Cenote Azul Near Playa del Carmen & Tulum: Price, Hours & Tours (2023)

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission when you use the links and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. We also run ads to keep this blog running. All opinions are always our own. Many thanks for supporting our website.

The Riviera Maya is known for its amazing natural swimming holes called cenotes. One of our favorite and most amazing cenote in Mexico is Cenote Azul near Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

In this post, we put together beautiful photos of Cenote Azul and useful information all around cenotes in Mexico and visiting Cenote Azul in particular.

We also included a cenote packing list with useful things to pack for swimming and snorkeling in Cenote Azul.

Our extensive Mexico cenote guide includes a map of the location of the Azul Cenote and other amazing cenotes in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

At the end of our Cenote Azul Guide, you will find a list of more sinkholes in Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Valladolid. These are also very beautiful and worth checking out during your Mexico vacation.

Cenote Azul Playa del Carmen

The Best Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen

Guide To Visiting Cenote Azul Near Playa del Carmen

What Is A Cenote?

Cenotes are sinkholes naturally formed by the collapse of their limestone bedrock ceiling. Yucatan has thousands of these natural sinkholes, called cenotes. It has been found that these cenotes are not standalone waterholes, but rather a vastly interconnected underground system spanning across the Yucatan Peninsula.

The water is usually crystal clear and cool which makes them so incredible for swimming and snorkeling. Some cenotes are very deep which makes them great for scuba, cave, and free diving.

In yet other cenotes you can explore cavelike underwater worlds with stalactites and stalagmites and sometimes encounter fossils.

Different Types Of Cenotes

Cenotes vary in size, depth as well as type. Some cenotes are partially open through a collapsed ceiling that exposes the underlying groundwater or are even completely open. Other sinkholes are entirely underground and cavelike and again others are semi-underground.

Cenotes In Ancient Mayan History

The ancient Mayans used the cenotes as natural wells for their water supplies. Famous cities like Chichen Itza were built around cenotes for that fact, as the Yucatan Peninsula has almost no rivers and only a few lakes.

The cenotes were believed to be a passageway to the underground world and afterlife. In ancient times, cenotes played a big part in Mayan rituals and sacrificial offerings.

The Mayans deposited valuables and human bodies into the cenotes as a form of sacrifice to their gods. Divers have found several human remains and objects dating back to the Mayan era inside the sinkholes.

Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul is one of the most popular cenotes near Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan Peninsula. For good reason! With its amazing blue water, hence the name Azul, the ‘Blue Cenote‘ is one of the most beautiful cenotes we have been to. It is actually our favorite cenote in Playa del Carmen.

What To Expect At Cenote Azul?

There are two rather shallow natural pools at the Azul Cenote. A small pond-like pool which is very picturesque and a large basin. Both swimming holes are open-air cenotes.

The collapsed light-colored limestone at the bottom of the smaller natural pool creates a beautiful contrast to the otherwise dark blue basin. This play of different shades of blue against the green jungle is what makes the blue cenote so beautiful.

This smaller pool is more for just cooling off from the heat than swimming around. The water is very shallow and the pool is pretty small, but it’s very beautiful.

The larger cenote basin is great for swimming and snorkeling. There are shallow areas but also deeper spots. There is a cliff from which you can jump into the cenote if you are up for it. It is especially cool to dive or snorkel around the underwater world of the cenote.

You will find plenty of areas to explore at the blue cenote!

Facilities

The cenote is pretty large and there are many spots and benches around the pools to put down your belongings. There is a small souvenir and snack shop on site and as well as pick-nick areas and bathrooms.

Cenote Azul is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. It is probably the most visited cenote around Playa del Carmen. If you want to avoid the crowds, you should come early in the morning.

How To Get To Cenote Azul In Playa del Carmen?

There are many cenotes near Playa del Carmen that you can easily visit via different modes of transportation. Cenote Azul is one of them! Check out the map below to see where the swimming hole is located.

The blue cenote is located along Highway 307 between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. To get there it takes about 20 minutes by car from the center of Playa del Carmen and half an hour from Tulum town center.

Taking A Collectivo To Get To Cenote Azul

Since Cenote Azul and a lot of other cenotes around Playa del Carmen and Tulum are located along Highway 307 taking a colectivo from either town is an easy and cheap option.

Plenty of collectivos run up and down Highway 307 between Cancun and Tulum. From Playa del Carmen you can easily take one to go in either direction.

You will find the white colectivo vans around the center and major points of interest like the bus terminal in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Ask the drivers which way they are going and let them know that you want to hop off at Cenote Azul so they can make a stop on their route accordingly.

On the way back to Playa del Carmen or Tulum you have to flag a collectivo of the street that drives in your desired direction.

