Welcome to Cenote Calavera, the cenote with a SKULL 💀 shape.
It is one of the BEST Tulum cenotes.
Let us explain to you why we LOVE and HATE it!
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The Skull Shape: Cenote Calavera is famous for its skull-like shape, created by THREE round openings in the cave’s roof that resemble eyes and a mouth when viewed from above.
- Unique Depth Features: The cenote has a unique HALOCLINE at a depth of 12 meters, where freshwater floats above saltwater. The maximum depth is 50 feet (15 meters).
- Activities at Cenote Calavera: You can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and cliff jumping at the cenote.
Cenote Calavera as the Skull Cenote 💀!
Why the skull shape, you ask?
This unique cenote is named for its THREE round openings in the cave’s roof. The two smaller ones resemble EYES, while the larger one resembles the MOUTH of a skull 💀 when seen from above (Calavera means skill in Spanish).
BUT, the cenote also has a SINISTER PAST!
Legend has it that the ancient Mayans used Cenote Calavera as a cemetery (hence also the name for skull cenote, temple of doom and doom cenote), where REMAINS of more than 100 BODIES have been found.
Municipality services have removed the bodies and cleaned the water to make it paradise! So, rest assured, when you visit, you won’t be swimming among human bodies!
Why Visit Cenote Calavera, Tulum?
Cenote Calavera, or Skull Cenote, is one of the most beautiful cenotes in Tulum. Let us give you a few reasons why we love going there!
- Reason 1: Cenote Calaveras has a beautiful HALOCLINE at a depth of 12 meters (freshwater above 12 meters, salt water below 12 meters), a unique feature that sets it apart from other cenotes.
- Reason 2: While other Tulum cenotes, like Cenote Zacil Ha, are famous for their shallow turquoise waters, Cenote Calavera stands out with its deep, dark waters, which reach a maximum depth of 50 feet (15 meters).
- Reason 3: We loved to climb the wooden stairwell and jump from the cliff (2meters height) into the water.
- Reason 4: Even Lonely Planet suggests to pay Cenote Calavera a visit!
DO YOU KNOW: Calavera cenote is part of the massive Sac Aktun cave system. Covering a length of 230.8 km (!) (143.4 mi), Sac Actun is known as the longest underwater cave system in the world.
Disadvantages
There are also some reasons why you might NOT want to visit.
- Reason 1: The cenote is unsuitable for kids (danger of falling by accident into the cenote)
- Reason 2: The cenote entrance is too high
- Reason 3: The visibility of the water is poor (because of the halocline)
- Reason 4: There’s a carnival-like atmosphere (in a skull theme) that caters more to young backpackers (see video at the top of this page)
Advantage: Location of Cenote Calavera Tulum
Cenote Calavera is located in Mexico, just outside the city of Tulum.
Calavera Cenote is the first (of many) cenotes on Cobá Road, 10 minutes from Tulum town/Tulum pueblo (perfectly reachable by bike, around 25 minutes, or on foor, 1 hour hike).
Take a look at the distances and times from the main towns:
- From Tulum: 1.8 miles (2.3 km); 10-minute drive
- From Playa del Carmen: 40 miles (64 km); 54-minute drive
- From Cancun: 81 miles (92 km); 1 hour, 50-minute drive
Calavera Cenote Tulum is located near several other cenotes, such as Gran Cenote, Zacil-Ha, and Atik. These cenotes are situated along Cobá Road, making it possible to explore them all within a single day.
You can use our interactive widget below to find the BEST accommodations in Tulum close to the cenote!
Disadvantage: Cenote Calavera Entrance Fee
The entrance fee for Cenote Calavera is 300 MXN ($17 USD) for ADULTS, while CHILDREN under 12 can enter for free. Please note that only cash payments are accepted.
Even though we love the Calavera Cenote, 17 USD is quite expensive for a 2-hour stay at the Cenote. This is mainly due to the private owners who collect the money to maintain the cenote.
At the entrance, there is a SMALL TOLL OFFICE where you pay the entrance fees and receive your bracelets. Afterward, continue driving to reach the main parking lot.
KEEP IN MIND: Parking is FREE.
You can also rent SNORKELING GEAR and a life jacket (see below for picture) for 50 MXN (about $2.50 USD) at the cenote entrance.
When you rent life jackets, you must leave your ID as a deposit. If you do not have anything on you, you’ll need to pay a deposit fee of 400 MXN ($20 US).
What are the Cenote Calavera hours?
Cenote Calavera is open seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Advantage: Facilities at Calavera Cenote
There are some facilities at the cenote, including:
- Restrooms.
- Parking lot.
- Snorkeling gear.
- Restaurants.
- Life jacket.
Recommendations for a PERFECT VISIT
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get wet.
- Please don’t use sunscreen, as these toxins will harm nature.
- Don’t leave any trash in the cenote or the jungle. Always adhere to the Leave No Trace Principle.
- Bring extra cash (you cannot pay by card) for extra expenses like food and drinks.
- Visit Cenote Zacil-Ha and Gran Cenote.
Rules at Cenote Calavera Tulum
Next to our recommendations, you must follow a few rules!
- Sunscreen, even reef-friendly sunscreens, is NOT allowed . It can be toxic to fish and underwater plants.
