Cenote Cristalino: A Visitors’ Guide [2024]

Cenotes are one of the most hyped destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. And for good reason! These natural swimming holes are breathtakingly beautiful and hold so much mystery and history.

They’re undoubtedly one of my favorite features of the Riviera Maya. Case in point: Cenote Cristalino near Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

This enchanting, though lesser-known cenote offers a respite of nature, and refreshing waters to cool off when you need a break from the beach.

It’s a practical cenote to visit whether you’re staying in Tulum or Playa, and it makes for a great stop if you’re traveling between the two cities.

It’s located close to two other cenotes – Cenote Azul and Cenote Jardin del Eden –and it’s an unbeatable choice for privacy and tranquility. It’s not as crowded as other more popular cenotes in Playa del Carmen, and it’s a great place for swimming!

Find out why this cenote should be on your bucket list of cenotes to visit in Mexico!

BUT FIRST, WHAT IS A CENOTE?

You might already know what a cenote is. They’ve become quite popular, after all, so you’re probably familiar with them. If you’re not, however, I highly recommend you read this section.

Cenotes are an intrinsic part of the Mayan culture, and I think it’s really important to understand their significance to the civilization.

A cenote is a natural sinkhole that’s several centuries old. It’s formed when limestone caves collapse, exposing a natural pool. The pool is then filled with rainwater and underground rivers, and voilà, you’ve got yourself a cenote!

The word cenote comes from the Mayan term dzonot, which means well. Not all cenotes look the same, though, and there are 3 very distinctive types:

1. Open Cenotes – Open cenotes are like natural, open pools, and they can be more or less deep. Some of the open cenotes are also connected to an underground river passage (which makes them great for diving!).
   
   Examples of open cenotes are Cenote Nicte Ha & Cenotes Cristal and Escondido near Tulum. Cenote Cristalino is also one of them.
   
2. Semi-open Cenotes – As the name implies, this type of cenote has some parts that are exposed and some portions that are partially hidden by a cave. An example is Cenote Calavera (one of my favorite cenotes!).
   
3. Cave Cenotes – This type of cenote can be accessed via a land-level entrance. Once you make your way in, it opens up to an underground pool which can have both shallow and deep areas. Cenote Dos Ojos is an example of a cave cenote.

Cenotes have great cultural and religious significance to the ancient Mayans. They believed the cenotes were passages to the underworld. In fact, Mayans performed rituals in the cenotes and treated the sites as sacred.

This means that you should too. Please be responsible! Don’t litter the cenote, always take your trash back with you, and only apply biodegradable sunscreen before swimming in the cenote.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CENOTE CRISTALINO, MEXICO

Cenote Cristalino is one of many beautiful cenotes that you will find near Playa del Carmen.

In fact, its location mid-way between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, and easy access from the highway make it more accessible than most other cenotes.

Aside from its position and natural beauty, a major reason why tourists choose this cenote is because it’s less crowded. It is relatively quiet (especially if you visit on weekdays) and quite cheap, too.

Cristalino Cenote is an open-type cenote that resembles a natural swimming pool. Portions of the cenote are concealed beneath a rock, forming a mini-cave with stalactites and stalagmites. It’s so much fun to explore (especially with a snorkel mask!)

There are also cliffs from which you can jump into the water. And if you’d rather avoid the adrenaline and relax with your feet dangling on the water, watch out for the fish that swim in the cenote – There are plenty of them!

Possibly the most striking feature of the cenote is its crystal-clear, impossibly transparent water. Did you know that Cristalino in Spanish means just that – crystal-clear? You can appreciate it in the Cenote Cristalino photos throughout this post…imagine how it’d look in real life!

The water is as cold as it is clear, making it a dream to swim in on hot summer days.

The cenote’s average depth is 13 feet (4 meters), and its deepest point is around 19.5 feet (6 meters). It’s safe for children to swim in, and the area where the jumping platforms are located is the shallowest, at 11.4 feet (3.5 meters).

