Cenote Aldea Zama – Guide to the Only Free Cenote in Tulum
Cenote Aldea Zama is the only remaining free and uncommercialized cenote in Tulum. It’s surprising that there’s a free cenote located right in the center of the bougie Aldea Zama neighborhood in Tulum. The reason this cenote is still free and open to the public is because it’s teeny tiny, like 5 people max can swim in it comfortably. Considered a bit of a local secret, I learned about Cenote Aldea Zama while I was living in Tulum during my year traveling Mexico.
All About Cenote Aldea Zamá in Tulum
I only found out about this Cenote because I worked on a photo shoot here for a musical instruments store in Tulum. It’s truly a local secret. This cenote is super clean and right in the center of Aldea Zama; which is an area of Tulum where a lot of Ex-Pats live. There are so many commercialized cenotes near Tulum. Even after living there for months and taking countless Cenote tours in Tulum, I wasn’t able to visit them all.
Sometimes the extent of commercialization feels like such a stretch. For instance, it’s $13 to visit Cenote Calavera … but it’s so small even 5 people there are too many and it gets crowded. Cenotes of all sizes are big business in Tulum.
That’s why it was so refreshing to discover Cenote Aldea Zamá. Located in a residential area in Tulum there’s no entrance fee, hours, or really any rules. Do you want to come by for a midnight swim? That’s fine, but just know there are no lights!Cenote Aldea Zama is very small with crystal clear water and a small spot deep enough for a 3-5 ft cliff jump.
When To Visit Cenote Aldea Zama
Because Cenote Aldea Zamá is not commercialized there’s no set address or hours. I would recommend getting there no later than 9 AM because it’s so small that even one other group there is too many, and by 10 AM usually it’s pretty crowded, and it stays that way until sunset.
How To Get To Cenote Aldea Zama
You can easily bike, scooter, or even walk to Aldea Zama Cenote from pretty much anywhere in Tulum. If you’re not staying in the Aldea Zama area, I recommend renting a scooter. Before I learned how to ride a scooter I traveled by biking in Tulum. It was good exercise, but due to the heat I recommend driving a moto-scooter if you know how!
Cenote Aldea Zama Address
📍 There’s no address but Cenote Aldea Zama is located near Kokoro Tulum: Av Balam Dzakab Copal, Aldea Zama, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Note: Cenote Aldea Zama and Kokoro Cenote are two different spots – Kokoro Cenote (directly behind the restaurant) has since dried up.
Katie’s Tips ✶
If you look up “Aldea Zama Cenote” on Google Maps there’s a marker for it.
