Cenote Dos Ojos
Sistema Dos Ojos
Two connected cave sinkholes shaped like a pair of eyes; the crystal-clear underwater stalactites make it a world-class cave diving and snorkeling site, north of Tulum.
Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) lies in the jungle on the west side of Highway 307 between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. It consists of two round sinkholes about 400 meters apart, which resemble a pair of eyes from above, hence the name. It is the entrance to the Sistema Dos Ojos underwater cave system. The explored length of the system exceeds 80 kilometers, and it was later found to connect with the Sac Actun system, making it one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world. The BBC series Planet Earth and other documentaries have filmed here. The water is filtered rainwater with visibility of up to 100 meters. Shallow areas are only 3–10 meters deep, with stalactites, stalagmites and pillars underwater, and sunlight streaming through the openings to form light shafts. Activities: (1) Snorkeling: you can see the cave scenery from the open areas of both sinkholes. Rent a mask and fins, suitable for visitors without a diving certificate. (2) Cavern diving: divers with an open water certification can be led by a professional guide into underwater chambers such as the Bat Cave, at a cost of about US$150–200 for two dives, a must-visit for diving enthusiasts worldwide. Deeper cave diving requires specialised certification. Entry is about 400 pesos for foreigners, run by the local Mayan community (Jacinto Pat community), with facilities including changing rooms and lockers. The water temperature is about 24–25°C and gets chilly after a long swim, so a wetsuit is advisable. Note: regular sunscreen is prohibited, the cave is dark, and a waterproof torch is recommended. It is about a 20-minute drive from Tulum, and nearby cenotes include Cenote Calavera and Gran Cenote.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Xel-Há Park
- Xcacel-Xcacelito Beach
- Casa Cenote
- Akumal Bay
- Gran Cenote
- Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha)
- Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom)
- Tulum Archaeological Site