Cenote Azul near Playa del Carmen is one of the thousands of cenotes in Mexico’s Quintana Roo state.
As its name implies (it literally translates into blue cenote) what makes Cenote Azul stand out among others is its bright turquoise water. They offer the perfect spot to cool off from the Mexican heat.
Like many other natural cenotes in Playa del Carmen, it is a sacred site to the ancient Mayans. The rich history only adds more mystery to this already fascinating attraction.
This Cenote Azul is in the Yucatan Peninsula, not to be confused with Cenote Azul in Bacalar. It’s one of the most family-friendly cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, beloved by locals and tourists alike.
The sinkhole offers many opportunities for entertainment, such as swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Let’s dive in and discover everything you can enjoy at Cenote Azul.
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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. 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 of underground rivers, to which these sinkholes are connected. And that’s how a cenote is created!
The word cenote comes from the Mayan term dzonot, which means well. Not all cenotes look the same, though. There are 3 types of cenotes:
- Open Cenotes – Open cenotes are like natural, open pools, and they can be more or less deep. Some of these cenotes are also connected to an underground river passage (which makes them great for diving!). Examples of an open cenote include Cenote Zacil-Ha near Tulum, Cenote Cristalino, and Cenote Azul.
- 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 of a semi-open cenote is Gran Cenote.
- 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 Oxman, located near Valladolid, is a cave cenote.
Cenotes have great cultural and religious significance to the ancient Mayans. They believed that the cenotes were passages to the underworld, and performed rituals in them. The sites were considered sacred, and still are!
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 AZUL, RIVIERA MAYA
Cenote Azul is a picture of untouched natural beauty. This water-filled, natural sinkhole is the perfect spot to dip in with its refreshing blue waters.
Cenote Azul is located close to three other popular cenotes: Cenote Cristalino, Cenote Jardin del Eden, and Cenote Kantunchi. It’s a good idea to visit two or three cenotes since they are located close to each other. It’s the perfect day trip from Playa del Carmen!
Cenote Azul is an open air cenote. It looks like a very large natural swimming pool – no need to make your way into a cave, or overcome your claustrophobia.
It’s one large, open swimming area with shallow and deep sections. Children can safely swim in the shallow areas, and you can rent a life jacket as an extra precaution. Plenty of areas have large rocks that allow you to stand in the water as well (though they can be slippery, so be careful!)
The deeper parts of the cenote are perfect for swimming and cliff diving – there’s a 15-foot natural platform you can jump from!
They say Cenote Azul is one of the biggest cenotes in all of Mexico. This means you won’t have trouble finding a quiet spot to relax and hang out with the local iguanas.
Cenote Azul is also known as a natural fish spa. The fish are really easy to spot in the crystal clear water, and when you let your feet dangle in it, they will come to nip on them. It’s pretty exhilarating (and ticklish!)
Snorkeling is another entertaining activity enjoyed there. With a good set of goggles, you can observe a variety of fish and plant life underwater. You could potentially rent snorkel equipment on-site, but I recommend you bring your own if you have it.
Like many other cenotes in the area, Cenote Azul has a few restrictions. Sunscreen and bug repellent are prohibited, as they can damage the ecosystem. Be sure not to use any before visiting; if you do, though, you can use the showers on-site to get rid of it.
Extra tip: Getting a reef-safe sunscreen is a great idea when visiting Mexico. Most cenotes and snorkel excursions won’t allow the regular. And you’ll also want to protect the environment, right?
FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT CENOTE AZUL
Being so popular, it comes as no surprise that the cenote boasts a few facilities. It’s not such an off-the-beaten-path attraction as Cenote Calavera can be.
Bathrooms & Changing Rooms
Bathrooms are available, as well as changing rooms where you can get in and out of your swimwear and get changed.
Visitors can also make use of the showers. The open-air shower near the cenote allows you to rinse off before and after getting into the water, and it might even be required that you use it.
Food at Cenote Azul
The small snack bar/restaurant on-site is a good lunch spot as it sells nibbles, soft drinks, and tacos because por qué no. If you’d rather bring a picnic basket with you, you can!
Food and beverages are permitted, but alcohol is not. If you take some anyway, you risk it being confiscated.
