Casa Cenote, also known as Cenote Manati, is one of the most beautiful spots in The Riviera Maya located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
It is an open-air cenote close to the beach that still keeps an authentic vibe and a fantastic atmosphere.
This place is not very crowded yet, which is probably one of the main reasons I fell in love with it.
Casa Tortuga swimming hole is the perfect destination for a day trip, conveniently located near Tulum and into a natural park.
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What are the cenotes?
I bet you heard a lot talking about cenotes, and now I want to give you the right description of what a cenote is.
It is a freshwater sinkhole that appears when the limestone roof of a cave collapses.
The cenotes allow us access to the water table, and these places were considered sacred by the Mayan civilization.
Today these are one of the main attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Why is Casa Cenote also called Cenote Manati?
The name of Cenote Manati comes from a family of Manatees who used to live in the cenote.
These fantastic creatures used to show up quite often.
Maybe because of the increasing number of visitors, the family stopped visiting the cenote, so you won’t see them when visiting the cenote.
Where is Casa Cenote located
Casa Cenote Tulum is a wonderful swimming hole with a snake shape hidden among a mangrove forest.
It is located on the Riviera Maya, about 10 km from Tulum and 55 km from Playa del Carmen.
You can also find Yal Ku Lagoon and Akumal, the other two beautiful cenotes near Tulum.
If you are staying in Tulum, it’s an easy and iconic 20-minute drive from Tulum on a beach road.
This is the perfect destination for a day trip from Tulum, being a perfect place for snorkeling and diving.
How to get to Casa del Cenote
Access to Casa del Cenote is extremely easy, even though there are not a lot of signs from the main road.
You can get to Casa Tortuga Tulum by car, private transfer, or tour.
Getting to Casa Cenote by car
The easiest and most comfortable way to get to this cenote is by car.
A car gives you the freedom and mobility to move around without being conditioned by bus timetables and the time wasted when going with a group.
Get the best price for your car rental today
We rent cars from DiscoverCars because they allow us to compare prices among multiple companies, so I can be sure that what I rent has the best price-quality ratio.
You don’t have to worry about driving in Mexico as this part of Mexico is safe, especially if you drive during the daytime.
If you are coming from Tulum, it should be the next turn after Caleta Tanhak.
Once you find the sign for Blue Sky Hotel turn right and follow the road.
There is a 90 degrees turn; then the road continues for another 300 meters.
The swimming hole will be on the left side.
Park your car in the parking lot where Casa Cenote and Manati Dive centers are located as here is also the ticket office.
Getting to Casa Cenote by private transfer
Obviously, this way of getting to this fabulous attraction is more expensive than renting a car.
In Mexico, everything is negotiable, so make sure you bargain with the driver for the best price.
Casa Cenote Tours
Quite a few tours include Casa Cenote Cenote Manati, which starts from the Tulum area.
For those of you who love scuba diving, I recommend a fantastic tour specially designed for divers.
First Scuba Diving Experience in a Cenote offers a 40-minute scuba diving experience in this swimming hole, one of the best scuba diving places in the area.
In the tour price, you have included the diving gear, cenote entrance fee, and the instructor.
If you are looking for more than a diving experience and want to explore more of what The Riviera Maya has to offer, I recommend booking From Riviera Maya: 3 Cenotes Adventure with Lunch.
This full-day guided tour includes a visit to Casa Cenote, Taak Bi Ha Cenote, and another private cenote.
You can snorkel at Casa Cenote, swim at Taak Bi Ha Cenote, and explore the underground private cenote.
In the tour price, you have included pick up and drop off from hotels in Tulum, entrance fee to cenotes, snorkeling equipment, certified guide, water and snacks, and a vegetarian lunch.
Best time to visit Cenote Casa Tortuga
This swimming hole is a year-round destination, but if you want to avoid heavy rains, then go during the dry season, from December to April.
