Mexico
1 region · 64 sites · down to 119 m
Mexico means cenotes: collapsed holes in the flat limestone plateau of Yucatán that lead into huge underwater cave systems. The site covers the Riviera Maya around Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with 64 dive sites, from guided cavern tours and shallow caves at intro-to-cave level to remote full cave systems, plus one cave on Cozumel. The water is warm and clear, and most caves are shallow and richly decorated.
Map
Not to be missed
- Dos Ojos →
A shallow classic down to 10 m in its own park with its own guide scheme: ideal for a guided cavern tour.
- Chac Mool →
A guided cavern down to 14 m where you see light beams cut through the water around late morning.
- The Pit (El Pit) →
A deep cenote that goes down to 119 m: the guided cavern route is spectacular, but stick strictly to your depth and gas limits.
- Tajma Ha (Taj Mahal) →
A full cave system down to 15 m that you can already dive with intro-to-cave: a good first step after your cavern card.
- Mayan Blue (Escondido) →
A cave system down to 24 m, open from intro-to-cave level, and a nice next step once you know the shallow caves.
- Zapote (Hells Bells) →
Also known as Hells Bells: the bell-shaped limestone formations below the halocline are unique. It is a deep, guided dive (down to 54 m): plan your depth and gas strictly within your certification.
Regions
Good to know
- Cenotes are on private or ejido land and every owner has their own rules and fees, usually about 200–600 MXN per diver per day, cash in pesos. Rules change quickly.
- A guide isn't mandatory for certified full cave divers, but is recommended for your first dives. Open-water divers may only join a guided cavern tour: max. 4 divers per full cave guide, daylight zone only.
- Some cenotes are closed or restricted: in September 2026 Gran Cenote, Regina, Shoam and Caracol were closed, Pet Cemetery was restricted and Dreamgate was cavern only. The Tren Maya runs over dozens of cenotes; ask your dive centre about the current status.
- Several caves need a key or an arrangement, for example Xa'ay Ha and Doggi via ProTec Tulum, Outland via Nohoch Nah Chich and Otoch Ha/Concha via Zero Gravity. You pay for the Muyil caves at the Diconsa opposite the ruins.
Tips for safe and enjoyable diving
- Register the free CREER Cave Pass in advance (photo, cave card, nitrox card): it saves time at cenotes and rental shops.
- Start early: many cenotes are only open in daytime, about 8–17 h. Eden/Ponderosa and Chikin Ha are closed on Saturdays. At remote cenotes, such as Muyil and along the Nohoch road, leave someone with the car.
- In an accident: the SSS hyperbaric chamber in Playa del Carmen is reachable 24/7 on +52 984 188 6486 (about 25 min away). DAN is on +1 919 684 9111, or in Spanish on +52 557 100 0540.
- January falls in the dry season: water around 24 °C, the best visibility and fewer crowds.
- Plan a rest day at a swimming cenote such as Cristalino, Azul or Kantun Chi, or take a day trip to Cozumel for drift dives along the reef. The only cave there, Aerolito de Paraíso, is guided only.
Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training.
News
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Searched automatically, last on 5 Oct 2026.
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