Taking A Taxi To Visit Cenotes

Taking a taxi to get to Cenote Azul is an option too. However, taking a taxi from Tulum Beach to get to the cenote might be expensive, because of the distance. From Playa del Carmen it is only a 20 minutes ride.

Note, on the way back you will have to flag a taxi from the Highway if none are waiting outside the cenote.

Getting Around By Rental Car

The most flexible option to get to Cenote Azul is by renting a car. With a rental car, you will be able to easily visit the natural swimming hole from Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or even Cancun.

Renting a car is usually our personal preference to get from place to place and explore. If you plan to visit a lot of different locations throughout your trip, it is definitely the most economical option to have your own car, but it always depends on your budget and itinerary of course.

If you are looking to get a rental car for your trip, pick it up right away at the airport when you arrive in Cancun as this is the biggest rental car location. Also make sure, to book it in advance as prices are a lot cheaper.

Taking A Cenote Azul Tour

One other option is to take a tour to Cenote Azul. This is the most worry-free option as you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. On this cenote tour, you will also get the chance to swim with sea turtles in Akumal.

Check out the Akumal & Cenote Azul Tour here.

If visiting one cenote is not enough, there is also a day tour where you get to explore 4 different cenotes, including Cenote Azul.

Find out more about the 4 cenotes tour here.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Cenote Azul?

You can visit Cenote Azul all year round. The natural pools usually open from 8:30 am till 5 pm daily. The Last entry is at 4 pm.

The blue cenote is a very popular cenote in Playa del Carmen. It can get pretty busy, especially during the high season.

The cenote gets pretty busy around midday.

If you prefer a less crowded time and/or if you are looking to take photos, the morning hours are your best bet. Also towards the end of the day, before the closing time, you will find fewer people as well. However, keep in mind that you have to be there before 4 pm in order to still get in.

During the week the swimming holes are less busy than on the weekends since local tourists from Mexico usually have to work again.

Pro tip: Travel off season to avoid the crowds!

How Much Does Visiting Cenote Azul Cost?

The entrance fees to the cenotes along the Riviera Maya have changed quite a bit over the last two years. As Cenote Azul got more popular and saw more visitors, the prices increased as well. Luckily, not as dramatically as in Tulum however.

At the time of writing this post, then entrance fee to Cenote Azul is 120 MXN.

Life jackets are included in the entry fee but are not mandatory to wear. At some of the cenotes in Playa del Carmen, they are required.

In some very popular cenotes around Tulum, you have to pay an extra charge for more advanced camera gear like a GoPro or DSLR. Basically, any other type of camera that is not just a phone. We haven’t seen that at Cenote Azul. Hopefully, this won’t change.

We are trying to be up to date with the entrance fees to the cenotes, but prices often change quickly. So it could be that a fee is not accurate anymore. Especially in the last two years costs to visit cenotes increased quite a lot. Should you encounter that a fee isn’t up to date anymore, let us know in the comments and we’ll correct it. Thanks a lot!

Sunscreen & Swimming In Cenote Azul

With their crystal clear water cenotes are not only precious, they also contribute to the health of the peninsula’s ecosystem. It is therefore paramount to keep Cenote Azul and others clean.

This means the natural swimming holes need to be kept free from trash and waste. This also includes sunscreen and mosquito repellent as well as other body lotions.

Can I Wear Biodegradable Sunscreen At Cenote Azul?

The short answer is: No! Sunscreen, mosquito repellent as well as other lotions and sprays that we apply to our bodies are toxic to the ecosystem and aren’t decomposable. Even biodegradable sunscreen!

This is because most so-called biodegradable sunscreens are actually not really biodegradable. Even the ones that are, still leave a residue in the water which ends up polluting the pristine clear cenote water.

At Cenote Azul and most other swimming holes, you will be asked to take a shower before entering the water to remove all products from your skin.

Please do your part and help keep these precious ecosystems clean and healthy!

What To Pack For Swimming & Snorkeling At Cenote Azul

We’ve put together a brief packing list of things that we have found handy for visiting Cenote Azul.

If you want to take underwater photos of Cenote Azul a GoPro and GoPro Dome or other action camera is great. All the new GoPros are also waterproof and you can take them into the water without a case.

If you bring your phone, there are really cheap phone cases for the water or more professional underwater phone housings. They work surprisingly well and the photos can also turn out great.

One item that makes exploring the swimming holes 100% more comfortable are water shoes.

Summary: Cenote Azul Tulum – Playa del Carmen

Nearest Places To Stay

Barcelo Riviera Maya

Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Colonial, and Barceló Maya Riviera are just across the highway from Cenote Azul. If you are staying at one of these resorts you can just walk across the street (with caution of course!) and get to the cenote.

