If you don’t just want to visit yet another cenote but are looking for something a bit more varied, Aktun Chen is an excellent choice.

This small nature park near Akumal combines a walking tour of a cave, a swim in an underground cenote, an animal rescue centre and, optionally, a zipline.

We particularly enjoyed Aktun Chen because of its variety.

First, we walked through a beautifully lit dry cave, then we visited a small petting zoo, and finally we actually went for a swim in the cenote. What’s more, there were loads of fish in it, so be sure to take an underwater camera.

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What you’ll see at Aktun Chen

Dry Cave

The guided tour, lasting about an hour, takes you through a cave some 600 metres long, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone formations.

The cave is lit and the walk is on dry ground, so you don’t need a swimsuit or any special equipment.

I would nevertheless recommend at least trainers or some sturdy footwear. It’s possible to manage in flip-flops, but the surfaces are very uneven.

Please note that swimming is not included in this tour. Swimming takes place in another part of the park, for which you’ll need a separate ‘Underground River’ ticket.

An underground cenote full of fish

You’ll find this activity listed as ‘Underground River’, but in practice it involves swimming and snorkelling in an underground cenote.

The water is very clear, the maximum depth is approximately 5 metres, and there are a surprising number of fish swimming amongst the rocks.

A mask and the compulsory flotation aid are included in the price. Lockers, changing rooms and toilets are also included. You must bring your own towel.

After an initial briefing, you can stay in the water until 17:00 in accordance with current regulations, and a guide is not required.

Mini zoo and wildlife rescue centre

Don’t expect a traditional zoo.

Aktun Chen runs a small rescue project for injured, abandoned or confiscated wild animals. For us, it was an enjoyable and surprisingly interesting part of the visit.

The mini-zoo is actually part of the cave tour and is therefore included in the price of the tour.

Zipline

Anyone looking for a bit more of an adrenaline rush can add a circuit featuring 10 ziplines and two suspension bridges. The activity itself lasts about an hour.

If the zipline doesn’t appeal to you, you don’t need to buy the expensive full package.

Entrance fee to Aktun Chen

Prices for 2027 are as follows:

Activity	Adult	Child
Dry cave	580 mxn	470 mxn
Underground cenote	650 mxn	520 mxn
Zipline	880 mxn	700 mxn
Full combo	2 110 mxn	1 690 mxn
Living Museum	180 mxn	180 mxn

The Complete Combo includes the dry cave, the underground cenote and the zipline. If, like us, you’re mainly interested in the cave and swimming, buy both activities separately. An adult will pay a total of 1 230 mxn for them.

How to buy tickets with a 15% discount?

When booking individual activities online, use the discount code 15OFF in your basket. For the full combo, the code 20OFF is listed on the official website.

Tickets with a 15% discount can only be purchased on the official website and are valid for any date within 6 months of purchase.

Opening hours

Aktun Chen is open every day from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Each main activity takes approximately one hour.

The latest recommended arrival time is:

• at 3.00 pm for one activity
• at 2.00 pm for two activities
• at 1.00 pm for the full combo

How much time should you set aside?

Allow approximately 2½ to 3 hours for the cave and swimming combination. The full programme, including the zipline, takes around 3½ to 4 hours.

How to get to Aktun Chen

The park is situated approximately 4 km south of Akumal. From the centre of Tulum, it’s about a 25- to 30-minute drive. From the main road 307, the track continues for a further 3.5 km through the jungle to the reception, where you can park.

By car

The turn-off from the motorway isn’t signposted until the very last moment, so it’s best to follow the route on your sat-nav.

The most convenient option is to hire a car, as this makes it easy to combine a visit to Aktun Chen with a trip to Akumal or other cenotes, such as the neighbouring Dos Ojos, all in a single day.

Compare car hire prices

From the motorway, it’s about a 15-minute drive along a dirt track to Aktun Chen; the track is quite bumpy in places, but passable for all types of car.

Colectivo + Shuttle

A cheaper option is the colectivo between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Tell the driver you want to get off at Aktun Chen.

At the turn-off from the main road, there is a security guard who will call the park shuttle to take you to reception. The shuttle from the main road only runs from 10:00 to 14:00, so make sure you arrange your return journey straight away when you arrive.

The shuttle minivan is free of charge.

If you’re taking a taxi, we recommend agreeing on the fare and a return pick-up in advance. The park is located several kilometres from the main road and there may not be a free taxi waiting there.

The usual fare for a taxi to the centre of Tulum is around 1 200 mxn.

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Organised tour

If you don’t have a car and don’t fancy travelling in an uncomfortable colectivo, an organised tour is an option.

This is always the most expensive option, but it usually includes transport to and from your hotel plus additional stops, most often combined with a visit to Akumal Bay or other cenotes.

We’ve always compared all the excursions on the Mayan Riviera via GetYourGuide, where most of the local agencies operate.

What to take with you

Take your swimwear, a towel, a change of dry clothes, water shoes and biodegradable insect repellent. It’s also a good idea to bring a drink and a light snack. The restaurant is currently closed, and you can only buy soft drinks and light snacks in the souvenir shop.

You do not need your own snorkelling equipment. A mask, flotation aid, guide, locker and changing room are included in the price of the underground cenote.

There are also free lockers for storing your belongings on site, and of course a shower.

Is Aktun Chen worth a visit?

In my opinion, definitely yes. It’s not the cheapest place for a quick dip in a cenote, but the price makes more sense when you factor in the cave, the animals and the snorkelling.

Aktun Chen is also a good alternative for days when the beaches are affected by sargassum or the weather isn’t really suitable for a day at the seaside.

You can combine your visit with a trip to Akumal, which is just a few minutes’ drive away.

If you’d like to go snorkelling with turtles in the morning and head to Aktun Chen the following day, have a look at the hotels in Akumal.

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