Things to do in Quintana Roo, Quintana Roo: The Best Bodies of Water

September 19, 2021 Misti Hsu

Discover the best top things to do in Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula including Lake Bacalar, Cenote Nicte-ha, Jungla Maya Native Park, Cenote Elvira, Yal-ku Lagoon, Aktun Chen, Gran Cenote, Half Moon Bay, Casa Cenote, Cenote Cristalino.
Restaurants in Quintana Roo

1. Lake Bacalar

Bacalar Mexico
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,594 reviews

Lake Bacalar

Reviewed By 389florka - London, United Kingdom

Pueblo magico - truly is !!! There are different shades of blue from the lightest to dark dark blue . We took a boat with tour guy which cost about 260 peso it took about 2.5 h all around lake with few stops when we could jump in the water and enjoy this beautiful place . Water is sweet which made the experience even better:) , would highly recommend it . We stayed near Playa del Carmen and it took us 3.5 h drive , the best is to early morning so can make most of it . Plenty shops and restaurants around to get some snacks or food.

2. Cenote Nicte-ha

Carretera 307 Parque Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum Mexico
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

Cenote Nicte-ha

Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada

I visited Cenote Nicte-Ha on February 27, 2020 during my stay in Tulum. The cenote at the Dos Ojos Cenote Park along the highway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. I took a colectivo van from along the main highway through Tulum town and told the driver I wanted to go to Cenote Dos Ojos. The drive took around 20 minutes and cost 30 pesos. The colectivo dropped me off along the side of the highway in front of the entrance to Cenote Dos Ojos. From the entrance, I walked along the gravel road through the jungle (which eventually leads to Cenote Dos Ojos at the end) about 15 minutes. There is a large sign indicating the entrance to Nicte-Ha on the right side of the road. There are some other cenotes along the way as well that I did have the opportunity to visit. The entrance fee was 200 pesos. Cenote Nicta-Ha is an open cenote with some cave portions around the edges. It was surrounded by jungle and the setting was quiet and beautiful. I arrived around the opening time at 9 am and was the first person there. It was lovely to enjoy the cenote completely to myself for most of my visit before some others showed up. It was a gorgeous cenote that resembled a natural pool of water, with beautiful lush plants around the edges, lots of lilypads and crystal clear water. The water was chilly but refreshing after a bit. There was a small deck area and benches by the wooden steps to enter the water where you could leave your belongings (I didn't see any lockers). There were lots of little fish that would nibble the dead skin cells on your feet if you stopped moving in the water or sat on the steps with feet in the water (you pay for this spa treatment in Playa del Carmen!). The property around the cenote was very pretty and there were pathways through the jungle leading to the facilities like change rooms, washrooms. After my visit, I walked back to the entrance of the Dos Ojos Cenote Park along the highway and waited for a colectivo along the highway. When they approach, they will flash their lights and if you wave at them, they will stop to pick you up. It was another 20 minutes and 30 pesos back to Tulum. Would highly recommend visiting this cenote. It was peaceful and pretty and lesser visited than others in the area! Easy and cheap to access from Tulum and visit on your own as well (no need to join a tour).

3. Jungla Maya Native Park

Carretera Federal Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Chemuyil Km 240, Tulum 77776 Mexico +52 984 803 9999 [email protected] http://www.alltournative.com
Excellent
92%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 51 reviews

Jungla Maya Native Park

Discover Jungla Maya, where is the main entrance into the amazing Sac-Actun system, the world's longest underground river, explored and recommended by National Snorkeler specialized cave divers. Snorkel surrounded by awesome rock formations. Ride through the jungle on our all-terrain. Rappel down into a cenote (underground cave) and swim in a unique natural pool. Enjoy nature flying over the jung

Reviewed By keelyo600 - Newport Beach, United States

We had an amazing time on the Jungla Maya Native Park tour! We chose this one because of its close proximity to our hotel. Our drivers were very knowledgeable about the local region and history of the Maya. The combination of the rappelling, ziplining and snorkeling in the cenote is sure to get your adrenaline going! At first I didn't think I could pull off the rappelling, but our tour guide Alejandro was awesome..kept me calm and talked me through it so I was comfortable. He was very informative of the local flora & fauna, bilingual, and well versed in all the activities. Highly recommend this tour if you are a thrill seeker. :)

4. Cenote Elvira

Ruta de los Cenotes KM 20.8, Pto Morelos-Leona Vicario One 1 KM past Selvatica along the Ruta de los Cenotes, Puerto Morelos 77580 Mexico +52 998 260 5396 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/cenoteelvira/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Cenote Elvira

We are a natural Santuary with a natural Cenote , available for private groups and events . Cenote Elvira is situated within an exotic tropical garden that blends a mix of local art with the natural beauty of the lush jungle.