Xpu-Ha

The nearest beach to the South is Xpu-Ha which is located next to the Barceló properties. You will find two upscale hotels and one chic glamping hotel there: Hotel Esencia, Catalonia Royal, Serenity Glamping Riviera.

Puerto Aventuras

To the North, the closest area of interest is Puerto Aventuras.

Staying At Playa del Carmen With A Rootop Pool

Other Swimming Holes Near Playa del Carmen

There are actually many more natural swimming holes near Playa del Carmen. Besides our favorite sinkhole, Cenote Azul, there is also Cenote Cristalino and others.

Check out our post about the best cenotes Near Playa del Carmen if you want to explore more swimming holes.

Playa del Carmen Cenote Tours

Visiting Cenotes of the Riviera Maya Via Guided Tour

Best Things To Do On The Yucatan Peninsula

Awesome Cenotes Near Tulum

As mentioned before, Tulum is also known for its many beautiful sinkholes. In fact, some of the most popular cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula are located around Tulum.

Cenote Calavera in Tulum is one of them. Lots of people flock to this sinkhole because of its instagrammable ladder and swing.

Other popular cenotes in Tulum include Cenote Dos Ojos and the Gran Cenote. We wrote an entire post about the cenotes near Tulum. Check it out if you are planning to stop by in Tulum.

The Coolest Cenotes In Tulum

Top Things To Do When Visiting Tulum For The First Time

Cenotes Near Valladolid

And yet another town known for its amazing cenotes is Valladolid. The natural sinkholes around Valladolid are different from the open-air basin at Cenote Azul. You will mostly find cave and pit cenotes around the colonial town.

When you are in Valladolid, you don’t have to look far to find a cenote. There is one directly in the town center – Cenote Zaci.

Many people like to visit the San Lorenzo Oxman Cenote. In the past year, this pit cenote gained a lot in popularity on Instagram due to its rope swing. The cenote is located at Hacienda Oxman just outside of Valladolid. You can also stay there as a guest.

Probably the most instafamous cenote of Valladolid is Cenote Suytun. It is famous for the sun rays shining through the narrow hole in the ceiling. At the right time of day, the sun hits the platform down below in the water which creates the perfect photo opportunity.

We wrote an entire post about the cenotes near Valladolid. Check it out if you want to find out more about the cenotes below.

The Best Cenotes Near Valladolid – Guide & Map

Travel Insurance For Mexico

While looking for amazing swimming holes in Yucatan it is a good idea to also look into travel insurance for your trip to Mexico.

Cenote Azul Near Tulum & Playa del Carmen

We hope our guide to Cenote Azul in Playa del Carmen gave you an overview of the natural swimming hole at the Riviera Maya and the information around cenotes was helpful for your visit.

Have fun at Cenote Azul and the Riviera Maya!

Julia & Felipe

Follow our adventures on Instagram! @piscoandbier

Mexico Beach Vacation

Ultimate Travel Guide

YUCATÁN PENINSULA

READ HERE

Yucatán Peninsula: Best Places To Visit
What To Wear To Mexico? Outfits For Mexico

TULUM
Visiting Tulum – Things To Do In Tulum
Affordable Beach Hotels In Tulum
Tulum Hotels With Private (Plunge) Pools
Sian Ka’an Jeep Safari Tour Into Paradise
Cenote Calavera Tulum – Temple Of Doom

CANCUN
Best Things To Do In Cancun
The Best Cenotes Near Cancun With Map
Cancun Vs Tulum – Which one is better?

PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Awesome Playa Del Carmen Rooftop Pools
Cenote Azul Playa del Carmen
Cenote Cristalino Playa del Carmen

ISLA MUJERES
Top Things To Do On Isla Mujeres

VALLADOLID
Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman & Cenote
Iglesia Uayma Yucatan Near Valladolid
Izamal Pueblo Magico – The Yellow City

AKUMAL
Snorkeling With Turtles In Akumal

HOLBOX
Things To Do In Holbox & Where To Stay

CENOTES
Best Cenotes In Playa del Carmen + Map
Best Cenotes Near Valladolid With Map
Best Cenotes In Tulum & Cenotes Map

BEACHES
Best Beaches In Tulum & Tulum Beach Clubs
Best Beaches In Cancun Hotel Zone

PACKINGS LISTS & OUTFITS
What To Wear In Cancun & Packing List
Tulum Outfits & Tulum Packing List

RUINS
Best Mayan Ruins In Yucatan, Mexico
Coba Pyramid & Mayan Ruins In Coba
Muyil Ruins & Mayan Canals River Float
Ek Balam Ruins & Cenote Xcanche