Visit Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum | Info + Prices [2023]

Discover why you need to swim at Cenote Dos Ojos, a stunning sinkhole located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. This NEEDS to be on your bucket list!

Cenote Dos Ojos in Tulum might easily be the most famous cenote in the world. It has appeared in multiple documentaries and movies, and I can honestly understand why. It’s just incredibly beautiful!

The blue water that almost looks painted, incredible rock formations, and plenty of opportunities for divers make it one of the most beautiful cenotes near Tulum. Check out my other favorite cenotes in the are in this video below.

WHAT IS A CENOTE?

I already know what is a cenote! I know, I know – after all, cenotes have become super popular these past few years, especially thanks to Instagram and travel blogs. However, many people don’t really know what exactly is a cenote, and I do believe it’s important to understand what is their significance to the Mayans so we can be more respectful.

A cenote is a natural sinkhole dating back several centuries. Said in simple words, when limestone caves collapse they expose a natural pool. This pool then gets filled with rain water and with the water that flows through underground rivers, to which these natural sinkholes are connected to. Voilà, you’ve got yourself a cenote!

Cenote 2 at Cenote Dos Ojos, Mexico – Image by Raphael of Journey Wonders

The word cenote comes from the Mayan term dzonot, which means well. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that all cenotes look the same. In fact, there are 4 types of cenotes:

• Open Cenotes – Open cenotes are like natural, open pools, which can be more or less deep. Some of these open cenotes are also connected to an underground river passage (which makes them great for diving!). Examples of beautiful open cenotes are Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido, Cenote Zacil-Ha, and Cenote Carwash.

• Semi-open Cenotes – As the name implies, semi-open cenotes have some parts that are exposed and some portions that are partially hidden by a cave. Examples of semi-open cenote are Gran Cenote and Cenote Calavera.

• 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, which I’ll tell you all about in this post, is a cave cenote.

• Underground Cenotes – This type of cenote is the most difficult to reach as they are, in fact, underground. Only experienced divers can access underground cenotes. An example of underground cenote is the Pet Cemetery Cenote near Tulum.

Cenotes are not just natural pools and caves, they have a great cultural and religious significance to the ancient Mayans, who believed that the cenotes were passages to the underworld.

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.

CENOTE DOS OJOS: AN INTRODUCTION

Cenote Dos Ojos, contrary to popular belief, is not a single cenote but it’s actually a system made of two different cenotes. These are connected via a passageway that measures 400 meters long. Name explained! – in fact, the name Cenote Dos Ojos means Two Eyes Cenote in English.

Cenote Dos Ojos is part of one of the largest underwater cave systems of the Yucatan Peninsula. This cenote also boasts the record for the deepest underwater passageway, which is 118 meters (396 feet) deep, although the cenote itself is a maximum of 10 meters (33 feet) deep.

The water is transparent, blue, really one of the most crystal clear waters I’ve seen in my entire life. The temperature of the water is a pleasurable 24-25 Celsius degrees (in the high 70s Fahrenheit). 

I could not find the name of the two “eyes”cenotes, I suspect they are just called Cenote Dos Ojos 1 and 2. Most people spend most of their time at the main cenote, as the second one is darker and less inviting – yet really beautiful in a different way. It’s not unusual to see bats here as well.

And if you really like bats, there’s another cave called Bat Cave that can be visited only led by a guide!

Both sinkholes feature beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, but these are pretty fragile so please don’t touch them. You’ll find both shallow and deeper areas in the cenotes, so it’s a good option for families with children as well.

THE FACILITIES AT CENOTE DOS OJOS, TULUM

Parque Dos Ojos, where Cenote Dos Ojos is located, offers some of the best facilities in the region.

▶ Here you can find bathrooms and changing rooms, as well as lockers for rental.

▶ A large wooden deck area at the main cenote makes for a great entry point. There are stairs to go down in the water at both cenotes, but make sure you watch out for the shallow rocks right below the surface.

▶ Life jackets (I heard that they are now mandatory) are included in the price of the entrance ticket, but it’s an extra cost if you want to rent snorkeling gear at Cenote Dos Ojos. If you do want snorkeling gear, make sure you pay for it in advance at the ticket booth, since the cenote and the ticket booth are very far from each other. The cost of rental (mask, snorkel, and fins) is around 200 MXN.

