Bacalar Cenotes: Complete Guide to the Best Swimming Spots

When most people think of Bacalar, Mexico the first thing that comes to mind is the famous Lagoon of Seven Colors. And while it’s every bit as stunning as the photos suggest, the Bacalar cenotes are just as worth exploring. These natural swimming holes each bring something different. Some are open-air and perfect for an afternoon of swimming, while others can only be reached by boat or kayak.

During my trip, I found myself just as excited to discover the cenotes as I was to spend time in the lagoon. Each one feels unique: from the deep blue waters of Cenote Azul to the hammocks and swings at Cenote Cocalitos, and the emerald-green pools tucked inside the lagoon.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting the best Bacalar cenotes, including how to get there, what to expect, and my honest take on which ones are worth adding to your itinerary.

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Cenote Azul

Located about three miles from downtown Bacalar, Cenote Azul is the furthest cenote to reach. It’s an open-air cenote and one of the deepest in the Yucatán, measuring more than 300 feet. The water drops off almost instantly, with little shallow ledge along the edges.

Cenote Azul is popular with local families thanks to its on-site restaurant, restrooms, and a handful of plastic chairs scattered around. Just don’t expect a sandy beach or wide lounging areas. (It’s really about the swim here.)

Technically, everyone is supposed to pay for and wear a life jacket. In practice, the staff don’t enforce this consistently. When I visited, I asked and was told locals are required to wear them, but foreigners usually aren’t expected to. Still, the cenote gets very deep very quickly, so you’ll want to be a confident swimmer or rent a life jacket.

The entrance fee is about $2.50 USD per person, making it one of the cheapest things to do in Bacalar.

My Take: As someone who loves to swim, I really enjoyed this cenote. The water is cool, the price is excellent, and it feels far less crowded than Bacalar Lagoon. Just know that there’s not much to do here beyond swimming, and lounging space is almost nonexistent.

Cenote Cocalitos

A bit more expensive than Cenote Azul, Cenote Cocalitos has a lot more to offer. Here you’ll find grassy areas to spread out, hammocks and swings set over the water, shaded patios, and even a small restaurant. It feels more like a beach club than a simple cenote, making it a place where you could easily spend half a day relaxing.

Cenote Cocalitos is located about 2.5 miles from downtown Bacalar, and it’s an easy bike or taxi ride away. The water here is mostly shallow, with only a few deeper areas where you actually need to swim. That makes it a little warmer than other cenotes in Bacalar, and much more comfortable for floating and lounging.

The water also shifts through incredible shades of blue, which makes it one of the most photogenic spots around the lagoon.

Entrance is about $5 USD per person for foreigners, which feels fair considering the facilities and atmosphere.

My Take: I loved Cenote Cocalitos. It’s the kind of place where you can lay around and read a book, then hop in the water whenever you need to cool off. The shallow entry makes it easy to swim, the swings add a playful touch, and the colors are absolutely stunning. It’s one of the best cenotes in Bacalar if you’re looking for both relaxation and beauty.

Cenote Esmeralda

Unlike Cenote Azul or Cocalitos, Cenote Esmeralda can only be accessed from the Lagoon of Seven Colors. It’s not a cenote you can reach from land. You’ll need to join a boat tour, sailing trip, or kayak excursion to see it up close.

What makes Cenote Esmeralda stand out is how it blends almost seamlessly with the lagoon. At first glance, it doesn’t look like a typical cenote at all. Instead, you’ll notice a sudden shift in color where the shallow turquoise water of the lagoon drops into a much deeper pool of emerald green. It’s striking, and the contrast makes it clear where the cenote begins.

The water here is deep, cool, and perfect for swimming if your tour allows time to jump in. Because it’s part of the lagoon, you won’t find facilities or lounging areas.

My Take: I loved visiting Cenote Esmeralda as part of my sailing tour. But for me it was more that it was a part of the sailing tour than it was actually wanting to visit this cenote.

Cenote Negro (Cenote de la Bruja)

Also called Cenote de la Bruja (the Witch’s Cenote), Cenote Negro is one of the most mysterious spots in Bacalar. Like Cenote Esmeralda, you can only access it from the Lagoon of Seven Colors.

The cenote gets its name from the dark, almost black color of the water. It’s incredibly deep and the color shift from the turquoise lagoon into the inky blue cenote is dramatic.

Swimming here feels very different compared to other Bacalar cenotes. The water drops off immediately into the depths, and you’ll notice how much cooler it is than the shallows of the lagoon. There aren’t any facilities or land access points, so it’s a stop you enjoy briefly before continuing your tour.

