Tulum Cenotes: Small Group 3-Cenote Snorkel & Cave Tour

Summary

Swim clear waters, explore limestone caves and share laughs with guides in Tulum’s wild cenotes

You’ll start early with hotel pickup in Tulum and swim through three unique cenotes: open-air Casa Cenote, dramatic Taak Bi Ha caves, and a private underground pool only accessible with your guide. Expect cold clear water, local stories, easy snacks for lunch, and moments of real quiet you might remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed at Casa Cenote was the quiet — just a couple of birds somewhere in the mangroves and the water so clear you could see tiny fish flickering around your toes. Our guide, Luis, handed me my snorkel mask and grinned like he’d seen this all before. He probably had. We got there early (pickup was right on time from my hotel in Tulum), so it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The water was cold at first but not in a bad way — more like a wake-up call. I tried to say “cenote” the way Luis did but he laughed and said I sounded Spanish, not Mexican. Fair enough.

Taak Bi Ha was next — honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so small inside a cave. The air changed completely; it smelled earthy and cool, almost sweet somehow? Stalactites everywhere above us, some of them dripping quietly. Luis switched on his headlamp and pointed out these weird rock formations that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. It’s hard to explain how dark it gets when you’re deep inside but also how safe you feel with someone who knows every turn. There were bats (don’t worry — they keep to themselves) and this one spot where the light caught the water just right and everything glowed blue for a second.

Lunch was simple — sandwiches and fruit — but after swimming it tasted perfect. We ate sitting on rocks by the entrance of the last cenote, which is apparently private (Luis said only their groups get access). I kept thinking about how old these places must be; he said some are millions of years old. My hands were pruney from swimming but I didn’t care.

The last cenote felt different — quieter somehow, almost like being inside a secret room under Tulum itself. We turned off our lights for a minute just to listen: nothing but water drops echoing somewhere far away. I still think about that silence sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore three cenotes and lunch

• 7:30h hotel pick-up
• Visit Casa Cenote early
• Explore Taak Bi Ha Cenote
• Enjoy picnic lunch
• Private underground cenote tour
• 14:00h-15:00h hotel drop-off

Top questions

What time does the cenote tour start from Tulum?

The tour starts with pickup at 7:30 am from your hotel or meeting point in Tulum.

How many cenotes do we visit on this tour?

You’ll visit three cenotes: Casa Cenote, Taak Bi Ha Cenote, and an exclusive private underground cenote.

Is lunch included during the day trip?

Yes, a picnic lunch with snacks is included during the tour.

Are entrance fees covered in this experience?

All entrance fees are included in your booking price.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No need — snorkeling gear is provided as part of the tour.

Is hotel pickup available for all hotels in Tulum?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or apartment in Tulum is included; check your confirmation email for details.

How long does the entire tour last?

The tour runs from about 7:30 am until between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

Are these cenotes suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, the experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your Tulum hotel or meeting point, entry fees for all three cenotes (Casa Cenote, Taak Bi Ha, and a private underground pool), use of snorkeling equipment throughout each stop, bottled water to keep you going between swims, snacks plus a picnic lunch enjoyed outdoors with your group, and guidance from someone who knows these places inside out before returning you back to town mid-afternoon.