12 Best Tours to Cenotes in Playa del Carmen

In Playa del Carmen, you will find a wide variety of things to see and activities to do. This city is synonymous with fun and idyllic white sand beaches on the Mexican Caribbean with deep turquoise waters. But let me tell you that it is much more than that, as it is home to a rich history, a lot of culture and unique natural beauty such as the cenotes, which you cannot miss if you are travelling to this coastal city. The cenote tours are ideal for diving, snorkelling, hiking or other activities such as zip-lining or kayaking.

Chaak Tun is the only cenote located in the middle of Playa del Carmen, just 10 minutes from the centre, and is a beautiful natural attraction to visit. It consists of two caverns, a smaller one with a stalactite ceiling that gives it a special charm and is illuminated with artificial light, and another slightly larger one that houses a tree, with rays of natural light filtering through its branches.

This cenote is part of Sac Actun, the largest complex of flooded caves in the world.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located almost 8 kilometres from Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can reach it from the centre of Playa del Carmen via Avenida Juárez and Avenida Constituyentes, about 15 minutes by car.
• Price: please note that guided tours are only allowed for conservation reasons and the price is around £17.
• Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.

The Nohoch Nah Chich cenote is not one of the most famous, but it is beautiful and well worth a visit. It is huge, 10 kilometres long, with 36 entrances and 9 metres deep, and its name means "The Giant Bird" in the Mayan dialect.

It is one of the most popular cenotes among diving enthusiasts, so if this is your thing, I highly recommend it. But even if you're not a fan of diving, I still recommend it, as there are many other activities to do, such as snorkelling, abseiling from a height of 12 metres, and zip-lining.

The waters are crystal clear and warm, with temperatures of up to 28 °C, and you can see marine life such as fish and turtles, as well as beautiful rock formations.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located about 55 kilometres from Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can reach it in 50 minutes by car on the road that connects Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
• Opening hours: every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Cenote Azul is one of the largest cenotes and has several natural pools around it. Its waters are crystal clear and shallow, but you can still jump into the water from a height of about 4 metres.

It is a good place to go with the family, as it has a covered area where you can sit in the shade and rent tables and chairs. It also has an open area full of vegetation and places to rest, such as jetties and rocks.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located about 25 kilometres from Playa del Carmen, very close to Puerto Aventuras.
• How to get there: you can get there by car in about 20 minutes. Another option is to take the bus to Tulum, which leaves from the intersection of Carretera Federal and Avenida Juárez.
• Price: approximately £5.
• Opening hours: every day from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

The Cristalino cenote is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Riviera Maya due to its unique beauty and easy access. It gets its name from the clarity of its waters, which are clear enough to see the fish swimming in the depths. It is also located in the middle of a mangrove forest, so the flora and fauna are truly amazing.

It is one of the most popular cenotes for groups of friends and families, but don't worry, there is plenty of room to spend the day in this paradise, as it covers a large area and has a small cave where you can swim and dive in peace. Another important detail is that it is one of the few places where you can bring your own food, although the prices there are quite affordable.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located near the Cenote Azul, just over 24 kilometres from the centre of Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can get there by car, taking the Carretera Federal to Tulum. The cenote is 3 km after Puerto Aventuras. By bus, take the bus that connects Playa del Carmen to Tulum at the intersection between Carretera Federal and Juárez.
• Price: approximately £6.
• Opening hours: every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The wonderful Aktun Chen cenote is an underground walkway with crystal clear waters located in an ecological park with a wide variety of sites to explore. You can admire the rock formations and stalactites on the cave ceiling along a 600-metre stretch and pass through it to reach the jungle.

If you enjoy exploring jungles like this one, here is a guide to the best jungle tours you can take from Playa del Carmen to add to your travel itinerary.

The waters of this cenote are ideal for snorkelling and diving, but you can also choose other activities such as zip-lining. It's a perfect plan for the whole family, as the children will have a great time. And as if that weren't enough, there's a restaurant where you can enjoy some typical food and have a complete experience.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is just over 40 kilometres from Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can get there by car on the Tulum-Cancun road in half an hour or by bus from Avenida Juárez in just over an hour.
• Price: approximately £39.
• Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Río Secreto is a must-see on your trip to Playa del Carmen, which is why it's impossible not to include it on your list of the best cenotes. It is an underground stream in the heart of the Yucatan jungle that is full of caves and cenotes.

As you embark on the Río Secreto excursion, you'll feel like a true explorer, surrounded by ancient stalactites and stalagmites formed by the incessant dripping of calcareous water. You'll walk through crystal-clear turquoise waters while an expert guide explains the geological secrets behind these stone formations and the native flora and fauna.

Over a 600-metre route, you will get to know the caves and underground rivers with transparent waters in depth, and you will be able to bathe in them and swim a little.

