Cenote Dos Ojos sits in the jungle 14 miles north of Tulum, off Highway 307. It's one of the largest mapped underground cave systems in the world — over 50 miles of explored passages — and the most famous single dive site in the Riviera Maya. For non-divers, it's also a spectacular snorkeling destination, with two open pools connected by a daylight-lit cavern. This 2026 guide covers entry, snorkel and dive options and how to plan your day.
🧮
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Adding Dos Ojos to your Tulum cenote crawl? Build it into a full trip budget.
What Dos Ojos Is
Dos Ojos is part of the Sac Actun underground river system — the second-longest underwater cave system on Earth. The visitor area is two open cenote pools (East Eye and West Eye) connected by a 30-yard underwater cavern passage that's lit by daylight from above. Snorkelers and cavern divers can swim between the two. Beyond the main pools, miles of unlit cave system extend in every direction; only certified cave divers can access these.
Hours and Prices
| Detail | 2026 Info |
|---|
| Open days | Daily |
| Hours | 9:00am–5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm) |
| Adult entry | ~$30 USD |
| Child (4–11) | ~$18 |
| Snorkel set rental | $7 |
| Locker | $3 |
| Cavern dive (Open Water cert) | $130–$160 for 2 tanks |
| Full cave dive (cave cert) | $180–$240 |
Reef-safe sunscreen only; mandatory rinse before entry. Cash pesos preferred.
Getting There
- From Tulum: 20 minutes by car. Highway 307 north, signed turnoff.
- From Playa del Carmen: 35 minutes by car.
- Colectivo: Tulum-bound vans drop at the highway turnoff; 1 mile walk in (or wait for a passing taxi).
- Tour packages: Often combined with Tulum ruins ($90–$130 with pickup).
The Two Cenotes
After paying at the gate, a 1-mile dirt road (drivable, or 25-min walk) reaches the main facility. Two open pools side by side:
- East Eye: The larger pool, with most snorkeler entry. Wooden stairs and platforms.
- West Eye: Smaller, deeper, calmer. Better for the underwater cavern photo.
- The Bat Cave: A short detour from the West Eye where bats roost above water level.
- The Barbie Line: A famous dive route between the two cenotes for cavern divers.
Snorkeling at Dos Ojos
For non-divers, the snorkel route is: enter East Eye, swim around perimeter, swim through the daylight cavern passage to West Eye, optionally explore West Eye. The lit cavern passage is the highlight — limestone stalactites within arm's reach as you float through. Visibility is consistently 100+ ft. No fish (freshwater + cave system) but the rock formations are the show.
Cave Diving
Dos Ojos is a globally famous cave-dive site. Two tiers of access:
- Cavern dive (Open Water cert + intro briefing): Daylight zone, max 130 ft from the entrance, with a guide. $130–$160.
- Cave dive (Cave Diver cert required): Beyond the daylight zone into the full system. $180–$240.
- Recommended ops: ProTec Tulum, Under the Jungle, Dive Discoveries — all bookable in advance.
- Best months: Year-round (water is 75°F always); avoid Sept–Oct hurricane season for travel logistics.
Best Time to Visit
Open at 9am. Tour buses arrive 10:30–noon. Arrive at opening for the calm, near-empty 9:00–10:30am window. Tuesday through Thursday are calmest. The cavern passage between the two cenotes can get backed up with snorkelers at peak (11am–2pm); early arrival lets you do it without wait.
What to Bring
- Swimsuit and quick-dry clothing.
- Towel — not provided.
- Reef-safe sunscreen ONLY.
- Cash pesos.
- Underwater camera or waterproof phone case.
- Light wetsuit or rashguard if you're cold-sensitive — water is 75°F.
- Insect repellent for the entry area.
Dos Ojos vs Gran Cenote
| Factor | Dos Ojos | Gran Cenote |
|---|
| Entry | ~$30 | ~$25 |
| Setting | Jungle, two pools + cave | Open-air + cavern |
| Best for | Cave-feel, divers | Easy snorkel, turtles |
| Crowds | Medium | High |
| Time | 2–3 hours | 1.5–2 hours |
| Wildlife | None (cave) | Turtles, fish |
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the West Eye. Many visitors snorkel only the East side and miss the better cavern photo.
- Wearing chemical sunscreen. Strictly enforced — staff will reject you.
- Doing both Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote in one morning. Each deserves 2+ hours; combo days feel rushed.
- Trying to dive without certification. The cavern dive minimum is Open Water + briefing; no walk-up unguided diving.
- Forgetting cash for the entry road. The $30 entry is collected at the gate before the dirt road.
For divers: combine a Dos Ojos cavern dive with an afternoon Pit cenote dive (the Pit is on the same property and the deepest cenote in the system). Two-cenote dive day is roughly $260 with two tanks each.
