Dont litter the cenote, always take your trash back with you, and only apply biodegradable sunscreen before swimming in the cenote. I had a great time exploring this awesome cenote! Cenote Dos Ojos in Tulum might easily be the most famous cenote in the world. You can buy a ticket at the entrance. 25 Travel Myths That Cost You Time, Money and Peace of Mind. Sistema Sac Actun - Wikipedia After living in this sacred land for so many years we have been inspired by this beautiful country and its fascinating culture to create this site where we share all we know about the Mexican Cenotes and the Mayan archeological sites. Renting a car means more freedom, and youll be able to park right in front of the cenotes, which will save you a lot of time and hassle. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 11 Fun Things to Do in Phi Phi Island Beyond Maya Bay, What to Wear in Thailand | A Complete Thailand Packing List. per adult (price varies by group size) 2 different divings in Dos Ojos cenote for certified divers in Tulum. The Tulum Hotel Zone is located closer to the to the beach, where you'll find more high-end hotels, beach resorts, restaurants, and nightclubs. Youll get lunch at a local Mayan restaurant as well. Perfect for families with kids. This will help avoid extra fees for rental gear: In addition, here are some things you certainly don't want to bring: I hope this detailed and updated travel guide to visiting Cenote Dos Ojos Tulum has prepared you for an awesome adventure in Mexico's Riveria Maya. Weve heard good things about the tours, just know that you may not be going to Dos Ojos specifically. From here, you'll find the ticket office on your left, then continue for approximately 10 minute through the jungle to reach the actual cenote entrance. Visibility is excellent and generally limited by available light rather than water transparency. Its an open cenote and you can visit on your own. This is actually a great way to explore this incredible region independently. its too popular and therefore crowded almost all the time. Cenote Dos Ojos is located 22 km (13 miles) north of Tulum, which is about a 20-minute drive, and about 50 km (31 miles) south of Playa del Carmen. Carretera Federal Cancn-Tulum. There is more natural light here, thus it is a great place for everybody. Here are the 3 top picks from both neighborhoods. In a hurry? Sistema Dos Ojos - Wikipedia Last I heard it was around 350 Pesos for the standard entry which included a life jacket rental. There is an epic two-cenote tour which visits Dos Ojos & the beautiful Casa Cenote and includes: Book: 2-Cenote Adventure Tour (best in Tulum). Safeguard yourself from unforeseen travel mishaps like accidents, cancellations, delays, and loss of your personal items. Keep the place clean and if you see something that is out of place, pick it up. If youre not familiar with a cenote (pronounced Se-Noh-Tay), theyre large sinkholes that occur naturally in the limestone rock in this area of Mexico. Snacks, drinks, and snorkel equipment are included, as well as hotel pick-up and drop-off from Riviera Maya. It is extreme. Cenote Dos Ojos is located at Carretera Federal 307. There are many reasons why Cenote Dos Ojos is such a famous spot for both snorkeling and cave diving in Mexico. We are Sandra and Isabella, friends and Mexican residents, in love with the Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico with its spectacular natural wonders and historical heritage. You can also visit Xel Ha, which is a cenote just 1 km away from Cenote Dos Ojos. It's only a very short distance (0.6 miles) south of Xel Ha (one of the best places to visit for families). Water Bottle: Try and bring arefillable water bottlearound with you to reduce the consumption of plastic. Have never heard of anyone having issues in all the years weve been there or by any of the guides weve met but as always, just be careful anytime youre out in the wilderness. However, many people dont really know what exactly is a cenote, and I do believe its important to understand what is their significance to the Mayans so we can be more respectful. When you arrive at Cenote Dos Ojos from the federal highway you will find the ticket office where you must decide whether want to visit the cenote on your own or you want a guide. In fact, there are 4 types of cenotes: Open Cenotes Open cenotes are like natural, open pools, which can be more or less deep. Stunning geology and nature. Therefore it's definitely best to avoid trying to brave it and wear a wetsuit! Only experienced divers can access underground cenotes. Sometimes the wind move around trash or previous visitors were not respectful. Cenote Dos Ojos is one of our favorites that we visited. Regardless of whether youre a diver or a snorkeler youll probably enjoy what it has to offer. Why not opt for a road trip through the Yucatan Peninsula? Cenotes Dos Ojos (Tulum) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go El cenote Dos Ojos, debe su nombre a los dos cenotes que lo conforman. Cenote Dos Ojos is one of our favorites that we visited. Most people spend most of their time at the main cenote, as the second one is darker and less inviting yet really beautiful in a different way. Includes up-to-date information on