Cenote Casa Tortuga Tulum
Visiting Tulum for the first time? Then you won’t be able to resist its plethora of cenotes, these breathtaking underground caves with shimmering turquoise water. Whether it’s simply taking a break from the beach or indulging in swimming and even snorkeling beneath the surface, you can enjoy all this beauty at an affordable cost!
Want to explore the beauty of Tulum, Cancun, and Riviera Maya in a brief time frame? Then Casa Tortuga is just what you need. Visiting multiple cenotes with entrance fees can take away the relaxation and tranquility you need, but at Casa Tortuga, we were able to spend an entire day relaxing and swimming in the crystal clear waters without worry!
Let’s get organized and explore up to four of Cenotes Casa Tortuga’s cenotes in one single day. Vamos!
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In recent years, cenotes have skyrocketed in popularity. Despite the hype and excitement surrounding these natural wonders, many people are still unaware of what they are or why they’re so crucial to Mayan culture; therefore, it’s absolutely essential that we understand this concept. If you already know about cenotes–fantastic! Read on for more information!
Have you ever marveled about how cenotes got their origin? It all stems from ancient caverns that break down and form natural sinkholes. Gradually, the stored rainwater in these sinks becomes united with underground rivers – this is what makes a cenote so one-of-a-kind and spectacular!
With sparkling water and otherworldly beauty, it’s no wonder why these limestone pools have been around for centuries.
Derived from its ancient Mayan origin, the word “cenote” translates literally to “well.” Yet spectacularly, not all cenotes share a common appearance – in fact, there are four distinct varieties of these breathtaking natural treasures:
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.
The ancient Mayans believed that the cenotes were doorways to Xibalba, a place of secrets and darkness. For this reason, many offerings and sacrifices were made into them – it is even thought that human sacrifices occurred on some occasions! The remains from these depths are now making cenotes invaluable archaeological sites, consequently contributing greatly to our understanding of the past.
Casa Tortuga is the ultimate destination for a day full of relaxation and amusement! When we arrived, we were honestly expecting to find cenotes that weren’t maintained very well. Nevertheless, our expectations were exceeded when we discovered Casa Tortuga’s cenotes – they’re like real pools where you can swim securely while appreciating magnificent lakebed scenery- not to mention swimming with adorable turtles and fishes too!
Don’t fret if your Spanish is limited! The staff at Casa Tortuga speak English fluently. As an added bonus, free parking can be found right in front of the park entrance–perfect for those driving to this wonderful destination! You will also have access to complimentary WiFi so that you can share all of your incredible experiences with loved ones back home. If you find yourself feeling peckish during your stay, we highly recommend stopping by their on-site restaurant – try out the tacos de carnitas crafted by the talented chefs there; they’re simply delish!
Casa Tortuga is the perfect destination for all your underwater exploration needs! It offer four distinct cenotes, each with varying depths of up to 24 feet (8 meters), so everyone can enjoy a thrilling aquatic experience. Plus, you’ll get access to life vests and masks as well as fins in the same ticket price and an experienced guide who will make sure that safety always comes first.
If you’re a novice swimmer please make sure you use your lifevest as swimming in a cenote can be tricky and draining as the water is colder. Cenote Wisho, Cenote Campana, and Cenote Jaguar are smaller cenotes that boast scenic caves with fossils and natural formations like stalagmites and stalactites. However, it was the largest cenote Tres Zapotes that dazzled us the most! Not only could we bask in its beauty while jumping from a 3-meter high platform into crystal clear waters below – but we also spent hours snorkeling alongside gentle turtles!
If you’re staying in Riviera Maya, a trip to Cenotes Casa Tortuga is only a short journey away! Travel by bus, Colectivo, taxi, or even rent a car while you go explore the new sights along the way. After leaving your hotel room behind, it won’t be long until all of these wondrous adventures await – so let’s dive right into what awaits ahead!
If you’re staying in Tulum, getting to Cenotes Casa Tortuga is a breeze. You won’t be able to take the bus there due to its location; however, it’s just a 15-minute drive away if you’ve rented a car or ride with friends and split the cost of taking an affordable taxi. For those who want more adventure on your way over, minivans called colectivos directed towards Cancun or Playa del Carmen is available for use too! When arriving at Cenote Casa Tortuga via vehicle transportation no need to worry about parking s it is plenty, accessible and free.
Cenote Casa Tortuga, requires a bit more travel from Cancun or Playa del Carmen; however, it is well worth the journey! In approximately an hour and a half from Cancun and 35 minutes from Playa del Carmen, you will be able to enjoy some of Mexico’s and Tulum’s best cenotes. Furthermore, on your way, there lie various beaches and restaurants that are guaranteed to make your trip even more memorable. If visiting Tulum Mayan Ruins has yet to cross your bucket list—add it now while planning this amazing adventure!
Reaching Cenote Casa Tortuga by colectivos from Tulum is your best value option if you are looking to travel on a budget. On the other hand, taking a costly cab ride from Cancun could easily make it an expensive day trip. This is why we think renting a car is the best option, as it gives you the freedom to plan and explore at your on leisure. Driving from Cancun to Tulum is generally safe and easy.
Unfortunately, no. Even though the app is functional there has been a lot of push-back from the local taxi-mafia and some violence so for your safety, we would suggest against using it.
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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