5. Yal-ku Lagoon

Riviera Maya, Akumal 77776 Mexico +52 984 875 9065 http://www.facebook.com/yalku
Excellent
54%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,044 reviews

Yal-ku Lagoon

Reviewed By MinnesotanTraveler

Yal-ku lagoon is an estuary where fresh and salt water meet, so the biodiversity in the lagoon is incredible. The water is teeming with fish. You can rent a snorkel or bring your own. The park around the lagoon features interesting art statues. There is a small snack bar, clean restrooms, and lockers.

6. Aktun Chen

Highway 307 between Akumal and Xel-Ha Km 107, Akumal 77780 Mexico +52 984 806 4962 [email protected] http://www.aktun-chen.com
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,063 reviews

Aktun Chen

An underground cave with spectacular rock formations.

Reviewed By jordyguth - Logan, United States

We thoroughly enjoyed our day at this unique and authentic site. It was fun to be off the beaten path in a relaxed setting that hasn't been overrun by tourists. It is a very well run establishment, and the entire staff was friendly and accommodating. The guides were upbeat and patient with us, as well as being very knowledgeable about the caves and the ecology. The prices were very reasonable, and we got a package deal when we went to the Tulum ruins that included a guided tour of the Tulum ruins plus the Aktun Chen cave tour and cenote swim for around $54/each (3 adults, two teens, and two 12 year olds). We tacked on the zipline for a discounted price. We spent all day and enjoyed every aspect of the experience, including the restaurant (reasonable prices and good local fare) and the animals (mostly animal rescues in a semi natural enclosures). We also saw several native butterflies (blue morphos and black/orange longwings) in their natural jungle setting. The absolute highlight was swimming in the underground cenote among the cave formations, fish, and the clearest water I have ever seen. It is incredibly dramatic with the natural light from above through holes in the limestone ceiling. All of the guides we had were wonderful and seemed to love their "office" setting. I would definitely rank our day at Aktun Chen as one of the main highlights of our trip! Thank you for a wonderful experience.

7. Gran Cenote

Quintana Roo 109 Located on the Highway to Coba, Tulum 77796 Mexico http://todocenotes.com/en-tulum/gran-cenote/
Excellent
53%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,137 reviews

Gran Cenote

Grand Cenote has 140 square meter for swimming, there is one big cave, a cavern and 100 square of wooden platforms where you can walk, chill with the nature and take pictures .

Reviewed By A7473SDmatthewk

If you are in Tulum, you have to experience the cenotes and in my opinion the Gran Cenote is one of the best. A quaint cenote that you can snorkel and see stalagtites and stalagmites as well as bats and small turtles. Water is clear with a little chill. Also, pretty inexpensive. Shouldn’t cost you anymore than $20 USD per person.

8. Half Moon Bay

Akumal Mexico
Excellent
54%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 516 reviews

Half Moon Bay

Reviewed By DocRon48 - Dripping Springs, United States

Stay in this area when you go to akumal. Do not rent a car. Get a golf cart. I recommend La Joya for a great condo and awesome location.

9. Casa Cenote

Tulum 77760 Mexico
Excellent
51%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,036 reviews

Casa Cenote

Reviewed By eimileigh - Sun Prairie, United States

Casa Cenote is absolutely amazing! I snorkeled in the Cenote while my fiancé did a scuba dive tour. We both had an amazing experience! We went bright and early so we had the Cenote all the ourselves! This Cenote is a must see!

10. Cenote Cristalino

Carretera Fed. Tulum-Cancun km 269.5 A lado del Ecopark Kantunchi, Playa del Carmen 77710 Mexico [email protected]
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 629 reviews

Cenote Cristalino

Área natural con cenotes, vida silvestre. Es un espacio familiar y contamos con todas las medidas necesarias para el COVID-19 para brindarte un buen servicio.

Reviewed By 419catherinee

We visited many cenotes whilst staying here in Mexico this one is beautiful, it’s very cheap entry easy to get to. It has a small cliff to jump from and a small cave to swim through, a lovely little shop that sells ice lollies and snacks/ drinks the staff were friendly highly recommend a visit here.

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