pricing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, and of course, photos so you know what to expect! . It was more costly, but this way I was able to visit 6 cenotes in one day including Cenote Dos Ojos, and I didnt regret it one bit! Cenote Dos Ojos is open from 8 am to 5 pm every day. You mentioned buying snorkeling gear for as little as US $13. Cenote Verde Lucero 55 Km/34.1 mi 4. Recommended. When you arrive at the gate, youll be pitched snorkeling and diving tours. Onceworshipedby the earlyMayansas entrance ways to the underworld, today cenotes are quickly becoming a way to attract visitors and generate a little income. With a bunch ofbench-liketables set up for diving gear, we were surprised there was no dedicated area for the snorkelers. Adems, es el tercer ro subterrneo ms largo del mundo y uno de los ms visitados por su belleza en la pennsula de Yucatn. Check them out:How to get from Cancun to TulumHow to get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. The Dos Ojos underwater cave system was featured in a 2002 IMAX film, Journey Into Amazing Caves, and the 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel series Planet Earth. Learn more Cenote Dos Ojos Tulum - The Complete 2023 Guide - We Seek Travel I tried to find out whether there was a colectivo going from Tulum to the cenote, but I couldn't find one, unfortunately. Wondering about where to stay in Tulum? . The visibility through the water is amazing and snorkeling as well as diving can be practiced. Your email address will not be published. I totally forgot about it this time though! It was really cool seeing the divers underneath us while we snorkeled around. It definitely made it awkward for the kids and our bags, but we found an empty space behind one of the tables and set up shop. This is mainly a flooded cave system where the exploration had begun since 1987 and it is still in progress. As we walked the extra few hundred feet past the cars, vans and trucks full of divers and their gear in various stages of preparations, we knew it would be busy. Regardless, we had a good time snorkeling and swimming at Dos Ojos. Overview Tours & Tickets Ways to visit Cenote Dos Ojos Located north of Tulum and south of Playa del Carmen, the cenote is a popular excursion for those visiting the Mexican peninsula. I especially appreciated the advice on what to bring and what to expect while diving. Km 124, Jacinto Pat, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. Still, in protest of the fees, I snuck in my Canon R5 and took some shots to show you guys while nobody was looking. The surveyed extent of the cave system is 82 kilometers (51mi)[1] and there are 28 known sinkhole entrances, which are locally called cenotes. You can catch the colectivo in Playa del Carmen on Calle 2 Norte between Av. It was in this congested area that we spent most of our time. Some of my favorite travel memories include fighting Muay Thai in Thailand, bike-packing in New Zealand and trekking in the Himalayas. The fresh, cool water is crystal clear, the light strong enough to see fish and cool rock formations while snorkeling, and the water is deep enough that there is plenty of room for both divers and snorkelers once theyre off the platforms and in the water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ultimate Guide to 50+ Best Cenotes in Mexico - Adventurous Kate, [] seen pictures of cenotes on Instagram (and who hasnt?! This is further inside the jungle and its divers favorite for its profound depth and beauty, but its not suitable for regular swimer or snorkelers. The tanks, weights, and flashlight are included. Thats because this incredible pair of natural sinkholes have some of the clearest water Ive seen in any Cenote in Mexico. Another convenient option will be to hire a taxi. In the first cenote, you will find incredibly crystal clear blue water and you can easily swim and snorkel. For sure you must check it out while you are there. The kids enjoyed a round of platform jumps and we all had fun. I came at opening time and had the cenote pretty much for myself. The Dos Ojos cenote is incredibly stunning with the blue water which looks like a painting. Coste swam 150m (490ft) on one breath and became the Guinness World Record holder for "Longest distance swam underwater with one breath (open water)".[5]. A must-see destination for divers and snorkelers, Dos Ojos (meaning "two eyes" in Spanish) is a part of the world's largest underwater cave system. With March2014 the total length of the combined system measures 319.05 kilometers (198.25mi). Akumal bay was very good, we saw 4 or 5 large sea turltles, about 150 feet from shore, as well as several varieties of fish. Sunlight seeping in from the crater above reveals impressive rock formations and makes it easy to see the diverse marine life, including colorful fish and sea turtles. In this post, we will tell you all about it, how to get there and everything you need to know to enjoy cenote Dos Ojos. A cenote is a freshwater sinkhole formed by the collapsing of limestone soil, the type of stone that the Yucatan Peninsula is mainly made of. Cenote Dos Ojos - What To Know BEFORE You Go | Viator This makes freediving and snorkeling in general very frustrating. Sometimes they're open air pits and