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CONTENTS
WHERE IS CENOTE AZUL? 🇲🇽
📍 Looking for Cenote Azul in Bacalar? Heads up: there are several “Cenote Azul” in Mexico! The one in this article is on the Riviera Maya, between Tulum and Playa del Carmen (at km 266 of Highway 307, just south of Puerto Aventuras). The one in Bacalar, a very deep sinkhole on the edge of the lagoon, is more than 3 hours’ drive south: we cover it in our article on the Bacalar cenotes.
Swimming in Cenote Azul 💧 is an experience you could almost call mystical. The Maya believed cenotes were pathways to the afterlife; the word comes from the Mayan dz’onot, “sacred well.” These sinkholes formed when the ceiling of a water-filled cave collapsed, and there are said to be about 10,000 of them on the Yucatán Peninsula 🇲🇽!
This cenote is ideal for families and very accessible with kids. Located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, it lets lots of travelers discover a cenote without long drives.
👉 Planning your trip? Also read our 10 things to know before visiting Mexico.
THE MAP OF OUR MEXICO ROAD TRIP 🗺️
To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve gathered every place from our 30-day road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽 on an interactive map: cenotes, Mayan sites, beaches and stopover towns, from Yucatán to Quintana Roo. Click on each pin to discover the place in detail 📍. And to keep it handy during your trip, open it in Google Maps: you’ll find it easily on your phone 📱.
Our itinerary
Our trip to Mexico
1 month8 stops2 states: Yucatán & Quintana RooCar + ferry to the islands
The stops, in order
- 1
Cancún
1 night
Arrival by plane, then last night before the flight home
- 2
Holbox
3 nights
Beaches, sunsets and a timeless vibe
- 3
Valladolid
5 nights
Suytun, Oxman, Ik Kil, Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam
- 4
Mérida
3 nights
Uxmal and the 3 cenotes of Cuzamá
- 5
Bacalar
5 nights
The lagoon of seven colors and its cenotes
- 6
Tulum
4 nights
Ruins, Coba, Sian Ka'an, Cenote Azul and Calavera
- 7
Cozumel
4 nights
Scuba diving and snorkeling
- 8
Isla Mujeres
3 nights
Jet skiing, beaches and the end of the road trip
OUR SWIM AT CENOTE AZUL: FISH, DOCK AND JUMP 🐟
Cenote Azul is truly gorgeous, with its green color that makes you want to dive into this incredible pool 😀. The water is crystal clear, and you can see different kinds of fish 🐟 that look a lot like the ones in “fish spas”: a free pedicure 🦶! There are shallow areas, perfect for kids to sit and cool off, and a deeper area (about 6 m / 20 ft) under the rock wall.
We arrived around 10 a.m. and stayed about 2 hours. It was busy, but not overwhelming, and clearly busier than cenotes like Oxman, X’Canché or the 3 cenotes of Cuzamá. A dock gives access to the different areas of the cenote, and everything is set up to welcome lots of visitors.
THE JUMP FROM THE ROCK WALL
You can jump from a rock wall. We did a 2- to 3-meter (7- to 10-ft) jump, very chill. According to recent sources, the platforms let you jump from about 3.5 to 4.5 m (11 to 15 ft). Make sure nobody is below you.
On the day we visited, we had to take cover for a few minutes because of a heavy downpour right above us, but it was still great! There’s even a snack bar and restrooms on site. Cenote Azul is very different from Cenote Oxman, and gives you another perspective on these places.
HOW TO GET TO CENOTE AZUL ⏳
BY CAR FROM TULUM OR PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Allow about 20 to 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen, 40 minutes from Tulum, 1 hour 15 minutes from Cancún and 2 hours from Valladolid. We were staying in Tulum, with our rental car. Don’t forget that Mexico is big: if you want to be free and independent in getting around, a car is a great compromise. Feel free to check out my article on renting a car in Mexico. Parking is free, but fairly small.
