According to Visitors: Tulum’s Top Cenotes for Pristine Waters and Stunning Views

Tulum is known for its sunny weather, beachside ruins, and spicy eats. It also happens to be a popular spot in Mexico for a romantic getaway. But what many tourists don’t know is that the city is nestled in the heart of prime cenote territory. Cenotes are a unique type of water body located within areas of sunken limestone. Experts believe that there are approximately 10,000 of these geological treasures on the Yucatan Peninsula, the region surrounding Tulum. This makes cenotes an essential part of any vacation to the region.

Of course, with so many cenotes dotting the land near Mexico’s Gulf Coast, it can be difficult to known which ones are actually worth checking out. As travel writers and vacation experts, we have taken the time to investigate the best cenotes near Tulum. By analyzing traveler reviews on sites like Tripadvisor and Google, we have determined which cenotes are top-rated for their clear waters and stunning views. We have paid particular attention to locations that provide unique offerings in a magnificent environment in order to identify places that will appeal to many types of travelers, from history lovers and photographers to families.

If you have ever dreamed about stepping into a portal that will transport you to another world, you might want to visit Cenote Nic Te Ha. Surrounded by lush palm forests and covered with water lilies, this swimming hole will make you feel like you’re wading into a Monet painting. Dive into the crystal clear waters and marvel at the way the sunlight dances all around you. Then, grab a camera and try to photograph the essence of this beautiful spot. Cenote Nic Te Ha is one of the best cenotes near Tulum — especially when it comes to out-of-this-world scenery. Don’t be afraid to capture the moment in this unusually gorgeous spot.

Travelers laud Cenote Nic Te Ha for its stunning environment, making it a favorite among amateur photographers. One such visitor wrote on Google reviews, “Nic Tec Ha is a dream location … The crystal-clear water allows for incredible underwater photography, capturing the ethereal beauty of the cenote’s depths. Even if you’re not a professional, you’ll come away with photos that will make your friends jealous.” A second Google reviewer echoed this sentiment, stating, “Just gorgeous. Open and dreamy looking cenote. I favored this one over Dos Ojos … Great picture opportunities from every angle!”

Some travelers head to the cenotes for a bit of rest and relaxation. Others do it for the adventure. Anyone who identifies more with the second category might enjoy a trip to the Cenotes Sac Actún. Buried deep within a cave covered in dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, these cenotes offer breathtaking views of a local geological wonder. Visitors can explore this natural phenomenon to the fullest by renting a mask and snorkel from the locale. Don your gear, jump into a pool of crystal water, plunge your face below the surface. You may find the cenotes’ dramatic rock formations to be one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Mexico.

Past visitors say that the Cenotes Sac Actún are some of the best in Tulum for snorkeling. Writing about their experience on Tripadvisor, one traveler shared, “Just amazing magical snorkeling in crystal waters and caves with stalactites and stalagmites!! [Our guide] Daniel kept everyone in single file and safely in and out of the caves … The equipment was functional and all worked well!” In a separate Tripadvisor review, another snorkeling fan marveled at how much they saw, writing, “The cenote itself is absolutely incredible – crystal clear (the clearest I’ve seen) water. And an amazing cave system full of stalagmites and stalactites. We saw a heap of fish, underwater caves and had plenty of opportunities for photos.”

It’s no secret that Tulum, Mexico is a fantastic place for history lovers. The town is famous for the Tulum Ruins — an imposing archeological site which looks out over the Yucatán Peninsula’s famous turquoise waters. But what many visitors don’t know is that there is a gorgeous cenote nestled below the ruins of this ancient Mayan city. Cenote Manati — also known as Casa del Cenote — is a historic fresh water source located below an old Mayan house containing a tomb. Because cenotes were once considered portals to the Xibalbá underworld, experts believe the tomb might have been placed there for symbolic or religious reasons. Although you cannot swim in this cenote, history lovers absolutely should not miss it as it offers one of the most unforgettable views in the whole region.

