Snorkeling Cenotes Playa del Carmen: Cave & Open Pools

Underground rivers and open pools in the same afternoon

A private snorkeling trip in two cenotes near Playa del Carmen combines a cave cenote with an underground river and rock formations, then an open cenote that functions as a natural swimming pool ringed by mangroves and fish. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French. Lunch, drinks and all entrance fees are included. You can follow the operator's choice of cenotes or request your own based on your own research.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit cave and open cenotes

• Visit cave cenote with underground river
• Swim in open cenote surrounded by mangroves

The experience

Casa Cenote and its counterpart (a cave system with an underground river) make up the two stops on this afternoon. The first cenote is a cave with pristine water and rock formations you swim through. The second is an open pool surrounded by mangroves where fish move through the shallows. Both are swimmable and snorkelable, and the contrast between them is the point: one is enclosed and geological, the other is open and alive with wildlife.

A guide meets you and handles the logistics: entrance fees, the route between sites, timing so both cenotes fit into the afternoon. Lunch and drinks come partway through. If you've researched cenotes on your own and want to visit a different pair instead of the operator's picks, you can request that at booking and the guide will take you there instead. The trip runs four to six hours depending on how long you spend in the water and which cenotes you choose.

Transportation is included from your hotel. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, so you can book in whichever language suits you. Snorkeling gear is your own responsibility. Bring it or rent it separately before the tour starts.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and transportation to both cenotes.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• entrance fees to both cenotes.
• lunch and drinks.

Information

Lasts 4h–6h, runs every day at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00, from US$ 245 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and French, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and FrenchOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Boutique Tours Mexico

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private afternoon with a guide who knows the cenotes and can adjust the itinerary to your interests: the flexibility to swap sites if you've done your own research, combined with someone handling the driving and the logistics, suits travelers who want choice without the planning.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

154 verified traveler reviews

5 ★154

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's the difference between the two cenotes on this snorkeling trip?

The first cenote is a cave system with an underground river, pristine water and impressive rock formations carved into the stone. The second, Casa Cenote, is an open cenote that looks like a natural swimming pool surrounded by mangroves and full of fish: a completely different landscape and experience in the same afternoon.

Is snorkeling gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

The trip does not include snorkeling equipment. You'll need to bring your own mask, fins and snorkel, or rent them separately before the tour begins.

Can I choose which cenotes to visit, or are they fixed?

The operator has selected two cenotes they recommend, but if you've done your own research and prefer different cenotes, you can request your choice at booking and the guide will take you there instead.

How long does the whole trip take?

The snorkeling trip runs between four and six hours depending on how much time you spend in the water at each cenote and which sites you visit.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch and drinks are included in the trip, served partway through the afternoon at one of the cenotes.