Open cenote · Bacalar
Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar)
- Type
- Open cenote
- Area
- Bacalar
- Entry fee
- Check at entrance
- Hours
- Daytime, check locally
Cenote Esmeralda is a deep spring inside Bacalar lagoon named for its emerald-green color. It feeds the lagoon with groundwater and is a common stop on boat tours.
Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) is one of the best cenotes in Bacalar in our guide to cenotes in Mexico.
Where Cenote Esmeralda is
Cenote Esmeralda is a deep cenote that opens inside the Bacalar lagoon. From the boat you see it as a sudden change from light turquoise shallows to darker green-blue water.
How to visit
Most visitors swim here on a boat, kayak or paddleboard tour, along with Cenote Negro, the Canal de los Piratas and the bird island viewpoint. Some lagoon-side hotels and restaurants are near it.
Swimming tips
The water drops from shallow to very deep. Wear a life jacket if unsure, and do not stand on the stromatolites in the shallows.
What to do at Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar)
- Swimming (boat tours)
- Boat tour
Highlights
- Emerald-green color against the lagoon
- Underground spring feeding Bacalar lagoon
- Usually seen with Cenote Negro on tours
How to get to Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar)
Location: Inside Bacalar lagoon, close to the shore.
Join a boat, sailboat or kayak tour from Bacalar town.
Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) entrance fee and hours
Entry: we have not found a reliable, current price for Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) yet. Ask at the Bacalar entrance and bring cash in pesos.
Hours: Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) opens in daytime only; confirm hours locally before you go.
How far is Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar)?
Approximate driving times to the Bacalar cenote area (car, normal traffic):
- Bacalar town to Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar): 10–20 min
- Chetumal to Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar): 40 min
- Tulum to Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar): 2 h 30 min
- Playa del Carmen to Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar): 3 h 15 min
- Cancún to Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar): 4 h
Plan your visit to Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar)
- Time needed: 1–2 hours at the cenote, more if you combine it with nearby cenotes.
- Best time to go: Early morning (before about 10 am) for calm water and fewer people; weekdays are quieter than weekends.
- Packing: see what to bring to a cenote.
Is Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) worth visiting?
Yes, if you are looking for boat tours, color contrast photos. At Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) you can do: swimming (boat tours), boat tour.
Tips and rules for visiting
- Life jackets: the hole is deep.
- Pick eco-certified boat operators.
Nearby cenotes
See all the best cenotes in BacalarLearn more: The Yucatán aquifer, Types of cenotes, Why is cenote water so clear?
Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) FAQs
Do you need a boat for Cenote Esmeralda?
Usually yes, or a kayak or paddleboard.
Is Cenote Esmeralda deep?
Yes; it drops from shallow lagoon water to a deep blue-green hole.
How do you visit Cenote Esmeralda?
Most visitors go on a Bacalar lagoon boat or kayak tour.
Where is Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar)?
Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar) is near Bacalar. Inside Bacalar lagoon, close to the shore.