Neonconflagrations Explorer

Cenote Cristalino is about 25km south of Playa Del Carmen, and is built up to handle crowds. The cenote is surface level, although a portion of it leaves the mangrove jungle and heads beneath the limestone shelf, a nice contrast between open swimming and feeling as if you are in a cave. There is a 3 meter tall jumping platform, and benches around and half-submerged in the water for spectators. ...

The lagoon, reachable from a short walk along dirt and plank walkways from the parking area, consists of a couple wooden decks with docks stretching into the colorful waters. In the center of the lagoon contains an underwater cave that sinks to a depth believed to be about 80 meters. This gives the lagoon a dark blue color, while the fringes are a light emerald tone. While the shallow parts sin...

With the shallow depth and the clarity of the water, this cenote is popular for snorkeling and is a location for easy dives, with the depth extending to about 8 meters. There is a jumping platform at the edge of the limestone shelf, along with benches and chairs set out on the terraces that surround the cenote. Life jackets are available at no cost at the cenote. Snorkel equipment is available ...

While there is not much development to the cenote beyond an entrance booth and a short tiled path leading to the cenote, it's a great visit for the more adventurous crowd. Cenote Calavera consists of three holes that visitors can jump into: the large opening, and two smaller holes. About 3m below the limestone shelf is a pool of magnificent blue water. This is also a popular dive spot, and the ...

The cenote requires climbing down wooden stairs to the water level. Platforms for jumping and equipment such as life jackets for rent are also available, as is a short zip line, where you can glide over the water before dropping in from about 10 feet up. Lockers are available for those bringing their own lock. The area also has a small restaurant, a shaded hammock area, several palapas where gu...

Nevertheless, Harmony Glamping Tulum appeals to all, combining large furnished tent glamping options with suites for those who prefer a more comfortably luxurious lodging arrangement. The accommodations also include a restaurant and yoga classes, which are open to the public as well as hotel guests. Lying about a block off of the main street, Harmony Glamping benefits from being a short walk or...

The cenote is set in a limestone cave depression, with the water surrounding a central island 'eye'. The water is clear blue, and as this cenote tends not to be crowded, you'll have a chance of seeing and swimming with the freshwater turtles that make their home here. The rounded limstone cave takes on a 'subway' like feel, as it's possible to swim along the rounded walls.  Hammocks and tables ...

BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary - is a sanctuary offering care for retired elephants, open for guests to visit, see their operation, and spend a day or longer observing elephants in their natural habitat with the help of knowledgable guides.  While Thailand, particularly the northern areas of the country, are known for their elephant experiences, there is a wide variance between busi...

This, however, also tends to be the downside of this cenote: The water is relatively shallow, about 5 meters at its deepest point, and somewhat cloudy, so those visiting typically line up to have their picture taken and make a short visit of the place otherwise. There is a much more commercial feel to this cenote than others in the area, with a cluster of cabañas that rent for the night adjacen...

With a central location, Wachirathan Waterfall has a large parking lot surrounded by restaurants and vendors. Visitors can walk up a short paved trail to see the towering falls. Standing about 40 meters in height, Wachirathan rushes into the river below, throwing out a thick sheet of mist into the jungle surrounding it. There is a main viewing area which most visitors stick to, though there is ...

The first detail visitors should know are that there are multiple similar spellings of Haui Sai Lueang Falls, even on the signs standing at the falls. However they are accessed from an isolated parking area where Haui Sai Lueang and Mae Pan waterfalls are the only nearby areas of interest. Lying about .33km walk up an easy stone trail, Huai Sai Lueang falls is a tall dramatic fall over a cliff ...

Visitors park at the trailhead, then walk .5km down a single track trail that climbs and drops constantly before eventually scrambling over a few boulders to reach the viewpoint of the falls. With the humid and wet conditions of the area, much of the trail can be muddy, while the scrambling can be slippery. The falls themselves sit beside a grassy hillside where visitors can stare in awe at the...