sometimes they're caved in caverns. By departing early in the morning, youll enjoy the two cenotes away from the tourist crowds! I would look into diving there if you have your certification and arent afraid of dark, underground worlds. Parque Dos Ojos (Tulum) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go This has in turn raised the price of Cenote Dos Ojos tickets to 350 MXN pesos from around 150 a few years back. Turns and Cenotes are very well marked on the road you cannot miss them. It also contains the deepest-known cave passage in Quintana Roo. Cenote Dos Ojos in Tulum might easily be the most famous cenote in the world. There are some instances, though, where a particular cenote can only be visited accompanied by a guide. Cenote Dos Ojos (Two Eyes Cenote) is one of the most extravagant diving sites in the Yucatan peninsula. Cenotes Dos Ojos (Tulum) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor The price is 600 MXN, Its located 2 km from the entrance of the Park where you can enjoy a zipline tour. To be perfectly honest, Dos Ojos was the first time since we had kids that I truly wanted to strap a tank to my back and plop a regulator in my mouth. There are stunning stalactites and stalagmites in the caves. There is more natural light here, thus it is a great place for everybody. You guys are awesome! Its just spectacular. Most cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula can be visited easily on your own. The first dive at Cenote Dos Ojos is the Barbie Line (Lnea Barbie). The water is exceptionally clear as a result of rainwater filtered through limestone, and there being very little soil development in this region since the limestone is very pure. Happy exploring! Next, it crosses over from the east eye over to the west and edges the rim before cutting back and following the wall through the cavern and "time tunnel". Again, I'm unaware of any colectivos running this route, but you could get a taxi which would get a bit pricey. If you want to visit multiple Mexican cenotes and other attractions in one day, you can consider hiring a private driver to optimize your time just as I did. Cenote Dos Ojos is part of one of the largest underwater cave systems of the Yucatan Peninsula. A little cool, but refreshing. Dos Ojos is the location of the deepest known underwater cave passage at a 118-meter depth. [3] Dos Ojos contains the deepest known cave passage in Quintana Roo with 119.1 meters (391ft) of depth located at "The Pit" discovered in 1996 by cave explorers who came all the way from the main entrance some 1,500 meters (4,900ft) away. We quickly learned to get out of the divers way when they were on the move. You can bring food, but no alcohol is allowed near the [], Visit Gran Cenote, Tulum - A Complete Guide [2023], [] make your way in, it opens up to an underground pool which can have both shallow and deep areas. If you're staying in Playa Del Carmen, there's also one great tour running to Cenote Dos Ojos (this is actually cheaper than the one from Tulum). Only cash is accepted, and its cheaper if you pay in pesos (about 18 USD with the current conversion). Theres no restaurant directly at the Dos Ojos Cenote. Weve never seen one near a cenote but obviously there could be. The ride from Tulum Town to the Dos Ojos park takes about 20 minutes and shouldnt cost you more than 200 pesos. You can also rent a car and drive on your own. A pair of connected underwater caves that are part of the Sac Actun cave system, Cenotes Dos Ojos is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling. Plus, renting a car in Mexico is generally cheap. Some of these open cenotes are also connected to an underground river passage (which makes them great for diving!). Youll find both shallow and deeper areas in the cenotes, so its a good option for families with children as well. Cenote Dos Ojos is one of the most incredible cenotes in Mexico that fresh water! Its near Cenote Nicte Ha, so you can visit both in one day. Its great for both snorkeling and diving. That's because it's often much less crowded and has some amazing tunnels with deeper sections. Did you know? Once you make your way down the stairs, you'll discover a spectacular oasis with the crystal clear natural pool surrounding its edge. 79 reviews of Cenote Dos Ojos "On our Yucatan adventure, we quickly fell in love with snorkeling in cenotes. 10 and 15. Nivel de experiencia: especialidad de buceo en caverna/buceo en cuevas. Vamos a conocerlo de cerca! Of course you can! The entry fee is 200 MXN per person. [2] The smaller Dos Ojos became a part of Sac Actun, making the Sistema Sac Actun the longest known underwater cave system in the world.