Paying the doorway price grants you entry to 2 of Chikin-Ha’s close by sister cenotes, and also you’d greatest imagine these pack fairly the wallop themselves.
In addition, apart from the compulsory snorkeling and the always-handy tour information, you’ll additionally be capable to go ziplining, biking, and rappelling.
One of essentially the most unbelievable aesthetic options of this place are the random bursts of sunshine that illuminate small segments of the underground caves and switch the system right into a kaleidoscope of colours on a superb day.
Places like these are any nature-loving diver’s bread and butter, so you may all the time let your youngsters get pleasure from a number of the different on-site actions as you enterprise on under.
Speaking of diving, the cenote is available in at about 9 meters of depth – not one of many deepest cenotes we’ve seen, however definitely one of many extra distinctive ones.
Think about swimming to a sunken pirate ship on the backside of the ocean with a treasure chest someplace below the particles – that’s as shut as we will get to describing the sensation of diving down this crevice, so do your self a favor and see it for your self.
Travel Tip: Check out our Mexico journey information for superior tips about the place to remain and what to do!
Gran Cenote
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 8 am to 4:00 pm
- How to Get to Gran Cenote: Grand Cenote Maps
- Price: $300 MXN pesos ($15 USD) You may lease snorkel gear for further $
- Facilities: Showers, loos, locker rental, and a small store
If you’ve had your enjoyable with all one of the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen and need to attempt one thing new, contemplate taking a drive to close by Tulum and having fun with a soothing day at GC, one of many area’s most famed cenotes.
Gran Cenote is without doubt one of the greatest cenotes close to Playa del Carmen. Although this place’s status precedes it, you may truly get in for just below $10, an outright steal given the contents that lie inside.
There’s clear water, after which there’s Gran Cenote water – you’ll virtually be capable to depend the wrinkles on the legs of the turtles that decision this place dwelling, making this the proper spot for some underwater images.
This feels much less like a cenote and extra like a seashore bar, and with it being totally open, you may both get within the water by way of the walkway or take a nosedive from one among varied vantage factors.
Gran Cenote is without doubt one of the most tourist-friendly on our complete listing, so you need to anticipate huge crowds irrespective of the time of day. Either method, your greatest wager is to attempt your luck early within the morning or simply previous 4 o’clock (about an hour earlier than closing time) since the general public needs to be passed by then.
If you don’t have an issue with crowds, the one actual draw back right here is that it is advisable kind out the way you’re going to get again to Playa del Carmen, supplied that you simply don’t intend on conserving the get together entering into Tulum.
Given the situation, an affordable rental automotive might be the best choice because it provides you the chance to discover the area at your personal tempo.
Cenote Cristalino
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 9 am to 4 pm
- How to Get to Cenote Cristalino: Cenote Cristalino Maps (Located in the course of Tulum and Playa del Carmen)
- Price: $200 MXN pesos ($10 USD) / Locker rental $50 MX ($2.50 USD)
- Facilities: Showers, loos, and a restaurant (meals is just a little bit on the costly facet!)
Cenote Cristalino is barred none top-of-the-line cenotes close to Playa del Carmen, and its impeccable waters put the Caribbean Sea to disgrace. Entry solely prices round $7.50 {dollars}, so that is the proper place to go to if you wish to see some spectacular nature views with out burning a gap in your pockets.
As the identify implies, Cenote Cristalino’s foremost promoting level is the cleanliness of its water. Although the water isn’t very deep in any respect (solely about 6 meters, in actual fact), you’ll nonetheless have some diving spots if you wish to get your adrenaline flowing.
Otherwise, this cenote Cristalino is greatest used as a spot to chill off as you let your eyes graze on the enjoyable greenery that surrounds you.
Because it’s on the shallow facet, Cenote Cristalino doesn’t draw the identical sorts of crowds as a number of the different locations on our listing.
This can both be a professional or a con relying on how noisy you need your seaside trip to be, however an upside is that you simply don’t need to do a lot planning prematurely when it comes your takeoff time.