BY COLECTIVO
No ADO bus stops in front of the cenote, but the colectivos running between Playa del Carmen and Tulum drop you off at the entrance (about 30 pesos from Playa). And from Playa del Carmen, the ferry takes you to Cozumel for a day of diving or snorkeling. Be careful crossing the highway!
BY TAXI
There are plenty of taxis in Mexico, but it can get expensive fast 💰 depending on where you’re coming from.
👉 For us, the car was essential: it let us combine Cenote Azul, the Tulum ruins and other places without relying on public transportation.
RENTING A CAR IN MEXICO 🚗
To explore Yucatán and Quintana Roo, we think a rental car is the best option: you’re free to string together cenotes, Mayan sites and beaches at your own pace, without depending on bus schedules or organized tours 🌴.
We did our whole one-month road trip by car, and everything went really well. Here’s the agency we used and recommend, plus an alternative if you’d rather compare 👇
Our rental tip
Renting a car in Mexico
The agency we used, and an alternative to compare.
TouraCancun
Car rental in Mexico
We rented with them for our whole road trip: we recommend them without hesitation!
Our budget€95028 days, insurance included · ~€34/day
- Tested for 1 month
- Pick-up in Cancún
- Our go-to in Mexico
DiscoverCars
Rental comparison site
To compare several rental companies in a single search.
Excellent rating290,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- 1,000+ rental companies compared
- Free cancellation
- 24/7 support
To compare before you choose
Good to know before you rent
- Third-party liability insurance is mandatoryIn Mexico, it's often not included in the price shown online: check before you pay.
- A deposit on a credit cardAn amount is held on your card for the whole rental. Bring a card with a high enough limit.
- Your French driving license is enoughIt's accepted for tourists. The international driving permit is optional: only if you want one.
- Photos and video at pick-upFilm the car from every angle when you collect it, to avoid any dispute when you return it.
- Filling up at the gas stationCheck that the pump meter is at zero before the attendant starts.
- Watch out for “topes”These speed bumps are everywhere, sometimes without a sign: slow down as you enter villages.
CENOTE AZUL PRICES, HOURS AND PARKING ⏰
▶️ The cenote is open every day, from about 8:30-9 a.m. to 5-5:30 p.m. depending on the source.
💰 During our visit in October 2021, we paid 120 pesos per person (about €6). Today, count on about 120 to 150 pesos per adult, with a reduced rate for kids and Quintana Roo residents. Payment is cash only: read our article Where to withdraw money in Mexico. Parking is free.
LIFE JACKET, MASK AND LOCKERS: HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
- 🦺 Life jacket: not included, about 40 pesos to rent.
- 🤿 Mask and snorkel: about 70 pesos.
- 🔒 Lockers: a few pesos (you get the key at the snack bar or the shop). In 2021, we simply left our things on the edge.
OUR TIPS AND THE RULES TO FOLLOW 🥰
As in all our articles, here are a few tips for visiting Cenote Azul:
- A snack bar and restrooms inside the cenote grounds 🍽️.
- The cenote is very popular today, even on weekdays: when we went, it was busy, but not overwhelming. Arrive early!
- Parking is free but tight 🅿️.
- Lots of visitors arrive around 10:30-11 a.m.
- 🚿 Showering before you swim is mandatory.
- 🧴 Sunscreen, bug spray and lotions are banned, even biodegradable ones.
- Respect the place, its wildlife and its plants.
- No need to book online; everything is paid on site in cash.
- A jump from the rock wall (we did it from 2-3 m).
- The water is warm, with shallow areas on one side and deeper ones under the rock wall.
- Life jacket not required 🦺 (if you’re like me, swimming without one is so much better).
CENOTES TO SEE NEARBY 💧
Right next to Cenote Azul, two other cenotes have their own tickets: Cristalino (about 450 m away) and Jardín del Edén (about 1 km away). You can also end the day on Xpu-Ha beach. If you’re staying in Tulum, also check out Cenote Calavera, or Cenote Choo-Ha near Cobá.
