![Complete Travel Guide [Updated 2022]](https://k7g2e5d2.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cenote-azul-bacalar-mexico-5-image.jpg "Complete Travel Guide [Updated 2022]")
Planning to go to Cenote Azul Bacalar? In this text, I’ll stroll you thru my prime tips about the way to go to this place.
First issues first, for those who’re planning a visit to the Mexican Caribbean, you merely can’t miss Bacalar! It’s one of the vital lovely locations in the entire nation, because it affords nothing lower than paradise.
In truth, it’s listed as a Pueblo Mágico, which is a recognition given in Mexico to sure cities with cultural richness and necessary historic heritage.
Located within the state of Quintana Roo, Bacalar is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, deep inexperienced jungles, and smooth, white sands that can make your journey unforgettable.
As you’ll be able to think about, in Bacalar, you are able to do many outdoorsy actions to get in contact with nature. One of them is visiting the breathtaking Cenote Azul Bacalar, which is a gigantic open cenote of 200 meters lengthy and 90 meters deep.
It actually appears to be like like a small lake, however in contrast to a lake, the water flows into and from the world-famous Bacalar Lagoon – it’s, actually, the one cenote within the space that’s exterior the lagoon.
From swimming and kayaking to scuba diving, snorkeling, or stand-up paddle boarding, there are such a lot of enjoyable issues you are able to do right here. You can simply spend the entire day within the cenote, and time will go by so quick you received’t even discover.
There’s additionally a full-service restaurant the place you’ll be able to eat and drink, so there’s no want to depart the place.
Also, it’s tremendous near the downtown space of Laguna de Bacalar, so it’s very easy to get there (in contrast to different cenotes which are in the midst of the jungle and could also be tougher to entry).
I’ll speak you thru among the key factors you don’t need to miss when visiting this magical place.
Cenote Tours in Bacalar
- Explore Bacalar’s Cenotes – If you’re searching for a handy strategy to see the very best cenotes in Bacalar, this native tour is the proper means! With the assistance of an area information, he’ll share his information on this native phenomenon.
- Bacalar Eco Boat Tour Around Cenotes – This enjoyable native tour takes you round cenotes in Bacalar on a enjoyable boat tour with a small group. You will finish your tour in a seashore membership the place you’ll be able to swim and kayak!
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How to get to Cenote Azul Bacalar
Getting to Cenote Azul Bacalar is straightforward.
If you’re driving from Cancun (or anyplace in Riviera Maya), take the freeway to Chetumal. Once you’re in Chetumal, head in the direction of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Keep driving for about 40 kilometers and also you’ll get there.
It is positioned proper on the fundamental entrance to Bacalar, and you may simply see it from the freeway so that you’ll spot it straight away.
Travel time from the Riviera Maya, relying on the particular start line, is 3.5 hours. From Chetumal, it’s about half-hour.
If you’re already in Bacalar and driving, you’ll be able to entry from both the principle highway or the coastal highway. You may also take a taxi that would cost you round $50 pesos (simply over $2 USD) or take public transport for a barely decrease payment. Of course, the latter just isn’t the comfiest alternative.
Oh, and there’s free parking out there! Something much less to fret about for those who’re arriving by automobile. Here is the Google location pin for Cenote Azul.
Cenote Azul Bacalar Map
Cenote Azul Bacalar: Opening Times, Rules, and Regulations
You can go to Cenote Azul Bacalar on daily basis of the week from 10 AM to six PM, and also you’ll should pay an inexpensive $25 pesos entrance payment (it’s nearly $1.3 USD). A good suggestion is to go to early within the morning so that you simply keep away from the crowded not-so-happy hour crowd.
A reminder when visiting any cenote is that merchandise resembling sunscreen and mosquito repellents could cause injury to those locations’ pure situations. Even in the event that they’re “biodegradable”, their chemical compounds can negatively have an effect on marine life and the water itself.
Locals encourage vacationers to keep away from something that would damage the cenotes, so please be aware of that!