Cenote Cristalino isn’t very removed from the center of Playa del Carmen, and one of the best half is it’s very near Cenote Azul, the primary spot on our listing.
Ideally, you’ll need to mix the 2 with Cenote Jardin del Eden, one other notable cenote within the space, and commit a whole day to every of them.
Cenote Jardin del Eden is situated 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen making it an accessible cenote to go to.
There are undoubtedly some extra thrilling picks, however when you’re visiting with kids who’re nonetheless studying to swim, we assure they’ll actually get a kick out of those!
Cenote Aktun Chen
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 10:00 am to five pm
- How to Get to Cenote Aktun Chen: Cenote Aktun Chen Maps
- Price: $663 MXN pesos ($33 USD) (Includes: Guide, Equipment, Lockers)
- Facilities: Showers, loos (a restaurant is closed as a result of pandemic)
We wouldn’t need to create the impression that cenotes are solely good for diving – Aktun Chen is without doubt one of the greatest cenotes close to Playa del Carmen for a wide range of causes, chief amongst them being the walkway view.
Aktun Chen is a cave cenote, that means it’s totally closed off, however who wants daylight when you have got a number of the most awe-inspiring rock ceilings on this a part of the world?
There’s nothing fairly like doing the backstroke and having fun with a view the likes of which you’ve in all probability by no means seen earlier than. What’s extra, the water is so clear you’ll assume the rocks on the backside are a mirrored image of the ceiling.
If you actually need to see every little thing from the absolute best angle, nonetheless, we’d advocate spending an hour or 4 simply snapping pictures from the walkway.
For causes that turn into apparent the second you have a look at this place, it’s important to put on a helmet whereas exploring, however that’s a small worth to pay for the majesty of this once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
Think we’re overselling it? A great rule of thumb for gauging a vacationer attraction’s high quality is the official web site, and Aktun Chen’s is definitely no slouch.
One factor you are able to do to amp your self up earlier than visiting this place goes to their web site and take a 360 digital tour – if that doesn’t reel you in, nothing will!
Aside from these cenotes that we’ve talked about which can be close to Playa del Carmen, different notable ones which can be price visiting are:
- Cenote Dos Ojos
- Cenote Nicte-Ha
- Cenote Tajma-Ha
Stay secure in Playa del Carmen with these high security ideas!
Ways to Reach the Best Cenotes in Playa del Carmen
Plenty of one of the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen can solely be reached by going just a little bit off-road. For this motive, it’s vital to think about all of your choices when it comes to transportation – listed here are all of your choices on get these cenotes in Playa del Carmen.
Taxi
Taxis are the most typical type of transportation in Playa del Carmen – whereas Ubers are already arduous to return by all through many of the area, you shouldn’t actually look forward to finding any in Playa.
It needs to be famous, nonetheless, that when you don’t communicate Spanish and also you make it abundantly clear that it’s your first time in Mexico, you open the door to some potential scams.
As you’d in any main vacationer city, use your greatest judgment as you get swarmed by taxi drivers whereas lugging your baggage round Playa. If you need to get to a cenote, we advocate bargaining and discovering out a basic worth vary first.
Renting a Car in Playa del Carmen
Not each taxi driver can be keen to get their automotive soiled, and also you’re going to want to take some questionable roads to get to a few of our picks.
For that motive, it’s possible you’ll need to contemplate paying for a automotive rental which you’ll clear up and return at your comfort – bonus factors for having the ability to take the automotive to a neighboring city too when you so please!
Renting a automotive in Playa del Carmen is fairly straight ahead and is one thing we’ve executed a great deal of occasions.
To examine the value of various automotive rental firms, we advocate testing Discover Cars which acts as an aggregator, permitting you to match and ebook between firms.
Bus / Local Collectivos
If you plan on visiting some cenotes which can be just a little extra inland (the Valladolid area has some good ones, for example), it’s possible you’ll need to catch a bus. There is an enormous bus station in Playa del Carmen however to get to the cenotes, we advocate getting native collectivos as an alternative.
