Gran Cenote is a beautiful cenote to the west of Tulum about 5 km. It is easily accessible by taxi, rental car or a quick bike ride. There are a few cenotes worth checking out once you get past the entrance.  Lockers are available for 30 pesos.  Snorkel equipment is available for around 50 pesos. This cenote is very popular with larger tours so it can get a little crowded.   Entrance is 180 pesos and you must arrive to the cenote at least for 1 hour before closing.   Cenotes are very special and it is important to do all we can to preserve them.  There is no outside food and beverage allowed and please make sure to wash off sunscreen or use only eco friendly. Many cenotes will require you to take a quick rinse before entering. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Cenote Encodido and Cenote Crystal are located south of Tulum just off the main Avenue – about a 6 minute drive.  The easiest way to get there is by a taxi or rental car. There are also collectivos that pick up on the main avenue towards the south end of town and run all the way to Carrillo Puerto an hour south of Tulum   There are many great things to see both above and below the below the water.  There are a few decks around the cenotes to lounge and heat back up   Price is 120 pesos- but as Tulum grows these prices will increase.   You must arrive to the cenote at least 1 hour before closing.  It is also important to only wear eco friendly sunscreen or non at all.  The cenotes are very special to this area and protecting them. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________    

Meaning The origin and meaning of the name Xcaret is unknown, but in pre-Hispanic and colonial times its name was P’olé, derived from the root p’ol , which implies merchandise, treatment and contract with merchants. P’olé was an important commercial port and place of departure and arrival of pilgrimages to Cozumel.   Cultural importance There is evidence of human settlements in the first three centuries of our era, but it only comes down to ceramic remains and some low platforms. By then, along the coast there were small villages of fishermen and farmers. An increase in population seems to occur between 600 and 900 d. C., reaching its maximum development during the five subsequent centuries as most sites on the east coast. The architecture of the large platforms with rounded corners and the presence of ceramic traditions from the north of the peninsula allow us to infer a cultural development very typical of the coast. In turn, the presence of polychrome ceramics and objects of jade, obsidian, rock crystal, etc., which are not found regionally, speaks of a close commercial link with both contemporary sites in the central Maya area, as with the highlands of Guatemala. Although during the Classic it was not a spectacular site, it does show a well-developed political, economic and social organization. It was between 1000 – 1550 d. C., when it grew and became important, like other settlements on the coast, and benefited mainly from marine resources and an important commercial route of cabotage that reached to Honduras. Being in front of the island of Cozumel, it became the main port of embarkation to the island, where many pilgrims crossed by canoe to go to the famous sanctuary of the Goddess Ixchel, now destroyed. During the first years of the Colony it continued being the port of exit and arrival of Cozumel, of this period the remains of a small church of the XVIth century are conserved.   Access Take Federal Highway 307 (Cancún-Chetumal) to the south until you reach Xcaret Park. The visitor can arrive at the site through public transport.   Services available in the area To access the archaeological zone you must go to the INAH booth located in the parking lot. These visits are guided by INAH staff and do not include any of the park services; to enjoy these, you must use the entrance to it and cover the corresponding access fee.   Hours Monday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Access charge:  70 pesos Contact Centro INAH Quintana Roo. Insurgentes 974, Colonia Forjadores, Chetumal, Quintana Roo. CP 77025.  Tels. 01 (983) 837 24 11 and 837 0796, ext. 318002 and 318003.  Email: direccion.qroo@inah.gob.mx .   Recommendations Wear comfortable footwear, water, insect repellent and sun protection. Follow the instructions of the INAH staff. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________-   Significado El origen y significado del nombre Xcaret es desconocido, pero en tiempos prehispánicos y coloniales su nombre era P’olé, derivado de la raíz p’ol, que implica mercadería, trato y contrato con comerciantes. P´olé  fue un puerto comercial importante y lugar de salida y arribo de peregrinaciones hacia Cozumel.   Importancia cultural Hay evidencia de asentamientos humanos en los primeros tres siglos de nuestra era, pero solo se reduce a restos cerámicos y algunas plataformas bajas. Para entonces, a lo largo de la costa había aldeas pequeñas de pescadores y agricultores. Un aumento en la población, parece darse entre 600 y 900 d. C., alcanzando su máximo desarrollo durante en los cinco siglos posteriores como la mayoría de los sitios de la costa oriental. La arquitectura de las grandes plataformas de esquinas redondeadas y la presencia de tradiciones cerámicas del norte de la península permiten inferir un desarrollo cultural muy propio de la costa. A su vez, la presencia de cerámica policroma y objetos de jade, obsidiana, cristal de roca, etc., que no son encontrados regionalmente, habla de un estrecho vínculo comercial tanto con sitios contemporáneos del área maya central, como con las tierras altas de Guatemala. Si bien durante el Clásico no era un sitio espectacular, sí muestra una organización política, económica y social bien desarrollada. Fue entre 1000 – 1550 d. C., cuando creció y cobró importancia, al igual que otros asentamientos de la costa, y se benefició principalmente de los recursos marinos y de una importante ruta comercial de cabotaje que llegaba hasta Honduras. Por estar frente a la isla de Cozumel, se convirtió en el principal puerto de embarco hacia la isla, hacia donde numerosos peregrinos cruzaban en canoa para dirigirse al famoso santuario de la Diosa Ixchel, actualmente destruido. Durante los primeros años de la Colonia continuó siendo el puerto de salida y arribo de Cozumel, de este período se conservan los restos de una pequeña iglesia del siglo XVI.   Acceso Se toma la Carretera Federal 307 (Cancún-Chetumal) hacia el sur hasta llegar al Parque Xcaret. El visitante puede arribar al sitio por medio del transporte público.   Servicios disponibles en la zona Para acceder a la zona arqueológica deberá dirigirse a la caseta del INAH que se encuentra en el estacionamiento. Estas visitas son guiadas por el personal del INAH y no incluyen ninguno de los servicios del parque; para disfrutar de estos, deberá utilizarse la entrada al mismo y cubrir la cuota de acceso correspondiente.   Horario Lunes a domingo de 09:00 a 15:00 horas. Cobro de acceso: 70 pesos Contacto Centro INAH Quintana Roo. Insurgentes 974, Colonia Forjadores, Chetumal, Quintana Roo. C.P. 77025. Tels. 01 (983) 837 24 11 y 837 0796, ext. 318002 y 318003. Correo electrónico: direccion.qroo@inah.gob.mx.   Recomendaciones Llevar calzado cómodo, agua, repelente y protección solar. Seguir las indicaciones del personal del INAH.