Cenote Carwash never fails to pique the curiosity of tourists who come to Mexico in search of the best cenotes. The name is intriguing with a great story to tell.
But this curiosity quickly transforms into awe, as those who come to visit this cenote are impressed by the sheer beauty of this cenote. Plus you can even swim with a (harmless) crocodile!
All of this makes it one of my favorite Tulum Cenotes – check this one and a few others out in this video.
If you are looking for a cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula that can offer both swimming and diving, check out why you need to make Cenote Car Wash your next destination.
Table of Contents
BUT FIRST, WHAT IS A CENOTE?
You might already know what is a cenote. After all, cenotes have become super popular these past few years. If that’s the case, feel free to skip this paragraph!
However, many people don’t really know what exactly is a cenote, and in my opinion it’s really important to understand what is their significance to the Mayans.
A cenote is a natural sinkhole dating back several centuries. When limestone caves collapse they expose a natural pool. This pool then gets filled with rain water and with the water flowing through underground rivers, to which these sinkholes are connected to. Voilà, you’ve got yourself a cenote!
The word cenote comes from the Mayan term dzonot, which means well. But not all cenotes look the same. there are essentially 3 types of cenotes:
• Open Cenotes – Open cenotes are like natural, open pools, and they can be more or less deep. Some of the open cenotes are also connected to an underground river passage (which makes them great for diving!). An example of an open cenote is Cenote Cristalino near Playa del Carmen, and so are Cenote Carwash & Cenote Escondido.
• Semi-open Cenotes – As the name implies, this type of cenote has some parts that are exposed and some portions that are partially hidden by a cave. An example is Cenote Calavera.
• Cave Cenotes – This type of cenote can be accessed via a land-level entrance. Once you make your way in, it opens up to an underground pool which can have both shallow and deep areas. Cenote Dzitnup, for example, is a cave cenote.
Cenotes have great cultural and religious significance to the ancient Mayans, who believed that the cenotes were passages to the underworld. In fact, Mayans performed rituals in the cenotes and treated the sites as sacred.
This means that you should too. Please be responsible! Don’t litter the cenote, always take your trash back with you, and only apply biodegradable sunscreen before swimming in the cenote.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CENOTE CARWASH, MEXICO
Cenote Carwash is the common name used to reference this cenote, but its official name is Cenote Aktun Ha. The name “Carwash” was derived from the fact that there was once a carwash that operated on the side of the road on the way to Coba, near the location of this cenote.
But aside from its interesting name, the cenote has drawn the curiosity of those who seek out great diving conditions in the Yucatan Peninsula. The moment you walk into this cenote, it looks just like any other cenotes with nothing special to offer.
But beneath the slippery (and old) wooden steps that descend towards the calm waters lie an exceptionally beautiful underwater garden, so make sure to bring your snorkeling gear!
Also, come here to experience a natural jacuzzi. During the summer often you’ll find algae on the surface which trap the heat in the water, so it’s almost like taking a 100% natural bubble bath.
READ ALSO: Cenotes in Tulum You Can’t Miss
The name Aktun Ha literally means “water cave”. And judging by that name, you know what to expect when you visit Carwash Cenote. It is one of the best examples of the natural collapse of the caves to form giant sinkholes that appear to be a giant pond.
The entire cenote is approximately 50 meters wide with an average depth of 3 meters. There is a platform that was built to provide easy access to the water for snorkelers and divers.
The highlight for those who visit Car Wash Cenote is the cavern area. It features a wide cave entrance with a diving depth of up to 18 meters.
This is one of the favorites among divers for its stalactite formations and speleothems that are found all over the cave passages. Only those with cave diver certification are allowed to dive this site.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BABY CROCODILE?
I wasn’t kidding when I said it’s possible to swim with a crocodile in this cenote, and it’s not a crocodile in captivity or anything like that.
There’s a shy little crocodile that lives at Cenote Carwash, and once in a while it appears and swims on the surface. Nothing to worry about though: this croc is small and completely harmless.
The crocodile has become the mascot of the place, but let’s be clear: it’s not guaranteed you’ll see it. When I visited I swam all over the cenote trying to find it, but with no luck – this croc is pretty shy! However, if you do find it, how many times can you say you’ve swam with a crocodile?
Just a note: if you do see it, please act responsibly. Don’t get too close, don’t try to touch it, just enjoy its presence from afar. It’s a wild animal after all!
You can check here reviews of the cenote and photos of the crocodile.
