Cenote Azul Bacalar: The Only Guide You Need

The sleepy, small town of Bacalar, on Mexico‘s Yucatan Peninsula, is most famous for the Bacalar Lagoon (aka The Lagoon of Seven Colors). This undeniably beautiful body of water, which could be confused for the Maldives, is fed by seven cenotes in the area! While Cenote Azul Bacalar isn’t one of the cenotes that fill the Bacalar Lagoon, it is absolutely worth a visit. 

We spent an afternoon here and could have spent a few more hours if it wasn’t closing time. Expect warm yet refreshing water, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, swings, and a relaxed commercialism-free vibe that will make you forget about the world. Oh yeah, and it’s only $30 pesos ($1.50 USD), so you can’t complain about that.

Cenote Azul Bacalar: The Guide

Key Information for Visiting Cenote Azul in Bacalar

• Entry to Cenote Azul is $30 pesos ($1.50 USD).
• There is a restaurant on-site, but it’s expensive, and you’ll find much better food in Bacalar town.
• Life jacket rental is $50 pesos ($2.50 USD), but they aren’t compulsory.
• Cenote Azul is huge. It’s more like a lake and is up to 300 ft deep (wear a life jacket if you’re not a confident swimmer). There are ropes across the centre of the cenote to hang onto too.
• Take your own towel, snorkel gear (you cannot rent it here), and a GoPro.
• The water in Cenote Azul is warmer than most cenotes, but is still refreshing.
• There are no lockers, so keep your valuables in sight or leave them at your accommodation.
• Kayak rental is $150 pesos ($7.50 USD). Cenote Azul is vast, so kayaking here is a great idea.
• You’re not allowed to wear sunscreen, so cover up or visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There are plenty of spots under trees to find shade too.
• Cenote Azul is open from 10.00 am – 6.00 pm everyday.

What is a Cenote?

A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole, typically filled with fresh water, that forms when limestone bedrock collapses and exposes the groundwater underneath.

There are estimated to be over 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico! Some are more well known, like Cenote Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote, while some, like Yax-Kin and Taak Bi Ha, are hidden gems off the tourist-trail. But, not all of the cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula are explored or accessible to the public.

You Might Love: 11 Unforgettable Things to Do in Bacalar, Mexico

Cenote Azul Bacalar is one of the largest cenotes of the 6,000, renowned for its crystal-clear blue water. This natural pool plunges to depths of around 300 feet (90 meters) and spans over 600 feet (183 meters) in diameter, making it a must-visit destination in Bacalar for swimming, snorkelling, and diving.

Surrounded by lush greenery, Cenote Azul is a tranquil and picturesque setting compared to many of the touristy cenotes in this part of Mexico.

✋ Top Tip: Remember to bring a towel, snorkel gear (you cannot rent it here), and a GoPro to Cenote Azul!

Does it Get Crowded at Cenote Azul Bacalar?

Cenote Azul in Baclar is more like a lake than it is a cenote – it’s huge! This is great because no matter how busy it gets, there is always plenty of room to spread out and find your own spot away from the crowds, especially in water. 

You Might Love: 23 Most Instagrammable Places in Tulum

We had a relaxing afternoon at Cenote Azul Bacalar, jumping in from the wooden dock, snorkelling with the fish, getting pictures on the Cenote Azul branded swings, and just chilling by the water. It’s a great place to switch off for a few hours.

Even though there are some incredible things to do in Bacalar, this little town still isn’t a major spot on the tourism map. So, Cenote Azul tends to be relatively quiet. When we visited, we only saw a handful of international travellers. The rest seemed to be locals or other Mexicans. If you’ve been to cenotes further north, in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, especially ones like Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman, you’ll know how busy these get.

What’s the Water Like at Cenote Azul in Bacalar?

Surprisingly, the water in Cenote Azul Bacalar is relatively warm (unlike most of the freshwater cenotes – they’re freezing!). It’s pleasant for a cool-off and doesn’t take your breath away when you get in. 

Because Cenote Azul is so deep, the water is a deep blue, not like the turquoise hues you get at shallow cenotes or on the Bacalar lagoon. However, it’s still super clear and visibility to a certain depth is great, so snorkelling is an option here.

