The name 'Yax-Muul' translates from Mayan as 'Green Mound' or 'Green Hill'.
The cenotes here are part of the vast aquifer system that runs beneath the Yucatan Peninsula.
The subterranean caverns feature preserved rock formations that have developed over thousands of years.
Water clarity is maintained by the continuous filtering process through the region's porous limestone bedrock.
Yax-Muul is a privately managed eco-park located on the highway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, centered around a series of subterranean cenotes. The main attraction is an underground cavern system featuring natural limestone formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. Visitors typically navigate a descending staircase into the cavern to access the swimming areas. The park provides life jackets, which are mandatory for all swimmers in the cenotes. Beyond the water, the site includes jungle trails and Mayan-themed cultural elements. The facility operates as an ecotourism hub, emphasizing conservation of the subterranean water table. Water in the cenotes is known for its clarity and constant temperature due to the underground flow.
From the edge of the wooden platforms looking back toward the cavern entrance where light filters through the opening.
Use biodegradable sunscreen to avoid contaminating the fragile cenote ecosystem.
Bring a waterproof camera or a specialized protective pouch for your phone to capture the low-light cavern environment.
Wear water shoes, as the paths inside the cavern can be slippery and rocky.
Avoid applying insect repellent or non-biodegradable sunscreen before entering the water.
Shower before entering the water to remove oils and lotions; life jackets are strictly required in the water.
