Cenote Azul Tulum Guide
If you are planning a trip to Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or any other town in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, then a visit to the Cenote Azul is a must!
We have been to Cenote Azul several times over the past 6 years and a visit to this cenote has always been a truly unforgettable experience for our whole family in the Yucatan Peninsula.
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Cenote Azul is famous for its spectacularly striking turquoise clear waters, making it a really breathtaking swimming, snorkeling, and diving spot and the perfect way to beat the heat of sunny Mexico! Take a dive underwater and its very easy to discover why this cenote is so special!
This magical cenote is located between the towns of Playa del Carmen and Tulum in the Riviera Maya. It is easily accessible and very popular throughout the year so make sure to plan accordingly to get the most out of your experience!
Our guide will help you plan your visit to this stunning cenote.
Cenote Azul is a popular open-air cenote in Playa Del Carmen that has become very popular in the last few years. It’s a great place for adults and families with kids alike, as your little ones can have fun jumping from the platforms or chill out in its tranquil waters. With children kept entertained by what nature has to offer, adults can enjoy an idyllic day exploring, relaxing, and unwinding.
The ticket booth to Cenote Azul is located right next to the parking lot at the cenote entrance which leads them onto a short and winding path surrounded by verdant greenery.
Traversing the narrow path takes you to two more serene open-air pools. These smaller incredible cenotes are situated on either side of the entrance and provide a more tranquil and secluded experience away from bustling visitors. The surrounding trees and vegetation cast a refreshing shadow over these peaceful waters – allowing travelers an opportunity for some much-needed relaxation in between explorations.
Cenote Azul is and open cente split into two distinct pools (cenote swimming area), both of which are connected by a sky-high bridge. The pool on the left is shallower and ideal for families with older kids; our kids love tranquil waters that make it an idyllic spot for a leisurely swim or chilling out and soak up some sun. What’s more, the water was noticeably warmer than its deeper counterpart – plus, there were plenty of rocks around the edges that we used as makeshift seats! With our young one with us, we spent most of our visit lingering here. The pool of this open cenote is 5.5 feet (1.7m) deep and it makes for hours’ worth of restful relaxation!
Ceneto Azul is an open cenote making the whole experience a lot relaxed vs a visit to a cave cenote.
The pool on the right side has various depths and is perfect for cliff-jumping, snorkeling, and diving. So Whether you’re looking to lounge around or get your blood pumping – Cenote Azul’s crystal clear waters have something for everyone! The beautiful open cliff face extends to an astonishing 18 feet (6 meters) in depth! You can make a stunning 3.5 meter jump if you are brave enough to take it – you won’t be alone either, as we saw plenty of others jumping off too! Each person received thunderous applause before their plunge, turning every leap into an unforgettable experience.
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Both pools feature massive white limestone rocks that provide a better foothold as you get into the water. Be careful though exiting as the floor of the cenote is dangerously slippery with algae accumulation! we highly recommend a good pair of water shoes.
Cenote Azul Hours: open daily 8:30AM-5:30PM.
So how can you get to Cenote Azul? Situated on the main highway between Cancun and Tulum (route 307), Cenote Azul is located mid-way between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Whether you’re traveling by car, bus or bike, there are numerous options to get here!
Our favorite is either renting a car or just getting a taxi for the day. You can ask your hotel staff for a taxi driver recommendation or just go to one of the taxi plazas and negotiate a fee with the driver. Just make sure you lock a price in for the full day and cenotes you plan to visit.
Tourists can enter the magnificent Cenote Azul for only 140 MXN pesos (approx. $7 USD) for adults and 80 MXN pesos (approx. $3 UDS) for children aged 4-8. Locals are offered a discount for admission. You can conveniently rent a lifejacket at the reception desk for the price of just 40 MXN pesos (approx. $1.5 UDS) and snorkel gear for 70 MXN pesos ( approx. $3 USD).
Read Next our favorite cenotes in Mexico:
And of course if you are up for a road trip make your way to Chichen Itza and the magical cenotes of the Chichen Itza park. We have also put together guides for the best cenotes for families in Tulum.
And don’t forget to stay up to date with the latest safety updates on Mexico.
After you’ve explored this majestic Cenote, why not take part in some thrilling activities?
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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