Casa Cenote: Follow the Currents all the way to the Sea

Part of the largest system of underground caves in the world, cenotes in the Riviera Maya can be found miles inland or just a few feet away from the ocean. That’s the case with Casa Cenote. It’s so close to the sea that you’ll be swimming in a mixture of fresh and saltwater.

Where is Casa Cenote?

Casa Cenote is right on the coast, only 14 miles or so from Tulum (15-minute drive)—it is also known as Cenote Manati (Manatee). You can rent all the necessary equipment at the entrance: lifejackets, snorkels, masks, and more. There are even kayaks and guided tours. The cenote’s facilities are the basic ones: bathrooms, showers, and lockers.

In the water

You can lay back and let your lifejacket carry you with the currents or dive in to see what you find under the surface. In the mangroves, you’ll be able to spot all kinds of small creatures living among their roots. Even a small crocodile has been spotted on occasion.

You can snorkel all the way to the ocean. Be careful, as the currents will get stronger, and the creatures bigger. If you’re very lucky, you might stumble into a manatee or two. Now you know where the alternative name of Casa Cenote comes from.

Start your diving adventure

This cenote is famous amongst beginner divers. Completely open (looks very much like a river in places) and only 19-and-a-half feet deep, to get used to the diving equipment before venturing to dive in caves, which this cenote also has.

Stay at Casa Cenote the whole weekend

There are a couple of places around the area where you can stay overnight. Casa Cenote is the most obvious, as you can go tour the cenote and return to eat something, swim in the pool, and rest with a view of the ocean.