Located between Chiang Mai and Doi Inthanon National Park, about a 1 hour 15 minute drive from both, Spicy Villa Eco-Lodge offers lodging in private or family-bungalows; private bungalows have a private deck while family bungalows share a porch and balcony. All bungalows have solar power with outlets in the room, mosquito net-covered beds, and an adjoined indoor bathroom with shower and flush t...

Although falling under national park jurisdiction, the entrance is just outside of the park gate, and so Mae Klang has its own small gate where visitors can show their park entrance pass or purchase one (tickets purchased here are good for entry to all other Doi Inthanon National Park areas as well). There are scenic areas and picnic benches covered by shade trees along the riverbank below, but...

Sirithan Waterfall consists of a small undeveloped parking area with a 150 meter plank walkway leading to a platform that looks out at the falls from a short distance. The only amenities available at the falls are a picnic table and trash can at the parking lot and a couple benches along the path.  The falls drop a total of about 40 meters into the river below. There is no actual access to the ...

Reaching Mae Ya Waterfall requires a drive. There is a separate national park entrance gate along the road where visitors can show their park tickets or purchase tickets that also grant entrance to the rest of the park. A parking lot at the road's end has a few snack and food vendors. From here, visitors hike 600 meters up a paved road, before following a dirt track to the bottom of the falls. ...

Access points to the cenote are limited to a couple lodging establishments along its banks, and each operates in a similar fashion of charging a small admission fee while offering free access to guests. Mangroves line the edges, and visitors can rent canoes or kayaks and head out onto the water. With the dense jungle environment here, there is not really room to lay out anywhere beside the ceno...

Despite lying away from the more popular tourist clusters of Tulum-area cenotes, Corazon del Paraiso has modern facilities, a photogenic setting, and seems to be a favorite amongst locals. There are multiple decks, shaded chairs, and platforms for laying out on, as well as drinks and snack for sale.  The water is clear blue, and lined with swimmers and sunbathers. A jumping platform lets guests...

The cenote lies at surface level, with cool blue waters surrounded by mangroves and jungle. There are three different jumping platforms, ranging from 2 meters to 6 in height. Otherwise, a wooden deck lets swimmers and snorkelers enter and exit the water. While the cenote is lengthy, much of the banks are covered in mangrove roots, so most of the activity sticks to the area just beneath the jump...

The spiral staircase descending to the water has two jumping platforms, about 5 meters and 10 meters above the water. The water is blue and clear enough to snorkel in. There is a lifeguard on duty, and life jacket rentals are available outside the cenote entrance. Admission for each of these three cenotes can be paid at the booth at the entrance to the dirt road. Cenote Tamcach-Ha is open daily...

The main entrance follows a wide walkway and stairs leading to a wide platform with benches. The other is harder to find, but it descends a narrow spiral staircase that leads to a small platform near the center of the cenote. A couple small openings in the ceiling allow sunlight to illuminate the water and limestone walls. A landscaped waterfall adds another surreal element to the experience. A...

Charts display the numerous species of fish which may be seen in the lagoon, and the area's rocky underwater canyonlike terrain mixed with mangrove roots providing shelter for the fish offer an interesting landscape to snorkel through. There are two businesses that provide access to Yal Ku Lagoon - visitors can follow signs from the town of Akumal to the lagoon area. At reaching a T-intersectio...

The water is cool and beautifully clear in blue tones and remains around 20˚C, and the cave system supports fish and freshwater turtles which lucky swimmers may get have the opportunity to see. This is one cenote where it is worth bringing or renting a snorkel and mask for, as the caves create an amazing light display on interesting underwater terrain when the sun hits it the right way. It's al...

Cenote Car Wash, known locally as Cenote Aktun-Ha, received its name for a time when area cab drivers would park adjacent to the pool to wash their cars. Those times are past, and the cenote today remains under the ownership of a friendly family.  Cenote Car Wash is probably the most reasonably-priced in the area, and certified divers often visit to descend to its 16 meter depths to check out t...