During these months, the weather is sunny and dry, and the cenote’s water is calm and clear, with perfect visibility for swimming, diving, and snorkeling.
During the rain season, from May to November, the water level from the cenote might increase, and the color is not that beautiful due to the increased flow from rainfall.
But the jungle that surrounds the cenote is fantastic; everything is green and full of life.
If you want to avoid the crowds, then go in the morning or early in the afternoon when the crowds are not here yet.
Practical information
Casa Cenote Tortuga Tulum entrance fee
If you plan to visit this swimming hole, then be prepared to pay 150 MXN per person entrance fee.
With this money, you have included a life jacket.
If you want to do snorkeling, the entrance fee is 250 MXN plus the snorkeling equipment, which is around 20 USD.
Casa Cenote opening hours
The cenote is open on a daily basis from 9 am to 5 pm.
Facilities
Paddle board rental 700 MXN
Snorkeling tour 500 MXN, including the equipment
Kayak rental 300 MXN
Interesting facts about Casa Cenote
- The unusual shape – like a snake, shaping through the jungle and disappearing into the mangroves
- Swimming is safe; so can swim how far you want, but you might meet Panchito, a friendly crocodile, instead of the manatees family
- It is the best place for first-time divers for its shallow water
- Casa Cenote is not surrounded by alamo trees but a mangrove forest.
Things to do at Cenote Casa Tortuga
- Swim
- cenote diving
- Snorkel with your own snorkeling gear or a rented one
- Relax on the beach
- Kayak on your own or on a tour
- Paddleboarding with a tour or on your own
- Have a delicious meal in the beachfront restaurant at Casa Cenote Hotel
Where to stay near Casa Cenote
Tulum casa cenote
Located just a few steps from Tankah Bay Beach, Tulum Casa Cenote is a beautiful 4-star hotel featuring an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, a terrace, and private parking.
The rooms are spacious and clean and have a balcony with a sea view.
An american breakfast is available every morning at the property.
Hotel Blanco Tulum
If you are looking for something fancy but don’t want to break the bank, consider booking your stay at Hotel Blanco.
For about 100 USD per night, you can get a deluxe double room with a balcony and air conditioning.
The location of the hotel is right in the center of the city, close to restaurants and bars.
Kan Tulum
How about soaking in a private cenote?
If this idea makes you go crazy, you must book a room at Kan Tulum.
Here you will find a private cenote, and the hotel is built around it.
The design of the hotel and the rooms are unique and make you feel that you are staying in a jungle treehouse.
Each room is spacious and comes with a terrace from where you can see the sunset and a seating area.
You are close to everything from here, including shops, restaurants, beaches, and nightlife.
What to bring to Casa Tortuga Cenote
- Beach towel
- water shoes
- GoPro camera
- Waterproof bag
Do I need travel insurance in Mexico?
Yes, of course you need. I always buy a travel insurance when traveling abroad.
It gives me the peace of mind to know that whatever happens I am covered.
Travel anywhere without worries
- trip interruption -up to $5.000
- medical assistance including COVID-19
- travel delay - up to $100/day
- emergency medical evacuation
- medical safety abroad
Casa Cenote tips
- Bring cash for the admission fee and any rental fee you will pay
- Arrive here early in the morning before the crowds
- The cenote is quite deep, so be prepared to swim in deep water
- The best way to reach the cenote is with a rented car
- Hire a guide to help you explore the underwater world of this cenote
- Respect the environment and do not disturb the marine creatures
- Wear appropriate equipment when swimming and/or snorkeling to feel safe in this deep water.
What to visit nearby Casa Cenote
- Caleta Yal-Ku – 21 km away
- Tulum ruins – 8 km away
- Xelha ruins – 10 km away
- Cenote Yax-Kin – 7 km away
- Caleta Tanka’ – 8.5 km away
Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.
You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.
Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.
When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.
Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.
We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.
Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.
We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.
Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.
We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.
Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.
Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.