The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Cenote Azul, Riviera Maya
Cenote Azul is one of the best cenotes we visited during our trip to Mexico. It is easily accessible from Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Cancun. The cenote has crystal clear waters, making it an ideal place for swimming and snorkeling, admiring the underwater rock formations and beautiful fish.
There are also two platforms where you can jump into the refreshing turquoise water. Then, you can combine your visit with the stunning cenotes nearby to make the most of your experience.
This ultimate guide to Cenote Azul includes the best time to visit, how to get there, practical information, and tips for visiting.
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- The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Cenote Azul, Riviera Maya
- Where is Cenote Azul?
- How to Get to Cenote Azul from Playa del Carmen by Taxi, Colectivo
- Cenote Azul Parking
- Best Time to Visit the Yucatan Peninsula
- What is a Cenote?
- Cenote Azul Opening Hours
- Cenote Azul Entrance Fee, Tickets
- Cenote Azul Playa del Carmen Tour
- Where to Stay near Cenote Azul
- What to Pack
- Tips for Visiting
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Where is Cenote Azul?
Located on Federal Highway 307 between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. It is about a 30-minute drive from Tulum, 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen, and 1 hour 15 minutes from Cancun.
Important note
There is also a Cenote Azul in Bacalar, but this post is about the Cenote Azul Playa del Carmen.
How to Get to Cenote Azul from Playa del Carmen by Taxi, Colectivo
If you don’t have a car, you can get to the cenote by taxi, hitchhiking, or colectivo (shared van). A taxi from Playa del Carmen will cost around 500-700 MXN (24-34 USD) each way. Be sure you negotiate the price with the driver before you get in the taxi.
The colectivos depart from Playa del Carmen near McDonald’s on Calle 1. The vans do not have numbers, but each colectivo has its destination written on the windshield. Colectivos run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every 15-20 minutes. Just let the driver know where you want to get off or where you want to go.
The colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Cenote Azul costs about 40 MXN (2 USD) each way and takes approximately 30 minutes.
Cenote Azul Parking
We drove from Tulum, and the road was in good condition and easy to drive. There is a large car park, and parking is free at the cenote.
Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving around the Yucatan Peninsula.
Best Time to Visit the Yucatan Peninsula
The Yucatan Peninsula has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather all year round. The best time to visit the Yucatan Peninsula is from mid-November to April. The weather is pleasantly warm during this period, and rainfall is rare. However, this is the peak season in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, when prices are higher, and there will be crowds at the main attractions.
The rainy and hurricane season usually starts in June and ends in October.
Cenote Azul is a well-maintained and clean cenote where you can cool off from the heat and humidity of the Yucatan Peninsula. If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive early.
What is a Cenote?
Cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes that form after an underground limestone cave collapses, exposing the groundwater underneath. The cenotes are filled with crystal clear, cold underground and rainwater. These cenotes and underground rivers provided the Maya with drinking water and were used for bathing and irrigation.
The cenotes were sacred places, and the Maya people believed that they were a passage to the underworld and the afterlife. Therefore, during Mayan rituals, they offered valuables and human sacrifices to their gods.
There are different types of cenotes: open cenotes, semi-open cenotes, cave cenotes, and underground cenotes.
Visiting the cenotes is one of the best things to do in Mexico. You can escape from the heat, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the scenery of natural sinkholes.
See also → Best Cenotes in Tulum
Cenote Azul Opening Hours
It is open every day from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
Cenote Azul Entrance Fee, Tickets
The entrance fee is 180 MXN (9 USD) for tourists, 150 MXN (7 USD) for Quintana Roo residents, and 120 MXN (6 USD) for children (4 to 7 years old). The entrance fee does not include the life jacket.
You can rent a life jacket for 40 MXN (2 USD) and snorkel gear for 70 MXN (3,50 USD). You’ll need to leave a form of ID or 400 MXN as a deposit.
TIP
Bring enough Mexican pesos, as only cash payments are accepted.
Cenote Azul Playa del Carmen Tour
Cenote Azul (meaning blue cenote in Spanish) is a stunning open cenote with crystal clear blue water. With different areas and depths, it is the perfect place to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy a free fish pedicure.
The cenote is accessed by a short stepped path surrounded by lush jungle, passing two small pools on either side. These shallow pools are perfect for a refreshing dip, photos, or relaxing. During our visit, we also saw some iguanas.
The water temperature is around 23-25°C, perfect for cooling off on a hot day. There is also a wooden dock that makes it easy to get in and out of the water.
The water is shallow in many places, making it an ideal choice for families, couples, and solo travelers who want to spend a day in nature. Be careful as the rocks can be quite slippery, so we recommend you bring water shoes.
Looking for an exciting activity? Then, jump off the cliff into the 6 meter deep water. Unlike the other cenotes, life jackets are not mandatory here, but if you can’t swim, rent one.
There are a few benches where you can drop your stuff and spend a few relaxing hours by the cenote.
Read our → Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
Where to Stay near Cenote Azul
For the best experience, stay at Barceló Maya Riviera or Barceló Maya Colonial is just a 20-minute walk from the cenote.
The nearest town is Playa del Carmen, but most people visit the cenote from Tulum. Here are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Playa del Carmen
- Luxury: Hilton Playa del Carmen
- Mid-Range: Hotel Colibri Beach or Petit Lafitte Beach Front Hotel & Bungalows
- Budget: Hotel Casa de las Flores
Best hotels in Tulum
- Luxury: Casa Malca or Kan Tulum Hotel
- Mid-Range: Uman Glamping
- Budget: Hotel Casa Tortuga Tulum
Wondering where to stay in Tulum? We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Tulum.
Photo credit: Our Habitas Tulum
What to Pack
- Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Swimsuit
- Biodegradable sunscreen
- Flip-flops, water shoes
- Dry Bag
- Camera gear
- GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
- Snorkel gear
- Plenty of Water & snacks
- Local money
Tips for Visiting
- Avoid weekends and arrive early.
- Bring your snorkel gear if you want to snorkel.
- There are outdoor showers, changing rooms, lockers, and toilets on site. There is also a small stall where you can buy light snacks and drinks.
- As petty theft is common, leave your valuables in a locker or carry them in a dry bag. You can rent a locker for 40 MXN (2 USD).
- Use the bathroom before going swimming.
- If you’ve spent enough time here, we recommend visiting Cenote Jardin Del Eden and Cenote Cristalino, both a short walk away.
- You cannot wear sunscreen or insect repellent, and you must shower before entering the water at the cenote.
We hope you found our guide to Cenote Azul useful and will inspire you to visit Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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