Grand Cenote

Grand Cenote is a large open-air freshwater cenote with a sunlit cavern and connected underwater cave passages decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. It is noted for dramatic sunlight beams through the open roof and abundant wildlife, notably freshwater turtles that often bask or swim in the lily-pad areas. Typical dives reach about 10-12 meters maximum. Water temperature is typically mid-20s °C (around 24-28 °C in summer, slightly cooler in winter) and visibility is excellent, often 15-30 meters or more. There are no currents; entry and exit are from shore via a wooden boardwalk, stairs and a jetty. Cavern diving remains within the light zone with overhead surface exit a few meters above, while deeper cave passages extend beyond the lit area and require fixed guidelines and cave or technical cave certification. Good buoyancy is essential to avoid stirring sediment and damaging delicate formations. The site can become very crowded with swimmers and snorkelers, and sporting scuba dives have been closed in recent years with snorkeling officially allowed.