Casa Cenote, Tulum: Fee, Snorkelling and Diving
Updated October 27, 2026
Casa Cenote, also called Cenote Manatí, is an open, mangrove-lined cenote at Tankah, about 9 to 10 km north of Tulum, that runs toward the sea: a tunnel of about 50 m links it to the open Caribbean. Entry is about 150 pesos (MXN) for swimmers and snorkellers in guides that give no date, while Tulum Times put it at about 15 US dollars in October 2026; it is cash only and open from 8:00 to 17:00 daily. It is shallow, so it suits snorkellers and beginner divers, with dives of no more than about 6 m (18 ft). Tulum Times describes it as an open mangrove lagoon rather than a sinkhole.
What Casa Cenote is like
Casa Cenote is long and open to the sky, fringed by a thick mangrove forest whose roots you can see underwater. It is named after the manatees that once swam in from the sea; they are now almost never seen (viajandoporelmundomundial). It has a famous resident: Pancho, or Panchito, a Morelet's crocodile about 1.5 m long. Travel Mexico Solo reports no recorded attacks, and the Mexico Cenotes and Ruins guide says he seems friendly but you would not want to get too close. There are kayak and paddleboard rentals at the entrance and lockers for an extra charge, but no showers and no lifeguards.
Casa Cenote entrance fee and hours
Casa Cenote has no official website, and the figures come from travel and dive-shop pages, most of them undated.
- Swimmers and snorkellers: about 150 pesos — Includes use of a life jacket; cash only (Travel Mexico Solo and viajandoporelmundomundial, both undated). Tulum Times (October 2026) gives about 15 US dollars.
- Divers: 200 to 500 pesos — A Tulum dive shop lists the cenote fee at 200 pesos on its dive; Travel Mexico Solo gives 500 pesos (both undated).
- Hours — 8:00 to 17:00 daily, last entry about an hour before closing (Travel Mexico Solo). One undated blog gives 8:00 to 18:00.
Snorkelling at Casa Cenote
Snorkelling here is about the mangrove roots and the shallow channel, not a deep blue hole. Bring your own mask or rent at the entrance. The tunnel to the sea, about 50 m long, has a very strong current, and Travel Mexico Solo recommends it only for strong swimmers with fins. If you are not one, stay in the lagoon. As in every cenote on this coast, go in without sunscreen or repellent; Por Esto (March 2026) says most Quintana Roo cenotes ban them. Our what to wear to a cenote page covers rash guards and water shoes.
Diving Casa Cenote
Casa Cenote is one of the easiest cenote dives because it stays shallow: Travel Mexico Solo gives a maximum of about 6 m (18 ft), suiting beginners and experienced divers. Tulum dive centres use it for try-dives. La Calypso Dive Center lists a Discover Scuba session at Casa Cenote at 140 US dollars and two dives in two cenotes, with Casa Cenote among the choices, at 170 US dollars, including entrance fees, gear and transport from its shop (rates page dated 2011-2024). Some dive shops pair it with Cenote Angelita, a deep dive that asks for Advanced Open Water certification. Read our cenote diving guide for cavern versus open-water rules.
How to get to Casa Cenote from Cancún
Casa Cenote is off Highway 307 at Tankah, between Akumal and Tulum. Cancún to Tulum is about 130 km down Highway 307, and Tulum Times puts a private transfer from Cancún airport to Tulum at 1.5 to 2 hours.
- ADO bus — Cancún to Tulum about 136 to 365 pesos depending on the departure point (Por Esto, March 2026), about 2.5 hours. Then a taxi or colectivo back north about 10 km.
- Colectivo — Colectivos between Playa del Carmen and Tulum cost about 40 to 50 pesos and run along Highway 307; ask for Tankah or Casa Cenote.
- Car — The easiest way, and it lets you add other Tulum cenotes on the same day.
Tours from Cancún that include a Tulum cenote
No tour we compare stops at Casa Cenote itself. The nearest match is the Tulum ruins and cenote day from Cancún, from $45: a guided visit to the Tulum ruins, a swim at Cenote Mariposa (not Casa Cenote) and free time in Playa del Carmen, with hotel pickup in the Cancún area, free cancellation up to 24 hours before and 4.6 on 465 reviews of this tour on GetYourGuide. To weigh Casa Cenote against Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos and the rest, see the best cenotes in Tulum.
Tulum on WikipediaCenote on Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
How much is Casa Cenote in Tulum?
About 150 pesos for swimmers and snorkellers in undated guides, including a life jacket; Tulum Times gave about 15 US dollars in October 2026. Divers pay 200 to 500 pesos. Cash only.
Is there a crocodile at Casa Cenote?
Yes. A Morelet's crocodile called Pancho or Panchito, about 1.5 m long, lives there. No attacks are recorded, but keep your distance.
Is Casa Cenote good for snorkelling?
Yes, for mangrove roots and a shallow channel. The 50 m tunnel to the sea has a strong current and is recommended only for strong swimmers with fins.
How deep is Casa Cenote?
Shallow for a cenote: dives reach no more than about 6 m (18 ft), which is why dive centres use it for beginners.
How far is Casa Cenote from Tulum?
About 9 to 10 km north of Tulum, at Tankah off Highway 307.
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