Parking
There’s a large parking area right outside the cenote, and parking is free. Aim to arrive early to get a good spot.
Other Facilities
On-site you can rent life jackets and snorkeling equipment, as well as lockers to keep your belongings.
If you’re with children, make sure to check out the shop that sells food to feed the fish!
As you can see, the amenities are rather basic, but you don’t really need more than this for a few hours visit to a cenote.
Remember to take cash when visiting Cenote Azul. You’ll need it for both the entrance fee and anything you want to buy or rent at the site. While they might accept dollars, more often than not they’ll only take Mexican pesos, so you’re better off having some pesos with you.
CENOTE AZUL, MEXICO: PRACTICAL INFO
How much does it cost to enter Cenote Azul?
The entrance cost to Cenote Azul is 180 MXN (roughly 9 USD) at the time of writing.
Cenote Azul Opening Hours
Open daily, Cenote Azul hours are from 8.30 AM to 5 PM.
Where is Cenote Azul located?
Cenote Azul is located 16 miles (26 km) south of Playa del Carmen, just south of Puerto Aventuras in the Riviera Maya. It’s next to Cenote Cristalino and Cenote Eden.
If you want to know the exact Cenote Azul address, here below you can see it on the map:
Best time to visit Cenote Azul
You have two options to visit Cenote Azul if you want to avoid the crowds. You can visit the cenote right after it opens in the morning, or late in the afternoon before closing time.
Most tourists flock here around midday to noon and then leave to continue with the rest of their tour after lunch. It’s also recommended that you visit during the weekdays as it’s often packed with locals during the weekend.
Cenote Azul Snorkeling
Cenote Azul is perfect for snorkeling. Make sure to pack your snorkeling gear when you visit this cenote. Both adults and children will have a blast, I guarantee!
Cenote Azul Diving
You can totally go scuba diving at Cenote Azul. The geographic formations and submerged trees make the sinkhole a fascinating setting for a dive. It’s a suitable dive for both beginner and advanced divers.
Are drones allowed?
Drones are NOT allowed in Cenote Azul. In fact, the use of drones is pretty restricted in Mexico, and most cenotes and areas of interest prohibit their use. You can, however, take pictures at the cenote.
Is there anything prohibited at the cenote?
To protect this natural location, there are some Cenote Azul rules you need to follow. They are the same in most cenotes, so the list will come in handy for all your cenote visits. These are some of the things you’re not allowed to do.
- As I stated earlier, sunscreen and bug repellent are prohibited.
- Smoking is also vetted at the cenote.
- So is alcohol.
- You can take your snorkel gear and water shoes, but fins are not allowed.
- This goes without saying, but absolutely no fishing! Harassing or harming the animals or environment is also a big NO.
How long should you stay at the cenote?
You can spend the whole day at Cenote Azul if you want to, but most visits take around 2-3 hours. That’s plenty of time to snorkel, enjoy the fish spa, and have a snack by the water.
If you’re visiting other cenotes on the same day, that’s how much time you’ll likely spend in each.
BEST CENOTE AZUL TOUR
▶️ The Private Tour to 3 Cenotes in the Riviera Maya with Lunch is a full-day excursion. You’ll get to visit (and swim in!) cenotes Cristalino, Jardin del Eden, and Azul. Lunch and a certified guide are included in this Cenote Azul tour.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up up and drop-off, entrance fees, a guide, and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
HOW TO GET TO CENOTE AZUL
There are several options to get to El Cenote Azul from Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Cancun if you prefer to visit on your own.
Drive a Rental Car
Driving your own rental car is one of the best ways to get to Cenote Azul from Playa del Carmen.
I always recommend renting a car if you plan on visiting a few attractions around Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Tulum. It’s just easier to get around and you’ll end up saving a lot of time and money.
From Playa del Carmen, you need to take the 307 Highway southbound. Once you reach Puerto Aventuras, continue driving for four more minutes until you see the Barcelo Hotel Resort entrance.
Turn left and then right after that, and just look for the sign to tell you that you have reached the cenote. There’s an adequate number of parking spots available at Cenote Azul, so that won’t be a problem.
The driving time from Playa is 25 minutes, and around 30 minutes from Tulum. If you’re coming from Cancun, the drive will take you closer to 1.5 hours.