▶ You can also upgrade your ticket to a guided snorkeling or diving tour, although for diving I recommend going with a reputable diving school instead. You’ll find a few diving tours in the paragraph about tours.

▶ At Cenote 2 Ojos there are also lifeguards on duty, but always keep an eye on your children if you are traveling with kids. Parking is free and there’s a restaurant on site (although with such a great choice of restaurants in Tulum, I suggest heading to town for a meal.)

▶ You can have massages (some reviewers say this was the best massage they ever got!), and there are covered picnic areas where you can sit and eat.

CENOTE DOS OJOS: PRACTICAL INFO

Cenote Dos Ojos Price

The Dos Ojos Cenote entrance fee is quite expensive, costing 350 MXN or 21 USD. Only cash is accepted, and it’s cheaper if you pay in pesos (about 18 USD with the current conversion).

Where is it located?

Cenote Dos Ojos is located 22 km (13 miles) north of Tulum, which is about a 20-minute drive, and about 50 km (31 miles) south of Playa del Carmen. It’s part of a place called Parque Dos Ojos where you can also find other cenotes: Cenote Nicte Ha, Cenote Jaguar, Cenote El Pit, Cenote Los Monos.

You can also visit Cenote Dos Ojos together with Xel Ha, which is just 1 km (0.6 miles) south.

Cenote Dos Ojos address is Carretera Federal 307, km 244.5 Here below you can see it on the map:

Cenote Dos Ojos Opening Hours

Cenote Dos Ojos is open 9 AM to 5 PM.

What’s the best time to visit Cenote Dos Ojos?

If you want to avoid the crowds, come to Cenote Dos Ojos in the early morning. I came at opening time and had the cenote pretty much for myself. At 9.30 the crowds started to arrive and I escaped to Cenote Nicte Ha!

Cenote Dos Ojos Snorkeling

✓ Possible – you can either bring your own gear or rent it at the entrance of Dos Ojos Cenote when you pay for your ticket.

Dos Ojos Cenote Diving

✓ Possible but you need to organize it with a diving center in advance. Cenote Dos Ojos is really popular with divers (many of whom are at their first experience).

BEST CENOTE DOS OJOS TOURS

If you decide to visit Two Eyes cenote in Tulum with a tour, check out my favorite Cenote Dos Ojos tours.

➤ Dos Ojos & Casa Cenote Adventure – no matter if you are a snorkeler or scuba diver, you can join this guided tour that caters to both (which makes it a family-friendly tour). You’ll get to snorkel or scuba dive with a guide at Casa Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos. It’s also more affordable than most other diving tours, and it departs from Tulum. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ Dos Ojos Cenote Private Tour with Mayan Lunch – If you prefer the privacy and convenience of a private tour, this private Dos Ojos Cenote tour. By departing early in the morning, you’ll enjoy the two cenotes away from the tourist crowds! You’ll get lunch at a local Mayan restaurant as well. Hotel pickup is included from Tulum and Playa del Carmen. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ 2 Divings in Dos Ojos Cenote – This 2-tank diving experience takes certified scuba divers to discover the tunnels and caves of the two different cenotes Dos Ojos. The tanks, weights, and flashlight are included. This Cenote Dos Ojos tour departs from Tulum. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ Private Dream Underground World – You’ll be taken with your own group to explore the Sac Actun system, where you’ll get to swim and snorkel in the underground river and discover the rock formations of this unique ecosystem. Snacks, drinks, and snorkel equipment are included, as well as hotel pick-up and drop-off from Riviera Maya. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

READ ALSO: 13 Best Cenote Tours in Tulum

HOW TO GET TO CENOTE DOS OJOS

Cenote Dos Ojos is located inside the Dos Ojos Cenote park where you can also find Cenote Nicte Ha, Cenote The Pit, and other cool cenotes. There are quite a few transportation options to get to Dos Ojos Cenote that you can choose from. Let’s see them all.

Take a Colectivo to Cenote Dos Ojos

Colectivos (shared taxis in Spanish) are often the best way to move around the Riviera Maya. Once you understand how they work, they are really easy to use: stand on the side of the highway and wave at any minivan coming your way.

