Cenote Diving Review 2025: My 3-Day Itinerary for Fellow Divers

So you’re a certified diver and you’ve heard the call of the cenotes. Honestly, it’s a sound that’s hard to ignore. Before my trip, I really thought I knew what clear water was, you know? I had this idea in my head, but actually dropping below the surface of the Yucatan jungle is, well, something else entirely. It’s almost like stepping into another dimension. This isn’t just about another logbook entry; it’s a completely different kind of underwater time. For instance, my three-day trip was structured to show me a little bit of everything, from sunny, open pools to some pretty otherworldly underground chambers. Anyway, I wanted to share my thoughts and a few tips from my 2025 trip, sort of a guide from one diver to another.

Gearing Up and Getting in the Right Headspace

First, let’s talk preparation, because, at the end of the day, it’s what makes the whole thing go smoothly. Most reputable operations, like the one I went with, basically provide all the heavy gear: tanks, weights, and so on. They also typically offer high-quality regulators and BCDs, but to be honest, I always prefer bringing my own mask and computer. You are just so much more comfortable with gear that fits your face perfectly, right? Plus, your own computer has your whole history. I also seriously suggest a full 3mm or even 5mm wetsuit. That water, you know, stays at a constant 77°F (25°C) all year, which sounds warm, but it really starts to feel chilly on your second submersion of the day. A hood or a hooded vest is, like, a really good idea too.

Beyond the gear, there’s the mental side. This kind of submersion is typically very different from the open ocean. For example, there’s no current, and the quiet is almost absolute. You can actually hear your own breathing and the soft bubbles percolating toward the ceiling of a cavern. You will be following a permanent guideline the whole time, so you’re never actually lost. The guide gives a very thorough briefing, and it’s arguably the most important part of the day. You’ll definitely want to pay close attention, especially to the light signals and cavern protocols. Anyway, a good guide makes all the difference; they are your key to this subterranean world.

Read our full review: [Cenote Diving Gear & Preparation Full Review and Details]

Day 1: Sunbeams and Open Pools

My first day was, like, a perfect introduction to the cenote environment. We went to a couple of “open” cenotes, which are basically big, beautiful swimming holes that have completely collapsed, exposing the water table to the sky. Our first stop was Jardin del Eden, and the name is pretty much spot on. The moment you walk through the jungle path, you see this massive, turquoise pool surrounded by green foliage. Getting in the water is, well, a really refreshing moment. The sun just cuts through the water in these massive, shimmering beams, illuminating everything. It’s almost like you’re floating in liquid light. You can see the bottom clearly, the moss-covered rocks, and little fish going about their day. It’s more or less a relaxing way to get used to the freshwater buoyancy and the general vibe.

Later that day, we visited Cenote Azul, which is another beautiful open-style cenote. It has these sort of shallower sections where you can see people swimming and snorkeling, but for us divers, there are deeper areas and fun little swim-throughs under rock ledges. Honestly, the visibility is just silly; it feels like hundreds of feet. You look up from below and can see the leaves on the trees, which is a pretty unique perspective. Day one is really all about getting comfortable and just appreciating the natural beauty of it all. It’s sort of a perfect, low-stress warmup for what’s to come, you know? It’s not particularly difficult, but it’s still completely mesmerizing.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Jardin del Eden & Cenote Azul Tours])

Day 2: Entering a World of Stone and Light

Alright, day two was when things got, for me, really extraordinary. This was our cavern day, where you actually go under the ground and follow a guideline. We headed to the famous Dos Ojos system, which translates to “Two Eyes.” It’s named for two nearby cenotes that sort of look like eyes from above and are connected by a long underwater passage. You gear up, walk down a set of stairs, and slip into this dark opening at the base of a cliff. Seriously, the moment you put your face in the water, your world changes. The guide’s light cuts through the darkness, revealing these enormous columns and decorations that look like they were sculpted over millions of years. It’s just unbelievably beautiful, honestly.

Following the line through the cavern, you see stalactites dripping from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor, some of them so huge they connect to form pillars. And then there’s the halocline. It’s this layer where the lighter freshwater sits on top of the heavier saltwater that has seeped in from the ocean. When you swim through it, your vision gets all blurry and distorted for a second, almost like you’re swimming through oil or melted glass. It’s a completely bizarre and amazing sensation. Our second submersion was in a different part of the system called “The Bat Cave,” which ends in a large, dark air dome where hundreds of bats are, well, sleeping. Floating there in the dark, just looking up at them, was a bit surreal.

You’re floating through geological time. Every drip, every formation, took thousands of years to create. It makes you feel very, very small, but also incredibly connected to the planet in a way I hadn’t felt before.

Read our full review: [Dos Ojos Cavern Diving Full Review and Details]

Day 3: The Deep Blue and Delicate Bones

For the final day, my guide suggested we do something a little different, something with a bit more of a “wow” factor. So, we went to Cenote El Pit. As a matter of fact, the name itself is pretty accurate. It’s a deep, cylindrical shaft that opens up in the middle of the jungle. You get in, and the submersion profile is pretty much straight down. As you descend, you see these incredible, razor-sharp beams of sunlight piercing the water from above. They look like lasers, seriously, and they cut all the way down into the darkness. It’s one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen underwater. Around 100 feet down, you pass through a thin, hazy cloud of hydrogen sulfide, which looks like a ghostly river flowing through the cenote. Below that, the water is dark and still, and you can see the collapsed rubble pile and some ancient animal bones. It’s a deeper, more profound kind of submersion that, you know, really stays with you.

Our second submersion was a total contrast. We went to Nahil Och, which has a section known as Pet Cemetery. The name might sound a little morbid, but it’s actually for a reason—there are beautifully preserved skeletons of prehistoric animals found within. This cavern is different; instead of massive formations, it’s filled with countless fine, delicate white speleothems. It’s like being inside a crystal palace, honestly. You have to have really, really good buoyancy control because everything is so fragile. Just floating through these pristine white passageways was like being on another planet. At the end of the day, the combination of the dramatic depth of El Pit and the delicate beauty of Pet Cemetery was a perfect finale to my three days.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Advanced Cenote Tours: El Pit & Pet Cemetery])

So What’s the Big Deal About Cenotes?

You might be wondering what makes these underwater trips so special compared to, say, a reef in the ocean. At the end of the day, it’s a few things. First, the visibility is something you just can’t really comprehend until you see it. It’s like you’re floating in air, honestly. The lack of current and surge makes for a really peaceful and controlled environment, which allows you to focus on your buoyancy and just soak in the sights. The water temperature is also constant, which is a nice perk. I mean, you don’t have to worry about thermoclines like in the ocean, except for that wacky halocline, of course.

But beyond the physical conditions, there’s a kind of historical weight to these places. The ancient Maya believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld, their world of the gods, Xibalba. You can kind of feel that reverence when you’re down there. It’s not just a geological feature; it’s a place of immense cultural and spiritual importance, and you can sort of feel that energy. You are not just seeing amazing rock formations; you are, in a way, floating through a place that has been sacred for thousands of years. It’s a completely different mindset than looking for fish on a reef, you know? It’s quieter, more introspective, and just a little bit magical.

Read our full review: [Why Cenote Diving is a Unique Experience Full Review and Details]