[2]. There are a few little snack shops on site and hammocks strewn up here and there in the relaxing zone at Do Ojos. If you're not familiar with a cenote (pronounced Se-Noh-Tay ), they're large sinkholes that occur naturally in the limestone rock in this area of Mexico. However, you can bring a GoPro without paying. an extra swimsuit to change from the wet one. Cenotes are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, with clear salt-free water. It was amazing to see how far the divers small flashlights reached in the dark caves that they were entering. This location is intertwined with Parque Dos Ojos, where other cenotes are located (Cenote Nicte Ha, Cenote Jaguar, Cenote El Pit, and Cenote Los Monos). Join my mailing list today & get 3X FREE custom travel Lightroom presets + receive top travel tips, destination guides, & travel photography content directly to your inbox. Here, there are several restaurants, stalls, and other general tourist traps. Cenotes are not just natural pools and caves, they have a great cultural and religious significance to the ancient Mayans, who believed that the cenotes were passages to the underworld. Unlike our visit to Cenote Cristalino, which we visitedthe last time we were in Playa, Cenote Dos Ojos requires walking down into its depth to access the water. We love sharing our adventures and the lessons we've picked up on the road. A: There are over 6,000 cenotes in Mexico. But not after having showered, of course. You will find them at both eyes at the lifeguard hut, Parking lot - loads of parking for motorbikes, cars, and buses. There are quite a few transportation options to get to Dos Ojos Cenote that you can choose from. The Dos Ojos park consists of two terrific semi open cenotes and a fenced park/jungle around it. I recommend the 2 Cenotes Adventure from Tulum This tour is great for both snorkelers and certified divers, and will bring you to two of the most beautiful cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula in just 5 hours! One of the best day trips from Tulum in my opinion is visiting the best cenotes in the area I would say all of them, but considering there are thousands of cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo its a little difficult! Cenote Dos Ojos rightfully gets great reviews, and offer something for swimmers, divers and snorkelers (we werent diving that day). Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money. ), chances are youve seen a picture of Cenote Dos Ojos. Lets see them all. Youll get to snorkel or scuba dive with a guide at Casa Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos. But before moving forward with the information about Cenote Dos Ojos we would like to spend a couple of words on what are the cenotes. We hope you will enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy creating it. Patu Soto Adventure, Mxico, Summer, Vacations Cenote Dos Ojos was one of the first to open its doors, and is considered one of the most beautiful in the area. Current admission is 350 pesos in 2019 (approximately 18 USD) for adults. Youll need to use environmentally safe sunscreen. This cenote located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen is in fact one of the most famous of all [], Why You'll Fall In Love With Cenote Nicte Ha in Tulum, Mexico, [] friend Raphael and I visited both the more famous Cenote Dos Ojos and Nicte-Ha the same day. Cenote Dos Ojos entrance fee is expensive. Its one of the most popular cenotes, so it gets very crowded. It cost us around $25 USD per day for a rental car, and that let us go to Cenote Dos Ojos, visit other cenotes and check out Playa del Carmen, Akumal, and Tulum as well. It is possible to traverse underwater into another adjacent cenote called the "Bat Cave", which is also used for snorkeling. Tip! COPYRIGHT 2022 - 2023 Mexicocenotesandruins.com, Cenote Xux-Ha Valladolid: Info and Prices [2022], How to visit the spectacular Cenote Minotauro 2023 Riviera Maya, Cenote Mani Chan and Cleotilde two must-visit cenotes in Homun, How to Visit Cenote Choo-Ha Near Coba: Prices and Info [2022], Morphology and history of the cenotes in Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula, How to visit the spectacular cenote Taak-bi-ha, Riviera Maya, How to get to Cenote Dos Ojos by local bus, OTHER CENOTES TO VISIT IN PARQUE DOS OJOS, HOW TO VISIT CENOTE DOS OJOS AND RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT, WHAT WE LOVED THE MOST ABOUT CENOTE DOS OJOS, WHAT WE DIDNT LIKE ABOUT CENOTE DOS OJOS, How to visit Cenote Santuario Maya in Homun in 2023, How to visit the spectacular Cenote Che en Yuc, Homun, Yucatan, How to visit Cenote Pool Uinic in Homun, Yucatan, How to visit Cenote Santa Rosa Parador Turstico in Homun. But dont make the mistake of thinking that all cenotes look the same. It is also one of the largest underwater cave systems. One thing nice about recessed cenotes is that we didnt need to apply any sunscreen on the kids. If you are staying at Tulum Beach you are a little further away, so budget an extra 100 pesos. The entrance is behind Cenote Dos Ojos; continue along the bumpy road until you see the Cenote Taak Bi Ha sign. These sinkholes are very similar to small ponds. How to visit cenote Dos Ojos - Riviera Maya most popular cenote [2022] The price on Viator is discounted and actually cheaper than booking at Tulum Pueblo! Mexico's Cenotes, the Hidden Gems of the Yucatan It has appeared in multiple documentaries and movies, and I can honestly understand why. Down a dirt road fringed by jungle, Dos Ojos Cenote was almost ready to close by the time we got there. If you're going to be diving at Cenote Dos Ojos, I highly recommend taking both dives. A large wooden deck area at the main cenote makes for a great entry point. Not only do they have their own travel blog, they have two young ones as well and it was great