Tell the driver your destination when you get on (or show the name on your phone if you don’t speak Spanish), and pay when you get off (it’s always very cheap!).

➤ If you want to get to Cenote Dos Ojos by colectivo, take it on highway 307 going north from Tulum, towards Playa del Carmen. There is no fixed schedule, but shuttles pass every few minutes. The shuttle will leave you at the entrance of Parque Dos Ojos and usually costs about 40 MXN from Tulum Town.

⚠️ Careful though: from the entrance and the ticket booth it takes about 30 minutes by walking to get to Cenote Dos Ojos. The path (around 2 km long) is on a dirt road and there’s no transportation available, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. If you’re coming by colectivo, avoid going at midday when it’s too hot! You’ll have to pass in front of Cenote Jaguar and Cenote Nicte Ha before reaching Cenote Dos Ojos.

If you don’t want to walk for that long, check out one of the other options – this, however, it’s the cheapest way to get to Cenote Dos Ojos.

Book a Private Driver for the Day

One of the best day trips from Tulum in my opinion is visiting the best cenotes in the area – I would say all of them, but considering there are thousands of cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo it’s a little difficult!

If you want to visit multiple Mexican cenotes and other attractions in one day, you can consider hiring a private driver to optimize your time just as I did. It was more costly, but this way I was able to visit 6 cenotes in one day including Cenote Dos Ojos, and I didn’t regret it one bit!

When you book a private driver, you’ll get to plan your own itinerary without having to worry about how to get from one place to the other. Parking fees and insurance will be covered, and you’ll even get two drinks per person to hydrate between visits. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Take a Taxi to Dos Ojos

➤ The ride from Tulum Town to the Dos Ojos park takes about 20 minutes and shouldn’t cost you more than 200 pesos. If they ask you for more money, make sure you haggle!

➤ If you are staying at Tulum Beach you are a little further away, so budget an extra 100 pesos.

Taxis will leave you at the entrance of the park, but if you don’t want to walk you can ask the driver to wait for you to buy the ticket and drive you to the cenote (obviously with a surcharge), which is over 1 km away.

Rent a Car in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun

Many people are scared of driving in Mexico, but I didn’t find the roads in the Riviera Maya to be bad at all. Renting a car means more freedom, and you’ll be able to park right in front of the cenotes, which will save you a lot of time and hassle. Why not opt for a road trip through the Yucatan Peninsula?

Plus, renting a car in Mexico is generally cheap. I rented a car multiple times in Merida with absolutely zero issues.

▶ CHECK OUT HERE the best prices for rental cars in Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

PROS AND CONS OF CENOTE DOS OJOS, RIVIERA MAYA

Pros of Cenote Dos Ojos

• Cenote Dos Ojos is one of the most incredible cenotes in Mexico – that fresh water!
• It’s near Cenote Nicte Ha, so you can visit both in one day.
• It’s great for both snorkeling and diving.

Cons of Cenote Dos Ojos

• Cenote Dos Ojos entrance fee is expensive.
• It’s one of the most popular cenotes, so it gets very crowded.

WHAT TO PACK FOR CENOTE DOS OJOS

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

➤ Swimwear: Of course. This is an essential item to pack with you when you visit a cenote! I’m currently in love with bikinis from ZAFUL – I kinda want to buy them all!

➤ Biodegradable Sunscreen: One of the most important Cenote Dos Ojos facts is that the use of sunscreen is not allowed. If you need to use it, only go for 100% biodegradable sunscreen. Please make sure not to apply regular sunscreen before entering Dos Ojos Cenote in Tulum or any other cenote, as it can damage the ecosystem.

➤ Snorkel Mask or Goggles: At Cenote Dos Ojos you can rent gear, but if you’re planning to snorkel on a few different occasions it makes a lot more sense to buy your own snorkeling gear.

➤ Water Bottle: 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, so make sure to refill your bottle with safe water, or buy a LifeStraw water bottle that comes with a water filter.

CENOTE DOS OJOS FAQ

WAIT! HERE’S MORE MEXICO CONTENT FOR YOU

11 Best Cenotes near Playa del Carmen
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Did I convince you to visit Cenote Dos Ojos? Let me know in the comments!

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