My Take: While you won’t spend much time here, it’s worth experiencing as part of a boat or sailing trip.

Cenote Tours In Bacalar

There aren’t a ton of tours in Bacalar that focus only on cenotes, but several experiences include them as part of a larger itinerary. Cenote Azul, for example, is one of the few cenotes in the region where you can go scuba diving. Several operators run trips here, with Scubacalar being the most popular choice for both diving and snorkel tours.

Since Cenote Negro and Cenote Esmeralda are part of the Laguna de Siete Colores, they’re usually visited on lagoon tours rather than on their own. Many of the boat tours make a stop at one or both, often combining them with time to swim, go snorkeling, or just relax in the clear water.

Kayak tours also head to these cenotes, which is a great way to see them at a slower pace while staying closer to nature.

One of my favorite activities in Bacalar was joining a sailing tour. These trips give you the chance to enjoy the lagoon without the buzz of motorboats, while still stopping at key cenotes along the way. The mix of calm water, wind power, and fewer crowds made it one of the most memorable ways to explore.

If you’re deciding between boat, kayak, or sailing tours, think about your travel style. Kayaks give you independence, boats offer convenience, and sailing brings a unique and peaceful experience that feels hard to beat.

Best Bacalar Boat Tours

My Top Choice: Bacalar Lagoon Sail with Open Bar
I can’t recommend this sailboat tour with AmirAdventours enough. The staff were friendly, everything was well-organized, and the open bar truly lived up to its promise of unlimited drinks. The small-group setting makes it feel intimate, with stops at Pirate’s Channel, Cenote Negro, and Bird Island. Sunset sails are especially stunning!

Want more options? Check out my full guide to the Best Bacalar Boat Tours for even more recommendations and details.

Bacalar Kayaking or Paddleboarding Tour
If you’d rather explore at your own pace, kayaking is another great option. Guided kayak tours take you across the lagoon with stops at Cenote Esmeralda and Cenote Negro. Paddling feels peaceful, and you get a closer look at the colors of the lagoon without the crowds.

For something more flexible, you can also rent kayaks on your own and set off whenever you’d like.

How to Visit Bacalar Cenotes Independently

Only two of Bacalar’s four main cenotes can be visited from land. Both Cenote Negro and Cenote Esmeralda are only accessible from the Laguna de Siete Colores. That doesn’t mean you can’t see them on your own, it just takes a little more effort.

Let’s start with the easy ones. Cenote Azul and Cenote Cocalitos are located right outside Bacalar. You can get to both by taxi or by bike. Just keep in mind that Cenote Azul is a bit further out and the ride includes some hills. Since most bikes in town don’t have gears, I ended up walking mine for part of the way.

If you’re coming from Bacalar town, you’ll actually pass Cenote Cocalitos before reaching Cenote Azul. This makes it simple to combine both in one outing, whether you spend the morning at one and the afternoon at the other, or just stop briefly at Cocalitos before continuing on.

By contrast, Cenote Negro and Cenote Esmeralda require access from the lagoon itself. You can rent a kayak and paddle out, but the easier option is to join a guided tour. Boat tours, sailing trips, and even kayaking tours usually include a stop at one or both.

The experience is quite different. Cenote Negro and Cenote Esmeralda don’t look like the classic cenotes you may picture, since they’re connected directly to the lagoon. If you have to choose, I’d recommend prioritizing Cenote Azul and Cenote Cocalitos for the more traditional cenote experience.

Tips for Visiting Cenotes in Bacalar

Unlike the cenotes in popular spots like Tulum, Bacalar’s cenotes have a much more local feel. From the price to the overall vibe, they’re a refreshing break from the crowds in other parts of the Yucatán.

But that comes with expectations, so here are a few helpful tips for your visit:

• Bring Cash: Most cenotes here operate on a cash-only basis. Always bring pesos with you for entrance fees and extras.
• Use eco-friendly sunscreen: The cenotes rely on a fragile ecosystem. Wear reef-safe sunscreen or opt for a sun shirt to protect the water.
• Respect the stromatolites: These are ancient living fossils that help protect the ecosystem. Do not stand on or touch them.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Since these cenotes are designed for locals as much as visitors, you can bring your own food and drinks. Coolers are even allowed for a small fee.
• Arrive early: Mornings usually mean fewer crowds, calmer waters, and better light for photos.
• There aren’t any lockers: Because of this be sure to leave any valuables at home and bring just enough cash as you need for the day.