Useful information

• Where is it? This cenote is just under 20 kilometres from the centre of Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can access it via the Chetumal - Puerto Juárez Federal Highway. The best option to get to know this natural wonder in depth and explore it thoroughly is to take a guided tour.
• Price: approximately £99.
• Opening hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Garden of Eden is one of the largest open-air cenotes in the Riviera Maya and also one of the most beautiful. It is a great place to visit if you are looking to relax, as it is surrounded by lush vegetation with iguanas roaming around and trees typical of the region.

It is also a fantastic option for water activities, such as swimming and watching the various fish swim by your legs, snorkelling or diving in its crystal clear waters. And you can add a little adventure by jumping from one of the banks into the water, about 4 or 5 metres high.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located about 25 kilometres from the centre of Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can get there in just 20 minutes by car on Highway 307 or by taking the bus at the intersection of Carretera Federal and Avenida Juárez. Keep in mind that if you choose the latter option, you will have to walk about 10 minutes after getting off to reach the cenote.
• Price: approximately 4 euros.
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Chac Mool Cenote is one of the most impressive natural attractions in Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula, renowned for its natural beauty and enigmatic caves. Its name in the Mayan dialect means "jaguar's claw".

There you will find caves with stalactites, stone columns and turquoise water that reflects rays of light. This landscape could be described as a beauty rarely seen. If you are a beginner diver and have certification, this place will undoubtedly be paradise for you.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located about 23 kilometres from the centre of Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can get there in 25 minutes by car on Highway 307 or by bus in about an hour.
• Price: approximately £12.
• Opening hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Gran Cenote is one of the most popular tourist attractions because it is suitable for everyone, with activities for children, adults and water sports enthusiasts. Families can spend a relaxing day and use the picnic area, while diving enthusiasts will love diving there, as it is part of Sac Actun, the largest underwater cave system. It is also a popular choice for travellers looking to make the most of their day, as it is strategically located, very close to Tulum, Cobá and many other cenotes. In addition, if you are a water sports enthusiast, here is a guide to the best places to snorkel in Playa del Carmen so you can include some in your itinerary.

Exploring this famous cenote is a unique experience, as it is divided into two parts, one outside and, if you want to go through a 20-metre tunnel, you will reach the second part, which is covered by a rock wall. If you also want to take advantage of your visit to this cenote to visit Tulum, you can go on one of these guided tours.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located about 67 kilometres from the centre of Playa del Carmen in the direction of Tulum.
• How to get there: it takes approximately one hour by car or an hour and a half by bus.
• Price: approximately £8.
• Opening hours: keep in mind that as this is a very popular cenote, it is best to arrive early so you can settle in before the rest of the visitors arrive. You can enter from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., so as long as you are there before 10 a.m., you will be fine.

The Taak Bi Ha Cenote is part of the Dos Ojos Park, which also houses other cenotes such as the Dos Ojos Cenote itself. Unlike the latter, the Taak Bi Ha cenote is much less touristy and well-known, making it ideal if you want to relax and spend a pleasant day without dodging tourists.

This cenote has a special charm, as it is managed by a Mayan family, so you can take the opportunity to learn a little more about their culture, traditions and beliefs. It is located in an underground cave that is easily accessible by stairs, and its waters are extremely clear and shallow. There you can snorkel, dive or simply swim on your own.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located about 50 minutes from Playa del Carmen by car.
• How to get there: head towards Tulum on the 307 Chetumal-Cancún road until you reach the entrance to Dos Ojos Park, and from there it is about 3 kilometres further along a dirt road.
• Price: approximately £15.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Dos Ojos cenote is truly a work of art created by nature and cannot be left off this list of the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Riviera Maya and gets its name from its shape, which consists of a cave and two turquoise water pools shaped like eyes. The cave is dark, with no natural or artificial light, so it can only be entered with a guide.

It is ideal for lovers of all kinds of water sports, snorkelling, diving and swimming. But keep in mind that if you want to cross from one eye to the other, that stretch can only be done by diving, and it is an amazing experience.

Useful information

• Where it is: this cenote is located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen
• How to get there: about 50 minutes by car on the Chetumal-Cancún road (307) towards Tulum.
• Price: approximately £15.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is not just another cenote. Kantun Chi is an ecological park with cenotes and underground waters and one of the most impressive tourist attractions to visit in the Riviera Maya.

Exploring the underground river is a truly unique experience that I highly recommend. You can also swim in the underground caves. In addition, you can discover the abundant and intense vegetation and wildlife.

Useful information

• Where it is: this fantastic ecological park is located about 30 kilometres from the centre of Playa del Carmen.
• How to get there: you can get there in just half an hour by car on the 307 road towards Tulum.
• Price: approximately £45.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.