in tulum area for 3 more days- help needed! snorkel/cenotes

[aprilinvt]

Hi-

We just spent a day checking out cenotes and LOVE it. Can folks tell us their favorites?

Also what is the best place for snorkeling in the ocean or lagoon in the area?

Thanks!

[PhyllisB]

Do a search for cenotes - I know Lee has posted a lot of info on them - I'll see if I can find a thread and link it. Which cenotes have you already checked out?

Snorkeling is best up in Akumal, really. Some folks go to Yal-Ku also.

Board had been pretty quiet today! I guess folks are all busy going out to vote!

Phyllis

[FITZ]

There is a cenote near the entrance to the biosphere. I couldn't find the %#@! thing, but I know it's there!
Snorkel Akumal and Yal Ku lagoon. Will make a great day trip and it's very close to Tulum.
Enjoy your remaining days!

[PhyllisB]

Here's a thread with some good info:

http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1137

[aprilinvt]

where in akumal do we go? and what is the cenote near the biosphere called? is that sian kaan?

[mayaflya]

Board had been pretty quiet today!

Too quiet...(cue ominous music).....

[PhyllisB]

Here are a few links that might help. The Search feature is pretty easy to use and you'll find more info than you need.

Gale posted the good map of Akumal Bay in this one:

http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1395

And towards the end of this thread there is more info. Folks pretty much just go to a local restaurant, like Lol Ha, spend some money on meals there and head in at the beach in front.

http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1230

[PhyllisB]

Too quiet...(cue ominous music).....

And yet, there are 19 of us viewing the forum right now!

[AdGuy]

Okay...never one to remain quiet, allow me to chime in. My favorite cenotes and swimming spots (in no particular area) are:

Grand Cenote
Half Moon Bay
Arch Cenote (that's what I call the one to the right of the Sian Ka'an arch)
Yalku Lagoon
Cristal Cenote
Akumal BayI have maps of all of the great scuba spots along the Q. Roo coast and also detailed Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay info. If the moderators ever get stickies set up on the board, perhaps we can post them. In the meantime, send me a PM with your email address and I'll forward them to you.

[mayaflya]

Okay...never one to remain quiet, allow me to chime in. My favorite cenotes and swimming spots (in no particular area) are:
Grand Cenote
Half Moon Bay
Arch Cenote (that's what I call the one to the right of the Sian Ka'an arch)
Yalku Lagoon
Cristal Cenote
Akumal Bay

Hey, Lee

We snorkled Cristal and Gran Cenotes on our first trip, but did not know about the Arch cenote..what did you like about it, other than being free? How does it compare to the first two?

[AdGuy]

Hey, Lee

We snorkled Cristal and Gran Cenotes on our first trip, but did not know about the Arch cenote..what did you like about it, other than being free? How does it compare to the first two?


The Arch cenote is a big open body of water similar to Manati. Unlike Gran (but similar to Cristal) it felt very remote and "undiscovered" as you'll likely be the only one there. There was also something magical about wandering this path through the jungle and having this big body of water all of a sudden open up before you. Gran cenote definitely has it going on when it comes to interesting underwater scenery (stalags) and Cristal felt like this "Tarzan and Jane" kinda oasis. But Arch felt like a treasure few had experienced...though I will warn you, around 3pm the Sian Ka'an canal tour folks come through there for about 1/2 hour and swim which would completely ruin the effect.

[La Luna]

I have been recommending Dos Ojos to all my guests and all of them loved the place, never had a disappointed guest. It's a less touristic Cenote, but it is beautiful. Why is it called "Dos Ojos" just because there are 2 cenotes involved, one with a beautifull bat cave.

Enjoy, relax and believe me, you are going to love the place!!!!!! Flash light is advised, but you can get those at the location!

Hasta luego

[AdGuy]

I have been recommending Dos Ojos to all my guests and all of them loved the place, never had a disappointed guest. It's a less touristic Cenote, but it is beautiful. Why is it called "Dos Ojos" just because there are 2 cenotes involved, one with a beautifull bat cave.

