Cenote Carwash is a spacious, open-air cenote known for its captivating underwater landscape, featuring rock formations, diverse wildlife, and lush vegetation. Notably, a local crocodile also calls this cenote home. The cenote’s crystal-clear waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, and its deep cave attracts divers eager to explore its depths.
Located on the road between Tulum and Coba, Cenote Carwash, officially known as Cenote Aktun Ha, earned its nickname from a unique history. Drivers once used the cenote’s large, open-air pool, just a short distance from the main road, as a convenient spot to wash their cars.
Easily accessible, Cenote Carwash is surrounded by verdant vegetation, with fish and turtles gliding through the underwater gardens and rock formations. Occasionally, a small crocodile can be spotted sunbathing along the banks. Despite its relatively untouched state, the cenote now features a rope swing and jumping platform, offering visitors a fun and dramatic way to enter the water. Its deep waters and large cave make it a popular destination for both swimmers and divers.
Located just a few feet off the main Tulum-Coba road, Cenote Carwash is easy to access, with parking and the cenote itself just steps away. This makes it especially convenient for families with young children. We had a great time at Cenote Carwash with our one-year-old.
For those visiting Cenote Carwash, it’s located near Cenote Zacil-Ha and just minutes from Gran Cenote, making it easy to combine visits to multiple cenotes. We enjoyed exploring the various types of cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. These cenotes are also a popular stop on the way to the stunning Coba ruins.
Cenote Carwash’s deep, clear waters are perfect for swimming, with the surrounding lush greenery lending it a slight jungle ambiance despite its proximity to the road. Turtles and fish are commonly seen swimming beneath the surface, so bringing a snorkel is recommended. Although we didn’t encounter any, small, friendly freshwater crocodiles inhabit the cenote. During the summer, algae blooms often create a garden-like appearance in the water, and when sunlight hits the algae, the resulting color contrasts are truly beautiful.
The cenote is also a favored spot for divers, who often pair a dive here with another at a nearby cenote.