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 the thrill-seekers!
I have put together this complete travel guide of Cenote Calavera including where it is, how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive.
Table of Contents
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
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 Rentalcars.com to search and book car rentals in Mexico as they generally offer the best rates.
SEARCH ALL → RENTAL CARS IN YUCATAN
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 100 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 200 MXN.
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ARRIVING AT THE CENOTE
Whether you arrive by car, bike, or on foot, you’ll first have to pay the 100 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
Ticket office
The path to the cenote
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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.
Good times at the cenote
Rock jumping at Calavera Cenote
Floating inside the cenote
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.
Diver in the cenote
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! Tulum has it all to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
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. Otherwise, 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, ensuite bathrooms, and right on the shoreline in the South Beach area, surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants. This Tulum resort is highly popular with couples. With the smaller, more intimate rooms make for the perfect couples getaway.
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. Book directly through the hotel and get every 3rd night free!
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. Free wifi available throughout and even lockers to keep your belongings safe. 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 ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN TULUM, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
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:
Suytun Cenote
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.
Tulum Beach
WHAT TO PACK FOR TULUM
When visiting Tulum, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Mexican sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – a must for drying off after a dip in the cenotes.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Dry bag – protect your gadgets from any water damage while you’re at the cenotes.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE MEXICO TRAVEL GUIDES
- Mexico Itinerary: 4 Week Mexico Itinerary
- San Cristobal: 13 Things To Do In San Cristobal
- Puerto Escondido: 11 Things To Do In Puerto Escondido
- Oaxaca: 7 Best Tours In Oaxaca
- Tulum: 20 Things To Do In Tulum
- Bacalar: 9 Things To Do In Bacalar
- Maya Riviera: Best Cenotes In Maya Riviera
- Cozumel Island: 9 Things To Do In Cozumel Island
- Mexico City: Day Of The Dead Festival
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
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.
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THANKS FOR READING
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