Previous visitors marveled at the unique history of this site. As one traveler wrote on Google reviews, “Casa del cenote is one of the ruins at [Tulum]. It is amazing that there is this much left of it, they did a really good job of preserving it for people to see for centuries. It is really unique that they had Gardiner water from the Cenote.” Keep in mind, however, that the historic scenery of this location is more important than the geological phenomenon itself. Per another Google reviewer, “The cenote was very small, but everything around it was cool! The ruins are close enough to admire.”

To enjoy nature’s beauty in relative peace, head to Cenote Taak Bi Hah. Like Cenotes Sac Actún, this swimming hole offers visitors the chance to plunge into deep blue waters in a cavernous, underground environment. Unlike most other cenotes in Tulum, Mexico, however, this destination tends to be pretty low-key. Don’t go to Cenote Taak Bi Hah expecting a vibrant beach club or a bustling zipline center. Although Tulum’s crowded atmosphere has resulted in an increase in tourist-friendly politics, Cenote Taak Bi Hah remains one of the few destinations where visitors can enjoy a genuine escape from the crowds.

Commenting on this reality in a post on Google, one former visitor gushed about the tranquility of the environment. “Visited on a weekend morning and still was not crowded at all, we saw 6 other visitors total during our one hour stay. Water was fresh and cool, steps to get down are pretty steep but not too many of them. Worthwhile venture,” they wrote. Another Google reviewer mirrored this assessment, sharing, “Breathtakingly beautiful. Not crowded. A special place to unwind, relax and appreciate nature’s beauty.” This same visitor did, however, recommend packing water shoes in your day bag to ensure that the comfort of your feet does not detract from your overall experience. 

Many of Tulum’s best cenotes are surrounded by magnificent local flora, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t spot some Mexican fauna on your outing. Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich is not only known for its transparent sapphire waters but also for its tremendous wildlife. Located in the depths of a dark cave, this cenote is home to a fascinating bat population. And because the locale has lights installed beneath the water’s surface, travelers can see the area quite clearly — without disturbing the little creatures who inhabit the space.

Previous visitors say that Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich is rich with mystery and intrigue. “The coolest most magical place to experience subterranean cenotes in all the world. Literally felt like swimming through a dream state or a natural geographic documentary. Tiny little fish, bats, and stolagtites and stolagmites,” marveled one tourist on Google reviews. Of course, travelers must always be respectful of the wildlife. As one Google reviewer cautioned, “You need to be [quiet] inside because there are baby bats which can panic and fly suddenly that might startle you. But if you are calm and quiet they let you come closer to like 20 cm or so.” 

Travelers don’t generally go to cenotes in search of pampering, but one water body near Tulum, Mexico offers an impressive spa experience. Cenote Xunaan Ha is a gorgeous natural freshwater pool where little fish abound. Some of these creatures have been known to give visitors a foot treatment popular at luxury hotels from Rome to Singapore. As one former visitor gushed on Google reviews, “The best place ever! I had the funnest time here. I even got a fish pedicure! (If you stay still, they’ll bite the dead skin off your feet). I also loved jumping from the platforms, into the clear water.”

Beyond the fish pedicure, the ambiance at Cenote Xunaan Ha is so peaceful as to evoke a spa-like energy. Nestled in green foliage, the clear waters of Cenote Xunaan Ha invite swimmers to step into its oasis. Previous guests describe this as profoundly relaxing. A satisfied Google reviewer even wrote, “One of my favorite cenotes: crystal clear waters, fish (including ones that nibble at your feet if you stand still long enough) and most importantly – peace and quiet.” Dip into the water’s emerald green depths, soak up the tranquility, and experience a fish pedicure. There may be no better way to embrace nature at its finest.

While peace and quiet may be the goal for some travelers, it’s a near impossibility for others. Anyone traveling with kids knows just how tricky the experience can be, especially when your brood is full of energy. Luckily, Cenote Zacil-Ha provides an exciting and fast-paced environment for families looking for a day of fun. With an aquatic zipline, a delicious restaurant, and even a traditional swimming pool, this destination has everything you need to keep your little ones entertained all day long. As an added bonus, the natural cenote itself provides the same stunning turquoise waters that you’ll find at other locales in the area. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy the full natural swimming hole experience, all while keeping your kids entertained throughout the day.

