Gran Cenote is by far one of the well-liked such points of interest close to Tulum. It has all the pieces that makes a cenote magical: crystal-clear turquoise waters, jungle vines hanging down from rocky overhangs, vibrant inexperienced vegetation encircling the opening, and neat caves to discover. It’s no shock to me that this cenote attracts so many guests. Right here is all the pieces you want to know earlier than visiting this enchanting place:

What Is a Cenote?

A cenote (seh-NO-teh) is a pure limestone sinkhole crammed with freshwater from underground rivers. In truth, the Yucatán Peninsula is dwelling to the longest underground river and cave system on the planet! Due to erosion, the ceilings of those water-filled caves collapse, and we all know these openings as cenotes.

Since cenotes are a part of an enormous system of underground rivers, a lot of them have caverns beneath the floor which might be a diver’s dream to discover. The deep, crystal-clear water makes for great swimming and snorkeling as effectively. With rocky cliffs, hanging vines, and spectacular jungle views throughout, cenotes are really a treasure to go to.

There are three distinct varieties of cenotes:

• Closed: Suppose underground swimming gap. Closed cenotes have a really small opening on the prime the place you possibly can climb down into the cavern. There might be an open-air house that probably has stalactites hanging from the ceiling and even some bats. Some closed cenotes are fairly primary, with only a picket deck, and a few are extra built-up, with stone platforms to sit on and soar in from.
• Semi-open: Semi-open cenotes are comparable to closed cenotes, besides they’ve a extra sizable opening on the prime. They’re underground and require stairs to get into. You would possibly discover cave pockets in these, and the sunshine shining in from above is gorgeous within the morning and mid-afternoon.
• Open: An open cenote most resembles a pond or lagoon. It might need some rocky cliffs on the perimeters or rock overhangs, however a lot of the water’s floor is uncovered to mild. Which means that open cenotes have way more plants rising on the underside, which is neat to try with some snorkeling gear.

So, which type is Gran Cenote? It’s open, with a lot of rock overhangs and inlets. It has a number of completely different sections, together with an element that feels extra like a cave.

Historic and Cultural Significance

Cenotes had been and proceed to be of giant significance to the Mayan individuals. They’re the doorway factors to the underworld, Xibalbá. Because of this, cenotes have been locations of worship and ritual for hundreds of years. Now that so a lot of them have change into vacationer hotspots, this vital a part of Mayan tradition goes unnoticed.

Causes to Go to

Gran Cenote has a little bit of all the pieces: a cavern to swim by way of, an open pool to float in, turtles to observe, and a great deal of plants throughout it. Listed here are a number of the explanation why you may have to go to subsequent time you’re in Tulum:

Diving

Whereas it isn’t the most well-liked diving location within the space, it’s nonetheless an excellent place to get under the floor of the water, because it has loads of caverns to discover. It’s a part of the Sac Actun system, which is the most important underwater cave system on the planet.

A lot of the appeal of Gran Cenote lies underwater, the place you’ll discover unbelievable geology, together with a number of stalagmites. It’s a novice-level dive, which is ideal for novices.

Take a look at Koox Diving for extra data on how to e-book your journey.

Snorkeling

Gran Cenote is likely one of the greatest spots close to Tulum for snorkeling. As quickly as you peer into the turquoise water, you’ll have the option to see why. Within the open areas of the cenote, there are vegetation rising on the underside like an underwater backyard.

In the event you go into the lined cave-like space, nonetheless, the scene slowly adjustments. Because the water will get deeper, you’ll see the rocky caverns under. The partitions underneath the floor are adorned with neat geological patterns and plants. You’ll additionally see loads of small fish and the well-known turtles swimming about.

You can deliver your personal snorkeling gear, or you possibly can hire it there.

Swimming

The clear water makes it an unbelievable place to take a dip, as a result of you possibly can see down into the depths. Even the shallow areas are an excellent place to swim, whether or not you’re an skilled swimmer or not.

Like many cenotes, this one has a rope that passes by way of the deeper components of it, which is good to maintain on to in case you get bored with swimming round. In the event you don’t really feel assured about being in deep water, you too can hire a life jacket, which can enable you to discover extra.

Turtles

There aren’t many cenotes the place you’ll discover freshwater turtles within the numbers that you simply’ll discover them right here. Seemingly due to the quantity of human contact they’ve every day with guests, the turtles appear very unfazed by individuals coming out and in of the water. In truth, I’ve had turtles bump straight into me whereas I used to be snorkeling! Hold an eye fixed out for the clumsy ones, of us!

It’s vital to keep away from touching the turtles (on goal), simply as with every different wildlife. Seeing them up shut can also be an excellent reminder to go away no trash behind on the cenote — or anyplace else for that matter.

When to Go to

Due to its recognition, Gran Cenote is greatest to go to proper when it opens at 8am. This pure marvel attracts lots of of tourists a day, on common. Though it’s huge as compared to different cenotes, it nonetheless feels fairly crowded within the afternoon throughout excessive season.

Another choice is to cease by for a fast go to shortly earlier than it closes. The ticket sales space will cease promoting tickets round 4pm, and the cenote closes at 5pm. In the event you get there round 3pm, the crowds will probably have dissipated, and also you’ll have loads of time to discover.

Both method, keep away from visiting Gran Cenote on a weekend when it’s much more crowded than it’s on weekday afternoons. Go for a Monday or Tuesday for the most effective probability to have the place (principally) to your self.

How to Get There

This cenote is likely one of the best to get to from downtown Tulum. It’s solely about 5 kilometers (Three miles) from downtown, which suggests you possibly can simply bike there.

In the event you select to go there by bike from downtown, head north on the Carretera Tulum-Chetumal, towards the doorway to the Tulum archaeological web site. Take a left onto Freeway 109 going to Coba (there’s a Tremendous Aki grocery retailer on the nook in case you don’t see the indicators for the freeway). From there, it’s a straight shot to the doorway of Gran Cenote, the place there’s a big signal on the right-hand facet of the street.

Taking a taxi to Gran Cenote can also be straightforward and low cost. It ought to value round 100 pesos ($5 USD) every method. You received’t have to fear about discovering a cab going again to downtown Tulum (or your resort), as a result of there are at all times a number of ready exterior.

One other cheaper choice is to take a combi, which is a white van used for public transportation. You can catch a Coba-bound combi on the nook of the primary freeway that goes by way of downtown Tulum (referred to because the Carretera Chetumal-Tulum) and Freeway 109. The trip solely prices 20 pesos ($1 USD) every method. On the best way again, you possibly can flag one down alongside the freeway.

Essential Particulars

• Value: This is likely one of the costlier cenotes close to Tulum. Entry is 180 pesos ($9 USD), plus 30 pesos ($1.50 USD) for a locker, 50 pesos ($2.50 USD) for a life jacket, and 80 pesos ($5 USD) for snorkeling gear.
• Sunscreen: Don’t put on sunscreen into the cenote. There are showers exterior the place you possibly can rinse off any sunscreen or bug repellent, each of which have chemical compounds which might be dangerous to the biome in and round cenotes.
• Etiquette: As I discussed above, cenotes had been used for hundreds of years to carry out sacred rituals and have big significance to the Mayam individuals. There are indicators on the entrance to Gran Cenote that designate what objects are prohibited (most notably, alcohol and medicines). Please stick to the foundations! They’re there to shield the cenote.
• Services: There are loos, altering rooms, showers, and lockers at Gran Cenote. However ensure to deliver a towel as they don’t have them for hire.

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