Cenotes in Playa Del Carmen
Mexico’s Cenote Caves
One of the most outstanding natural features of the Yucatan and Riviera Maya are the amazing Cenote caverns. Giant sink holes in the earth filled with fresh water. The cenotes of the Riviera Maya are big attractions every year to tourists and adventure seekers.
Formed over thousands of years as rain mixed with CO2 forms a very weak acid that eats away at the limestone floor of much of the surface of the Yucatan. Slowly these caverns are formed and filled with fresh water, and they present some of the most stunning views and natural wonders in the world.
The ancient Mayans believed these cenotes were passages to the underworld and held them as sacred destinations. It is not uncommon to find ruins of a community close by. Nowadays we know it is not the gateway to the underworld per se, but Mexico’s Cenotes still captivate the mind.
Cenote Diving and Cave Diving In Mexico
A popular and dangerous sport is cave diving in the cenotes. This requires an advanced level of knowledge when it comes to diving, and should not be taken on by the amateur diver, or with a dubious guide. Make sure you have both the know
ledge and the expertise if you decide to explore this underwater world. It is easy to get turned around, run out of oxygen, damage your equipment, or even swim into a highly poisonous region without the proper experience and guide. Diving in fresh water is not like diving in salt water, and especailly in enclosed spaces, you need to have perfect bouyancy control as well as no fear of claustorphobia.
Do your research very well to find a good guide, your life is literally in their hands.
However, if you are not planning on risking your life, Playa Del Carmen’s Cenotes still are amazing to see and visit, even swim in. They are not far from the city, and well worth a trip to see some of the most amazing wonders on Earth! You can even eat in a restaurant inside an old Cenote cave at El Alux Cenote Restaurant.
Cenotes Near Playa Del Carmen
Chac Mool Cenote (Claw of the Jaguar)
Location: 22 km south of Playa Del Carmen/Almost across from Puerto Aventuras.
Description: 2 cenotes. Large cavern zone with beautiful views of jungle from inside cavern.
Open: 10-5 daily.
Facilities: Bathrooms, Restaurant.
Snorkeling: Yes. Larger of 2 cenotes offers view to large room.
Entrance Fee: Yes.
Taj Mahal Cenote
Location: 26 km south of Playa Del Carmen/5 km south of Puerto Aventuras/Just south of Xpu-Ha.
Description: 4 interconnected cenotes.
Open: 10-6 daily
Facilities: Bathrooms, Restaurant.
Snorkeling: Advanced. Requires swimming 5 m underwater under a rock wall to come into a large open cave with that has light shining through from ceiling above.
Entrance Fee: 40 pesos.
Dos Ojos Cenote (Hidden Worlds)
Location: 48 km south of Playa Del Carmen/3 km south of Xel-Ha/On right 4 km down dirt road.
Description: Part of Nohoch Nah Chich cave system. Location of filming for Imax Journey into Amazing Caves documentary.
Open: 10-5 daily
Facilities: Bathrooms, restaurant.
Snorkeling: Superb. Very popular. Stalagtites & Stalagmites everywhere.
Entrance Fee: $10 US/$25-40 US for snorkel tours.
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