Cenote Dos Ojos sits in the jungle 14 miles north of Tulum, off Highway 307. It's one of the largest mapped underground cave systems in the world — over 50 miles of explored passages — and the most famous single dive site in the Riviera Maya. For non-divers, it's also a spectacular snorkeling destination, with two open pools connected by a daylight-lit cavern. This 2026 guide covers entry, snorkel and dive options and how to plan your day.
🧮
Mexico Trip Cost Calculator
Adding Dos Ojos to your Tulum cenote crawl? Build it into a full trip budget.
What Dos Ojos Is
Dos Ojos is part of the Sac Actun underground river system — the second-longest underwater cave system on Earth. The visitor area is two open cenote pools (East Eye and West Eye) connected by a 30-yard underwater cavern passage that's lit by daylight from above. Snorkelers and cavern divers can swim between the two. Beyond the main pools, miles of unlit cave system extend in every direction; only certified cave divers can access these.
Hours and Prices
| Detail | 2026 Info |
|---|
| Open days | Daily |
| Hours | 9:00am–5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm) |
| Adult entry | ~$30 USD |
| Child (4–11) | ~$18 |
| Snorkel set rental | $7 |
| Locker | $3 |
| Cavern dive (Open Water cert) | $130–$160 for 2 tanks |
| Full cave dive (cave cert) | $180–$240 |
Reef-safe sunscreen only; mandatory rinse before entry. Cash pesos preferred.
Getting There
- From Tulum: 20 minutes by car. Highway 307 north, signed turnoff.
- From Playa del Carmen: 35 minutes by car.
- Colectivo: Tulum-bound vans drop at the highway turnoff; 1 mile walk in (or wait for a passing taxi).
- Tour packages: Often combined with Tulum ruins ($90–$130 with pickup).
The Two Cenotes
After paying at the gate, a 1-mile dirt road (drivable, or 25-min walk) reaches the main facility. Two open pools side by side:
- East Eye: The larger pool, with most snorkeler entry. Wooden stairs and platforms.
- West Eye: Smaller, deeper, calmer. Better for the underwater cavern photo.
- The Bat Cave: A short detour from the West Eye where bats roost above water level.
- The Barbie Line: A famous dive route between the two cenotes for cavern divers.
Snorkeling at Dos Ojos
For non-divers, the snorkel route is: enter East Eye, swim around perimeter, swim through the daylight cavern passage to West Eye, optionally explore West Eye. The lit cavern passage is the highlight — limestone stalactites within arm's reach as you float through. Visibility is consistently 100+ ft. No fish (freshwater + cave system) but the rock formations are the show.
Cave Diving
Dos Ojos is a globally famous cave-dive site. Two tiers of access:
- Cavern dive (Open Water cert + intro briefing): Daylight zone, max 130 ft from the entrance, with a guide. $130–$160.
- Cave dive (Cave Diver cert required): Beyond the daylight zone into the full system. $180–$240.
- Recommended ops: ProTec Tulum, Under the Jungle, Dive Discoveries — all bookable in advance.
- Best months: Year-round (water is 75°F always); avoid Sept–Oct hurricane season for travel logistics.
Best Time to Visit
Open at 9am. Tour buses arrive 10:30–noon. Arrive at opening for the calm, near-empty 9:00–10:30am window. Tuesday through Thursday are calmest. The cavern passage between the two cenotes can get backed up with snorkelers at peak (11am–2pm); early arrival lets you do it without wait.
What to Bring
- Swimsuit and quick-dry clothing.
- Towel — not provided.
- Reef-safe sunscreen ONLY.
- Cash pesos.
- Underwater camera or waterproof phone case.
- Light wetsuit or rashguard if you're cold-sensitive — water is 75°F.
- Insect repellent for the entry area.
Dos Ojos vs Gran Cenote
| Factor | Dos Ojos | Gran Cenote |
|---|
| Entry | ~$30 | ~$25 |
| Setting | Jungle, two pools + cave | Open-air + cavern |
| Best for | Cave-feel, divers | Easy snorkel, turtles |
| Crowds | Medium | High |
| Time | 2–3 hours | 1.5–2 hours |
| Wildlife | None (cave) | Turtles, fish |
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the West Eye. Many visitors snorkel only the East side and miss the better cavern photo.
- Wearing chemical sunscreen. Strictly enforced — staff will reject you.
- Doing both Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote in one morning. Each deserves 2+ hours; combo days feel rushed.
- Trying to dive without certification. The cavern dive minimum is Open Water + briefing; no walk-up unguided diving.
- Forgetting cash for the entry road. The $30 entry is collected at the gate before the dirt road.
For divers: combine a Dos Ojos cavern dive with an afternoon Pit cenote dive (the Pit is on the same property and the deepest cenote in the system). Two-cenote dive day is roughly $260 with two tanks each.