All 4 Bacalar Cenotes & How to Visit Them

An Overview of the Best Cenotes in Bacalar, Mexico

Seeing, swimming in, and boating around Bacalar’s cenotes are some of the best things to do in Bacalar! There are four different cenotes in Bacalar, all within close proximity to Bacalar town.

If you’re wondering what a cenote is, here’s a quick overview! Cenotes are sinkholes that form when underground limestone caves collapse and expose groundwater, creating a natural swimming hole. Some cenotes are fully open, others are partially covered by caves with small openings, and others are completely covered in caves. There are over six thousands cenotes across the Yucatan peninsula and the state of Quintana Roo, and most of them are connected via underground rivers!

Bacalar lagoon itself was formed overtime by the collapse of many different cenotes, and today the lagoon’s varying colors of blue and green appear because of the mineral rich groundwater flowing into the lake through cenotes, springs, and underground rivers.

Also See: The Ultimate Bacalar Itinerary: 1-7 Days

Responsible Travel Tips for Swimming in Bacalar Cenotes

Bacalar lagoon is one of the few places on earth where you can see stromatolites, which are microbial reefs believed to be the oldest living organisms on earth. You’ll see stromatolites at Cenote Cocalitos, Los Rapdios, and several other spots around the lagoon. They look a bit like rocks but are indeed living creatures that you should avoid touching.

Also, locals ask that you avoid using sunscreen anywhere in the lagoon or cenotes as it can damage the sensitive ecosystem. This can be difficult if you’re trying to protect your skin from the sun, but an easy solution is to wear sun protectant clothing (I use this sun shirt all the time when traveling) and/or a rash guard when swimming.

4 Bacalar Cenotes to Visit

All of these Bacalar cenotes (and dozens of other incredible spots) are pinned on my free Yucatan map!

1. Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote) is dark blue cenote that is believed to be the deepest cenote in the Yucatan at 300 feet deep. It’s also the best cenote for swimming in Bacalar since it’s separated from the lagoon and there is not boat traffic.

I love swimming around the edges of the cenote which are covered by hanging foliage, and sipping a refreshing drink at the onsite restaurant that overlooks the cenote.

Cenote Azul is only about 10 minutes from downtown Bacalar, and you can get there via car, taxi, or even walking. It costs 35 MXN (~$2 USD) to enter and you can only pay with cash, but you can pay with card at the onsite restaurant (only accessible after you pay the entry fee in cash, though).

Technically you could visit Cenote Azul without paying because you can access the other sides of the cenote from the road that wraps around it. However, it’s worth paying the small entry fee because the ground around the cenote is not stable (it feels like quicksand!)

Cenote Azul Visitor’s Info:

🌿 Cenote Features: Concrete platforms for sitting and jumping, onsite restaurant, floating rope to hang onto in the middle of the cenote
💧 Cenote Type: Open cenote with 300 foot deep water
💵 Entrance Fee: $35 MXN per person, pay onsite with cash only
🌊 Included With Entry Fee: Access to cenote and facilities
🍔 Extra Cost: Life jackets, food and drinks
⏰ Opening Hours: 10am-6pm, open daily
🗺 Google Map Pin: Cenote Azul Bacalar

Also See: 5 Excellent Bacalar Boat Tours

2. Cenote Negro (Cenote de la Bruja or Black Cenote)

Cenote Negro (also called Cenote de la Bruja or Black Cenote) is another striking deep cenote in Bacalar. Since it is directly connected to the lagoon you witness the light blue water immediately switch to dark blue (almost black).

Unless you stay at a property on the cenote, the only way to access Cenote Negro is via the lagoon. Most Bacalar boat tours include a visit to the cenote, but if you really want to experience Cenote Negro, and even swim in it, you’ll want to take a kayak or SUP over.

If you kayak or paddle board to Cenote Negro it’s best to go in the morning before the boat tours start. I highly recommend this stand up paddle board sunrise tour at Cenote Negro, but you could also go without a tour.

If you’re going to go on a Bacalar boat tour as well (which is one of the best things to do in Bacalar!), I recommend booking this one because you get unlimited access to the company’s kayaks after the tour, and their launching point is right next to Cenote Negro!

Cenote Negro Visitor’s Info:

💧 Cenote Type: Open cenote
💵 Entrance Fee: Free to visit, but only accessible via the lagoon (not land)
🗺 Google Map Pin: Cenote Negro Bacalar

Bacalar Cenotes FAQs

How do Bacalar’s cenotes compare to other cenotes in Mexico?

Bacalar’s four cenotes are just a few of the thousands of cenotes in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Belize. Each cenotes is unique, and Bacalar cenotes are not the same as the covered cave cenotes you’ll find in places like Valladolid or Tulum.

All four Bacalar cenotes are open-air, and three of the four are right on the edge of the lagoon, and look like little bays. The fourth, Cenote Azul, is very close to the edge of the lagoon but is not connected to the lagoon on the surface (almost all cenotes are connected by underwater tunnels, though!)

Can you swim in cenotes in Bacalar?

Yes, but some cenotes are better for swimming than others. Since there is not boat traffic, Cenote Azul is probably the best cenote for swimming in Bacalar, but it’s also the deepest cenote on the Yucatan so you’ll want to be a somewhat strong swimmer or wear a life jacket. Meanwhile, Cenote Cocoalitos is shallow and perfect for swimming. Nearby Cenote Esmerelda and Cenote Negro can be okay for swimming but you should be careful about boat traffic.

Is is free to visit cenotes in Bacalar?

In theory all cenotes in Bacalar are free to visit, however, there are no real public access points for the cenotes. You’ll have to enter through a beach club or other business, or rent a kayak and paddle over to the cenote.