The apparent disadvantage right here is that you may anticipate loads of stops and a slower drive, and there’s additionally the difficulty of doubtless having to stroll a good distance when you’re off the bus.
With that stated, that is by far your least expensive transportation possibility, so if a bus simply occurs to cease close to your cenote of selection, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a cheaper different.
Bicycle
Mexican summers are so sizzling that it’s virtually unattainable to go to in July with out going for a swim. With that stated, in case your physique can deal with the warmth (or when you’re visiting out of season), you may all the time lease out a bicycle in case your lodge has any obtainable. Some cenotes close to Playa del Carmen are accessible by bike!
The costs are typically fairly low, and most business cenotes characteristic a secure spot so that you can depart your bike whereas having fun with your swim or exploration session.
If you’re typically questioning what one of the best ways is to get to Playa del Carmen, right here’s a few of our in depth articles that includes get from one place to the subsequent.
FAQs Regarding the Best Cenotes in Playa del Carmen
You’ll in all probability need to get a number of issues cleared up earlier than you go to one of the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen. Here are a number of the issues we anticipate you’d prefer to know:
There are a staggering 6000-something cenotes all through the Yucatan Peninsula, so even when you aren’t significantly enamored with any of our picks, you shouldn’t have any bother discovering one which works higher for you. We even have a listing of one of the best Tulum cenotes and cenotes close to Merida that will help you.
The security laws in most business cenotes are nicely above what you may look forward to finding at your common seashore. Most cenotes will cost you just a little further for a life jacket and/or scuba diving gear, and also you’ll often even be provided a information or diving teacher.
Travel Must: At the danger of sounding like your mother and father, be sure to get journey insurance coverage earlier than hitting the highway. Trust us, it’s a kind of stuff you don’t need to depart dwelling with out. We advocate both World Nomads or Safety Wing, relying on the kind of traveler you might be.
While we’re in no way Nat Geo, one factor we do know is that gators love limestone formations.
You can’t totally rule out the potential for working right into a croc at a distant cenote, however you don’t have anything to fret about when you’re visiting a business one as there are often too many individuals for a crocs liking.
Unless you discover specific data that states your cenote of selection has a diving teacher, you’ll must ebook a scuba diving cenote tour. This might be for one of the best, nonetheless, as cenotes are greatest loved by individuals who know a factor or two about holding their breath.
The water is a bit colder than what you could be accustomed to (70 to 75 levels), however that is totally comprehensible seeing as most cenotes are largely underground and don’t get a lot daylight because of this.
If you’re not a lot of a summer season individual, you’ll really feel proper at dwelling in these underwater caverns!
While the rock formations do a superb job at conserving these items clear, an enormous motive why business cenotes are so pristine is that guests are usually very conscious of hygiene laws. Sunblock of any kind additionally isn’t permitted as these are inclined to pollute the clear waters and injury the native ecosystem.
Try to not be the exception to that rule – by no means apply sunscreen earlier than leaping right into a cenote, and we don’t even need to let you know to not pollute!
A water-proof digital camera is certainly a should, as are shorts & bathing fits and a provide of water. If you intend on diving, you may pay a nominal price on the entrance of any respectable cenote and get your palms on some gear.
Prices are recognized to fluctuate relying on the time of yr and the relative recognition of a selected cenote, however you shouldn’t anticipate them to deviate a lot from the estimates we’ve listed above.
What Else is There to Do in Playa del Carmen?
There’s sufficient enjoyable available at Playa to maintain you going for a whole summer season, however a few of our favourite spots in or round city must be Parque Los Fundadores, El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course, and the enduring fifth avenue of Playa del Carmen.
And that concludes our listing of one of the best Cenotes in Playa del Carmen.
If you’ve by no means vacationed outdoors of your seaside consolation zone, we sincerely hope this listing has helped you select a cenote in your upcoming vacation – take our recommendation, and your pockets and trip scrapbook will definitely thanks!
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