Hidden wonders in Mexico: Seven of the most beautiful cenotes in Playa del Carmen

Enveloped by the shimmering waters of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, the Yucatán Peninsula is home to a whole host of dazzling holiday destinations. Among them is the palm-lined resort town of Playa del Carmen - a once-humble fishing village, now revered for its buzzing nightlife scene, and of course, those idyllic white-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.

You don’t have to head out too far outside the resort to discover the region’s natural wonders, either; travel just a few miles in either direction and you’ll soon stumble upon one of the local cenotes. These natural pools, created by collapsed limestone bedrock, are perfect for cooling off from the sizzling summer temperatures. Planning a visit? Here are seven of the best cenotes in Playa del Carmen and the surrounding coastline.

El Jardin Del Eden

Hidden within a lush, tropical forest and less than 25 miles north of Tulum, El Jardin Del Eden is a spectacular open-air cenote in the Riviera Maya. For a very small entry fee, visitors can spend the day swimming and snorkelling in this natural swimming pool's cool, crystal-clear waters.


Daredevils will soon find themselves enticed by the rope swings and cliff-jumping spots dotted around its edges, while those who prefer to watch from the sidelines will be pleased to know that there’s a lifeguard keeping a careful eye on everyone during the peak months.

Cenote Azul

Unlike the more cavernous Playa Del Carmen cenotes, Cenote Azul is wide open to the elements, allowing its pristine waters to be warmed by the sun. Surrounded by tropical greenery, this lovely spot is just moments from the popular Cristalino and El Jardin Del Eden cenotes, which means you can easily hop between them.


If you’re planning on making your own way over without a tour guide, the ticket price for Cenote Azul starts at just 100 pesos per adult. You’ll find this glorious spot less than 20 miles from both Playa del Carmen and Xcaret Park, allowing you to fit plenty of sightseeing in without having to drive too far outside of the town.

Cenote Dos Ojos

Renowned for its intricate cave system, Cenote Dos Ojos is one of the top cenotes for scuba divers and snorkellers along the Yucatán Peninsula. Even if you don’t feel like doing much exploration, there’s always the option to just swim and float around in the warm, crystalline waters of this impressive sinkhole.


The name - Dos Ojos comes - from the two ‘eyes’ in the cave’s ceiling, one of which is bathed in sunlight while the other is shrouded in the shadows.

Casa Cenote

Nestled among a forest of mangrove trees, Casa Cenote - or Cenote Manati - sits atop one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems. Less than 35 miles from Playa del Carmen, this unique cenote has a halocline, which means it has a mixture of both fresh water and seawater feeding directly from the Caribbean Sea.


As such, the cenote is home to many marine species including moray eels, snappers, and guppies. Don’t be surprised if you happen to pass by Panchito while exploring the depths of this spectacular cenote; this friendly resident crocodile has been swimming alongside divers here since it was a hatchling.