Cenote Car Wash

Taxi drivers used to wash their cars in it, which is where the nickname comes from. Aktun Ha looks like a jungle pond a few steps off the Cobá road, about 8 km out of Tulum: open to the sky, ringed by a boardwalk, with a rope swing and a jumping platform about 5 metres up.

The interest is below the surface. Under the top couple of metres the water clears and opens onto a large cavern entrance, which is why dive shops bring cavern divers here, and snorkellers get fish, turtles and the odd small crocodile sunning on the bank. In summer an algae bloom tints the surface green. A shower is required before getting in. There is a basic washroom, lockers and picnic tables, but no restaurant, so bring food. Zacil-Ha is next door if one cenote is not enough.