Cenote Azul — Attraction in Quintana Roo

Photos are recent as of 05/2022!

GUIDE TO CENOTE AZUL

We went to Cenote Azul around 2:45pm after being turned away at Jardín of Eden (they have a limit of 2,000 people a day, understandably.) We took a 25 minute taxi ride from North Playa del Carmen for 500MXN for 4 personas by Whatsapping a taxi company instead of using a taxi rank. Taxi ranks in Playa will charge upwards of $850-$1000MXN for 1-4 personas. Do your due diligence and look around at different taxi options that locals use if you need to save money. ASK YOUR TAXI DRIVER TO RETURN FOR YOU AT AN AGREED UPON TIME. It will be difficult to find a return taxi.

We paid a $150MXN entrance fee, they stamp you and ask you to shower yourself well enough in their stalls (cool water) until the ink washes away. Please follow these instructions and DO NOT wear sunscreen, bug spray, or any chemicals. It is a delicate ecosystem. Afterwards, we walked a short, well-maintained path into the jungle and saw GLIMMERING turquoise blue water through the jungle. The excitement alone seeing that beauty is worth going!

The east side of the cenote is packed with sunbathers and families, the cenote is very large with multiple areas to swim and watch fish (even relatively privately). The west side has a 3.5 meter (11ft) cliff to jump off into 6 m (20ft) deep water. On the top of the cliff further back is a cenote bar stand with drinks, snacks, popsicles, etc. Walk up here! There are HUGE friendly Iguanas everywhere and these cute and friendly orange “jungle raccoons” or Coati, foraging!

On the right side of the cenote across the bridge near the cliff face is a hidden cave and a tree you can climb up (if you dare) to access a secret small cliff jumping spot. Be warned this is not a true jumping spot and you need to look at the depth of the pool to find the “hole” you jump into.

The water is so clear with plenty of fish-watching to be had.

It was quite crowded at 3:00 on a week day, however no lines for jumping or entrance. Over the course of 2 hours, it slowly quieted down, but they close at 5:00pm. They are nice and give you time to take pictures and pack up.

We all felt extremely safe at Cenote Azul as young adults from outside of the country. We had no issues with safety or fear of our stuff being stolen. Everyone was extremely kind and all there to bask in the beauty, too. Hit some people up for chit chat, you’ll get plenty of fun and friendly conversations and new friends here.

HIGHLY recommend Cenote Azul; don’t overlook it because it’s a “touristy spot”. It is 100% worth it. Right next to Cenote Jardín of Eden (Cenote Cristalino is now PRIVATE to spa guests only).

TL;DR: $150MXN entrance fee with required shower. Plenty busy but doesn’t take away from the experience, everyone is friendly and excited to be there. Locals and tourists alike. Plenty of swimming and sunbathing spots with an 3.5m jumping cliff. They close at 5pm. ASK YOUR TAXI TO RETURN FOR YOU AT AN AGREED TIME. Just GO! It’s...

This is a little slice of paradise! We took a collectivo from Playa Del Carmen and were told that it would cost 30 pesos per person, but when we got off the bus the driver demanded 40 pesos per person. So that was disappointing, but besides that it was a great way to spend a few hours. At the entrance to the cenote there is a kiosk where you pay the entrance fee and can rent snorkle gear and/or life jackets. I highly recommend the snorkle gear. There is also a snack stand with chips and drinks (this is the only food nearby so bring a lunch). There are washrooms and changerooms. The washrooms were not very clean and one toilet was missing a seat. There is also a friendly jewelry vendor with some very unique handmade pieces. To preserve the ecosystem you can't put on sunscreen before getting in the water, so wear a shirt to protect your back. Following a path takes you to the cenote. There are a couple of smaller pools before the main one that you can stop at. We got there around 11:30am and no one was at these pools yet, but when we left around 2:30pm they were full. The main pools are absolutely beautiful! There are walkways connecting the paths to benches, including little bridges across the water. Most of the pools are shallow, but the bottoms are large rocks that can be very slippery. I recommend water shoes, also because walking around outside of the water is not very smooth. Snorkeling is amazing here. Fish are everywhere. There are tiny/small size fish (the kind that nibble at your feet if you sit still enough), and bigger fish that are shinny and beautiful. Outside the water is a lot of shade if you need a break from the sun. There is no time limit on the snorkeling gear, but you do have to leave a piece of ID. There is also a cliff jump into the biggest deepest pool. There are stairs and a path to get to the top so it is very easy to access (even easier with water shoes). The jump is not very high and we saw all ages jumping. We saw three iguanas basking in the sun, and were told that there are usually a lot of them near the top of the cliff jump. There were beautiful dragonflies, and I'm sure a lot more fascinating creatures as well. I recommend this place 100%! Bring a lunch since there are no restaurants nearby. Get there early to beat the rush and find a good seat (they are limited). Buy a waterproof phone bag to take pictures with under water (I bought mine on Amazon for very cheap, but vendors sell them on 5th Ave in Playa Del Carmen). Do the cliff jump, it's...

cenote azul is decently priced at $100MX/per person and is absolutely gorgeous! unlike other cenotes, cenote azul is mostly open air, as opposed to within a cave. which is neither here nor there, but something to note. there is one main pool and two small, shallower holes closer to the entrance. there is no long off-road drive or perilous hike to get to the cenote (it is essentially right off the highway, but the noise doesn't get to the cenote itself!). on the day we went it was mostly populated by locals.

TIP: bring a water-proof pocket for your phone to take stunning underwater pictures and videos.

the main pool has many varying depths, and the areas that are covered by cave become very deep, at times we couldn't see the bottom. there is a cliff for jumping and diving. i stood up there for so long, watching other swimmers jump before i gained the courage to jump as well. it isn't actually that high, but it seems so high when you're up there. this cenote is also a great place to snorkel. the fish aren't necessarily the ultra-colorful fish you'll see in the caribbean, but there are many of them! from the spa fish that nibble at your feet, to large oscars and ciclids. the cenote is teeming with life!

not only is this cenote tons of fun, but it is also visually stunning! the cenote is surrounded by vegetation, both greenery and flowering plants. shallower areas of the water are clear with hints of aqua, the mid-depths are tinted a deep turquoise, and the deepest areas are a dark royal blue. all together, gorgeous. i would definitely go again. i wish i could have spent more time there!! my friends and i...