Three Tulum cenotes register high levels of contamination
Three of Mexico’s most popular cenotes located in Tulum have been issued safety and health warnings after local authorities detected a substantially high level of bacteria in the water, the kind that’s particularly harmful to visitors.
Now, they are being urged not to swim in these areas, or even avoid the popular attraction altogether.

Cenote is a regional term of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico referring to caves filled with turquoise-colored waters. In Ancient Times, the extinct Mayan civilization used to carry out sacrificial offerings in these nature-made chambers, and many of them have retained this sacred status up to this day, despite becoming tourist hotspots.
Unfortunately, if you’re visiting Tulum in the near future, you may want to double check these advisories before diving into the nearest cenote:
Which Cenotes Are Affected?

According to the Directorate for Protection Against Sanitary Risks of Quintana Roo, also known by its Spanish acronym of COFEPRIS, a significant amount of bacteria, such as Escherichia Coli, commonly known as E. Coli, has been found in at least three cenotes close to Tulum and surrounding areas. They are:
- Cristal Cenote
- Calvera Cenote
- Casa Cenote
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The Riviera Maya Times
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