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Cenote question - 1/26/2013 2:49:20 PM
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Indiagal
Posts: 27
Joined: 1/24/2012
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Okay. I am asking alot today because we are leaving in one week! Yea!!! We went to Akumal for our first time last year and loved it - especially the snorkeling. Stayed on Half Moon Bay and will be there again. Snorkeled all around Akumal but not any cenotes. What are some favorites? Are they worth going to? Other places in the roo that are great for snorkeling?
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RE: Cenote question - 1/27/2013 3:52:54 PM
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juan rojo
Posts: 691
Joined: 12/13/2010
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On your way to Akumal from the airport you will descend the PA overpass . Do some scouting for cenote signs , often small and hand made , all the way to XpuHa . There is a stand alone Pemex station pretty much at the end of that cenote zone . This area of highway has a bit of a tacky tourist feel to it but the cenotes are pristine and beautiful . El Eden , Azul , Cristalino and Taj Mahal are in this area across from the Barcelo as mentioned and Chac Mool is farther back toward PA with the first sign you might see . Average cost 60 - 90 pesos . If you are coming back from Akumal you will see a sign for a restaurant at Xpu Ha , across from that Pemex , a great day trip could include a stop at , http://www.laplayaxpuha.com/en/index.php , La Playa beach bar for some beach sitting and ocean snorkelling with reasonable prices and shade to exchange for consumption or rebated against a minimum spending . It's a big open bay with a great walking beach but snorkelling can be impacted by wind more than other bays . Do some cenotes before or after or both .
http://www.locogringo.com/research/beaches/xpuha.html
Tankah
Tankah Bay , a few miles north of Tulum is a nice stop with it's unique " creek stye " cenote and a bonus ocean cenote outflow snorkel experience in a quieter bay but a tricky entry and shallowness like at Halfmoon Bay . Cenote entrada is 30 pesos or so . We park and sit at Casa Cenote between snorkels . You must drive past Tankah to the first retorno , coming from Akumal .
http://www.locogringo.com/research/beaches/tankah.html
Xcacel
There is a pond style cenote and a nice undeveloped beach area . Just after Chemuyil overpass heading south . You may also see a very small sign for cenote Xunan Ha near here but inland a mile or two . Pick one or do both .
http://www.locogringo.com/research/beaches/xcacel.html
This last stuff is pasted from another thread for someone using public transport but I would abslutely do both cenotes The Gran , a few miles out the Coba Highway from Tulum and Dos Ojos , the most impressive , as I know you will be driving .
Dos Ojos
I know you are coming from Palladium riding colectivo , this is where Dos Ojos can be either more difficult or more expensive than the Gran cenote because the actual "two eyes" are just over two kilmeters from where you pay out by the highway . This would be the same as walking from the highway in Akumal down to Yal Ku Lagoon but it seems longer to drivers because they are bumping so slowly down the public jungle road . You can arrange transport back to the cenotes with the guides at the gate or arrange a trip through an Akumal dive shop or something through a tour company like Edventures or your own cab . Simple entry with your own gear , self guided is 100 pesos at either cenote . Both are pretty cool but Dos Ojos is that much cooler to me . Cheers
Do a Google image search for all of these places to get a better feel
A stop at Chamicos on Soliman Bay is very relaxing but the snorkelling at that end of the bay is not as good as other places . All these beach access roads are poorly marked with small signs that you may already be past before you realize it and they have no off ramps and can easily be missed with following traffic pressures . Just take the next retorno and do some scouting for these destinations on your way to other places .
Other close car friendly places to mix and match with the above
Chemuyil Pueblo for an evening village walkabout after supper at Leo's or La Palapa , Akumal Pueblo day or night , Xel Ha archealogical site and pond cenote for looking and not swimming so much , http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/may2005.cfm , or slightly farther but very worthwhile , Muyil , http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/dec2002.cfm There are cenotes down by Muyil as well . Anjelita would be on your way back to Tulum to cool off .
_____________________________
Please be happy always
PARTLY CLOUDY = MOSTLY SUNNY
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RE: Cenote question - 1/27/2013 9:20:49 PM
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Indiagal
Posts: 27
Joined: 1/24/2012
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Thanks, Juan! This is so helpful and makes me excited to get there.
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RE: Cenote question - 1/27/2013 11:06:01 PM
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karl j
Posts: 101
Joined: 10/5/2009
From: Seattle
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Dos Ojos. The only tour we've paid $ for and WELL worth it IMO. The wetsuit and underwater flashlight alone were well worth the cost. The guide taking us back into places we otherwise wouldn't have gone was a bonus. Something amazing about viewing the sunlight as it breaks through the water. Looks like a laser light show! The water is soooo clear. Totally cool experience.
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