Level: Resort nearby
This spot has been added by
Last updated on April 14, 2021
If you are looking for an original snorkeling experience, then the Casa Cenote is for you. You can explore a series of outstandingly beautiful natural caves hidden in the jungle. With its extraordinarily clear emerald green waters, the play of light and its root forest, this magical place will leave you with unique memories.
Casa Cenote is on the south part of the Mayan Riviera, 10 km north of Tulum. From Playa del Carmen there is a 40-minute drive along the federal route 307 (35mi/60km) and 30 minutes from Puerto Aventuras (25mi/40km).
All the collective taxis (known locally as “vans” or “collectivos“) that continually travel along the federal route 307 stop at the crossroads with the little dirt road leading to the sea and Casa Cenote. It can be complicated to travel the last 1.5 miles by collective transport, but there are generally taxis parked nearby.
You will see the first Casa Cenote pool from the road on your left. Admission to Casa Cenote costs 150 pesos per person, and you will be free to explore it independently at your own pace.
You will enter the water at the first pool, across from the reception and next to the road. The simplest way is to sit down on the large rocks next to the cenote to get into the water.
Casa Cenote extends for about 250 meters into the jungle, leading to a dead end. The water level in the pools varies, but is never more than 25ft/8m in the deepest part.
As soon as you’ll be in the water, you will be enthralled by the clarity, light, and color of the water. It has no equivalent in snorkeling spots in the sea. Go deeper into the jungle along the natural “route” formed by the cenote.
You will go past the mangrove, with the root forest filtering the light. The mangrove roots are real underwater nurseries and the home of thousands of newly hatched fish.
You will see many fresh-water species in the cenote, such as platys, guppies, and mollies – all well known to aquarium owners. You will definitely never tire of exploring these unusual natural pools. The incredibly clear and pure water, as well as the play of light, are a delight for photographers.
Many divers come to the spot, sometimes in large numbers. Be careful if you skindive.
Several restaurants and accommodation can be found all along the road, near the cenote.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
