Beyond the towering, attention-grabbing Ven a la Luz art installation and uniquely elegant art gallery, SFER IK, there’s so much to see and do in Tulum, Mexico. One being the magnificent guided tour I never knew I needed.
Welcome To Cenotes Casa Tortuga
The last couple of hours exploring Tulum has been exhausting, but I haven’t a single complaint. This city is beautiful, the food is tasty and people are taking Covid safety protocols seriously.
Unfortunately, my friends and I are only doing a day trip and that doesn’t leave us much time to fully enjoy it. So as it approaches 2PM, we decide it’s time to experience our first cenote in the area.
We immediately notice the entrance fee is more than the places we’ve been in the Playa del Carmen area, but after finding out we aren’t paying for one, but four cenotes, we realize 400 pesos (about $19) isn’t bad at all.
We’re also able to snag a couple of lockers for 50 pesos (about $3) each. They end up being quite large and can easily fit two “normal” size bookbags. Almost three.
When we’re done at the lockers we head to the restrooms to change, and to be honest, it kinda feels as though it was made for miniature size humans. So as I take my pants off and trade them for swim shorts I try desperately to avoid eye contact with the small child staring at me.
After showering we end up talking to one of the guides and he asks if we need life jackets, but we decline because we’re all confident swimmers. Eh…most of us are at least.
Showering is mandatory before getting into the water and sunscreen is not permitted.
But as we approach the first cenote a guy notices we aren’t wearing them and convinces us to get them as it’s a lot of swimming. He also mentions he’s a diver, so adhering to his advice is a no brainer.
First: The Unknown
The tour starts off rather “interesting” when the guide finds out we’ve changed our minds and actually do want life jackets. He gets a little mouthy, but ultimately takes us to retrieve them.
And after securing them along with goggles that cover our noses, we hop into the first cenote.
Those that would rather gradually enter the water have the option to use stairs instead of jumping, but it’s pretty cold.
We instantly realize going back for the life jacket was the right choice, too. Since I’ve been in the water, my feet rarely touch the ground and I stand comfortably at 6’1ft.
Not to mention we also have to maneuver under and around rocks of the cave and float while the guide teaches us a few things about the cenotes in the area.
Second: The Jump
On our way to the second cenote we walk across a wooden bridge that stretches under the beautiful shade of natures green trees.
The bridge is pretty cool looking since nature grows around it and thus would be a great spot for those looking for some photos.
As we break through the shade the world around us expands into an open area where water lives. That’s when we’re met with two questions. Do we jump off the cliff and into the water or do we walk to the bottom and get in via the stairs.
Alas, here I stand at the edge looking to the water, as well as the many people standing around it waiting for the next person to jump. I try to convince myself I’m not terrified, but if my swimming shorts weren’t already wet they would be now.
But before fear manages to get the best of me I close my eyes and take the plunge. The water ends up not being too cold, or maybe it’s just my adrenaline that keeps me warm.
I swim over to the platform and join my friends as well as this couple we all met at the beginning of the cenote tour. They’re an older couple, but goals for sure as they were too damn cute. The man tries to convince the woman to try the jump, but she isn’t having it.
Eventually she looks at me and says if I go up there again she’ll go. So I hand my phone to one of my friends and nervously head back to the top.
Her and I stand at the top for a while as I try to convince her to jump while her boyfriend waits and cheers her on from the bottom.
And after watching so many kids run pass us and effortlessly make the jump. I decide it’s my turn to take the plunge once more before I get nervous again.
Eventually the woman does find her way off the ledge and let’s just say she doesn’t love it.
But overall it’s a pretty cool spot. And after everyone else finishes we head to the third cenote.
Third: The Best
Out of all the cenotes so far, this one is by far the most clear. It’s also the first place we’re allowed an abundant amount of time for a longer, slower paced swim.
It stretches a pretty nice distance, but the only way to get out is at the ends. Another reason having the life jacket was a good idea as I now find myself tired and wrinkly.
When we’re out, we notice one of our friends swim shorts ripped at some point, so as we make our way to the final cenote, we can’t help but laugh.
But I won’t spoil this cenote for you. If you want to know what’s at the bottom then you’ll have to check it out for yourself.
And with that…it’s time to eat.
