Cenote 7 km north of Tulum
An open, pond-like cenote on the Cobá road, named for the taxi drivers who once washed their cars here; famous among cave divers.
Its official name is Aktun Ha, "water cave" in Maya, but everyone calls it Carwash, because years ago taxi drivers on the Cobá road used to stop here to wash their cars with its water. It lies about 8 kilometers from Tulum, beside the road, and looks at first like a quiet forest pond, with water plants around the edges and fish in the shallows.
Under the surface it is something else. Below the top couple of meters, where plants and tannins tint the water, it turns very clear, and a wide cavern opens under the rock at one end. That cavern leads into a long cave system, and Carwash is one of the classic dives of the area: cave divers follow the line through a series of chambers to the Room of Tears, named for stalactites shaped like teardrops.
For swimmers and snorkelers it is a calm, uncrowded alternative to the bigger cenotes, with a dock to jump from and plenty of fish. It has few facilities, so bring what you need, and its open water is at its clearest in the dry season.
What to see and do
Snorkel along the edges to see fish and the cavern entrance under the rock.
Jump from the dock into the deep part of the pool.
If you are a certified cave diver, dive the line toward the Room of Tears with a local guide.
Combine it with Zacil-Ha next door for an easy cenote afternoon.
Getting there
Carwash is about 10 minutes from Tulum on the road to Cobá, around kilometer 8, right beside the road. Go by car, taxi or bike, or take a colectivo toward Cobá and ask to get off at Aktun Ha. Entry is paid on site; divers pay a separate fee.
7 km north 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 Carwash shares the climate of Tulum, 7 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Tulum your base
Cenote Carwash 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.