OUR REVIEW: IS CENOTE AZUL WORTH IT? 💭
A really beautiful cenote to discover between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Cenote Azul is tempting with its green color, and that’s what we loved 😍! We’re still charmed by cenotes even after seeing several, because seeing these sinkholes is so exceptional. We know we won’t see any more for a while. The entrance fee isn’t sky-high compared with all the other cenotes around Tulum, which are excessively expensive. A great experience and a nice half day discovering Cenote Azul.
👉 Cenote Azul was part of our one-month road trip in Mexico. Itinerary, real budget, places to stay, cenotes and Mayan sites: we’ve gathered everything on our Mexico travel blog.
👉 What about you? What did you think of Cenote Azul?
FAQ: YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CENOTE AZUL ❓
These are the questions people often ask before visiting Cenote Azul. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, and I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
In October 2021, we paid 120 pesos per person (about €6). Today, count on 120 to 150 pesos per adult, with a reduced rate for kids. The price may change.
No, you need pesos in cash. Withdraw money before leaving Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
It’s open every day, from about 8:30-9 a.m. to 5-5:30 p.m. depending on the source. We arrived around 10 a.m.; it’s best to come in the morning.
Yes, it was when we visited and it’s still listed that way. It’s fairly small and fills up fast, especially on weekends.
No, we swam without one. You can rent one on site (about 40 pesos), and it’s recommended if you’re not a strong swimmer, since the water gets deep under the rock wall.
Yes, from a rock wall. We did a 2- to 3-meter jump, very chill; some platforms let you jump from a bit higher. Make sure nobody is below you.
No, sunscreen, bug spray and lotions are banned, even biodegradable ones, and showering is mandatory before you swim.
Yes, lockers are available for a few pesos. In 2021, we simply left our things on the edge.
Take a colectivo between Playa del Carmen and Tulum and ask for the “Cenote Azul” stop. There’s no direct ADO bus.
No. This one is on the Riviera Maya, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The one in Bacalar is a very deep sinkhole on the edge of the lagoon, more than 3 hours’ drive south: we cover it in our article on the Bacalar cenotes.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO 🏨
During our one-month road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽, we stayed in 8 different towns, alternating between Airbnbs and hotels. And we were always very happy with where we stayed 😇.
We deliberately avoided “All Inclusive” packages. It’s not our idea of travel: we’d rather be in the heart of towns and villages, eat local and discover the country at our own pace 🌮.
OUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE TO STAY
- 📅 Book ahead in high season: the best places go fast and prices climb.
- 🚗 Private or secure parking if you’re traveling with a rental car. You’ll see, it’s not always available, but depending on the town it can be really worth having.
- ❄️ Air conditioning: essential in Yucatán and Quintana Roo, where it’s hot all year round.
- 🏊 A pool: up to you whether you want one at some of your stays, because it can quickly push the price up.
- 📍 A place close to the center: so you can do everything on foot in the evening. That said, if you like places outside town and you have the car, nothing forces you to stay near the center
- ✅ Free cancellation, to keep your itinerary flexible.
AIRBNB OR HOTEL IN MEXICO?
Both have their advantages. An Airbnb is ideal for more space, a kitchen and living like a local. A hotel is more convenient for one or two nights passing through, with a reception desk and often breakfast included. As for us, we liked both. It all depends on what you want, whether you’re with family, solo or as a couple, and how you like to travel.
HOW MUCH DOES ACCOMMODATION COST IN MEXICO?
There’s something for every taste and every budget. We paid between €40 and €100 a night for two. To be completely transparent with you: €1,800 for 29 nights, or about €62 a night on average (that was in 2021, prices may have changed since).
👇 Here are the 8 places where we slept during our road trip, with our review of each one.
Tested during our road trip
Our 8 places to stay in Mexico
AirbnbHotel
-
AirbnbHolbox
An incredible room, with the pool right next door to cool off. Just perfect!
- Room
- Pool right next door
- Incredible room
- Hotel
Valladolid
A stunning setting and a super spacious room, ideal for catching your breath between two cenotes.
- Very spacious room
- Pool
- On-site massages
- Airbnb
Mérida
A whole house just for us, with a small pool to relax.