A very good different to guard your self from the solar’s rays when visiting this Bacalar cenote is by carrying particular anti-UV swimming wear. This means, you shield each your pores and skin and the atmosphere.
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Snorkeling in Cenote Azul Bacalar
One of the numerous actions that you have to strive when visiting this Bacalar cenote is snorkeling!
Truth is, the water right here just isn’t as see-through as it could be in different spots in Bacalar, however it’s nonetheless definitely worth the strive since many species of lovely fish swim throughout the place.
Nothing to be frightened of, by the way in which. These are all innocent little fish which are sharing their lovely dwelling with you and the remainder of the vacationers. You would possibly as properly say hello to them!
A very good tip is to deliver your individual snorkeling gear, particularly for those who’re going to many alternative snorkeling spots. That means, you’ll spend means lower than you’d on a number of tools leases.
Scuba Diving in Cenote Azul Bacalar
Unlike snorkeling, there’s no scuba diving rental tools in Cenote Azul Bacalar.
If you’d wish to expertise this, that you must contact a scuba dive heart beforehand. The professional guides will present you round Cenote Azul’s mysterious and spectacular depth.
The motive why it’s not one thing that you could simply do upon arriving it’s as a result of this can be a difficult diving vacation spot.
First of all, out of the 90-deep meters, divers solely go so far as 70-ish. On prime of that, what makes this place attention-grabbing can be what makes it so troublesome to discover. It might appear to be a small lake, however it’s far more advanced!
We are speaking a few subaquatic universe, with labyrinths shaped by intertwined roots and trunks, passages and caverns that you’ll want to undergo, and rock formations and sloping partitions that really pose a problem even for skilled divers. This is a giant cenote, so it might take days to get to see all of it.
The native guides have been there many instances and their instruction is extraordinarily beneficial as a result of they know Cenote Azul because the palm of their hand.
Equipment Rental
For many of the actions that you are able to do at Cenote Azul Bacalar, you’ll be able to lease tools. If you need to discover each spot within the cenote with out getting too moist, think about renting a kayak. If you want to immerse as a substitute, you’ll be able to lease snorkel gear (however you’ll be able to deliver your individual too).
Additionally, for those who choose to journey and convey your individual gear, try our information on the finest snorkeling gear for our prime suggestions.
Renting a life jacket for under $40 pesos (round $2 USD) is a good way to remain secure. It’s beneficial as a result of even for those who’re a robust swimmer, this cenote is sort of lengthy and it’s finest to keep away from accidents.
There’s a big rope that crosses the cenote back and forth, and though you may also depend on that, it’s not a substitute for the protection provided by a life jacket.
Unfortunately, there’s something that you could’t lease right here, and that’s lockers. I do know this may be inconvenient as a result of it means you’ll should be further cautious together with your belongings.
A good suggestion is to not deliver something beneficial that you will have to depart unattended or carry a small dry bag with you to hold your pockets and telephone.
What to Bring When Visiting the Bacalar Cenote
The must-bring checklist isn’t very lengthy, however nonetheless, it is best to take observe:
- Swimming swimsuit to benefit from the heat water
- Anti-UV swimming wear to guard from the solar
- A towel
- A spare change of garments (take note it’s scorching on the market)
- Water sneakers to keep away from slipping
- Waterproof digicam, or waterproof telephone case (or each!)
- Cash to pay the doorway payment, the meals, souvenirs, or something you intend on shopping for.
As a basic rule, on the subject of visiting pure points of interest, don’t depend on them accepting card funds. It’s at all times finest to deliver money.
I insist it is best to keep away from bringing any beneficial gadgets for those who can’t regulate them! You by no means know what might go lacking, so it’s higher to keep away from disagreeable surprises.
Cenote Azul Restaurant
This is a full-service restaurant that goes past the meals and drinks menu. It could also be well-known for its seafood, however there may be a lot extra to it.
The place has a craft retailer the place you will get your souvenirs, and there’s additionally a therapeutic massage service out there – ultimate for exhausted vacationers.
