Puerto Aventuras and Stunning Cenote Azul

Puerto Aventuras was an unexpectedly romantic stop and revealed to me the most beautiful cenote so far, Cenote Azul. I am glad this was our final stop in Mexico! I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to our trip.

Getting into Puerto Aventuras

We thought we’d pass by Tulum, parked the car, got to the walking path from the entrance only to see the sign that says the archeological site of Tulum closes at 4:30pm. The guy manning the carpark said it closes at 7pm. We got there past 5pm so we turned back. At least the guy refunded the 160pesos parking.

We saw more cenote signs along the way, by the time we passed by Cenote Azul I knew we’re close to Mom’s House our final destination. Didn’t realize Puerto Aventuras was a gated community with golf course, high-end residences, and a couple or so hotel resorts. Our place looked like a residence turned BnB. Marie Jo, our host, was waiting for us outside. Our room’s sliding doors opened up to a swimming pool within a massive lawn that looked more like a golf-course. I suspected most of the places around were vacation rental houses or summer residences by the moneyed class.

After checking in, we walked to the beach. So this is Riviera Maya! The sand was white, the water was clear and lukewarm it was tempting to go skinny dipping as it’s just past sunset. Not! After around 10 minutes walking finding our way, we finally ended at La Caleta which was by the dock, the restaurant that Mary Jo recommended, owned by an Argentinian and Chilean couple. The waiter told us no more seats, the available tables have been reserved. The Cowboy said, we’re happy to seat at the bar. The owner happened to overhear us and set up an extra table for us. He and the waiter brought a spare table to a corner under a well-lit umbrella tent “More romantic here” he said. Just when we got seated, a band set-up and started playing live music. The jazzy voice was like chocolate hot fudge that just melts in the mouth. I scanned the menu and noticed it wasn’t typical Mexican, must be the Argentine and Chilean influence. Enjoyed the band with my pina colada — The Cowboy had margarita. Just when I thought I already had the best ceviche, along came a better one: the restaurant had the best ceviche so far, hands-down — the prawns were medium-rare, mixed with

Just when I thought I already had the best ceviche, along came a better one: the restaurant had the best ceviche so far, hands-down — the prawns were medium-rare, mixed with pulpo (squid), fish herbs and avocado. So fresh and exquisite! Whie enjoying dinner, I heard fireworks but didn’t see them. Walked back to the BnB under the stars. Puerto Aventuras gave us an unintended, accidentally romantic evening!

Sunrise at Puerto Aventuras and Cenote Azul

Woke up early to catch sunrise. Sunrise was going to be at 7.25 and we finally left the BnB at 7.12, so instead of walking to the beach, we drove. We were in time. Unfortunately, clouds covered the horizon, the sun barely had a peek through the gray fluff. The water invited me to wade in. It was lukewarm. Delicious to the skin!

The Cowboy was satisfied with the cenotes we visited, but I woke up this morning thinking “I want to go to Cenote Azul.” It’s the reason I booked our accommodation at Puerto Aventuras in the first place. Plus, I’ve been looking forward to it as I suspected it’s going to be the prettiest yet we’re about to see based on what I’ve read.

”We can only do one or the other, swim here or at the cenote.” He said, making me choose as I continued to wade in the beach and wait for the sun to come up through the clouds.We thought it’s too much effort to go back to the car, swim, get dried up and then go to the Cenote Azul. We had to leave later in the morning around 11:30, plus we told Marie Jo we’ll be having our breakfast at 9AM.

“Let’s go then.” I was decisive. As we were about to leave, the sun rose above the clouds. I can already feel the Mayan sun scorching my skin, and I thought, yeah, no doubt about it. I would rather go to the cenote one last time than bake on sand and sea.

Cenote Azul It was only 8am by the time we left. We got to Cenote Azul in 10 minutes. The ticket counter was closed. The sign said, open at 830am. So for the first time in this travel, we finally made it early. One of the staff cleaning, saw us, and he said we can go in. We paid 80 pesos each for the entrance. (X’canche is still the cheapest cenote we visited at 30 pesos.)

We followed a paved pathway through a lush jungle-like garden. A small water hole with blue crystal clear water greeted us on the left, then a few meters further, another to the right. I thought, surely this isn’t it?!?
The pathway ascended slightly, so it covered what I saw when I descended: behind the trees and shrubs was the main cenote. The Cowboy was ahead of me, already standing on the swimming platform GoPro-ing. I was beyond stoked at the sight!  White limestone rocks at the bottom highlighted how clear and blue the water was. There were a couple of divers — or so I thought. Maybe there’s an entrance to another underground cave system. We found out, they were scrubbing the moss or algae that grew on the rocks. One of them surfaced, he said they’re doing it so the rocks won’t be slippery. That’s patience personified!

Across the platform was a quasi-cliff begging for us to jump off from. What better way to enjoy the cenote! The Cowboy and I did exactly that — jump off the cliff into the cenote and it was so much fun! We found out fairly quickly though that it’s not always a good idea to jump together — the second time we did it, The Cowboy slammed the water on his side because I was holding onto him and he got tilted out of balance. That pained him! Ouch! The third time, we jumped separately, and had the other take the other’s video.

We continued swimming and exploring the rest of the cenote. What I read was accurate, Cenote Azul truly was the prettiest of them all! He said his favorite was X’canche. I can understand why. Of course, having Cenote Azul all to ourselves (except for the staff scrubbing the rocks) made the experience all the more magical! Not having other tourists or travelers around, intensified the beauty of the place and certainly made the experience all the more romantic. It is what I hope for in my travels, a place of magic where nobody else goes to (or at least that perception) a place that I have all to myself or the special person I’m with!

When we were just about ready to go, three tourists from Monterrey came along. We noticed they spoke English fluently. “They seem fairly well-educated.” The Cowboy said. As a lot of Mexicans are, my bubble thought. “Monterrey is a pretty big city.” I told him, implying it was as good, as cosmopolitan as any major city elsewhere, as much as Mexico City as well. “…and the two girls had make-up on.” he noticed. I never quite got that… somehow The Cowboy seemed surprised how ‘normal’ people were here in Mexico!

It was already quarter to 10 am when we left. When we got back to BnB, Marie Jo greeted us with breakfast ready. I apologized for being late, but she was totally fine, the other couple guests were still asleep. The spread was a platter of fruit that was decoratively arranged, granolas, freshly squeezed orange juice, and really nice brewed coffee. There was also a basket of toasted bread, with a side of butter and jam. While enjoying them, Marie Jo asked if we wanted something else. “What do you have?” “We have huevos — scrambled eggs Mexican style, do you want?” The Cowboy and I both said yes enthusiastically! Of course! We were spoilt!

She took our photo, I took a photo –I thought it was a lovely breakfast with the dining table facing the golf course. I couldn’t have asked for more! It was almost as good as it gets for Mexican bed and breakfast, the location was perfect, the place was very homely, hosting of Marie Jo had been wonderful and desayuno was delicious — can’t complain!

By 11.30am we checked out, took an hour almost of driving back to Enterprise and returned our friend Dodge Attitude. He’d served us well the past week. It had been as great an adventurous week as I wanted in Yucatan — a few pleasant surprises with a dose of serendipity that I cherish in my travels.