About
One of the more popular destinations in Tulum is the crystal-clear waters at Cenotes Dos Ojos.
It is one of many cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula that thousands of years of limestone erosion created. The ancient Mayans considered the cenotes sacred water sources with a magical allure. For this reason, you'll often find Mayan ruins centered around these beautiful blue sinkholes.
Cenotes Dos Ojos, which means "Two Eyes," gets its name from the pair of sinkholes resembling eyes. The cenotes connect to a vast underwater cave system filled with stalactites and stalagmites. But even if you're not interested in spelunking, the shallow placid waters are divine for swimmers and snorkelers.
Speaking of which, Dos Ojos attracts divers like honey to bees! Aside from the caves to explore, the water is crystal clear and stays 77° year round. While we'll explore the unique features of each cenote in the next section, most visitors flock to the western sinkhole. This pool will appeal to all swimming abilities with a shallow section and the deepest area reaching 26'.
The cenote's proximity to Tulum makes combining multiple attractions daily doable. Take a swim at Dos Ojos and then head to Playa Paraiso to bask in the afternoon sun.
Because the cenotes are protected, you'll need a guide from a nearby local company like Akumal Dive Shop. They offer tours of the Cenotes Dos Ojos for licensed divers and snorkeling trips for those uncertified.
Adding the Cenotes Dos Ojos to your vacation itinerary offers a window into the Mayans' past and an escape into a beautiful, serene sanctuary.
Cenote Dos Ojos: Fun Facts & Cool Features
Did you know that when you visit, you'll be at the "world's longest underground cavern?" The Maya Aquifer Project team explored the caves for ten months and calculated that they were 215 miles long!
An interesting fact is the names associated with the cenotes: Bat Cave and Barbie Line. No, the Bat Cave isn't home to Bruce Wayne but is the residence of a colony of bats. Regarding the reference to the Mattel toy, a Barbie doll hangs from the dive line's midway point.
Most visitors to Dos Ojos enjoy the west cenote, which is ideal for swimming and leads to the Bat Cave. The eastern cenote is smaller and is where most divers enter.
No matter which cenote you explore, you'll be amazed by another aspect of this natural phenomenon: the water's clarity. The limestone cleans the water, resulting in visibility underwater up to 400'! Afterward, relive your adventure with drinks and a meal at Restaurante Estrada. It's the perfect way to cap off a day of exploration!
Aside from being a snorkeling and diving wonderland, the cenotes are rich in history. The ancient Maya religion associated cenotes with Xibalba, the mythical underworld. They believed the blue waters were portals to Xibalba, where people went when they died. Such a perspective adds an extra layer of mystique to your visit.
Whether you swim, snorkel, or dive, visiting the Cenotes Dos Ojos will be one of your treasured Tulum memories.
Getting There
Here are step-by-step driving directions to Cenotes Dos Ojos from Tulum:
- Head northwest on Av. Tulum/QROO 15 toward Calle Osiris Nte.
- At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the Carr. Tulum - Cancun/México 307 ramp.
- Merge onto Carr. Tulum - Cancun/México 307.
- Continue on Carr. Tulum - Cancun/México 307 for approximately 22 km.
- Look for signs and follow the turn-off for Cenotes Dos Ojos.
- Address: Carretera Federal Tulum - Playa Del Carmen Km 124, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Local Tips
- Arrive early to avoid crowds.
- Bring cash; some vendors do not accept credit cards.
- Use biodegradable sunscreen to protect the ecosystem.
- Bring a waterproof camera to capture the underwater world.
