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They are typical geomorphologic structures near the continental shelf in the Yucatan Peninsula. The water is usually a turquoise colour and even in some cases has a green tone. It is estimated that in the Yucatan Peninsula there are more than 3,000 cenotes distributed throughout the whole area, but only 1,400 have been totally or partially located and charted.

We dedicate a day to visit the Mayan city of Tulum, one the main Mayan cities from the 13th and 14th centuries that is considered a very important commercial route in order to exploit the marine resources of the Caribbean Sea.

Chac-Mool

The entrance to this cenote is about 100 meters south of puerto aventuras.there are two water entries to chac-mool both leading into the same rooms. The first room is relatively big with a lot oflight entering from the opanng.In the second room, a portion of the ceiling has collapsed under an air dome, in which divers can surface. this allows the diver to duve next to two levels of beautiful stalagtites.

Along the opening of the main entrance, there are some trunks and branches reaching into the water. here you com experience a stunning laser light show on sunny days. Chac-Mool is one of the caverns where you will find a halocline. This is where salt and fresh water come together creating fascinating visual effects. with ist large rooms and maximun depth of 45 fl, 12 m, Chac Mool is perfect for everyone new in cavern diving. It also offers long penetrations for cave divers and is home to the largest underwoter stologtite in the world.

Ponderosa

Situated 3 km south of Puerto Aventuras and 25 km south of Playa del Carmen youwill find ponderosa, a large and beautiful cenote, also known as "El den". Big rocks covered by mosses end plants on the bottom of the cenote are home to a variety of fish, freshwater eels and aquatic plat life.

this makes ponderosa to a perfec place for snorkelers and swimmers as well as for diving courses on days the ocean is too rough to dive.For inexperienced cavern divers this cenote is ideal as the rooms are very large and the main part of the dive takes the diver along the edse of the nearby cenote coral garden, here breathtaking light shows are waiting for the divers. the whole cenote has a halocline at 10 m hor cave divers there are many different ways to go, often connected to nearby cenotes.

Tajmahal

This cenote, which has a lot to offer for cavern and cave divers alike, is situated 26 km south of Playa del Carmen and 5 km south of puerto aventuras. thr cavern tour leads from the entrance straight under an air filled bat cave.

this is where light falls through a hola in the ceiling and penetrates info the water like a lazer beam,during and penetrates info the water like a lanzer beam, during the summer time of the year, continuing the dive,you will enter info the sugar bowl,a second small cenote where yuo can see an amazing light show on sunny days.Besides this, Tajmahal is decorated with stalagtites and stalagmites in various corners, plenty of hidden fossils can be spotted if you keep your eyes open. Haloclines in the deeper areas make interesting miror-like effects, as divers penetrate into the layer of saltwater below the fresh. for cave divers there are upstream and downstream possbilities. Ask your cave guide where to find the Chinese Garden.

Dos ojos

the entrance to this popular and famous cenote is situated one kilometer south of Xel ha and about 48 south of Playa del Carmen. From the highway, a dirt road leads 4 km to the actual cavern and cave areas.

The name " dos ojos", meaning " two eyes", because there are two circular cenotes which are located very close to one another. Dos Ojos is known for it's multiple shallow dives, giving divers plenty of bottom time to enjoy this beautifully decorated system.Two very different caverns both start and end in the same place.This dive leads the diver mainly along the opening of the second eye, containing plenty of daylight. It also gives divers a lot of space to swim around huge columns and stalagtites. Be ready for some exciling surprises on this dive.

Calavera

Cenote calavera which means " skull cave " in english is also known as " temple of doom ". Situated just outside of Tulum on the turnoff to cuba, calavera is not just an interesting "hole inthe ground", but an cavern dive of a different type.To enter the water some courage is needed as the diver needs to jump 3m down or climb the steep ladder.

The cavern area is a big room with a hill in the middle around which divers are darker than in others,and many fossiles acn be spotted. For cave divers calavera offers upstream and downstream dives, talk to your cave guide about the "fang", a huge stalagtite.

Gran cenote

It's name says it all Gran Cenote is consedered one of the best for snorkeling, cave and cavern diving in the Rivera Maya. this cenote is part of the system of sac aktun which means white cave in Maya.

It is located on the highway to coba just 4 km outside of the city of Tulum. the cavern dive is circular around the edge of the cenote with a maximun depth of 10 m, with plenty of light falling in, this is a good dive for inexperienced cavern divers. perfect buoyancy is required decause the cavern as well as the caves are highly decorated. for cave divers an impressive cave is waiting to be explored. Snorkelers can view the formations of the cavern area without ever diving under the water.being situated so far from Playa del Carmen, Gran Cenote is usually combined with Angelita or Car Wash cenote.

Carwash

No longer used for washing taxis, Carwash is situated 8 km outside of Tulum on fhe road to coba. with the water level being just a few inches below ground level, divers find an easy.

entrance into the water. You will enter the water through the roots and fallen trees which like any good fairy tail tankes you to a strnge and different world. for the cavern divers there are upstream and downstream dives possible, though the upstream section with it's large chestnut colored columns is the most popular section for covern diving. The light falling through the roots create an amazing light show and the large room behind is beatifully decorated. cave divers can find many rooms along their way, ask your guide for the room of tears, Adriana's room and many more.

Angelita

Angelita, in english "little angel", is not only an atypical cenote dive, but a once in a lifetime dive in all respects.

Situated 17km south of Tulum, it is the furthest site visited from Playa del Carmen. Walking abouf 5 minutes through the jungle you reach this picturesque circular shaped cenote which does nothing more than go straight down 200ft, 60m. Descending through clear fresh water you will sink right into a mystical hydrogen sulfate layer at 100ft/30m that looks like a big cloud with trunks and branches reaching through it. Passing through the cloud, the diver will reach the salt water. It is dark here, giving the diver the feeling of being in a forest at night. Angelita is a dive for the experienced diver because of it's depth. Most commonly it is dived to a depth of 130ft/40m. This cenote is visited as well by technical divers for decompression dives.