Must See Cenotes

Gran Cenote (Tulum)
Website
Location: South
Hours of Operation: 8am-5pm, daily
Description:
It's easy to see why this is one of the most popular cenotes in the Mayan Riviera. Just outside Tulum, this dive/snorkel spot is easily accessible and perfect for all skill levels. Snorkelers will appreciate the nearly perfect visibility, allowing visitors to get a firsthand glimpse at the abundance of small fish and plant life. Divers will be awed by the intricate underwater cave formations. Gran Cenote is a little piece of heaven for everyone visiting this Mayan Riviera oasis!

Dos Ojos Cenote (Tulum)
"Two Eyes" Cavern
Phone: +52 984 877 8535
Website
Location: South
Hours of Operation: 10am-5pm, daily
Dos Ojos, meaning "two eyes," has become a world famous dive spot for obvious reasons. Divers and snorkelers alike cannot wait to traverse this vast cavern, considered one of the longest, and most decorated, underwater cave systems in the world. Enter through one of the two separate pools, which look like two large eyes, and explore an intricate, and surprisingly clear, maze of caves and limestone formations. This spot has become even more renowned after being featured in the IMAX film, "Amazing Caves."

About 2km (1 mile) south of Xel-Ha is the Hidden Worlds Cenotes (tel. 984/877-8535; www.hiddenworlds.com.mx), which offers an excellent opportunity to snorkel or dive in a couple of nearby caverns. The caverns are part of a vast network that makes up a single underground river system. The water is crystalline (and a bit cold) and the rock formations impressive. These caverns were filmed for the IMAX production Journey into Amazing Caves. The people running the show are resourceful. The snorkel tour costs $40 and takes you to different caverns. The main form of transportation is "jungle mobile," with a guide who throws in tidbits of information and lore about the jungle plant life that you see. There is some walking involved, so take shoes or sandals. I've toured several caverns, but floating through one gave me an entirely different perspective.

Aktun Chen cavern (a bit beyond Akumal). Of the several caverns that I've toured in the Yucatán, this is one of the best -- lots of geological features, good lighting, several underground pools, and large chambers, all carefully preserved. The tour takes about an hour and requires a good amount of walking. The footing is good. You exit not far from where you enter. There is also a zoo with specimens of the local fauna. Some of the critters are allowed to run about freely. In my opinion, the cost of admission is high -- $17 for adults, $9 for children -- but this is true of several attractions on this coast. The cavern is open 9am to 5pm daily. The turnoff is to the right, and the cave is about 4km (2 1/2 miles) from the road. www.aktunchen.com.

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