Cenote Car Wash Tulum (Aktun Ha) – Complete Visitor Guide (Mexico)

Cenote Car Wash Tulum (Aktun Ha) – Complete Visitor Guide (Mexico)

Complete and up-to-date visitor's guide to Cenote Car Wash from Tulum, Mexico (Aktun Ha). Includes all the details on how to get here, how much it costs and what to expect.

Tired of the crowds and looking for an epic Yucatan cenote to explore near Tulum? Don't worry, I've got you covered. Cenote Car Wash Tulum is an epic open-air cenote located not far from the very popular Gran Cenote. This one attracts a fraction of the crowds, has deeper cave systems, a beautiful underwater garden and even a diving platform!

In this guide, I will outline everything you need to know about visiting the Cenote Car Wash (Cenote Carwash) in Tulum, Mexico. I'll give you the lowdown on how to get here, what to expect, how much it costs, and also throw in some photos and a video to inspire you to visit!
alt="Cenote Cat Wash Tulum Mexico">

How to get to the Cenote Car Wash

The first thing you need to know about visiting Tulum's Car Wash Cenote is how to get here. Below are your options with prices for each.

By Taxi The second option is to simply pay a taxi from downtown Tulum (Pueblo). The price should be around 100 MXN one way. The only problem with this option is that there aren't always taxis waiting at the cenote and you may have to walk down the street or wait a while to catch one coming back from Coba.

By car, scooter or bikeOne of the best ways to explore all of Tulum's epic attractions and cenotes is to rent your own transportation. You can pick up a scooter for $30 to $40 in Tulum from one of the many rental shops on the main street. Conversely, a 24-hour bike rental costs 130 to 150 MXN, but the journey here can take 45 minutes.

Alternatively, many travelers choose to rent a car instead, which can be the same as a motorcycle or cost just a little more. I always compare the best rates and prices at DiscoverCars.com or Rentalcars.com.

Booking a rental car through an online comparison site like this is usually cheaper and means you don't have to hand in your passport to a local shop.
alt="Cenote Car Wash, Tulum Mexico">

Smart Option: 3 CEnote Tour from Tulum

If you're short on time or perhaps want to visit many of Tulum's best cenotes in a single day, then here's a really great tour for you. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop at Cenote Car Wash.

Triple Cenotes Tour (entrance fees included) One of the best-rated and most booked tours from Tulum is this Triple Cenotes tour. Here's what it includes:

• Abholung/Rückgabe vom Hotel
• Mehrsprachige Anleitung
• Besuchen Sie Gran Cenote, Calavera Cenote und Casa Cenote
• Beinhaltet alle Eintrittsgelder

This is great value as transportation in Tulum is notoriously expensive. Additionally, entry fees add up to $40 each alone and are included in your ticket.

alt=“Gran Cenote Tulum”>Large Cenote

Where is it?

Tulum's Car Wash Cenote is easily accessible from the pueblo (Tulum Centro). It is located about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) from Tulum on QROO 109m (Road to Coba). If you ride or drive yourself, it takes about 15 minutes. Just continue about 2 miles past the Gran Cenote.

You will see the Cenote Car Wash on the left side of the road where you will see a sign. Be careful, this one is easy to miss!

Below I have recorded the exact location of the cenote which is accurate.

Google Maps Pin: “Cenote Car Wash”

About the Cenote Car Wash

Cenote Car What Entrance fee: 200 MXN per person, 20 MXN for a locker

Cenote Car Wash hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week

The Cenote Car Wash, also known as Cenote Aktun Ha, is an open-air cenote or sinkhole. These cenote systems are found throughout the Yucatan and form when the land sinks or collapses and connects to a large underwater cave system that fills with water. The Cenote Car Wash is part of the world's largest Sac Aktun system.
alt="Cenote car wash near Tulum, Mexico">
This cenote has an oval shape and you can almost completely walk around it on a wooden boardwalk.
alt=“Cenote Car Wash Boardwalk”>
The total depth is approximately 50 feet, but after asking the guard, it appears that the cave system goes much deeper underground. The official depth in the main swimming area is 23 feet (7 meters). This is a popular cenote for diving as the main pool is quite deep and spacious and there are large caves connected to the side.

Fun Fact: The Cenote Car Wash gets its name from the fact that this cenote used to be a place where locals washed their cars. This is because it is right on the street. Luckily that doesn't happen anymore!
alt="Cenote table and chairs">

What to expect

When you arrive at Cenote Car Wash you will see the visitor desk and signs for “Cenote Aktun Ha”. You have to pay the entrance fee and then you can enjoy the attractions of this fantastic cenote.

Keep in mind that when visiting all Yucatan cenotes, you must shower beforehand to rinse off. This is intended to protect the sensitive ecosystem.

Swimming in the cenote

The open-air Cenote Car Wash is the perfect place for swimming as it is much larger than some of the others, including the Gran Cenote. It also attracts far fewer travelers, meaning it is hardly ever crowded.

You also don't need to wear a life jacket here, meaning you can freely dive, snorkel and explore this incredible underwater world.

There are lines attached to buoys along the cenote, which is great if you need a little break.
alt="Swimming in the Car Wash Cenote">
alt=“Cenote Aktún Ha”>
alt="Swimming in the Cenote Car Wash, Tulum">

The diving board (jumping)

One of the best highlights when visiting the Cenote Car Wash is the diving platform. You will find these right next to the entrance.

