How to Visit Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum + Our Honest Review
If you’re staying in Tulum and looking for an easy, fun half-day adventure (with other hundreds of tourists) Casa Tortuga Cenote may be an option. If you like more peace and tranquillity, though, you should avoid them and read about out list of the best cenotes near Tulum.
We want to be very honest, as usual. So here’s you go. We went to experience cenotes Casa Tortugas near Tulum, just to be able to write this review and share our personal opinion from first hand experience, even though we knew already what to expect. It was even worse than we thought but people love it so we decided to include it in our little blog just for the sake of information.
After all, we write about cenotes and these are four cenotes are indeed beautiful. The problem is the context, and we will tell you more about it in a bit.
Having said that here is what you should know about visiting Casa Tortugas and how to make the most of your trip.
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Cenote Casa Tortugas Overview
Located at a short drive from Tulum, Casa Tortuga is a cenote park, similar to Xcaret but not on the sea and with fewer activities (and that’s why it’s cheaper). The concept is similar, though. It’s located right on the main highway, just a short drive from town, on the left. If you are coming from Playa del Carmen, you will find the sign on your right, on the Carretera federal.
Inside the park you will find 5 cenotes, but one is only reachable if you take the ATV activity (more about the packages later). Otherwise you get to visit four different cenotes in one go—two open and two in caves. It’s very organized, with guided tours, good facilities, and even a restaurant on-site, bars a taco stand, toilets and showers.
As we mentioned before it’s very crowded.
There is also a zipline, atv tour and kayaking in one of the cenotes.
Where is Casa Tortuga Cenote?
Casa Tortuga is just 9 km (about 10 minutes) north of Tulum on Highway 307, between Tulum and Akumal. It’s super easy to get to by car, taxi, scooter, or colectivo. More about it later in this post.
What to Expect
Your visit starts with a guided tour of four cenotes—you can’t enter on your own at first. The guide will walk you through two cave cenotes (with dramatic lighting and echoes) and two open ones where you can swim. After the tour ends, you’re free to return to the open cenotes and hang out for as long as you like.
There’s also a restaurant, changing rooms, showers, and restrooms on-site. One of the open cenotes has a bit of a beach club feel with swings and a lounging area.
Casa Tortuga Cenote Entrance Fees and Packages
There is not only one fee, but different packages depending on what are the activities you want to experience. It’s always advisable to book in advance (see links below). Here are the 2025 price options:
Standard Cenote Tour – $450 MXN
Includes:
- Entrance to 4 cenotes (2 caves + 2 open)
- Life jacket (mandatory)
- Bilingual guide
- Time to swim at the end (in this case you need to leave the life jacket and rent one on your own)
- BOOK HERE
Adventure Package – $750 MXN
Includes:
- Everything in the standard tour
- Zipline experience
- Bike rental
- Taco buffet
Full Experience – $950 MXN
Includes:
- Everything in the adventure package
- Tequila tasting
- Photos from your tour (digital)
💡 Lockers cost extra (about 100 MXN), and parking is free if you drive yourself.
If you buy the basic packages you can buy your pictures as an extra, if you want.
🚗How to get Casa Tortugas Cenote By Car
- Distance: About 9–13 km north of Tulum along Highway 307 (roughly 10 minutes)
- Route: Follow signs along highway; park for free on-site.
- Tip: Use GPS to “Casa Tortuga Cenote” for exact location.
🚐 How to get Casa Tortugas Cenote By Colectivo (Shared Van)
- Hop on a collectivo heading toward Cobá along Highway 307.
- Tell the driver “Casa Tortuga” and they’ll stop at the park entrance.
- Cost: Very affordable — often half the price of a taxi. They run frequently, so you can catch a return ride by flagging down another colectivo near the highway after your visit
🚕 How to get Casa Tortugas Cenote By Taxi
- Ride time: Around 10–11 minutes from Tulum.
- Estimated Fare: ~1,500–1,800 MXN one way (fare varies by operator)
- Note: Taxis can be expensive from Playa or Cancun; better used locally.
🚌 How to get Casa Tortugas Cenote By Tour (Shuttle or Package)
- Many tours from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun include hotel pick-up and drop-off in an air‑conditoned van, plus entrance and guide to Casa Tortuga Cenote. Some tours combine a visit to the Tulum Ruins as well. We’ll share the top rated ones here below.
- Benefits: Hassle-free transport, bilingual guide, insurance/ticketing all in one.
Where to book
If you want to go on your own either by car or taxi, you can still book your spot before heading there to make sure there’s availability. Click here to get the basic package. This tour combines the Tulum Ruins with the Cenote Casa Tortuga.
If you want to get transportation and cenote visit (basic package) this is an option, although be believe it’s a bit too expensive.
Quick Comparison
| Transport Method | Time | Cost Estimate | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car (self-drive) | ~10 min | Fuel + rental (~$30–40 USD/day) | Most flexible, free parking on-site | Need rental, navigation |
| Colectivo | ~15 min | Low (~a couple USD) | Cheap, frequent, flexible stop | Less comfortable, watch where to get off |
| Taxi | ~10–11 min | 1,500–1,800 MXN (~75–90 USD) | Fast, door-to-door | Expensive, may need to negotiate return fare |
| Tour/Shuttle | ~10–15 min | Included in tour price (~35–70 USD) | Pickup/drop-off, guided, may include Tulum ruins or other interesting sites | Less spontaneous, fixed schedule |
🏞️ What to Do at Casa Tortuga Cenote
Guided Cenote Tour
The basic package stats with a guided walk through 4 cenotes—two cave-style and two open-air—which blends exploration with swimming time. After the tour wraps up, you can freely return to the open cenotes to swim and hang out.
