The Best Cenotes near Tulum Worth Visiting: Mariposa and Chen-ha
Swimming in cenotes near Tulum was an experience I had to have when I visited Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
When I learned about Cenote Mariposa and Cenote Chen-ha, two of the best cenotes near Tulum, I knew I had to book a tour to visit them.
In this post, you can read about how to get to the cenotes, what to expect, what it's like swimming in a cenote, and how to book a half-day tour from Cancun / Riviera Maya to Mariposa and Chen Ha plus Tulum Ruins.
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What is a Cenote?
People often wonder what a cenote is. Cenotes are natural underground swimming holes or caves formed by the collapsing limestone ground above.
They are filled with crystal clear waters from underground freshwater systems that run throughout the area, creating natural swimming pools.
What to Expect at Canamayte Cenotes Tulum
After leaving the main road, we approached the cenotes by coach down an unmade jungle road. We soon came to a small turnoff and the entrance to Canamayte Eco Park. At this point, I was glad I had booked a tour and not had to find the cenotes myself!
Our tour leader led us to be blessed by the village shaman. This involved chanting and smoke cleansing. It was all over in 10 minutes and was lovely to experience, but of course, it's all done for tips. It is up to you whether you tip, and on my trip, I didn't see anyone give anything, so don't feel obliged to do so.
Following this, we were led to the lockers and showers. We were told how important it is to wash off sun tan lotions, body creams, perfume, etc., before entering the freshwater cenotes.
The cenotes remain a water supply to many villages, and contamination from human cosmetics is unhealthy for them and for those who rely on the water system.
After showering and changing into swimwear, we locked our belongings away and headed to the swimming holes.
Safety in the Cenotes
When visiting a Tulum cenote (pronounced Seh-NO-Tay), it is compulsory to wear a life jacket even if you are a good swimmer.
There are no lifeguards on duty in the cenotes, so you must be responsible for your safety in the water. We picked up our lifejackets from the entrance to each cenote.
Best Cenotes in Tulum
Mariposa and Chen-Ha are two of the best cenotes of Tulum, located near each other on the same plot of land. You can walk between them in 5 minutes.
We were given 90 minutes at the eco-park, about the right amount of time to enjoy the swim holes without feeling rushed.
You can book a tour that includes the Tulum ruins, Mariposa, and Chen-Ha cenotes.
Chen-Ha Cave Cenote
Chen-Ha is an underground cave cenote approached via a few steps and entered via the cave mouth.
Once inside, a small wooden platform leads to steps to help you enter the cool water. You can leave your flip-flops on the rocks beside the pool.
Don't worry that the Chen-Ha cenote will be dark; it has a large hole where the roof has caved in, allowing sunlight to stream in.
WATCH THIS VIDEO OF CHEN HA CENOTE.
On my visit, part of the cenote was roped off; however, there was still plenty of space to swim.
If you have brought snorkelling gear or swim goggles, you can look beneath the crystal water and observe the rock formations and stalagmites.
If you have an excellent waterproof housing shell for your phone, you can take some cool, if somewhat eerie, underwater videos!
WATCH THIS VIDEO OF CHEN HA CENOTE.
Mariposa Open-Air Cenote
Unlike Chen-Ha, Mariposa is an open-air cenote with an aquamarine pool and swings suspended from a bar.
The entrance is via wooden steps, so watch your footing as they were quite slippery on my visit.
Once by the water, a couple of steps lead into the cenote. Again, be careful because the steps are covered in slimy algae. Hold onto the bar beside the steps to lower yourself into the water. Better still, wear swim shoes with a grip.
Once in the beautiful clear blue water, you can swim to the swings and attempt to get onto them. It's not as easy as it looks!
A few tiny fishes were swimming in each cenote, but nothing substantial, so you won't have anything to worry about if you aren't keen on aquatic wildlife.
You may have heard you can swim with a crocodile in a cenote. Well, not in either of these two; however, there is a resident crocodile in Casa Cenote down the road!
Rumour has it that he has been there since he was a baby; his name is Pancho, and he has adapted to being around humans without attacking them. He is a local celebrity, and people visit specifically to swim with a cenote crocodile!
Is there an entrance fee for Mariposa and Chen-Ha cenotes?
You can enter Canamayte and observe the two cenotes independently or as part of a cenote tour. If you want to swim in them, a $15 fee per person goes towards conserving them and the surrounding land.
Facilities at Canamayte Eco Park and Cenotes
Showers, toilets and lockers are available. Hammocks and seating areas offer a chance to relax or dry off after a swim. A large cafe with seating sells refreshments and light snacks. A souvenir hut sells standard touristy bits like bracelets and t-shirts.
Are the cenotes busy?
We had one cenote to ourselves, and the other we shared with about five people on our tour.
The beauty of visiting these two swimming holes is that they are not as well-known as the larger Gran Cenote and Casa Cenote, so they aren't crowded. It was such a beautiful experience to have a cenote to ourselves.
Is it only swimming you can experience in the Tulum Cenotes?
Swimming, snorkelling, and even scuba diving are popular activities in the Tulum cenotes, both among locals and tourists. However, the two cenotes I visited were only for swimming and snorkelling.
The underwater cave and river system extend for miles, and cenotes lead from one to another. Divers can explore them fully if the space between them is wide enough.
Why are Tulum's cenotes so special to Mayans?
Mayan culture regarded cenotes as a symbol of life and death. Cenotes were the only water source in the jungle and were needed to supply the Mayan cities.
It is thought there are around 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula. Many are over 10,000 years old.
Are Tulum's Cenotes Worth Visiting?
Undoubtedly, the cenotes in Tulum are worth visiting. Swimming in a cenote is fun, and it is interesting to understand how these natural pools were created.
Thumbs up for the Tulum cenotes tour!
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
So glad I read this, had some questions about Cenotes and they have all been answered in your post! I’m about to book a trip to mexico and have seen you’ve got some other posts on hotels in Tulum, i’ll have a read of those too for some more tips! Thank you Where Angie Wanders
You are more than welcome, Chloe. It's difficult to comprehend just what a cenote is like before visiting one so I am glad my post highlighted the experience to you. Would you swim in the one with a croc?
@WhereAngieWanders, ooohh i’m not too sure, i’m not sure i’d trust a crocodile 😳 it would be a cool experience though!
Agreed!!
I have enjoyed many cenotes around Tulum, but I have not been to these two. They sound wonderful. I particularly like cenotes in caves so this one looks great.
I would absolutely love to visit the Tulum cenotes, and your blog post has given me a greater reason. This would be an incredible experience on many levels.
It was very special, I hope you get to experience it one day for yourself.