What to bring to a cenote
Bring a swimsuit, towel, cash in pesos, water shoes, a mask and snorkel, a dry bag and drinking water. Leave sunscreen and repellent at home or don't use them before swimming.
Quick cenote packing checklist
- Swimsuit (wear it under your clothes)
- Quick-dry towel
- Cash in pesos, including small notes
- Water shoes or sandals with grip
- Mask and snorkel
- Dry bag or waterproof phone case
- Drinking water and snacks
- Hat, sunglasses and a light long-sleeve top
- Change of dry clothes
- Small backpack to carry it all
Clothes and shoes
Wear your swimsuit from your hotel so you don't need long in the changing room. Paths to cenotes are often rocky, muddy or have steep wooden stairs, so trainers or sport sandals are better than flip-flops for the walk. Water shoes help on slippery ledges and rock bottoms. A rash guard or swim shirt protects you from the sun without sunscreen.
Money: bring cash in pesos
Most cenotes, especially small community ones, only take cash and there are rarely ATMs nearby. Bring more than the entry price: many cenotes charge extra for life jacket or snorkel rental, lockers, and using a GoPro, camera or drone. Small notes help because change can run short. For current entry prices, see each cenote's page; we only show prices with a source and the date we checked them.
Swim and snorkel gear
A mask and snorkel turn a swim into a look at fish, roots and rock formations, and your own mask fits better than a rental. Many cenotes rent gear, but not all. Life jackets are provided, and at some popular cenotes they are mandatory. If you are not a strong swimmer, use one the whole time: cenotes are often deep from the edge.
Sun and insects without harming the water
Sunscreen and insect repellent pollute cenote water, which is part of the region's drinking water supply. Most cenotes ask you to shower before swimming and many ban sunscreen in the water, even 'reef-safe' or 'biodegradable' kinds. Cover up with a hat and long sleeves instead, and if you use repellent for jungle walks, apply it after you swim.
Food and water
Many small cenotes have no shop, so pack water and snacks or a picnic. Larger cenote parks often have a restaurant. Eat away from the water and take all rubbish with you. Stay hydrated: the jungle heat and walking between cenotes dry you out fast, so drink before and after swimming.
Phone and camera
- Waterproof phone pouch or action camera on a wrist strap
- Check camera or drone fees before filming
- Keep electronics in a dry bag; ledges and stairs are wet
- In cave cenotes, light is low: a camera that handles dim light helps
Extras for cave cenotes, kids and divers
- Cave cenotes: water is cooler and the air damp; a rash guard or thin wetsuit keeps you warm.
- Kids: their own life jackets if you have them, water shoes and extra snacks.
- Divers: your certification card and logbook; shops usually supply tanks, weights and lights.
- Everyone: a small first-aid kit for scrapes on rocks.
What to leave at home
- Sunscreen and bug spray on your skin before swimming
- Valuables and jewellery (rings slip off in cool water)
- Glass bottles
- Speakers and loud music
- Anything you would not want to get wet on slippery stairs
New to cenotes? Start with our main guide: what is a cenote. Ready to visit? See the best cenotes in Tulum.
What to bring to a cenote: frequently asked questions
What should I wear to a cenote?
Your swimsuit under light clothes, with trainers or sport sandals for the walk and water shoes for the water.
Can I bring my phone to a cenote?
Yes. Keep it in a waterproof pouch or dry bag; some cenotes charge a fee for cameras or GoPros.
Do I need water shoes at a cenote?
They are not required, but they help a lot on slippery rocks, ledges and stairs.
Can I bring food to a cenote?
Usually yes, but eat away from the water and take your rubbish home. Check rules at cenote parks with restaurants.
Can I use sunscreen at a cenote?
Most cenotes ask you not to wear it in the water, even reef-safe types. Shower first and cover up instead.
Do cenotes have lockers?
Larger cenote parks usually do; small local cenotes often don't.
Can I rent snorkel gear at cenotes?
Many popular cenotes rent masks, snorkels and life jackets, but small ones may not, so bring your own if you can.