Casa Tortuga four cenotes explained
The Cenotes they advertize are actually 5 but one is only reachable if you purchase the ATV tour in your package. Otherwise you can only see four of them. They are all beautiful.
► Cenote Campana
Cenote campana is the first you will see and experience. After a short briefing, the guide will take you on a little walk inside the cave to see stalactites and stalagmites and to cool down after a short walk in the sun.
The cenote is small and there are a lot of groups coming so you won’t have the chance to stay and enjoy the cenote as you need to move on and leave rooms for the other groups.
► Cenote 3 Zapotes
This is the biggest and open cenote, you can take your life vest off in this cenote if you feel comfortable and can swim. There are different steps to enter the cenote and a jumping platform for the bravest (5 mt high)
There is a life guard that will tell you when you can jump. It’s not allowed to jump from other parts of the rim as the water is shallows and rocks are emerging. You can see them. Make sure you respect the rules for your safety and others’.
There is a coffe shop and a lounge nearby where you can take a break from the cenote and enjoy a drink or a snack, that is if you come back after the tour.
The guide will give you about 20 minutes to enjoy this cenote so you have time to swim a bit if you want. this is the reason why this cenote is crowded as well.
► Cenote Dorca
Cenote Dorca is my favorite, it’s like a river and the guide will leave you on one side of it and meet you on the opposite end. You can swim all the way to the end, where you can find another large natural pool. This one was much nicer, less crowded and more peaceful.
From there you can see where the “river” continues for kayaks only. So If you booked the package with kayaks that’s where you would go after the walking tour. The river is 1 km long in total.
► Cenote Wisho
Wisho is a very small cave cenote with two entrance. I didn’t get in but I took a picture of both sides. The group was led by the guide from one side to the other. It’s only 5 minute walk into the cave.
🚣 Kayaking
As I mentioned before in some packages, you can hop into a kayak and paddle around the open cenote areas. It’s tranquil, fun, and gives you a fresh angle to see the water and surrounding jungle—great for gentle exploration and photos (only by phone and gopro)
🛵 ATV Rides
If you’re up for adventure, the ATV option lets you zoom through jungle trails and natural terrain near the cenote park. It adds a rush of adrenaline to your cenote visit. If you get this option you will be able to visit another cenote.
🧗 Zip Line
Zip above the treetops on a short jungle zip line, usually part of the upgraded packages. It’s a fast, fun way to see the canopy and feel the wind as you glide through the jungle. It’s just one zipline, back and forth. You will ride over a cenote, which seems kind of cool.
🍽 Chilling & Eating
After the active part of the tour, head to the cenote-side lounge areas or the taco buffet restaurant, relax with swings, loungers, or jungle views. Some packages include a taco buffet and drinks, making it a great chance to rest, refill, and connect with your group
With all these choices, you can tailor your day—whether you’re chasing adventure or planning a chill nature afternoon.
Facilities Cenote Casa Tortuga
- Lockers (100 MXN) – rip off (really!)
- Bathrooms
- Showers (mandatory)
- Bars and restaurants
- Chillout zone
- Lifejackets (included during the tour)
- Shops
- Free parking lot
What We Like About Casa Tortuga Cenote
- You get to see 4 different cenotes in one visit, offering a variety of cave, river, and open-water experiences.
- Well-organized with guides, lockers, showers, food and drink options
- Good infrastructure: toilets, showers, restaurants including taco stalls and cafes.
What We Don’t Love
- It’s very crowded—group tours bring many visitors at once. Wait times of 10–15 minutes for group formation are common.
- Group-only access at first part means you can’t just walk in solo from the start.
- Lockers cost 100 pesos, which feels like a rip-off if you drive and could just leave bags in your car.
Rules and Tips for Visiting
- Go early (arrive at 9 AM) to avoid the crowds and enjoy the best light for photos
- Sunscreen or Insect repellent are not allowed even if they are reef safe. I would wear a rush guard instead
- A waterproof phone pouch or GoPro is handy if you want to take photos inside the cave cenotes
- If you drive, leave valuables in your car to skip the locker fee and use a small dry bag to keep the car keys.
Where to stay nearby
If you wish to stay outside Tulum and near Cenote Casa Tortugas, you should know what they have also a cute little hotel in the premises. If you book your stay at Casa Tortugas you have full access to the cenotes and activities included. Nearby, on the beach, you also have the exclusive Hotel MantaRey Tulum, and O Tulum – Adult Only, if you want pace and tranquillity.
Nearby Attractions
The reason why we love driving is that we can combine the visit of different attractions in one day. Here are the closest one to Cenotes Casa Tortuga.
- Tulum Archeological Site – 10 km/6.2 miles
- Caleta Tanka – 8.9 km/5.5 miles
- Soliman Bay – 5.6 km/3.4 miles
- Cenote Yax-kin – 3 km /1.8 miles
- Cenote Dos Ojos – 8 km/5 miles
- Cenote Taak bi-ha 7.9 km/ 5 miles
Final Thoughts
Casa Tortuga isn’t a hidden gem, and definitely our least favorite way to experience a cenote. But we hope our guide will help you understand what they offer and you can now make a informed decision on whether it is a place for you or not. We still invite you to browse around our site and check out all our favorite cenotes.
