If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience on the Yucatan-peninsula visit one or as many cenotes as you can and would like. Casa Tortuga Cenotes is just a short drive from Tulum and is a must-visit destination. This stunning natural attraction features four different cenotes, a mix of open-air and cave cenotes. Each has its own unique beauty from crystal-clear waters to dramatic limestone formations, and perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or just looking to relax in nature, this cenote offers amazing pastime opportunities.
The Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula forms a significant part of the ancient Mayan lowlands and was the central location of the Mayan civilisation. Besides the Yucatán Peninsula, the Maya culture also extended into the highlands of Chiapas region in Mexico. Moreover, also further south in Central America e.g. in Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and in Honduras you can find Mayan sites, too. Politically, all of Mexico, including the Yucatán Peninsula, is generally considered part of North America, while Guatemala and Belize are countries of Central America.
The Yucatán peninsula includes the Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo, as well as the Petén Department of Guatemala and almost all of Belize. There are different theories where the name of the peninsula came from. One of these theories is that the word came from ancient Mayan words “yokat’an” or “yokatlan“, which means “place of richness”. One thing is sure, the Yucatán Peninsula is very rich in must-see attractions.
The peninsula has a tropical climate, which ranges from semi-arid in the north to humid in the south. It is composed of carbonate and soluble rocks, mostly limestone, dolomite, and evaporites. The entire Yucatán Peninsula is a karst landscape. Due to this extreme karst nature, the northern half of the peninsula is devoid of aboveground rivers. Sinkholes, locally known as cenotes, are common in the northern lowlands.
What are cenotes?
So, the cenotes are collapsed limestone caves filled with freshwater. The name derives from a Yucatec Maya word, “tsʼonoʼot”, which refers to any location with accessible groundwater. The estimated number of the cenotes on the Yucatán Peninsula is several thousand. There are different types of cenotes: open, semi-open, and cave cenotes.
Cenote water is often very clear, as the water comes from rain water filtering slowly through the ground. In many cases, cenotes are areas where parts of the cave roof have collapsed, revealing an underlying cave system. Therefore, the Yucatán cenotes attract many caver and cave divers, as well. It is said, that the entire cave system is connected on the Yucatán Peninsula.
The ancient Mayas commonly used cenotes for water supplies, and occasionally for sacrificial offerings. The Maya people thought about these cenotes that these are sacred wells and entrances to the underworld.
Cenotes can be fully collapsed with open water pool, or partially collapsed with a rock overhanging above the water. On The Cenote Route, “La Ruta de los Cenotes”, you can visit different types of Cenotes. Some are rustic and wild, others like Casa Tortuga are more developed.
All about Casa Tortuga Cenote
Unfortunately, I only had a few days left from my Central America trip. Because I had to get back to Europe from Cancún, I spent my last days in Mexico. While I was in Mexico, I stayed in Playa del Carmen, and I knew that one of things I want to do is visit a cenote. I haven’t decided which one, I thought I will choose later, when I will be there. On my first day, I went in the city center of Playa del Carmen. On Fifth Avenue there are a lot of stands, that offer and sell different excursions. I checked some, and one of them offered a package to Casa Tortuga Cenote. Finally, I decided that I will choose that one.
Location and how to get there?
The Casa Tortuga Cenotes started its tourist activity in 2016 and it is located near Tulum. About 15 minutes drive from the town of Tulum, on the Cancun – Tulum highway. If you would like to go by public transportation, you should know that they don’t offer any transportation services. Buses don’t stop at the site, but you can get there by colectivo from Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Or you can buy a tour package which includes also the transportation. This is what I did.
Eventually, it turned out I travelled with Easy Tours. A shuttle bus picked me up in Playa del Carmen at 7 am. After about one and a half hours of travelling we stopped at one of their offices. There we stayed around a half hour, together with a lot of other people. You can use their facility and buy souvenirs from the shop. They redistributed people to the different destinations, so, we changed shuttle bus.
After a little more travelling we reached Casa Tortuga Cenotes in Tulum. There are two options, you can choose from, how much time you want to spend there and at what time you want to get back. I chose the last option of returning, you can easily turn it a whole day trip.
Entrance fee and what is included in the tour?
Keep in mind, that in some cases you should bargain and negotiate the price. In Central America they don’t usually display the prices, and the prices start a little higher than the actual cost. Also in Mexico, if you pay with credit card, they can add a 10-20 percentige plus on the price.
The price of my trip started at 1200 MXN, in the end, I payed 900 MXN for it. I chose the basic package, which contained the transportation from Playa del Carmen and back, a guide, the tour of 4 cenotes, life jackets during the tour, and a kayak ride.
There are four packages, you can choose from, they differ just a bit from each other:
- Basic Package: tour of 4 Cenotes, life jackets, a guide, and a kayak.
- Silver Package 1: tour of 4 Cenotes, life jackets, a guide, ziplining and kayaking
- Silver Package 2: tour of 4 Cenotes, life jackets, a guide, a taco bar, and a kayak
- Golden Package: tour of 4 cenotes, life jackets, a guide, a kayak, a zipline, and a taco bar.
The four cenotes
The depths ranging from 1 to 8 meters in its open cenotes and over 20 meters deep in some of its caverns. The jade-green color and crystal-clear waters allow you to clearly see the bottom of the cenotes. You can visit the following four cenotes:
Cenote Campana: It is a semi-open cavern, where you will see stalagmites, stalactites and some ancient rock formations.
Wisho Cenote: This cenote has a passageway in a cavern where you can admire several fossils and see the place where the bats live.
Cenote Dorca: To reach this incredible cenote, you’ll have to hike and cross a small mangrove area on a wooden bridge. You’ll admire the vegetation and feel the magic that surrounds this heavenly place.
Cenote Tres Zapotes: This is an open-sided cenote, over 100 meters long, with incredibly clear water. Here you can jump from a height of 3 meters to a depth of 8 meters. You’ll be amazed by the jade-green color and crystal-clear waters, which allow you to see the bottom of the cenote and find some fish. Birds and lush flora adorn the surroundings. At the end of the tour, you can stay in Tres Zapotes until it closes.
Tips for visiting
Bring water shoes! You can survive without them, but better if you bring them. Before we arrived to the Casa Tortuga Cenotes we stopped one more time at a shop. There you can buy water shoes for around 500 MXN, if you want to buy there. And bring waterproof case for your phone!
Lockers are available for your backpack and clothes for $100 pesos.
The life vest can be used during the tour, which is in the price. The tours usually last around 2-2,5 hours. If you want to use your life vest during your whole visit, you can rent it for an additional $50 pesos.
There are free restrooms, but they don’t have dedicated dressing rooms. You can change your clothes in the restrooms.
You are not allowed to use suncream or insect repellent, in order to protect the flora and fauna. If you really want to use suncream, use biodegradable sunscreen.
You are not allowed to bring any food or drink in with you. There are several restaurants in the park, you can chose from.
You can spend your time on some extra adventures besides visiting the cenotes. Such as, ziplining, ATV tours, kayaking, diving and snorkelling.
Visiting Casa Tortuga Cenote is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the Yucatán Peninsula. With its mix of adventure, relaxation, and stunning scenery, it’s a fantastic spot for travelers of all kinds. Whether you’re snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, exploring the mysterious caves, or just taking in the peaceful surroundings, Casa Tortuga is a cenote you won’t forget. If you’re in Tulum, don’t miss the chance to visit this hidden gem!
