Since I caught cenote fever within the last couple of years, I now attempt to visit several each time I vacation in the Riviera Maya.  Cenotes are a wonderfully mysterious and important part of the history of the Yucatan Peninsula and the Mayan people.  Cenotes were the primary source of fresh water as well as sacred entrances to the underworld of the Gods for the indigenous people of the Yucatan Peninsula.  Religious ceremonies and even sacrifices were held at many of these cenotes; the Mayans believed that sprites protected these sacred spaces and had to be appeased–if they were not, then mischief and even misfortune could befall those who did not appease Alux (pronounced ah-loosh).  Needles to say, I silently ask permission of Alux to access the cenote I’m visiting–just in case.

Cenotes are one of the primary tourist attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula.  I’d have to say that Chichén Itzá, Coba, Tulum Ruins, Akumal Bay to snorkel with sea turtles, and exploring cenotes have to be amongst the top 5 attractions if you vacation in this part of Mexico.  And there’s plenty of cenotes to explore.  According to the 2021 cenote census done by the Secretariat for Sustainable Development, there are 3,021 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula–of that number, 2,675 of them are considered to be open cenotes and 346 are cave cenotes.  Personally, I thoroughly enjoy the partial cave cenotes–even the bats flying around.  Sometimes cenote cave ceilings are so low you can see the bats hanging upside down.  And no, I’m not one to scream about bats getting in my hair, so no hysterics from me.  And yes, Gran Cenote has bats in the first of two caves off to the left.

Can you see the bats?

Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in the Riviera Maya.  So, of course you know I had to visit that one.  It is located 3 miles from downtown Tulum (the village section, not the beach section of Tulum) and is easily accessed–it’s right off a main road heading outside of town.  Since I have decided to never drive in Mexico, I hired private transportation for the day–I visited Ecopark Kantun-Chi after Gran Cenote, so I needed a way to get from my resort to various cenotes, and then back to my resort.  Don’t hesitate to book with Friends Travel Cancun, this is the second time I’ve hired them and they have been prompt, professional, with safe drivers and dependable vehicles.  This time my party and I were offered tequila shots–since we weren’t driving, of course…They also provided water and beer.

Here are some important details about your visit to Gran Cenote:

• There is parking outside the cenote entrance.  No long walk to the cenote entrance if you’ve driven.
• Gran Cenote opens at 8:10 a.m. and closes at 4:45 p.m.  Last visitor entry is at 4:15 p.m.  Get here as early as you can since this place fills with tour groups as the day goes on.  I got here around 9 a.m. on a Monday and there already were a number of visitors.  Never visit a cenote on a Sunday because that is when locals tend to go–it can get quite crowded.
• Admission is $25 USD p/person or 500 MXN (Mexican pesos).  They accept USD currency.  Admission price covers cenote entry and snorkel gear if you want it.  However, the clarity of the water is such that you can easily see small fish and turtles without any snorkel gear.
• Gran Cenote is diving accessible since it’s about 30 feet deep.
• Make sure to bring your driver’s license if you want to rent a locker; they will keep it and give you a locker key so don’t lose it.  Locker fee is 30 MXN, or about $2 USD.  Lockers are pretty small here, so don’t count on only getting one for several people unless you have tiny bags!
• You must take a shower at the location, this includes getting your hair wet.  No exceptions.  They won’t give you a flotation vest if you don’t take a shower and if you don’t have a flotation vest you cannot take the stairs down to the cenote.

• There are bathrooms near the entrance and a covered area for shade or for rainy weather; there is also a picnic area with shade palapas.
• Thinking of getting married at a cenote?  Gran Cenote has a small chapel on-site.

• Water temperature at Gran Cenote runs pretty steady at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.  While that temp may seem cool to visitors, you will more than welcome it when it’s humid and the outside temperature is in the 90’s…
• There are two entrances into the cenote–the main entrance stairs, and the stairs at the back of the cenote which ultimately leads you to the second cave

• Once you get your locker key (if you paid for one) and have put on your flotation vest, you are free to enter the open water to swim.  There are two wooden platforms to enter/exit the water, one to your right and one to your left.  Be aware that the steps to get into and out of the water are set quite far apart, so if you have mobility issues you may fare better if you take the back entrance–find the other set of stairs by walking around the cenote at the top, don’t go down the main entrance stairs.
• I explored this cenote for about 2 hrs. and that seemed like the perfect amount of time.  It’s not huge, but it’s got enough to do to keep you interested for that amount of time.

I loved this cenote!  It was beautiful and had many areas within both caves to explore.  Try to go on a sunny day between 9 and 10 a.m. when the sunlight reflected off the exterior cave walls looks like the cenote is on fire!  A cannot miss.  If you want to see a better shot, look at my Instagram account, allinclusivegal, for a reel showing this effect.

What do you think?  Have you been here or are thinking of going?

Take a moment or two to look at some Gran Cenote pics.  Just click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger view, or click on the arrows to go forward or back in this photo collection.