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What it's like

Jade Cavern, also called Cenote Chempita, is a freshwater cenote set in the jungle of Cozumel. Most cenotes on the Yucatan mainland sit on limestone bedrock, but this one sits on the island, which makes it a rare geological feature. The ancient Maya used it as a ceremonial site.

A visit starts with a drive through the jungle on unpaved trails, usually by jeep or ATV. A short path then leads through dense vegetation to the pool. The water is calm and enclosed by limestone walls, and low cliffs make a good place to jump in. A guide explains the formation of the cenote during the stop.

Good to know

  • Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and closed-toe shoes for the jungle trail. Expect to get dusty on the ATV or Jeep ride.
  • Leave valuables on the tour vehicle when you visit the cenote.
  • Use only biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen at the cenote, since chemical sunscreens damage cenote ecosystems.
  • Mornings catch the light on the water at its greenest. Midday has stronger light but more heat.
A place to visit: ​
Cenote, in the jungle

Jade Cavern

Jade Cavern is a freshwater cenote on Cozumel, one of the few cenotes on an island. You swim between limestone walls and jump from low cliffs into the pool.

Food tours
food_tours
Beach clubs
beach_clubs
Scuba diving
scuba_diving
Snorkeling
snorkeling
Volcanoes
volcanoes_geology
Caves and cenotes
caves_cenotes
Beaches
beaches
Zip lining
zip_line
Sport fishing
sport_fishing
Rainforest and jungle
rainforest_jungle
Ancient sites
ancient_sites
Shopping
shopping
Hiking
hiking
Museums
museums
How to get there
Jade Cavern is not reachable by regular vehicle or on foot from the main road.
Time needed
The cenote visit itself lasts 30 to 45 minutes, within a full tour of about 3 to 4 hours.
What it costs
Paid for as a guided jeep or ATV tour that includes the drive over the jungle trails, with a beach stop and a tequila tasting on the jeep tour.
Suits
Adventure seekers and confident swimmers
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20.358047
-86.9697134
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Tours that go here

Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.

Tour
Cozumel

Jungle Jeep Adventure to Mayan Caverns and Snorkel

5 hours
Standard
5.0
​ (
92
)
$79.99
a person
39
snorkeling
rainforest_jungle
caves_cenotes
off_road
Tour
Cozumel

ATX-Rails Expedition

3 hours 30 minutes
Standard
4.5
​ (
28
)
$130.99
a person
119
off_road
Tour
Cozumel

Cozumel 4WD, Jade Caverns, and Omara Beach Break

5 hours
Standard
5.0
​ (
2
)
$108.99
a person
325
beaches
caves_cenotes
beach_clubs
off_road
Next, in ​
Cozumel
All of ​
Cozumel
Beach and adventure park

Chankanaab Park

Cozumel

Chankanaab is a natural park on Cozumel's south coast, with a sandy beach, a shallow snorkel area and a lagoon. Visitors snorkel off the sand, swim with animals or try a reef dive from here.

Tours here from ​
$61.99
​ a person
CZM:chankanaab-park
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20.4426788
-86.993847
Beach club

Playa Palancar

Cozumel

Playa Palancar is a white-sand beach club on the quiet west side of Cozumel, reached from the southern hotel zone. Day passes give you a lounge chair and umbrella, with a seafood restaurant and bar on site.

Tours here from ​
$108.99
​ a person
CZM:playa-palancar
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20.3522293
-87.0224394
Marine park

Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park

Cozumel

Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is a protected offshore reef system along the west and south coasts of Cozumel. Divers and snorkelers come here to see the reefs, which are among the most popular recreational dive grounds in the Mexican Caribbean.

Tours here from ​
$78.99
​ a person
CZM:arrecifes-de-cozumel-national-park
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20.2936111
-87.0247222
Reef and sandbar

El Cielo

Cozumel

El Cielo is a shallow reef and sandbar off Cozumel, reached by boat and used for snorkeling and time on the sand. Boats and catamarans leave from the island for the trip.

Tours here from ​
$112.99
​ a person
CZM:el-cielo
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20.4452778
-86.9897222

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