- Fins are not allowed.
- It’s mandatory to take a quick SHOWER before entering the cenote. The showers are by the entrance.
- You are not permitted to bring your own food. We were told we needed to take something from the kiosk that sells tacos, al pastor, and burritos.
- No pets are allowed at the cenote.
- DRONES are not allowed here.
- The cenote is not wheelchair friendly.
Things To Do: Explore Cenote Calavera
Now that you know how to get there and how much you need to pay, the most crucial part is knowing what you can do there!
Cenote Calavera is the perfect place to spend a day with friends and family. Here is a list of the main activities you can do in Cenote Calavera:
1) Snorkeling
The waters of Cenote Calavera are exceptionally clear, making it ideal for snorkeling. With a maximum depth of 16 meters, the cenote is home to various marine life, such as colorful fish and TURTLES. Snorkeling equipment can be rented on-site for 50 pesos.
2) Scuba Diving
Cenote Calavera is perfect for scuba diving. For experienced divers, the cenote is connected to an extensive underground cave system, allowing them to tour the labyrinth underwater. Dive shops in Tulum often organize guided dive tours to the cenote.
The cost of a scuba dive is around 2000 MXN.
3) Cliff Jumping
What we enjoy most about Cenote Calavera is the cliff jumping!
Although there is a WOODEN LADDER in the largest opening you can use to climb down, it’s far more exciting to take a leap from the edge and plunge into the waters below.
Cenote Calavera also offers cliff jumping from 2 different heights.
- The largest opening provides a platform for jumps up to 5 meters.
- The smaller openings offer jumps of 2–3 meters.
How much time do I need at Cenote Calavera?
We stayed between 1 and 3 hours, more than enough time to explore and take beautiful Cenote Calavera photos.
What is a Cenote?
Let’s back it up and dive into what a cenote is.
A cenote is a natural freshwater sinkhole created by the collapse of limestone caves. These sinkholes are FILLED by rainwater and the flow of underground rivers, providing a refreshing swimming experience. The water temperature in a cenote remains BELOW 75°F (23°C).
In the case of Cenote Calavera, you are dealing with a semi-open cenote, a cenote that is a hole in the ground surrounded by a cave. This differs from a closed cenote, where you are in an underground cave cenotes, or from open cenotes, which are more like pools.
DO YOU KNOW: The Yucatan Peninsula has over 7,000 cenotes and caves. This extensive network of fractures channels rainwater from the surface into numerous vast underground river systems.
So next time you swim in a cenote, remember that you are SWIMMING IN MILLIONS OF YEARS HISTORY!
Book A Tour with a Local
We booked the best Cenote Calavera tour below, and it was the BEST DECISION EVER! The tour included free diving, snorkeling, and rappelling, making it an adventurous and memorable experience.
Cenote Calavera is a popular scuba diving location so its logical to opt for a Cenote Calavera tour.
1) Best Maya Tours
Another tour operator we recommend is Best Maya Tours, considered one of the best tour agencies for a private snorkeling or diving tour in cenotes.
A day with Best Maya Tours would look a bit like this:
- You’ll start your day by exploring the ancient ruins of Tulum with an expert guide who will share insights into the history and culture of this fascinating site.
- After you tour the ruins, you’ll visit a nearby underground cave cenote for a fun snorkeling and speleological experience.
- You’ll end the day at a local Mexican restaurant for lunch.
All transportation is included. Check out the tour HERE.
2) Karmatrails
A third recommended tour operator in Tulum for the best cenote experience is Karmatrails.
What’s included in their STANDARD tour:
- Pick-up and drop-off in Tulum
- Visit to three cenotes: Casa Cenote, Gran Cenote, and Cenote Zemway
- Snorkeling equipment
- Bottled water
- Tour guide
Check out this tour: Karmatrails
3) KayTours
Another tour we RECOMMEND is with the local travel agency Kay Tours. They take you to different cenotes, and the Tulum Ruins, KAYAKING and ZIP-LINING in Tulum. All of this is included with transport and lunch. Check out the AMAZING tour here!
You can also book this activity with Viator, where you will visit not just one but THREE cenotes. If you start calculating the transport and entrance fees to all these places, you will quickly realize that these tours are of great value. Click here for the tour.
Best Time To Visit Cenote Calavera Tulum
To avoid waiting in line and to have the best Instagram-worthy pictures, we suggest visiting Cenote Calavera on weekdays, particularly in the early mornings (at 9 am when it opens), to avoid crowds.
KEEP IN MIND: Peak time starts at around 1 pm!
Conclusion
It’s a wrap for this guide!
Hopefully, by sharing our experience, you will know exactly how to plan this trip!
If you have any burning questions, drop us a comment, and we’ll do our best to help!
4 Responses
I love visiting cenotes in Mexico! I have not been to Calavera yet and will add it to my list for my next trip. Great suggestion, thank you!
The skull shape and history is spooky but it looks so beautiful! Can’t wait to visit cenotes.
Sounds absolutely amazing, I love all your photos too
Despite having been to Mexico countless times, I’ve still not yet visited a Cenote and I’d absolutely love to. Thank you for all the amazing tips and photo inspo!