If you’re a fan of spicy meals, there are gourmand habanero salsas on the market. Or possibly you’d wish to go on the spice and like to put down and relaxation by renting a palapa (little seashore hut). The restaurant additionally offers entry to the eco-restrooms and affords free wifi.
Now, the restaurant has blended evaluations: some individuals preferred it, and others didn’t. The factor is, it’s the solely restaurant there, so If you’re hungry and really feel like consuming elsewhere you’ll have to go looking exterior. You can test among the Google Reviews for Cenote Azul Restaurant right here.
It’s not that arduous although, since you’ll find many different choices only a few minutes away from Cenote Azul.
If you do select to eat right here, discovering a free spot shouldn’t be a problem, as a result of the restaurant has a capability for round 300 hungry guests.
Just know that it isn’t a flowery five-star restaurant, so maintain that in thoughts throughout your journey.
Other Cenotes in Bacalar
Bacalar cenotes are all as lovely and attention-grabbing as Cenote Azul, and on the identical time, every one is exclusive in its personal means. Some of the most well-liked are:
Cenote Negro (Black Cenote). Also referred to as Cenote de La Bruja, which interprets as “the witch’s cenote. The nickname comes from the legend that a Mayan witch inhabits its coasts. Also, it is called “Black Cenote” due to the darkness of its waters at a depth of 90 meters. It’s a fairly cool spot to paddleboard, snorkel, and scuba dive with a licensed information.
Cenote Cocalitos. It is a big cenote of turquoise water that stands out for its small rock formations ( recognized scientifically as “stromatolites”). Here you’ll be able to eat, camp, kayak, snorkel, and calm down within the colourful hammocks set in the midst of the water.
Cenote Esmeralda. It has a charming emerald-like shade of blue, therefore the title. It is as much as 70-meters deep, and its most well-known trait is its breach from which the water flows proper by the Bacalar lagoon. This one is a very fashionable vacation spot too, cherished each by locals and vacationers from in all places on this planet.
You can at all times search for excursions that supply cenotes-packages.
These make it straightforward to go from one cenote to a different and are often handy since you solely should pay one basic payment that features all (or most of) the associated prices.
Other Cenote Azul in Mexico
So for those who made it this far within the article, you’ve seen we’re speaking about Cenote Azul in Laguna Bacalar, Mexico. To keep away from any confusion, take note there may be one other cenote that goes by the identical title, however is likely one of the prime cenotes in Playa del Carmen.
Feel free to take a look at our different guides for extra data on the favored Cenote Azul close to Playa del Carmen & Tulum.
Cenote Azul Bacalar FAQ
It’s about 90 meters deep – that’s practically 300 ft. That’s why it’s a favourite of scuba divers: not solely is it lovely, however fairly difficult as properly!
Heads-up for divers: it’s a guided dive and it goes so far as 70 meters approx. Still fairly deep for those who ask me!
Once you’re in Bacalar, you’ll be able to entry the Cenote Azul from two completely different spots: the principle highway (Chetumal-Cancun freeway) and the coastal highway (Costera Road).
If driving, you’ll be able to park your automobile without spending a dime. If you arrive by taxi, public or tour transport, they’ll often drop you proper exterior the principle entrance.
There are a couple of slippery stairs to get within the water, so be sure to place in your water sneakers earlier than you dive in!
Also, in case you have sunscreen or some other sort of lotion on, please bathe earlier than coming into the cenote to keep away from inflicting any injury to the water and the marine life beneath.
There are a couple of cenotes in Bacalar for those who plan on making a go to! Aside from cenote Azul, there may be cenote Negro, cenote Esmeralda, and cenote Cocalitos.
Whether you resolve to go on a tour or go to the Cenote Azul solely, planning your journey with anticipation might genuinely enhance your time there – particularly for those who’re eager on scuba diving!
There is one factor I do know for positive: you’ll deeply benefit from the pure fantastic thing about Bacalar, with all of the wonders it has to supply.
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