Dos Ojos Cenote

Tulum, Mexico

What it is

Dos Ojos is the most photographed cenote near Tulum, a pair of giant round pools whose name, Two Eyes, comes from the two openings that stare up at the jungle and connect underground into one of the longest flooded cave systems in the world. For swimmers and snorkelers it is unbeatable: the water is freshwater clear, often beyond 30 metres of visibility, and shafts of sunlight pour through the openings to light up white limestone, hanging stalactites and the dark mouth of the famous Bat Cave passage. You can float in the open eyes with a mask and life vest and still feel the scale of the cavern stretching away into the blue.

How to visit

Dos Ojos sits a short drive north of Tulum off the highway, reached down a jungle track to the park entrance where there is an entry fee, lockers and parking. Most visitors come to snorkel rather than dive: you can hire a mask and vest at the gate and float the open pools on your own, but a small-group snorkel tour with a guide gets you the best light and the calmer corners away from the day-tripper crowd. Go early, ideally at opening, both to beat the tour buses and to catch the midday light beams when the sun is high. The water is cooler than the sea at a steady 24 to 25 degrees, so a rash guard helps on a long swim.

Hours & practical info

Park open daily roughly 8am to 5pm. Entry fee plus optional snorkel gear rental. Steady 24 to 25 degree freshwater year round.

Insider tips

Tours featuring Dos Ojos Cenote

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim and snorkel at Dos Ojos without diving?
Yes. The two open pools are ideal for swimming and snorkeling with a mask and life vest. No diving certification is needed to enjoy the clear water, light beams and cavern views from the surface.
How cold is the water at Dos Ojos?
Dos Ojos holds a steady 24 to 25 degrees year round, cooler than the Caribbean sea. A rash guard or thin wetsuit keeps you comfortable on a longer snorkel.

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