The total height is about 3 meters, so not a big jump. However, it's still fun to start flips and take some fun photos of your visit. If you jump, just make sure to look below for any emerging divers.
alt=“Cenote Car Wash Tulum”>

The Cenote Car Wash Underwater Garden

One of the most unique parts of Cenote Aktun Ha (Car Wash) is that on the left side (from the entrance) there is a very healthy underwater garden. This area is cordoned off, but you can snorkel next to it to see a beautiful scene of underwater flora. Freshwater turtles and many fish often swim through here too.
alt=“Underwater garden in Cenote Aktun Ha”>

A local crocodile?

Apparently there is a freshwater crocodile that calls Cenote Car Wash home. But don't worry, freshwater crocodiles are not dangerous or aggressive! I asked the local security guard about it and he just laughed and said he was lurking somewhere in the cenote.

Diving in the car wash cenote

The Cenote Car Wash in Tulum is one of the best in the region for diving. That's because it's quite large and deep, with an epic cave to explore further.

Book Cenote Scuba: Introductory Tour from Tulum
alt="Cenote Diving">

Further information about Cenote Car Wash

I hope you enjoy this quick guide. Below are a few more things you should know before you head out to prepare!

Things to bring and not to bring

Here are a few things to bring with you:

• Maske & Schnorchel – Wenn Sie eine Schnorchelausrüstung mitbringen, sparen Sie Geld, wenn Sie sie ausleihen müssen
• Schnell trocknende Riff- oder Wasserschuhe – die Felsen können etwas scharf werden
• Wasserdichte Handytasche
• Reisehandtuch
• GoPro – die einzigen Kameras, die in der Cenote erlaubt sind
• Telekin GoPro Dome – für Half-In-Out-Fotos
• Grayl Bottle – zum Filtern von Leitungswasser unterwegs (freies sauberes Trinkwasser ohne Plastik)
• Hut – keine Sonnencreme erlaubt
• Kleidung zum Schwimmen
• Kleiner Reiserucksack – die Schließfächer sind recht klein

The following items are not allowed in Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha):

• Sonnencreme – schädigt die empfindlichen Ökosysteme
• Alkohol
• Flossen (Flossen)

alt="No fins in the cenote">

Best time to visit

Unlike some of the more well-known cenotes in Tulum, you can visit the Car Wash Cenote any time of day and have a great time!

Bring a drone or professional camera

Unfortunately, visitors have to pay to bring their “professional camera,” which is any DSLR or mirrorless camera, or their drone. These cost 150 MXN each, which I didn't particularly like.

However, you can bring a Go-Pro style phone or camera instead without paying.

How long should you spend at Cenote Car Wash?

We spent about 2 hours enjoying the jumps, snorkeling and trying to dive as far into the cave as possible. However, if you're looking for a relaxing day, you can easily relax for much longer here!
alt="Cenote Car Wash Cave">
alt="Cenote Aktun Ha, car wash cenote near Tulum">

Where to Stay in Tulum for Cenote Trips

In general, there are two areas to stay in Tulum. This is the city of Tulum (Puebla) or the Tulum Hotel Zone.

Tulum Town has many hotels, guesthouses, hostels, restaurants, bars and everything else you can imagine. This is a great place to stay if you want to explore the surrounding area as it is also close to the ADO bus station.

Closer to the beach, the Tulum Hotel Zone is more of a luxury accommodation area with high-end resorts, spas, restaurants and nightclubs.

Below are my three most recent and updated top picks for accommodation in Tulum.

• Casa Malca – Perfekt für Paare, die ein luxuriöses, privates und entspannendes Resort suchen. Es liegt an einem von Palmen umgebenen Privatstrand und bietet luxuriöse Spa-Behandlungen sowie einen großen Außenpool.
• Mamasan Treehouses & Cabins – Übernachten Sie in einem epischen Baumhaus, nur 100 m vom South Tulum Beach entfernt! Verfügt über eine epische Root-Top-Dschungelbar mit Zimmern mit Blick auf den Ozean.
• Mama’s Home – Bei weitem das beste Hostel für eine Atmosphäre und lebenslange Freundschaften. Sie führen tägliche und nächtliche Aktivitäten durch, die super Spaß machen. Dieser Ort war der Höhepunkt meiner Zeit in Tulum!

More epic cenotes in Tulum

Did you like this guide to the car wash cenote in Tulum? Be sure to check out some of the other epic cenotes in the region.

• Cenote Calavera – die epische Schädel-Cenote. Ideal für Klippenspringen und Urlaubsfotos mit der legendären Schaukel
• Gran Cenote – eine der beliebtesten, aber schönsten Cenoten in Tulum
• Cenote Escondido – entspannte Cenote, die sich hervorragend zum Schnorcheln eignet
• Cenote Cristal – direkt neben Cenote Escondido und verfügt über eine fantastische Tauchplattform
• Cenote Dos Ojos – epische Höhlen-Cenote mit einigen der besten Schnorchel- und Höhlentauchgänge Mexikos
• Casa Cenote – ein fantastisches verstecktes Juwel, das eine der besten Tulum-Senklöcher zum Tauchen ist.

More Mexico travel guides and adventure inspiration

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Cenote Car Wash Tulum, Mexico (Cenote Aktun Ha). While you are here on my blog, be sure to check out some of my other articles to get inspiration for your visit to Yucatan.

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