READ ALSO: 30 Best Things to do in Tulum – The Ultimate Guide
Facilities Available at Car Wash Cenote
Cenote Carwash is not heavily commercialized and tourists come here to experience its natural beauty. Cavern diving is one of the main attractions in this cenote, so do not expect a lot of modern tourist facilities (however, there are plenty of restaurants just a few miles away).
Bathrooms & Changing Rooms
There are toilets and changing facilities that you can use when visiting. They’re pretty basic, but they’re clean and do the job.
Parking
There is a parking area available for those who choose to rent cars to get here.
Other Facilities
Within the cenote itself, you can also find basic facilities such as a wooden path and deck line. A 2-meter platform is also built so you can jump into the water. This platform is safe for adults and children to use.
PRACTICAL INFO FOR CENOTE AKTUN HA (CARWASH)
How much does it cost?
The cost of admission to Cenote Carwash at the time of writing is 200 Pesos for swimmers (approximately USD 10).
Where is it located?
Cenote Carwash is located in Calle Carretera Federal 109, Tulum, 77710, Mexico. This cenote is very close to the center of Tulum, which is only 12 minutes away via the Quintana Roo 109 highway.
It’s right next to Cenote Zacil Ha, which I also recommend visiting, and quite close to Gran Cenote and Cenote Calavera.
READ MORE: Cenote Zacil Ha: Zip Line at this Family-Friendly Cenote
Here you can see it on the map:
Cenote Carwash Opening Hours
Cenote Carwash is open from 9 AM to 4 PM.
What’s the best time to visit Cenote Car Wash?
The best time to visit is early in the morning, right after the cenote opens. But it isn’t flocked by tourists like many other cenotes in Tulum, so even the busy times are not as crowded.
Most of the tourists who come here are divers, and you won’t find any tour buses like at Ik Kil cenote or other more famous sinkholes.
Cenote Carwash Snorkeling
Aside from diving, this cenote is great for snorkeling. The crystal clear water makes it easy to find marine species like small fishes.
Cenote Carwash Diving
There is a great diving opportunity in this cenote. It is a favorite place to go to for divers who want to experience the best cavern diving in Mexico.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
11 Unmissable Day Trips from Tulum
HOW TO GET TO CENOTE CARWASH
Cenote Carwash is easily accessible from Tulum – approximately 12 minutes away. Below are some of the transportation options available to get here.
Drive your own rental car
From Tulum, you must drive east on Calle Polar Pte. towards Calle Alfa Nte. Turn left towards Avenue Satellite and then right to Okot. Once you are on Quintana Roo 109 highway, turn left once you see the sign for Cenote Carwash.
Take a taxi
Taking a taxi to Cenote Carwash is another viable transportation option. It is only 8 kilometers away from Tulum, so it would not be too expensive; however, if you plan on visiting more than just this cenote, other transportation options might be better.
Hire a private driver for the day
Enjoy the same convenience as riding a taxi when you hire your own private driver. This might not be the most practical option if you’re just looking to visit Cenote Carwash because the cenote is very close to Tulum and it would be quite expensive to get your own private driver; however, if you plan to visit other cenotes as well or Tulum or Coba ruins in the same day, it’s a great option and the one I chose.
Take a colectivo from Tulum
The cheapest transportation option to get to Cenote Carwash is with a colectivo. Ride the colectivo from Tulum towards Coba. Tell the driver to drop you off at Cenote Carwash.
If you’re coming from other places, check out how to get from Cancun to Tulum and how to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
READ ALSO:
13 Best Tulum Cenote Tours
PROS AND CONS OF CENOTE CARWASH
Pros of Cenote Carwash
- The baby croc!
- It is a great cenote for those who want to go swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
- It is not as crowded as other cenotes. If you visit early, you can even have the cenote to yourself.
- It is easy to find as there are plenty of sign posts that show direction.
- It is very accessible if you are coming from Tulum.
- It is very cheap, especially if you simply want to go swimming.
Cons of Cenote Carwash
- Diving is only for those with cave diving certificate.
- It is not as well-developed as other cenotes with only basic facilities.
OTHER CENOTES TO VISIT IN THE AREA
Visiting cenotes is my favorite activity in Riviera Maya, so you’ll find quite a bit of content about them on this site. Check out a few other cenotes to visit around Tulum.
The Best Cenotes To Visit in Tulum
Swim with Water Lilies at Cenote Nicte-Ha
Cenote Dos Ojos: The Most Beautiful Cenote in Riviera Maya