If you’re looking for some more picturesque snaps with the mesmerising blue waters Bacalar is famous for, you could take a trip to Los Rapidos Bacalar or head for the Bacalar Lagoon instead.

✋ Top Tip: Remember to bring a towel, snorkel gear (you cannot rent it here), and a GoPro to Cenote Azul!

⛵️ To fully experience the stunning blue waters of Bacalar, this 5-star (private) excursion takes you to 3 cenotes(!), 3 islands including Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), 2 channels (one for the rapids and one for the pirates), 2 rivers and 4 different ecosystems! Snorkelling gear is included, as is a life jacket and all fees and taxes.

What is There to Do at Cenote Azul Bacalar?

You can get in, on and under the water at Cenote Azul. The vast and deep body of water means there is a choice of activities you can do. 

• Dive in off the wooden dock
• Swim and explore the huge area
• Snorkel and discover the many fish under the water (don’t forget your GoPro!)
• Scuba diving (you would have to come with an organised tour to scuba dive here)
• Rent a kayak because this is one of the biggest and best cenotes to kayak at
• Relax on the dock or find a shaded area under the many trees
• Jump on one of the two Cenote Azul swingsets (one on land and one in the water)
• Grab a drink or snacks (we didn’t eat or drink here as we found it a bit expensive)

✋ Top Tip: Remember to bring a towel, snorkel gear (you cannot rent it here), and a GoPro to Cenote Azul!

⛵️ If you’re staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, this full day excursion to Bacalar is a fantastic option to visit not only Cenote Azul, but Los Rapidos and Fuerte de San Felipe (where you’ll get panoramic views of Bacalar Lagoon) in one day! Lunch is included as well as round trip transportation.

How to Get to Cenote Azul

It’s super easy to get to Cenote Azul, it’s only around 8-10 minutes drive from the centre of Bacalar and 20 minutes on a bicycle. We’ve laid out the pros and cons of each option below.

Top Tip: If you’re using GPS, make sure you search for Cenote Azul Bacalar. There is a Cenote Azul in Tulum too!

1. Taxi

A taxi to Cenote Azul will cost you around $50-$80 pesos ($2.50-$4 USD) but don’t count on Bacalar taxis if you’ve booked one. Your best bet is to head to a busier area or street and wave one down. It’s faster than waiting for one to be dispatched to you (who might not turn up anyway).

🚌 If you’re staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, this full day excursion to Bacalar is a fantastic option to visit Cenote Azul. This tour also includes a visit to the (incredibly fun) Los Rapidos and Fuerte de San Felipe, where you’ll get panoramic views of Bacalar Lagoon. Lunch is included as well as round trip transportation.

2. Bike

We rode our rented bikes to Cenote Azul – it’s the best way to get around Bacalar, just like it’s the best way to get around Tulum. There are two routes you can take to get there and back.

You can head down the main road (a two-lane highway/dual carriageway). This route is relatively flat and an easy ride, but you’ll have to be ok with trucks and cars passing at speed. 

Alternatively, you can take the road that runs clockwise around Cenote Azul Bacalar. However, this road has a few steep inclines to navigate, which on a hot day is not fun!

There is a bike rack right by the entrance of Cenote Azul, so you can lock your bike up and not worry about it going missing and you being stranded.

We took the hilly route on the way there and cycled back down the main road.

3. Car

Alternatively, you could rent a car in Bacalar. Plenty of people take road trips down the Yucatan Peninsula, and a car would give you the freedom to explore all of the attractions in and around Bacalar without relying on taxis and buses. 

If you’re on a tight schedule, we highly recommend renting a car. We always use Discover Cars to book our car rentals.

Is Cenote Azul Bacalar Worth It?

Yes! We loved our afternoon at Cenote Azul. It’s relaxing, uncommercialised, and none of the crowds of Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun. It doesn’t have the picture-perfect water everyone imagines when you talk about cenotes, but for $30 pesos, you won’t find better value for money. There’s something for everyone. If you’re someone who likes to keep busy, you can swim, dive and kayak. If you prefer a relaxing experience, you can chill on the dock, hop on a swing, or hang onto the rope and float in the refreshing water.