Completely surrounded by vegetation, Cenote Cristalino lives up to its fame as a natural gem. It looks rustic and untouched while still featuring numerous facilities. (More on them later!)

There’s no shade in the sinkhole itself, so unless you have biodegradable sunscreen it’s recommended to wear a sun shirt while in the water.

READ ALSO: 11 Unmissable Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen

FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT CENOTE CRISTALINO, PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Cenote Cristalino is not as commercialized as other cenotes in the region. But that does not mean there are no facilities available. 

Bathrooms & Changing Rooms

There are plenty of clean toilets and showers that you can use at the cenote. You can use them to change into and out of your swimsuit and to rinse off after a swim.

 Food at Cenote Cristalino

If you get hungry or are in need of refreshment, there are snack and food stalls on-site that will supply you with a bite. Don’t expect a great variety of options, though. The stalls have basic snacks and beverages to keep you going.

Parking

There is free parking available right outside the cenote entrance, by the main road.

Other Facilities

You’ll find locker rentals to store your personal belongings. Life jackets are also available at no extra cost, you simply need to request them.

If you want to spend more time relaxing at this cenote, there are sun loungers you can rent for around 70 MXN.

They only accept cash, and in most cases Mexican Pesos is the only accepted currency. Don’t forget to take some pesos with you!

CENOTE CRISTALINO: PRACTICAL INFO

How much does it cost?

The Cenote Cristalino price is very reasonable at only 200 MXN (around 10 USD). It is, therefore, a practical choice for those looking for cheaper cenotes with some privacy.

Where is it located?

Cenote Cristalino is located in Carretera Cancun – Tulum Km 269, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. You can get to this cenote within 20 minutes of travel time if you are from Playa del Carmen.

Here below you can see it on the map:

Cristalino Opening Hours

Cenote Cristalino is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.

What’s the best time to visit Cenote Cristalino?

The best time to visit is right after the cenote opens, or late in the afternoon. The tourists often arrive late in the morning and most stay after lunch.

Cenote Cristalino Snorkeling

The crystal clear water in Cenote Cristalino (as the name implies) makes it suitable for snorkeling. But even for those who simply opt to go for a swim, the water is clear enough that you can see the fish swimming around in the water.

Cenote Cristalino Diving

It is not a very deep cenote, so it is not suited for diving.

Are drones allowed?

Drones require prior permission due to safety (and privacy) reasons. Regular cameras are allowed.

Is there anything prohibited at Cenote Cristalino?

There are a few restrictions in place to help protect the cenote’s ecosystem. Most cenotes in the region have similar rules, so it will be helpful to remember them when visiting others.

• Regular sunscreen and mosquito repellent (along with any other lotions) are not allowed.
  
• Alcohol is prohibited.
  
• You can’t smoke in the cenote.
  
• Jumping headfirst from the platforms, for security reasons, isn’t allowed.
  
• Damaging nature or the facilities, or harming the wildlife in any way is a no-go.

How long should you stay at the cenote?

You could spend between 2 and 3 hours at Cenote Cristalino. This will give you time to relax in the beautiful location, go for a swim, snorkel with fish, and jump multiple times into the water. Basically, to tick all the boxes!

BEST TOURS TO CENOTE CRISTALINO

A great way to visit Cenote Cristalino – and other cenotes for that matter – is by joining a tour. This takes the how to get there planning out of the equation.

Besides, the guides are usually locals with incredible knowledge about the natural sinkholes and the area in general.

▶️ The Tulum: Private Cenote Tour of Cristalino and Garden of Eden is an exclusive excursion. Your group of up to eight will be taken to these two cenotes with a savvy guide. Enjoy time to swim and relax in each, and savor a Mexican lunch at the end. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ A super fun alternative is the Cenote Cristalino Tour with Underwater Photo Session. A guide/photographer will follow your adventures in the cenote, capturing every moment. You’ll get to pose in the most photogenic spots around the sinkhole (and under it!) and receive all the photos and videos later as a souvenir. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

HOW TO GET TO CENOTE CRISTALINO

Cenote Cristalino is located next to Cenote Azul, Cenote Kantun Chi, and Cenote Jardin del Eden.