Past visitors say that Cenote Zacil-Ha is Tulum’s best cenote for family-friendly fun. Writing on Google reviews, one guest recalled, “Gorgeous place, magical..a must see. The kids hat a lot of fun swimming and diving. The water was so cristal clear with lots of fish […] just beautiful.” Another parent took to Tripadvisor to exclaim, “My family of 4, 2 adults and 2 children aged 12 and 10 visited at around 9am … we had so much fun. Jumping off the top platform and taking the zip line across which was 10 pesos. So many cenotes to choose from but this one was great!”

Let’s be honest — cenotes aren’t exactly famous for their clean bathrooms and comfortable facilities. For the most part, tourists go to these spots to enjoy a bit of rustic nature rather than creature comforts. That being said, Cenote Corazon del Paraiso offers travelers the chance to enjoy a traditional blue water cenote in a sparkling clean environment. Previous visitors applaud this destination for providing a combination of gorgeous natural scenery and nice modern convenience. As one traveler wrote on Google reviews, “This one’s a sleeper! Don’t miss out on this cenote. It’s family friendly, quiet and has an incredible view … Well maintained, clean showers and toilets, and the people are incredibly nice and accommodating.”

Interestingly, the cleanliness at Cenote Corazon del Paraiso makes it a particularly great place to take your little ones. Commenting this reality on Tripadvisor, one parent described Cenote Corazon del Paraiso: “So close to Tulum and one of the best maintained cenotes we have seen. I’m sure most people don’t chose destinations based on bathrooms, but it’s a consideration when traveling with kids. In addition to a very lovely cenote and lounging area, the water was crystal clear and full of fish.” If you want to soak up the great outdoors without giving up your personal ease, this might be the spot for you.

If you are on the hunt for a must-visit Mexican destination for water adventures, Cenote Encantado Nuan might be the spot for you. Because of its generous size, this open-air cenote is the perfect place for sports like SUP boarding or kayaking. Rent your equipment on the cenote’s premises, jump into the water, and start exploring. You’ll be able to view stunning plant life, transparent water, and big blue skies. In the evening, you may even catch one of the Mayan Riviera’s famous sunsets.

Folks who have previously visited Cenote Encantado Nuan say that it’s an awesome destination for a combination of exploration and relaxation. Per one Google reviewer, “Such a peaceful cenote, beautiful water, plenty of room to swim, kayak, paddle board, or just relax in the sun. There’s plenty of hammocks and chairs to kick back and read a book or listen to music.” The fact that kayaks and boards are available also makes it one of the best cenotes in Tulum for families. As a second traveler put it on Google reviews, “What an awesome hang out spot. $100 pesos per person to get in. He didn’t charge for the two little kids. $100 pesos for kayak/paddleboard. Kids enjoyed jumping into the clear water.”

Coming up with this list of the best cenotes near Tulum was not always easy. After all, there are dozens of these swimming holes in the area, and each seems more gorgeous than the last. However, we narrowed down our picks by only selecting spots with at least 4.5 stars on Google reviews. We also chose locations that offered scenery, activities, or amenities that went far beyond what one would expect at a typical cenote or swimming spot.

With this in mind, Cenote Nic Te Ha was selected for its particularly stunning flora, while Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich stood out for its unique fauna. The unusually good snorkeling at Cenotes Sac Actún and SUP boarding at Cenote Encantado Nuan made these locations two of the best for travelers interested in water sports. Meanwhile, Cenote Zacil Ha’s zipline and Cenote Corazon del Paraiso’s clean facilities meant that these destinations were more family friendly than the rest. Folks looking for an upscale experience might like the beach club at Cenote Tankah, the peace at Cenote Taak Bi Hah, or Cenote Xunaan Ha’s natural spa experience. And, of course, Cenote Manati offers a uniquely historical touch. Our hope is that the diversity of these experiences will allow travelers to select the perfect outing for their Tulum vacation.