Enjoy, relax and believe me, you are going to love the place!!!!!! Flash light is advised, but you can get those at the location!

Hasta luego

Rene,

Is Dos Ojos now associated with Hidden Worlds? If so, I think they call it dos ojos because both eyes are wide open in shock when a customer hears how much it is! :eek:

[sonofabeach]

Calavera Cenote is fun for jumping down into. I was like a big kid and could not get enough of that.
I also liked Casa Cenote but heck they're all fun.
Man I can't believe it's been almost a year since our trip to Tulum. We gots to get back!!

[karencat22]

I love Calavera cenote, too! It has two small holes like eyes, and then the big hole like a gaping mouth! like a skull......!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/tulumbaby/m_bdce3c8908c8b6f46f8ec2098e7001f5.jpg

[AdGuy]

Calavera Cenote is fun for jumping down into. I was like a big kid and could not get enough of that.
I also liked Casa Cenote but heck they're all fun.
Man I can't believe it's been almost a year since our trip to Tulum. We gots to get back!!


Well...look who finally became a Senior Member? Let me be the first to share the official greeting, sonofabeach!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_12_18.gif

[luvthesun]

Grand Cenote
Dos Ojos
Yal KU
Akumal Bay

Once had an almost surreal experience snorkeling in Akumal Bay... we were in the center of a HUGE school of fish (thousands, it seemed!)which were swimming circles around us...it was like a dream.

Where is Calavera Cenote????

[minniemex]

Once had an almost surreal experience snorkeling in Akumal Bay... we were in the center of a HUGE school of fish (thousands, it seemed!)which were swimming circles around us...it was like a dream.

This ball of fish??

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Akumal%20Snorkeling/DSC00955.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Akumal%20Snorkeling/DSC00950.jpg

[AdGuy]

Where is Calavera Cenote????

Calavera is near Gran Cenote on the Coba highway. Whereas Gran is 3.7km west of the 307 intersection, Calavera is only 1.7km.

[luvthesun]

OMG!! Minniemex!! Yes!! it was awesome, right?

[bellydancer]

Luvthesun...have to agree with you and Minniemex...swimming above the ball of silver fish in Akumal Bay was an awesome experience!!! Here are my pics...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d739b3127ccebbbc00db2d0400000056100AcsmjVm0ct2 LA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d739b3127ccebbbc000cace300000056100AcsmjVm0ct2 LA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d739b3127ccebbbc039e6dd800000056100AcsmjVm0ct2 LA

[luvthesun]

great pics... thanks for the memories... that 'cuda looks pretty big!

[sonofabeach]

Well...look who finally became a Senior Member? Let me be the first to share the official greeting, sonofabeach!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_12_18.gif
aah man thanks. I finally am somebody!!!!!!!! :D

[Berto]

I haven't got to this part in my trip report yet. But last month we spent a day at the "El Paraiso" section of the Tulum beach which is just south of the ruins. I had my own gear and snorkeled off the beach there. I went out about 100 yards and found some scattered pockets of coral. While exploring for a few minutes I spotted a medium sized Turtle on one of them. It hung around and I was able to watch it for a good ten to fifteen minutes. I went out latter in the day and the Turtle was back at the same spot. So you never know what you are going to find until you look around. That was a highlight of my trip! We had been to Akumal the day before but the wind was blowing in and it was too rough to snorkel. I had thought that would have been my only chance to see a tortuga....I was wrong.

[beachreader]

Berto, what a cool story! I didn't know there were turtles out that way, thanks!

[think]

That is a cool story Berto. I really want to see a turtle on my trip. I can do without seeing any barracuda though :) The ball of silver fish looks awesome too. I'll have to check out those places.

[bellydancer]

great pics... thanks for the memories... that 'cuda looks pretty big!

The 'cuda was huge...at least to me!