READ MORE:
Cenote Azul: Visitor Info & Prices (2019)
Cenote Jardin del Eden: Why You Need to Visit

There are several transportation options available to get to this cenote.

Take a Colectivo to Cenote Cristalino, Quintana Roo

Taking a colectivo from Playa del Carmen is one of the cheapest ways to get to this cenote. It is a public and shared van that you can take from Playa del Carmen for only 40 MXN.

Go to the 2nd Street in Playa del Carmen and a colectivo will pass by every 10 minutes or so. The cenote is located just off the highway, so it is a short walk to get to the entrance when you alight from the colectivo.

Drive your own car to Cenote Cristalino

If you have a rental car, you can drive to Cenotes Cristalino. To get to this cenote from Playa del Carmen, you must drive south via Highway 307 towards Puerto Aventuras.

When you reach this landmark, the cenote is only about 4 minutes away. Turn left towards the Barcelo Hotel entrance and you will find the entrance to Cenote Cristalino.

There are car parking facilities on-site for your convenience.

Hire a Private Driver for the Day

Possibly the most convenient way to visit Cenote Cristalino is by hiring a private driver. You’ll have as much freedom and flexibility as with your own car, except someone else will do the driving.

While it’s a more pricey option, it’s an especially good one if you plan on exploring other cenotes, or nearby attractions such as the Tulum Ruins or Coba on the same day. Why not make your cenote visit a whole day trip event?

PROS AND CONS OF CENOTE CRISTALINO

Pros of Cenote Cristalino

✅ It’s quieter than other cenotes in the area with far less crowd.

✅ It’s near Cenote Azul and Jardin del Eden, so you can easily visit those other cenotes.

✅ It’s one of the cheaper cenotes you can visit.

✅ It’s an open cenote but there are areas wherein you can swim under the rocks.

✅ It’s not very deep so it is perfect for the whole family to swim in.

✅ It’s very easy to get to or find.

Cons of Cenote Cristalino

❌ It is not the ideal cenote for those who want to go diving.

❌ It is not overly big, especially when compared to other cenotes such as Cenote Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote.

WHAT TO PACK FOR CENOTE CRISTALINO

This is a list of the essential items you should bring with you when you visit Cenote Cristalino.

➤  Swimwear: Of course. This is an essential item to pack with you when you visit a cenote! You’re mainly going there to swim (right?!) so you can’t leave your swimsuit behind.

➤  Biodegradable Sunscreen: Please make sure not to apply regular sunscreen! Not only is it expressly forbidden at the cenote, but it’s incredibly harmful to the ecosystem. If you really need to use sunscreen, go for 100% biodegradable sunscreen.

➤ Snorkel Mask or Goggles: The crystal clear waters of the cenotes will make you want to take a closer look! You’ll need snorkeling gear to discover the underwater world.

➤ Water Shoes: Not necessary for this cenote in particular since it’s an open one. However, in general I always recommend investing in a pair of water shoes if you’re planning to spend some time in Mexico. Cenotes can be rocky, and they’re also useful for snorkeling in the coral reef.

➤ Water Bottle: Mexico has tropical weather so you can expect it to be hot and humid. Try and bring a refillable water bottle around with you to reduce the consumption of plastic.

However, the tap water in Mexico isn’t generally safe to drink. Make sure to refill your bottle with safe water, or buy a LifeStraw water bottle that comes with a water filter so you can drink without worry.

➤ Camera: Because these cenotes feature one-of-a-kind natural beauty, it is hard to pass up the opportunity to capture them in photos. Even better if you have an underwater camera or GoPro, so you can take it in the water with you.

Are you going to visit Cenote Cristalino soon? Do let me know in the comments!

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