Gran Cenote has a bit of everything: a cavern to swim through, an open pool to float in, turtles to observe, and loads of plant life all around it. Here are a few reasons why you have to visit next time you\u2019re in Tulum:<\/p>\n
Diving<\/h3>\n While it isn\u2019t the most popular diving location in the area, it\u2019s still a great place to get below the surface of the water, as it has plenty of caverns to explore. It is part of the Sac Actun system, which is the largest underwater cave system in the world.<\/p>\n
So much of the charm of Gran Cenote lies underwater, where you\u2019ll find incredible geology, including several stalagmites and stalactites. It\u2019s a novice-level dive, which is perfect for beginners. <\/p>\n
Check out Koox Diving for more information on how to book your adventure.<\/p>\n
Snorkeling<\/h3>\n Gran Cenote is one of the best spots near Tulum for snorkeling. As soon as you peer into the turquoise water, you\u2019ll be able to see why. In the open areas of the cenote, there are plants growing on the bottom like an underwater garden. <\/p>\n
If you go into the covered cave-like area, however, the scene slowly changes. As the water gets deeper, you\u2019ll see the rocky caverns below. The walls under the surface are decorated with neat geological patterns and plant life. You\u2019ll also see plenty of small fish and the famous turtles swimming about. <\/p>\n
You can bring your own snorkeling gear, or you can rent it there. <\/p>\n
Swimming<\/h3>\n The clear water makes it an incredible place to take a dip, because you can see down into the depths. Even the shallow areas are a great place to swim, whether you\u2019re an experienced swimmer or not.<\/p>\n
Like many cenotes, this one has a rope that passes through the deeper parts of it, which is nice to hold on to if you get tired of swimming around. If you don\u2019t feel confident about being in deep water, you can also rent a life jacket, which will allow you to explore more.<\/p>\n
Turtles<\/h3>\n There aren\u2019t many cenotes where you\u2019ll find freshwater turtles in the numbers that you\u2019ll find them here. Likely due to the amount of human contact they have daily with visitors, the turtles seem very unfazed by people coming in and out of the water. In fact, I\u2019ve had turtles bump straight into me while I was snorkeling! Keep an eye out for the clumsy ones, folks!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to avoid touching the turtles (on purpose), just as with any other wildlife. Seeing them up close is also a great reminder to leave no trash behind at the cenote \u2014 or anywhere else for that matter.<\/p>\n
When to Visit<\/h2>\n\n
Due to its popularity, Gran Cenote is best to visit right when it opens at 8am. This natural wonder attracts hundreds of visitors a day, on average. Even though it\u2019s big in comparison to other cenotes, it still feels quite crowded in the afternoon during high season.<\/p>\n
Another option is to stop by for a quick visit shortly before it closes. The ticket booth will stop selling tickets around 4pm, and the cenote closes at 4:45pm. If you get there around 3pm, the crowds will likely have dissipated, and you\u2019ll have plenty of time to explore.<\/p>\n
Either way, avoid visiting Gran Cenote on a weekend when it is even more crowded than it is on weekday afternoons. Opt for a Monday or Tuesday for the best chance to have the place (mostly) to yourself.<\/p>\n
How to Get There<\/h2>\nThis cenote is one of the easiest to get to from downtown Tulum. It\u2019s only about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from downtown, which means you can easily bike there. <\/p>\n
If you choose to go there by bike from downtown, head north on the Carretera Tulum-Chetumal, toward the entrance to the Tulum archaeological site. Take a left onto Highway 109 going to Coba (there\u2019s a Super Aki grocery store at the corner in case you don\u2019t see the signs for the highway). From there, it\u2019s a straight shot to the entrance of Gran Cenote, where there is a huge sign on the right-hand side of the road.<\/p>\n
Taking a taxi to Gran Cenote is also easy and cheap. It should cost around 100 pesos ($5 USD) each way. You won\u2019t have to worry about finding a cab going back to downtown Tulum (or your hotel), because there are always a few waiting outside.<\/p>\n
Another cheaper option is to take a combi<\/em>, which is a white van used for public transportation. You can catch a Coba-bound combi<\/em> at the corner of the main highway that goes through downtown Tulum (referred to as the Carretera Chetumal-Tulum) and Highway 109. The ride only costs 20 pesos ($1 USD) each way. On the way back, you can flag one down along the highway.<\/p>\nImportant Details<\/h2>\n\nCost: <\/strong>This is one of the more expensive cenotes near Tulum. Entry is 180 pesos ($9 USD), plus 30 pesos ($1.50 USD) for a locker, 50 pesos ($2.50 USD) for a life jacket, and 80 pesos ($4 USD) for snorkeling gear.<\/li>\nSunscreen: <\/strong>Do not wear sunscreen into the cenote. There are showers outside where you can rinse off any sunscreen or bug repellent, both of which have chemicals that are harmful to the biome in and around cenotes.<\/li>\nEtiquette: <\/strong>As I mentioned above, cenotes were used for centuries to perform sacred rituals and have huge importance to the Maya people. There are signs at the entrance to Gran Cenote that explain what items are prohibited (most notably, alcohol and drugs). Please stick to the rules! They are there to protect the cenote.<\/li>\nFacilities: <\/strong>There are bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, and lockers at Gran Cenote. But make sure to bring a towel as they don\u2019t have them for rent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nPin me for later:<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
There you have it! You\u2019re now totally ready to visit Gran Cenote and have the best time. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery, soak up the sun, and splash around in one of nature\u2019s most magical places. <\/p>\n
(If you\u2019re staying in Tulum, check out our awesome guide to Tulum Airbnbs!)<\/p>\n
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