Take the Colectivo to Cenote Azul
One of the most popular options to get around in the Yucatan Peninsula (and the cheapest one) is via a colectivo, a public shared van. The colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Cenote Azul will cost you about 40-60 MXN (USD 2-4).
Head to 2nd Street and find a colectivo headed south towards Tulum. Just tell the driver you are headed to Cenote Azul. The colectivo will stop right across the cenote, or in front of the Barcelo Hotel. It’s a short walk from there to the cenote entrance.
You can also take a colectivo from Tulum. Make sure you take one headed northbound towards Playa del Carmen and tell the driver “Cenote Azul” or “Barcelo”.
If you are visiting Cenote Azul from Cancun, you’ll have to take two colectivos; one to Playa, and then another one to Tulum.
Take a Taxi to Cenote Azul
Taking a taxi is more expensive, so make it your last resort when it comes to transportation options for Cenote Azul.
If you prefer convenience and budget is not an issue, you can easily take one from Playa (or any part of the state) to get to Cenote Azul. This is a popular cenote so your taxi driver will be able to easily recognize it.
From Playa del Carmen a taxi will cost about 700 MXN – slightly less or more, depending on the taxi driver.
You should also arrange for the driver to pick you up later, as it might be difficult to get a taxi from Cenote Azul when you’re there. It’s safer to secure your ride back ahead of time.
Hire a Driver for the Day
A very comfortable option is to hire a private driver. You’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel by a professional. Design your dream itinerary (plan a whole day out with visits to other attractions to make the most of it!) and let your driver take you there.
This is how I visited Cenote Azul! Not through this company, but later I started using Cancun Airport Transportation services for multiple transfers in the Riviera Maya, and I’ve always had a fantastic experience, so I have no problem recommending it.
PROS AND CONS OF CENOTE AZUL (QUINTANA ROO)
Pros of Cenote Azul
✅ It’s a very accessible cenote that’s close to the main highway.
✅ It’s located close to other cenotes so you can visit more than one during your trip.
✅ The cost of entry to this cenote is reasonable.
✅ It’s an open cenote with a large space. Even when it is popular, it is easy to find a quiet spot.
✅ It’s great for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
✅ It’s a family-friendly cenote with shallow areas for your children to swim in.
Cons of Cenote Azul
❌ It can get very crowded on weekends. Make sure you visit mid-week.
❌ There are no major tourist facilities at this cenote if that’s what you are looking for. Except for a small snack bar, you won’t find any big touristy restaurants for example, or massage parlors like at Cenote Dos Ojos. You can bring food, but no alcohol is allowed near the cenote.
WHAT TO PACK FOR CENOTE AZUL
This is a list of the essential items you should bring with you when you visit Cenote Dos Ojos.
➤ Swimwear: This is the most important! You’ll spend most of your visit in the water, so your swimsuit is the single most essential item to pack.
➤ Snorkel Mask or Goggles: Snorkeling will likely be the highlight of your visit, so don’t forget your set. While you could rent a snorkel mask at Cenote Azul, it’s more convenient (and hygienic) to have your own snorkeling gear. Especially if you plan on snorkeling in various cenotes!
➤ Biodegradable Sunscreen: This is very important, both for your protection and the environment’s. Regular sunscreen is not allowed at Cenote Azul, as it can damage the ecosystem. To keep your skin from getting sunburned, use 100% biodegradable sunscreen when visiting all cenotes in Mexico.
➤ Water Bottle: Traveling with a refillable water bottle is such a great habit. It will reduce your consumption of plastic, and also save you money. Remember that tap water in Mexico isn’t safe to drink, so make sure to refill your bottle with drinking water. You can otherwise buy a LifeStraw water bottle that comes with a filter.
OTHER THINGS TO DO NEAR CENOTE AZUL
I’ve spent quite some time around this area, so here are a few ideas for things to do once you’ve visited Cenote Azul.
▶️ Visit other less-known cenotes near Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Two I really like that are rarely crowded are Cenote Calavera and Cenote Nicte Ha.
▶️ Visit the beautiful Tulum ruins that are perched on the Caribbean Sea and offer some spectacular views.
▶️ Spend a day enjoying the beach in Tulum, and check out some of Tulum’s trendy cafes and restaurants.
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