to let our kids hang out with kids their own age. Cenote Dos Ojos is one of the best Cenotes in Tulum and within the areas around it. As you can see I had the time of my life swimming through the natural light rays, exploring the amazing cave rock formations and saying hi to the scuba divers. About Cenote Dos Ojos: The Two Eyes Cenote, How to Get to Cenote Dos Ojos From Playa Del carmen, Best Cenote Dos Ojos Tour From Playa Del Carmen. Its about a two kilometers (1.25 miles) walk to the Cenote Dos Ojos from the entrance on the highway. If you want to buy a tour ahead of time Get Your Guide offers a tour here. These days, most of the cenotes are fairly busy so animals and pests will naturally stay away from places we loud humans tend to tread. At the Dos Ojos Cenote, you can find the deepest known cave passage in Quintano Roo. Taxis will leave you at the entrance of the park, but if you dont want to walk you can ask the driver to wait for you to buy the ticket and drive you to the cenote (obviously with a surcharge), which is over 1 km away. From Tulum, you'll take the 307 highway for approximately 13.6 miles before arriving at the cenote entrance (on the left). Ultimate Guide to 50+ Best Cenotes in Mexico Missing the heat but Spain and Portugal are definitely cool to hang out in. Although its inside the park, Cenote Taak Bi Ha has its own management. After tons of back and forth, our two families rented a couple of cars to check out Cenote Dos Ojos (Spanish for two eyes) just outside of Akumal, which is between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Graphene Jacket Review: How Good is the Graphene X Nomad(e)? A cenote (pronounced seh-no-tay) is a naturally occurring sinkhole caused by the collapse of the surrounding limestone. Sacred to the Mayan civilization they are now some of the main tourist attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula. Voil, youve got yourself a cenote! I strive to capture images that tell a story and captivate those with a connection to travel and adventure. It is also one of the largest underwater cave systems. It is called Two Eyes Cenote because there are two amazing neighboring cenotes connected by a very large cavern zone. This area is full of cenotes Cenote Minotauro is one of the most popular diving and snorkeling spots in the area, thanks to its clear, turquoise waters and fascinating underground caves. Where can ! I remember the first time I visited it was very different from whats like right now, much less developed and, most of all, less busy. Also, keep in mind that many cars will pass by and will make lots of dust. A light lunch, drinks, and all equipment and fees are included, and youll be accompanied by a guide and divemaster. Further below we will explain in detail all the cenotes that are included in Parque Dos Ojos with prices and activities + how to get there. A cenote is a natural sinkhole dating back several centuries. While we were in Mexico, we had the good fortune of meeting up with a few traveling families like ourselves. It comes from rainwater that is filtered through the ground. There are two main platforms where you can enter the water. I would love to visit the area around Tulum with my family. The two different dive sites are named the Barbie Line and the Bat Cave line. Name explained! Coordinates: 201929N 872331W Dos Ojos (from Spanish meaning "Two Eyes"; officially Sistema Dos Ojos) is part of a flooded cave system located north of Tulum, on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatn Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Respect them. ndice de Contenido El cenote Dos Ojos The salesman at the entrance seemed awed that we werent interested in doing a dive. In all, Dos Ojos was a great cenote to check out and we all enjoyed our morning there. Parking is free and theres a restaurant on site (although with such a great choice of restaurants in Tulum, I suggest heading to town for a meal.). The wordcenotecomes from the Mayan termdzonot, which meanswell. You can only visit the cenote by purchasing a guided tour. The water is full of fish, but theyre mostly quite small. Love Cancun? However, the tap water in Mexico isnt generally safe to drink, so make sure to refill your bottle with safe water, or buy aLifeStraw water bottlethat comes with a water filter. These holes are produced naturally by the collapse of the roof. Plan around half a day to spend in this paradise. Tours sold at the front entrance will often take you to other cenotes in the complex, and not Dos Ojos. These two cenotes appear like two large eyes into the underground. Check out the best things to do in Cancun, ourthings to do in Cancun with kids, and ourthings to do in Cancun on a budget. For trips like this it's usually best to just jump on a small group tour like the one below or pay a bit more for a private tour. From a divers perspective, the second entrance looked promising with a long underground cave system linking the two caverns together. Dos Ojos Cenote The temazcal alone is 900 MXN per person. Theres not a lot of of room to maneuver and the steps of the first platform, which was one of only a few handful of locations our young kids could touch the bottom. At the time we decided against it since the kids were still so young.