Cenote Calavera, in my opinion, is one of the best and most underrated cenotes in Tulum!
Although it’s not as large as some of the other popular cenotes, Calavera Cenote is equally as impressive and one for thrill-seekers!
I have put together this complete guide to Cenote Calavera including where it is, how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive.
BEST CENOTRE CALAVERA TOUR FROM TULUM
The easiest way to explore Cenote Calavera from Tulum is the Triple Cenote Tour, which covers the best cenotes in Tulum and includes a visit to Cenote Calavera.
This guided trip from Tulum is among the most popular and well-regarded tours.
This tour provides you with the following benefits:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- A multilingual guide
- A visit to Gran Cenote, Calavera Cenote, and Casa Cenote
- Entry fees for all the cenotes are included in the ticket price
CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY: TRIPLE CENOTE TOUR
QUICK ANSWERS: CALAVERA CENOTE TULUM
Before I dive into (pun intended) more details about what to expect at the cenote, here are some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions by first-time visitors.
WHERE IS CENOTE CALAVERA TULUM?
Cenote Calavera is located along the main highway in the same direction as the Gran Cenote and Coba.
It’s a short 10-minute drive, a 25-minute bike ride, or a 1-hour walk from the center of Tulum town to reach Calavera Cenote.
You’ll see a big white sign on the right-hand side of the road that reads CENOTE – you can’t miss it!
Click here to see the location on Google Maps.
HOW TO GET TO CALAVERA CENOTE WITHOUT A TOUR?
If you are staying in the main town, you must know that it’s approximately a 1-hour walk to the cenote, so if you’re quite fit, go for it, otherwise, I would highly recommend renting a bicycle or taking a taxi from the main town.
Bicycle rental is generally around 150 MXN per day and you can find a set of wheels at your hostel or from one of the many bike rental stores in the main town.
If you’re staying along Tulum Beach, there are also a few bicycle rental stores along the main street.
A taxi ride from the main town to the cenote should be no more than 100 MXN, so if there are a few of you it works out better to split the cost.
Some cab drivers will try to charge you 150 – 200 MXN but you shouldn’t pay more than 100 MXN for this short 10-minute drive.
If you have your own rental car then great, you can simply drive to the cenote and park in the gravel parking lot out the front.
Yucatan Peninsula is said to be the safest place to drive in Mexico when it comes to getting behind the wheel yourself, so it’s definitely an option to consider.
I always use Discover Cars to search and book car rentals in Mexico as they generally offer the best rates.
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CENOTE CALAVERA ENTRANCE FEE & OPENING HOURS
Cenote Calavera is open from 9:00 am to 5: 00 pm – 7 days a week.
The general entrance fee at Calavera Cenote is 250 MXN.
Scuba diving at Cenote Calavera is also an option. If this is something you’d be interested in, it’s best to inquire at one of the dive shops in the main town.
I believe the cost of a Calavera Cenote dive is around 2000 MXN.
ARRIVING AT THE CENOTE
Whether you arrive by car, bike, or on foot, you’ll first have to pay the 250 MXN entrance fee at the small ticket office out the front before passing through the white gates.
Calavera Cenote is, in fact, situated in someone’s backyard… how cool would it be to have your very own cenote out the back of your house? I definitely wouldn’t be opposed, that’s for sure!
It’s an easy 2-minute walk along a rocky path from the front entrance gates till you reach the cenote.
RELATED ARTICLE → 4 WEEK MEXICO ITINERARY
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT CENOTE CALAVERA
‘Calavera’ is this Spanish word for ‘skull’ but rest assured you won’t find any human remains in this cenote.
Its name comes from the shape of the cenote with one large hole that looks like a mouth and two smaller holes that look like eyes.
Cenote Calavera features an almost perfectly round sinkhole filled with fresh water, a wooden ladder, cliff jumps, and a rope swing.
These are just some of the things that make this cenote so epic and photogenic at the same time, and for this reason, don’t forget to bring your GoPro!
If you arrive early enough you will get to enjoy this place all to yourself.
It’s a great spot for cliff jumping from the edges of the cenote or pin-dropping into the natural pool through one of the cracks in the top of the rock.
RELATED GUIDE: 21 Things To Do In Isla Mujeres
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There are a few wooden benches and tables around the edges of the cenote where you can set your belongings down before going for a swim or even braving a jump off the edge of the sinkhole.
Once you’re in the water, the cenote opens up considerably and you can swim around freely beneath the surface of the open-air hole in the rock above.
You could easily spend a couple of hours hanging out here as it’s one of the more adventurous things to do in Tulum!
If you do plan to spend some time here at Calavera Cenote Tulum, make sure to pack some drinks and snacks to take with you as there is no shop on-site.
Lastly, my personal recommendation is to take your quick-dry travel towel and slip-on waterproof shoes, both will come in handy when visiting the cenote.
GETTING AROUND TO THE TULUM CENOTES
There are a number of ways of getting around to the Tulum Cenotes and they are by car, taxi, or bicycle.
In saying that, I highly recommend renting a car in Tulum to get around as taxis are very expensive and some Cenotes are too far away from the town to go by bicycle.
Some other Cenotes near Tulum that are definitely worth checking out are:
BEST YUCATAN TOURS
BEST TIME TO VISIT TULUM
The best time to visit Tulum is during the winter season from December to April. During this time there is little to no rainfall and the temperatures are just perfect.
The rainy season in Tulum is typically between May and October which sees higher temperatures due to the humidity.
The only plus side to visiting Tulum during these months is there will be fewer tourists and prices are less inflated.
WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM
You are spoiled for options when searching for where to stay in Tulum with cheap hostels, luxury hotels, and beachside resorts!
The majority of the accommodation in Tulum can be found in 3 main tourist areas: The Main Town, Tulum South Beach, and Tulum North Beach.
I have put together a complete guide on Where To Stay In Tulum which you should definitely check out.
If you’re in a hurry, I have listed a few Tulum accommodations below that I can personally recommend:
Luxury: The Beach Tulum
Receive the celebrity treatment at The Beach Tulum with this adult-only, beachfront resort in South Tulum.
With an outdoor pool, a beach club, an onsite restaurant, and even a spa. This really is the height of luxury and one of the best things to do in Tulum in itself.
Each luxurious, beach-front room has stylish, minimalist décor, air-conditioning, free wifi, and a seating area.
These deluxe rooms come with large comfortable beds, private entrances, and ensuite bathrooms, and are right on the shoreline in the South Beach area, surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Mid Range: Playa Esperanza Hotel
This eco-sensitive hotel and resort boasts unique cabins made from natural materials and is located right on the shoreline of Tulum’s North Beach.
With 15 different styles of rooms to choose from, natural interiors, large comfortable beds, and private bathrooms. Enjoy the free wifi, beach bar, and ocean views.
This is great for a group of friends traveling together or couples. Choose between a room with 2 single beds or one with a double bed.
Budget: Che Tulum Hostel & Bar
One of the most top-rated hostels in Tulum! With an outdoor pool, a lively bar, and a large green area to hang out.
Each bedroom has been modeled to offer natural lighting and features private bathrooms, air-con, new beds, and mattresses.
With a huge range of rooms on offer, pick from one of the many dorm rooms or private rooms.
This budget hostel in Tulum is great for travelers used to that hostel life.
FOR MORE OPTIONS IN TULUM, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR TULUM
When visiting Tulum, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
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Reusable Water Bottle
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Travel Backpack
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Quick-Dry Travel Towel
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Portable PowerBank
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FINAL THOUGHTS – CALAVERA CENOTE TULUM
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
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THANKS FOR READING
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