How to visit the spectacular cenote Taak-bi-ha, Riviera Maya
Find out everything you need to know about the instagrammable cenote Taak-bi-ha, a secret treasure on the Riviera Maya, how to get there, what to do, and all the helpful practical tips that you need to know to enjoy it to the fullest.
Cenote Taak-bi-ha is one of the most beautiful cenotes of the Riviera Maya, on the Mexican Caribbean coast. With crystal clear waters and spectacular rock formations, it is especially suitable for a great snorkeling and diving experience.
It is one of the few cave cenotes that you can find on the Riviera Maya, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, in the south of the Yucatan Peninsula.
It is situated in the premises of the Parque Dos Ojos but with a separate entrance and managed by a local community, and at only 30 minutes drive from Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Read on to learn more about how to visit the Cenote Taak bi ha and make the most of your time there.
What are the cenotes ?
Cenotes are natural sinkholes of freshwater carved into limestone rocks by erosion from rainwater from above and seawater from the bottom. Sacred to the Mayan civilization they are now some of the main tourist attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula. When visiting a cenote you can either find shallow or deep waters.
Things to know about Cenote Taak Bi Ha
Cenote Taak-Bi-Ha is managed by a local cooperative that looks after the surroundings and keeps it clean and well maintained. They make the price and the rules as well.
As we mentioned before Taak-bi-a is a cave cenote which means that you will need to climb down some wooden stairs from a small entrance to get into the huge cave where the cenote is situated.
It is very easy to get in so much so that the entire place is suitable for families as well.
Thanks to its unique shape, size, and structure, the cenote Taak-bi ha is suitable for divers and snorkelers as well. Read on to check out the prices for each activity.
As soon as you get inside you will be in awe at the incredible wide-angle view of the whole natural structure made of stalactites and stalagmites of limestone rocks embracing the turquoise water.
FUN FACT – Taak Bi Ha is one of the best cave cenotes for snorkeling in Riviera Maya
How to get to Cenote Taak bi ha
Located at only 30 minutes drive either from Playa del Carmen or Tulum, just before Cenote Cristalino and Cenote Azul ( two of the most popular open cenotes in the area) you can choose among different ways to get to cenote Taak bi ha. Here we’ll explain each of them.
Cenote Taak bi ha is located 21 kilometers from Tulum and 55 from Playa del Carmen, inside Parque Dos Ojos.
How to get to Cenote Taak bi ha by Car
The best way to explore the Yucatan Peninsula is definitely by car because you have the freedom to travel around at your own pace with no pressure or deadlines.
When you choose your rental car we recommend including full insurance with 0 deductible so you will drive with no stress.
We recommend Discover Cars because on their website you can compare different companies and their prices and you can choose between their car insurance or the ones offered by the car rental directly, or both.
In this case, you will have to get on the Carretera Federal (Federal HIghway) Playa del Carmen – Tulum and follow the direction to Cenotes Dos Ojos.
You will see the ticket office as soon as you turn from the main road, right in front of a huge parking lot.
You will need to pass that and keep going straight into the Jungle. You can’t miss the dirt road.
Keep driving past the Cenote Dos Ojos park entrance and you will see the turn to get to the Taak Bi Ha Cenote.
There you will find a lot of parking spaces right in front of the entrance of the cenote.
How to get to Cenote Taak bi ha by Local Bus
It’s very easy to get to the Cenote Taak by ha by local bus, both from Playa del Carmen or Tulum. You can get on a “colectivo” and let them drop you off at the entrance of Parque Dos Ojos.
Then you can decide whether you want to walk the 1 KM to the cenote entrance or get a Taxi on-site for 25 pesos.
We would go for the latter. The dirt road is very exposed to the sun and with lots of dust from the cars passing by. It wouldn’t be a pleasant walk.
If you want to go for it, though, make sure you wear a hat and take a bottle of water with you.
Please avoid wearing sunscreen because it will pollute the cenote water, even the eco-friendly one.
How to get to Cenote Taak bi ha by taxi
Hiring a Taxi could be another option. We are not able to give you the rates because they may change and we don’t want to give out the wrong information.
However, we suggest you should ask a recommended and trustworthy taxi driver from the reception of your hotel or your host.
