Open cenote · Tulum
Casa Cenote
- Type
- Open cenote
- Area
- Tulum
- Entry fee
- About 650 MXN general entry (one 2026 source; prices have risen, confirm at the entrance)
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 daily
Prices and hours change often. Last checked 2026-10-03. Fee source · Hours source
Casa Cenote, also known as Cenote Manatí, is a long, river-like open cenote that snakes through mangroves at Tankah Bay, just across a dirt road from the Caribbean. Fresh groundwater meets salt water from the sea here, making it popular for snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding and beginner cenote dives.
Casa Cenote is one of the best cenotes in Tulum in our guide to cenotes in Mexico.
Why it is also called Cenote Manatí
Casa Cenote is also known as Cenote Manatí. The name comes from manatees that once swam in from the sea through the mangroves; sightings are now rare, but the name stayed.
Fresh and salt water together
The cenote is a long open channel lined with mangroves, and it connects to the Caribbean underground. Fresh water floats over salt water, so you can feel the temperature change and see both freshwater and sea fish in the same swim.
What to do
It is calm and shallow along the edges, which makes it good for easy snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Divers use it for a gentle cavern dive under the mangrove roots toward the sea. Gear rental is reported on site.
Getting there
Casa Cenote is in Tankah Bay, between Akumal and Tulum. Turn off the highway at the Tankah sign and follow the road toward the beach. A beachfront restaurant of the same name sits nearby, so you can combine a swim in the cenote with time at the sea.
What to do at Casa Cenote
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding (SUP)
- Swimming
- Beginner scuba diving
Highlights
- Open-air, snake-shaped cenote among mangroves
- Fresh and salt water mixing, with fish and blue crabs
- Shallow for divers: maximum depth reported at around 10 m
- A resident crocodile, nicknamed Pancho, is often reported; staff say it keeps its distance
- Linked to the sea by an underwater tunnel, reported at about 50 m long by a dive center
- A rocky beach for sea snorkeling right across the road, plus the beachfront Casa Cenote hotel and restaurant
How to get to Casa Cenote
Location: At Tankah Bay (Tankah Caribe), about 10–12 km north of Tulum and 56 km south of Playa del Carmen, on the beach side of Highway 307.
Drive north from Tulum on Highway 307 for about 20 minutes and turn toward the sea at the Tankah Bay sign; the cenote is on the beach side, across the road from the Casa Cenote hotel (Tankah Tres). Parking is next to the cenote. Without a car, colectivo vans on Highway 307 can drop you at the Tankah turnoff for a low fare (around 20 MXN from Tulum was reported in 2024); from there it is a short walk toward the sea, so bring water and sun protection. Taxis rarely wait, so agree the return in advance.
Casa Cenote entrance fee and hours
Entry: About 650 MXN general entry (one 2026 source; prices have risen, confirm at the entrance) (checked 2026-10-03, source).
Hours: 9:00–17:00 daily (checked 2026-10-03, source).
Prices and hours change often, so treat these as a guide.
How far is Casa Cenote?
Approximate driving times to the Tulum cenote area (car, normal traffic):
- Tulum town to Casa Cenote: 10–30 min
- Playa del Carmen to Casa Cenote: 45 min
- Cancún to Casa Cenote: 1 h 45 min
- Valladolid to Casa Cenote: 1 h 30 min
- Mérida to Casa Cenote: 3 h 30 min
Plan your visit to Casa Cenote
- 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 Casa Cenote worth visiting?
Yes, if you are looking for snorkeling, beginner divers, kayaking and paddleboarding. At Casa Cenote you can do: snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding (sup), swimming, beginner scuba diving.
Tips and rules for visiting
- Arrive at opening and avoid weekends for fewer crowds.
- Bring your own snorkel gear; rentals are expensive (around 20 USD was reported in 2024).
- Downsides to know: it is one of the pricier Tulum-area cenotes and the water can be less crystal-clear than cave cenotes because of the mangroves.
- Apply sunscreen and repellent only after swimming.
- Combine with a swim at the beach across the road.
Nearby cenotes
See all the best cenotes in TulumLearn more: The halocline in cenotes, Types of cenotes, Wildlife in cenotes, How much do cenotes cost?
Casa Cenote FAQs
Is Casa Cenote the same as Cenote Manatí?
Yes. Cenote Manatí is the other name for Casa Cenote; manatees were once seen here, which gave it the name.
How much is Casa Cenote?
One 2026 source lists about 650 MXN general entry (checked 2026-10-03). Prices have risen in recent years, so confirm at the entrance and bring cash.
Are there crocodiles in Casa Cenote?
A resident crocodile, nicknamed Pancho, is often reported. Visitors and divers swim here daily; keep your distance and follow staff instructions.
How deep is Casa Cenote?
Dive centers report a maximum depth of around 10 m, which is why it is popular for first cenote dives.
Is Casa Cenote worth visiting?
Yes if you like snorkeling, kayaking or a first easy dive among mangroves, with a beach across the road. If you want crystal-clear cave water and stalactites, Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote suit you better.
Can you get to Casa Cenote by colectivo?
Yes. Colectivo vans on Highway 307 between Tulum and Playa del Carmen can drop you at the Tankah turnoff, then it is a short walk toward the sea.
How far is Casa Cenote from Tulum?
About 10–12 km north of Tulum at Tankah Bay, roughly a 20-minute drive.