How to Visit Cenote Cocalitos Beach Resort
Discover everything you need to know about Balneario Cocalitos, the best beach club on Bacalar Lagoon, in our review.
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Just south of Bacalar, Cenote Cocalitos is one of the region’s most photogenic and laidback swimming spots. Unlike traditional deep pit cenotes, Cocalitos blends seamlessly with the edge of the Lagoon of Seven Colours, offering shallow, crystal-clear water perfect for floating, sunbathing, and snapping iconic swing-in-the-water photos. As close to a beach experience as you’ll find in Bacalar, it’s especially famous for its rare stromatolites, ancient, living rock-like formations that make this area geologically unique and ecologically sensitive. We’ve listed everything you need to know about visiting this cenote, whether you’re kayaking in from town, arriving by car, or stopping as part of a sailing tour of Bacalar Lagoon, in this guide.
Cenote Cocalitos at a glance
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What is Cenote Cocalitos?
Cenote Cocalitos is a shallow, open-air cenote located just south of the town of Bacalar. Also called Playa Cocalitos or ‘Stromatolite Sanctuary‘, it is accessed via a private beach resort, called a balneario, and is as close to a beach as you’ll find in Bacalar.
Cenote Cocalitos is a protected eco-park, as it is home to large colonies of stromatolites. Some of the oldest living organisms on Earth, stromatolites are ancient microorganisms that date back over 3.5 billion years. They play a critical role in filtering and maintaining the lagoon’s stunning clarity and colour, and are protected at Centoe Cocalitos by ropes and signage to avoid people touching or stepping on them.
The cenote itself is about 60 metres (197 ft) deep, with clear, shallow turquoise waters near the shore that make a dramatic transition to deeper, more intense blue hues.
Unlike deep or cave-style cenotes, Cocalitos feels more like a natural lagoon beach, with warm, clear water perfect for relaxing and floating. It’s largely popular with locals but has also become a popular stop for visitors in-the-know looking to swim, swing over the water, and enjoy a laidback beach vibe.
Where is Cenote Cocalitos?
Cenote Cocalitos is located around 2.5 miles (4 km) south of downtown Bacalar, along the main highway – about a 10-minute drive. It sits right on the edge of the Lagoon of Seven Colours, blending seamlessly into the lake’s shallow southern shore. This prime location makes it easily accessible by car, bike, boat, kayak, and paddleboard. It’s also close to other notable stops like Bacalar’s cenotes Azul and Esmeralda, and the town’s public piers.
Cenote Cocalitos Map
We’ve pinned Cenote Cocalitos on our Bacalar Map below.
What is there to do at Cenote Cocalitos?
The park is one of the best things to do in Bacalar and is known for its in-water hammocks, swings, which make for a great photo. The shallow, calm waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, with great visibility to see fish and stromatolites near the surface. Some of the top things to do in Cenote Cocalitos include:
Cenote Cocalitos Beach Resort
The park at Cenote Cocalitos operates like a casual beach club, with an entrance fee that grants you access to hammocks, swings, loungers, picnic areas, and other basic comforts. While it’s not a full-scale resort with overnight rooms, it functions as a low-key daytime destination where you can swim, eat, and relax. It’s a popular local spot, ideal for travellers who want to enjoy the lagoon in a more authentic yet maintained setting. For a more traditional resort experience, check out some of the top lakefront hotels in Bacalar.
Swimming at Cenote Cocalitos
Swimming at Cenote Cocalitos is the main attraction, perfect for those who prefer calm, shallow water over deep, dramatic cenotes. The sandy bottom and gentle slope into the lagoon make it safe and inviting for all ages. There are roped-off areas to keep visitors away from fragile stromatolite formations, but plenty of open water remains. You’ll also find built-in swings and hammocks for floating or lounging right on the water – perfect for an Instagram-worthy photo shoot. To access the cenote itself, enter the water to the right of the main dock (as you face the lagoon) – the main in-water part of the park is built in the shallows next to the cenote. You can see where the water changes colour at the cenote to the right of the picture below (while the in-water hammocks sit to the left).
Stromatolites at Cenote Cocalitos
Stromatolites are ancient microbial structures that look like rounded rocks but are actually living fossils. They’re among the oldest life forms on Earth and super fragile. Cenote Cocalitos is one of the few places in the world where you can see them growing in a natural environment. These formations are highly sensitive and strictly protected, so touching or standing on them is prohibited. Seeing them up close (without disturbing them) is one of the most unique features of visiting this cenote.
Cenote Cocalitos Beach
The beach area at Cenote Cocalitos is mainly grassy, but it still offers a classic beach day feel with lounge chairs, shaded palapas, and picnic tables. There is one small, sandy area to the north of the site, which is great for sunbathing or reading between dips in the water. The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, with plenty of space to relax.
Facilities at Cenote Cocalitos
Basic facilities are available on-site, including clean bathrooms and showers.
The site used to offer a small restaurant, but now there’s only a small snack shop (selling items like chips (crisps), beer, and water) at the entrance – you’re welcome to bring your own food and drink with you, though.
