Cenote 14 km southwest of Tulum
A 60-meter-deep dive cenote south of Tulum where a cloud of hydrogen sulfide looks like an underwater river; for experienced divers.
Cenote Angelita, "little angel", is a round sinkhole in the forest about 17 kilometers south of Tulum, and one of the most unusual dives in Mexico. From the surface it looks like a dark forest pool. Underneath, it drops to about 60 meters.
The top part is fresh water. At around 29 to 30 meters, divers reach a layer of hydrogen sulfide a few meters thick, which forms a milky, fog-like cloud across the whole cenote. Seen from above with the divers' lights, the cloud looks like the surface of a river flowing through the bottom of the cave, complete with the tops of sunken trees and branches sticking out of it. Below the cloud the water is salty, because seawater seeps into the cave from the coast.
This is not a swimming cenote: it is visited almost entirely by divers, and because of the depth, it is a dive for experienced, properly certified divers with a guide. Even for those who stay at the surface, the walk through the forest and the stillness of the dark water are memorable, but the real show happens at 30 meters.
What to see and do
Dive down to the hydrogen sulfide cloud and the "underwater river" at about 30 meters, with a qualified guide.
Look for the sunken trees rising out of the cloud.
Watch the change from fresh to salt water as you descend.
Book through a Tulum dive shop, which will check your certification and experience.
Getting there
Angelita is about 20 minutes south of Tulum on Highway 307 toward Felipe Carrillo Puerto; the entrance is a small sign on the side of the highway, followed by a short walk through the forest. Most people go with a Tulum dive shop, which handles transport, gear and the entry fee.
14 km southwest of Tulum
Directions from Tulum on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather warm
Cenote Angelita shares the climate of Tulum, 14 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Tulum your base
Cenote Angelita is an easy trip from Tulum, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.