Also, make sure you agree on the rate before getting in the taxi and arrange when he would pick you up as there are no taxis on site.
Things to do in the Cenote Taak Bi Ha
Although the cenote is not excessively large you can enjoy quite a few activities.
✅ Swim and chill – you can just enjoy the cool waters while swimming and relaxing exploring around the natural pool.
✅ Dive – This cenote is also one of the top to-go-places for divers – you can go on your own if you are certified but it’s advisable to contact an experienced local dive shop to take you and share their local expertise.
Diving in a cenote is no joke and requires specific abilities.
✅ Snorkel – even if you are not a diver you can indeed explore the underwater world with some snorkeling.
You would also have to option to hire a local guide for a snorkel tour or you can snorkel on your own.
A snorkel mask and flotation vest are available for rent at the entrance.
✅ Take amazing photos – Cenote taak bi ha is one of the most instagrammable cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, together with the Suytun and Cenote Calavera ( among others).
So make sure you take your camera or phone with you.
Here below Sandra shares some valuable photography tips to make the most of your shots of this cenote.
Practical information
Taak bi ha Facilities
In Taak-Bi-Ha you will find
- Showers
- Toilets
- Mask snorkel and tours rentals
- There are NO lockers!
Taak bi ha fees
Entrance fee – 350 MXN ( 17 USD approx) –
Snorkeling tour – additional 400 MXN ( 20USD)
Diving – additional 250 MXN (13 USD)
Taak bi ha Opening Hours
Open every day from 8 to 17 (however, sometimes they open later)
What does Taak Bi Ha mean
Its name is in Mayan language, and it means hidden water
How to visit Cenote Taak Bi Ha and respect the environment
We would like the cenote (and nature in general) to stay as beautiful as it is. The good part is that it’s not that difficult.
We have put together some simple rules to follow in order to inflict as little damage as possible to the environment.
- Don’t be loud
- Don’t trash
- Don’t use any kinds of cream, spray, or protectors on your skin as it would contaminate the environment (even the so-called “eco-friendly” products)
- Always take a shower before entering in a cenote (available at the entrance)
- Don’t hang on to the stalactites or stalagmites or any roots
- Just don’t do any foolishness that can damage the environment
If we appreciate the environment we will learn to respect it.
What to bring to Cenote Taak Bi Ha
- Swimsuit
- Change of clothes
- Towel to dry off
- Bug sprays to wear after you come out of the water as there are many mosquitos around
- Mask and snorkel gear and life jacket are available for rent but it would be much better if you have your own, both for hygienic purposes and for saving
- You can walk on your flip-flop although I always like to wear closed shoes when I am in the wilderness, mainly to avoid bugs bites. But it’s totally up to you.
What we like about Taak Bi Ha
✔️ The extremely bright blue water
✔️ The extraordinary rock formations
✔️ The fact that it’s in a cave
✔️ The silence
✔️ Snorkeling or diving
✔️ The stalagtite and stalagmites formations
What we don’t like about Taak Bi Ha
❌ It can be very crowded at times since it has become a very popular tourist attraction.
❌ Lots of mosquitos in the surroundings when you come out of the cave, not all year with the same intensity. From January to June there are fewer, but still being in nature, it’s quite the norm to get bitten.
INSIDER TIP – try to avoid weekends and be there early in the morning when they open if you want to avoid crowds.
Taak Bi Ha or Taak Be Ha
Make sure you look for the correct cenotes when you check in Google Map. Taak-Be-Ha ( with E) is somewhere else and it’s not open. Here we are talking about Taak Bi Ha (with I) and that’s where you will want to go.
Tips to photograph the cenote Taak Bi Ha
It is a very friendly cenote to photograph, one of the best-lighted cave cenotes that we know to take the perfect photo. Instagramers are going to enjoy the place.
Any time of day is good to photograph the cenote.
Category – Instagrammers
Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5
What you can visit nearby
There are several cenotes within Parque Dos Ojos. It is also close to other interesting places such as:
- Zona arqueológica Xel-Há – 8.4 km / 5.2 miles
- Xcacel beach – 10.4 km / 6.4 miles
- Cenote Yax Kin – 5.2 km/ 3.2 miles
- Cenote Pit – 7 km / 4.34
- Cenote Dos Ojos 600 mt / 0.3 miles
