Cenote Chaak Tun, Playa del Carmen

Two clandestine caves make up Cenote Chaak Tun—one which is completely closed with a centuries-old stalactite-covered ceiling, and one which has a slight opening at the top which scatters a few beams of natural light. Though it’s certainly not for the claustrophobic—or those afraid of bats—travelers who are adventurous enough to enter will want to do so with a headlamp or powerful flashlight. For those diving the site, rumor has it there’s a stone replica of the Virgin of Guadalupe hidden in the depths of the first cave.

Cenote Jardin del Eden, Puerto Aventuras

There are two types of swimmers: those who ease into the water, and those who jump right in. At Cenote Jardin del Eden—a completely open cenote surrounded by lush vegetation and moss-covered rocks, you’ll find a lot of the latter thanks to jarringly-cool waters and tempting cliff jumps.

Grand Cenote, Tulum

Twenty minutes inland from Tulum, on the road to Coba, Gran Cenote—with its verdant jungle locale, crystal clear water (you can see the fish without even getting in the water), and plentiful dive sites—is one of Mexico’s most popular swimming holes. Branching off of the cenote you’ll also find a handful of accessible caverns filled with stalagmites and stalactites.

Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum

While the name “Dos Ojos” (Spanish for “two eyes”) refers to two connected cenotes just north of Tulum, greater Dos Ojos actually encompasses 51 miles of flooded cave system with more than 28 known sinkholes. Popular among divers, the cave system has been featured in numerous IMAX films and Discovery Channel and BBC shows. Visitors appreciate the crystal clear water (it’s finely filtered through limestone) which maintains a year-round temp of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cenotes in Riviera Maya

Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula is home to more than 6,000 cenotes—subterranean limestone pools full of crisp groundwater, stalagmites, stalactites, and endemic wildlife (think: bats by the colony and fish by the school). Next time you find yourself in Riviera Maya—be it Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Puerto Aventuras—excuse yourself from the resort infinity pool to check out these natural swimming holes.