- Whole house
- Small pool
- A bit out of the way
- Hotel
Bacalar
A gorgeous place right in the town center, with a superb pool.
- Hotel
- Superb pool
- Town center, far from the lagoon
- Airbnb
Tulum
A whole place with a pool, but very far out: you'll need the car.
- Whole place
- Pool
- Far out, car essential
- Airbnb
Cozumel
A clean, well-located studio, so you can do everything on foot from the town center.
- Studio
- Clean and well designed
- Close to the center
- Hotel
Isla Mujeres
A beautiful seafront hotel with a magnificent pool.
- Hotel
- Magnificent pool
- Seafront, a bit out of the way
- Hotel
Cancún
Right next to the airport: perfect for the first or last night of the trip.
- Hotel
- Close to the airport
- Ideal for the 1st or last night
MY MUST-HAVE TRAVEL GEAR 🧳
It’s a question that comes up a lot when preparing a trip “What should I bring?” That’s why you’ll find below some essential travel accessories to set off on vacation with peace of mind (your documents kept safe) 🛡️ . Planning ahead and getting these items in advance helps you save money and avoid paying for some of them on the spot, where they’ll cost you much more 💸 These are the accessories we took to Mexico and still use for every destination we travel to 👇.
Our road trip checklist
What to pack for Mexico?
Most of these items came with us throughout our 30-day road trip.
0 / 12 in my suitcase · check what you already have
- Essential
ElectronicsUniversal travel adapter
In Mexico, outlets are the American type: French chargers won't fit.
- Essential
ElectronicsPower bank
Long days between ruins and cenotes: your phone lasts until evening.
- Essential
Health & protectionBiodegradable sunscreen
Mineral and biodegradable, kinder to cenotes and reefs.
- Essential
Health & protectionMosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are everywhere, especially in the evening and near the jungle.
- Essential
Cenotes & beachWaterproof phone pouch
To film in cenotes and at the beach without any risk.
- Recommended
Health & protectionFilter water bottle
Tap water isn't drinkable in Mexico: filter it and avoid plastic.
- Recommended
Health & protectionTravel first-aid kit
Band-aids, painkillers, anti-diarrhea meds: enough to handle small issues.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWaterproof bag
Papers and keys kept dry on boats, at the beach or by the cenotes.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWater shoes
For slippery cenote steps and rocky seabeds.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachMicrofiber towel
Light and quick-drying: perfect for swim after swim.
- Bonus
Travel & securityTSA lock
To lock your suitcase on the plane, with no risk of it being broken at security.
- Bonus
Travel & securityAirTag
To track your suitcase if your luggage is delayed or lost.
OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS IN MEXICO 
During our 30-day road trip in Mexico 
, we filmed everything! From Holbox to Cancún, by way of Valladolid, Mérida, Bacalar, Tulum, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, we take you along with us step by step in our vlogs.
You’ll discover the cenotes we swam in, the Mayan sites we explored, the beaches that made us dream, our places to stay, our favorite spots to eat… and above all our honest take on each place: what amazed us, and what disappointed us a little 
.
If you’re planning your trip, or simply dreaming of getting away, these videos will give you a real glimpse of Mexico, far from the tourist brochures.
Our road trip on video
Our YouTube videos in Mexico
Now watching: Episode 1 · Discovering Mexico & Holbox
21 minEpisode 1Discovering Mexico & Holbox- 17 minEpisode 2Cenotes & Mayan cities
- 9 minEpisode 3Mérida, Uxmal, Cuzamá & the bats
- 13 minEpisode 4Bacalar, a hidden paradise
- 12 minEpisode 5Tulum, Coba, Sian Ka'an & Cenote Azul
- 12 minEpisode 6Cozumel, diving & snorkeling
- 17 minEpisode 7Isla Mujeres, jet skiing & the end of the road trip
21 min
17 min
9 min
13 min
12 min
12 min
17 minTHANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
Thanks for reading this article all the way to the end 🙏! We hope it helps you plan your trip.
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