Tables and chairs can be rented, while a couple of public picnic benches are scattered throughout the site. Despite what you might read online, the site no longer provides kayak rentals.
There are shaded palapas, picnic tables, and grassy areas to lounge on. There’s also a small kids’ carousel and a small boardwalk to see the stromatolites.
How to get to Cenote Cocalitos
Cenote Cocalitos is easily accessible from Bacalar town by car, taxi, bicycle, or boat. It’s located about 10 minutes south of the main square along the main road, making it an easy half-day trip. You can also visit as part of a Bacalar Lagoon boat tour that stops at nearby cenotes and points of interest. If you’re feeling adventurous, it’s reachable by kayak or, for something more gentle, opt for standup paddleboarding.
By road
From downtown Bacalar, drive south along the main highway (Carretera Federal 307) for about 10 minutes. The cenote is well signposted and has a small parking area. Taxis from town are easy to arrange and inexpensive (about 200 pesos (~$10 USD) from town). If you’re cycling, the route is mostly flat and scenic – just be mindful of the strong sun and road traffic.
By boat
Many local boat tours that explore the lagoon include a stop at Cenote Cocalitos. These tours typically depart from Bacalar’s public docks or waterfront hotels. Arriving by boat gives you a different view of the lagoon and makes for a fun, easy day trip with multiple swim stops. Confirm with your guide whether Cocalitos is part of the itinerary.
By kayak
Kayaking to Cenote Cocalitos is a popular option for active travellers. The paddle from downtown Bacalar takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on the weather and wind. Along the way, you’ll pass colourful stretches of lagoon and maybe even spot fish or birds. Be sure to bring sun protection, water, and wear a life vest.
How much does it cost to visit Cenote Cocalitos?
The visitor price to enter Cenote Cocalitos is 100 pesos (~$5.50 USD) for adults and 50 pesos (~$2.60 USD) for children, while the local price is 50 pesos (~$2.60 USD). This fee grants you access to the beach area, swings, and facilities for the day. Additional charges may apply if you plan to rent chairs and tables or buy food and drinks on-site.
Instead of a ticket, you’ll get a paper wristband, which you can use to re-enter the same day if you decide to leave.
You must bring cash only, as there’s no card machine. We’d highly recommend bringing Mexican pesos. We stupidly arrived before realising we’d run out of cash and the nearest ATM is back in the town centre. Luckily, we were allowed to pay with our emergency USD note at a decent exchange rate, but we wouldn’t recommend you rely on being able to pay in USD, as it’s not advertised.
Is Cenote Cocalitos closed?
Cenote Cocalitos was closed for two years, from 2023 to 2025, during an ownership change. While many sites online still report it as being closed, we can confirm it has fully reopened. Occasional temporary closures for maintenance, environmental protection, or weather-related issues may also occur.
Facilities are more limited than before the 2-year closure, so some of the information online is out of date, but we’ve listed all the current information about the site in this post.
When is Cenote Cocalitos open?
Cenote Cocalitos is open every day of the week, Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Arriving earlier in the day is recommended to avoid crowds and the strong midday sun.
Last entry is often 30-60 minutes before closing. Holidays or local events may impact hours, so double-check if visiting during peak times.
Rules for visiting Cenote Cocalitos
There are certain rules to follow at Cenote Cocalitos to protect the delicate ecosystem within, including:
How deep is Cenote Cocalitos?
Unlike deep pit cenotes, Cenote Cocalitos is shallow, especially near the shoreline, making it perfect for wading and floating. While the exact depth varies, most of the swim areas are only a few feet deep, though some drop-offs reach moderate depths farther out. The cenote is estimated to be around 30-40 metres (100-130 ft) deep with a maximum depth of around 60 metres (197 ft).
What to pack for Cenote Cocalitos?
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Cenote Cocalitos, don’t forget to pack your:
Our experience at Cenote Cocalitos
We had a wonderful time at Cenote Cocalitos. We spent a blissful afternoon lounging on the grass, swimming in the water, and picnicking on the banks of the lagoon. We loved taking our drone up (with permission) and seeing the stunning hues of the lagoon as the water changes colour with the depths. Seeing stromatolites up close was also very interesting. We’d highly recommend arriving in the morning if you plan to use the in-water facilities, as boat tours tend to stop in the afternoon, making it a bit busier.
What else is there to do near Cenote Cocalitos?
It’s easy to visit other cenotes in Bacalar, like Cenote Azul, just a few minutes away, which offers a deeper, more dramatic swimming experience. You can also explore downtown Bacalar’s colourful streets, visit the San Felipe Fort, float down the natural lazy river at Los Rápidos, walk over the mangroves at Ecoparque Bacalar, or take a boat tour of Bacalar Lagoon. Many nearby cafés and eco-resorts offer yoga, paddleboarding, and wellness experiences, too.
Read next:
A Traveller’s Guide to Bacalar
28 Best Things to Do in Bacalar
Where to Stay in Bacalar: 14 Top Hotels
Bacalar Lagoon of 7 Colours Guide
How to Visit Los Rápidos Bacalar
A Comparison of Bacalar’s 4 Cenotes
A Guide to Bacalar’s Fort of San Felipe
