Visiting Cenote Dos Ojos In Tulum – Info For 2022
Mexico is a country filled with beautiful places to visit. Tourists can visit the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Copper Canyon, Catredal Metropolitana, and so many more. One of the most popular places to relish in the beauty of Mexico and have some adventure is Cenote Dos Ojos.
Cenote Dos Ojos Mexico is a premier diving destination off the Yucatan Peninsula. Read on to learn more about this unique destination.
Looking for more things to do in Mexico? Check out all of our articles on Mexico, or start with these popular posts:
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What Is Cenote Dos Ojos?
Cenote Dos Ojos is a cavern diving site within the Dos Ojos cave system. The Sistema Dos Ojos is part of the larger Sistema Sac Actun.
On its own, the Sistema Dos Ojos reaches 51 miles, while the whole Sistema Sac Actun stretches 231 miles. Sistema Sac Actun is the second-longest cave system in the world. The deepest point of Sistema Sac Actun is within Sistema Dos Ojos, at a depth of 391 feet.
A cenote is the local term for a water-filled sinkhole that is created when the limestone ceiling of an underground cave or cavern collapses. Groundwater fills this sinkhole, and they are fed by rain. Because the Yucatan Peninsula has a limestone foundation, there are over 6,000 cenotes in the area.
The Dos Ojos Cenote serves as one of the entrances into the Sistema Dos Ojos. The clarity and warmth of the water make it an ideal destination for diving, snorkeling, and swimming.
Where Is Cenote Dos Ojos?
Sistema Dos Ojos, and thus Cenote Dos Ojos, are part of the city of Tulum in the state of Quintana Roo. Tulum is on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, along the Caribbean sea. Playa del Carmen and Cancun lie just north of Tulum, right up Highway 307.
Sistema Dos Ojos is at the northern end of the Sistema Sac Actun, and the Cenote Dos Ojos is at the northern end of the Sistema Dos Ojos, making it one of the furthest north points of the Sistema Sac Actun.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Cenote Dos Ojos?
Visitors to Cenote Dos Ojos can choose from two ticket options. The standard ticket is 350 pesos (about $17) and includes parking, access to the swimming areas, and a life jacket rental. The upgraded ticket is 700 pesos and includes a guided tour, locker rental, and snorkel gear rental. Kids under age six are free.
What Activities Are Available?
Visitors to Cenote Dos Ojos can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive.
There are two spots for swimming, Eye 1 and Eye 2. Eye 1 is smaller and deeper, and Eye 2 is more open, shallower, and offers hammocks for relaxation. Both are used by snorkelers as well, and if the water is high enough, snorkelers can even swim to the Bat Cave.
The Cenote Dos Ojos contains two different diving circuits, the Barbie Line and the Bat Cave Line. The Bat Cave Line has that name because it leads to a bat cave, where divers and snorkelers can pop up out of the water and say hi to the bats hanging above.
How Difficult Is Diving at Cenote Dos Ojos?
Diving at Cenote Dos Ojos is considered easy, regardless of which diving circuit you take. However, the Barbie Line is the easier of the two.
The Barbie Line is about 1,361.5 feet long and 20 feet deep. This circuit is spacious and near the surface, making it a good introduction for beginners. The whole circuit takes about 45 minutes to complete.
The Bat Cave Line is slightly more difficult but still not too hard. At 984 feet long, this circuit is shorter, but it’s much darker, with a maximum depth of 39 feet. This tour takes about 35 minutes, with the added bonus of viewing the bat cave.
Does Cenote Dos Ojos Offer Equipment Rental?
With the price of admission, you’re given a life jacket rental. You can rent snorkeling gear for an additional fee.
Can I Take a Tour at Cenote Dos Ojos?
Several companies offer diving and snorkeling tours of Cenote Dos Ojos. The site itself also offers tours included with the upgraded ticket option.
What Amenities Are Available?
At Cenote Dos Ojos, you’ll find bathrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms. The changing rooms and locker rooms are included with the upgraded ticket. At Eye 1, you’ll find a platform for snorkelers as well as benches and tables to set your things while you’re in the water. At Eye 2, you can relax beside the cenote in some of the hammocks.
You may be able to find small food stands within the park area. While there’s no full restaurant inside, there are some in the parking area and nearby. You can even find massage huts near the cenote!
What Else Should I Know Before I Visit?
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your excursion:
- Bring cash. Many of the vendors inside, like those selling food or offering massages or tours, will only take cash.
- There is a large parking area outside the cenote, and the price of parking is included with admission. If you don’t have a car available, you can also take a bus or taxi.
- No alcohol.
- No jumping into the water.
- To preserve the water quality, do not wear sunscreen or bug spray into the water.
- Do not touch the stalactites, stalagmites, or roots. You’ll see multiple signs about this, and violators may be subject to prosecution.
What Other Cenotes Should I Visit Nearby?
If you’ve enjoyed your visit to Cenote Dos Ojos and want to see more, there are several other cenotes in the area:
- Cenote Los Manos
- Cenote El Pit
- Cenotes San Actun
- El Toh Cenote
- Dos Palmas Cenote
- Cenote Nic Te Ha
- Cenote Los Manos
- Cenote El Pit
- Cenotes San Actun
- El Toh Cenote
- Dos Palmas Cenote
- Cenote Nic Te Ha
Final Thoughts – Cenote Dos Ojos
While Mexico offers a wide variety of places to visit, the cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula are like nothing else. Cenote Dos Ojos connects to one of the largest cave systems in the world and offers options for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Whether spending the day with the family, taking a romantic vacation, or traveling alone, Cenote Dos Ojos is a can’t-miss adventure.
