Family friendly
Swim in turquoise water
Sandy bottom, warm water and just 1–1.5 metres deep. Walk right in, float, and watch the color deepen toward the center.
Tulum · Quintana Roo · Mexico
Kaan Luum Lagoon
Waist-deep turquoise water, soft white sand underfoot — and at its heart, an 80-metre cenote that drops into the deepest blue of the Riviera Maya. Just 15 minutes from Tulum.
9 am – 4 pmOpen every day
15 minsouth of Tulum
300 MXN≈ US$17 · cash only
80 mdeep cenote (262 ft)
Photo: Kanché A.C., CC BY-SA 4.0
The lagoon
A natural pool with a secret at its center
Kaan Luum is an almost perfectly round lagoon hidden in the jungle between Tulum and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
The edges are so shallow and calm you can wade across soft sand with the water at your waist, little fish darting around your ankles and nothing but birdsong in the air. Then look toward the middle. The color shifts from pale turquoise to an inky, almost black blue — the mouth of a cenote that plunges roughly 80 metres into the Yucatán Peninsula.
Two worlds in one place: the stillness of a shallow lagoon and the pull of a bottomless-looking sinkhole. It's the kind of place people come back to.
- K'aan
- yellow, in the Maya language
- Lu'um
- earth — the "yellow earth" of its pale clay
Below the surface
How deep is Kaan Luum?
Most of the lagoon is barely chest-deep. Its center, on the other hand, hides one of the deepest cenotes around Tulum.
1 – 1.5 m
Shallow, white-sand swimming area. Great for families and less confident swimmers (with a life jacket).
≈ 80 m
The central cenote. Roped off and reserved for certified scuba divers and freedivers with a guide.
≈ 700 m
Shore to shore. A near-circular lagoon fringed by jungle and mangrove, with docks and a lookout tower.
Things to do at Kaan Luum
A day for floating, paddling and doing nothing much
No pounding music, no zipline queues. Just clear water, a shady palapa and time that finally slows down.
Rentals on site
Kayak & paddleboard
Glide across the glassy surface and trace the shoreline at your own pace.
Certified only
Scuba & freediving
The central cenote drops around 80 m — a technical dive for certified divers with a guide.
Wildlife
Birdwatching
Pelicans, herons, wood rails and Yucatán jays all drop by. Pack binoculars.
Best photo spot
Lookout, docks & swings
Climb the lookout, sit on the dock or swing out over the water. The photo takes itself.
Plan your visit
Entrance fees, hours & rules
Everything you need to know before you go. No booking required — just show up, pay at the gate and dive in.
2026 entrance fees
Prices as listed 9 October 2026: verify before visiting.
| General admissionInternational visitors | 300 MXN≈ US$17 |
|---|---|
| Mexican nationalsWith official ID | 200 MXN≈ US$11 |
| Quintana Roo residentsWith valid ID | 150 MXN≈ US$8 |
| ChildrenAges 3–11 | 100 MXN≈ US$6 |
| Under 3 | Free |
Cash only, in Mexican pesos. There's no card terminal or ATM on site, so grab pesos in Tulum before you head out. USD conversions are approximate; fees may change without notice.
Opening hours
9 am – 4 pmMonday to Sunday
Hours may be extended in high season. Arrive before 11 am to have the lagoon almost to yourself.
- Free parking
- Restrooms and showers
- Shaded palapas, docks and a lookout tower
- Life jacket, kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Drinks and snacks stand at the entrance
- No lockers — bring only what you need
Please do
- Shower before you swimSo you enter the water free of lotions and sweat.
- Wear a rash guard and hatThe best sun protection that doesn't harm the lagoon.
- Bring your own food and waterSnacks and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome. Pack out your trash.
- Stay inside the ropesThe deep zone is for certified divers only.
Not allowed
- Sunscreen, bug spray or lotionsNot even reef-safe ones — they cloud the water and harm lagoon life.
- Alcohol and smokingKaan Luum is a protected, family-friendly natural area.
- Speakers and loud musicThe jungle provides the soundtrack here.
- PetsTo protect local wildlife, animals are not permitted.
When to go
The best time to see the turquoise
Kaan Luum's color depends on sun and rain. From November to April — the dry season — the water is at its clearest and most vivid.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Dry season · clearest waterRainy season
Go early
Between 9 and 11 am the light is perfect for photos and the crowds haven't arrived.
Pick a weekday
Weekends and Mexican public holidays are the busiest days.
Coming as a group?
Palapas are first come, first served. An early start guarantees you shade.
Packing list
What to bring to Kaan Luum
- Cash in pesosFor entry, rentals and snacks.
- Rash guard or teeSun protection without sunscreen.
- Mask & snorkelSpot fish and the cenote's edge.
- Water shoesComfy on docks and shorelines.
- Waterproof phone pouchKeep your photos safe.
- Quick-dry towelLight and easy to carry.
- Water & snacksNo alcohol. Pack out what you bring.
- Small day bagNo lockers — travel light.
Location
How to get to Kaan Luum from Tulum
We're on Federal Highway 307, about 12 km (7.5 miles) south of downtown Tulum, heading toward Felipe Carrillo Puerto and just before the Sian Ka'an turnoff.
By car
The easiest option. Free parking at the entrance.
By taxi
Agree on the fare before you get in and arrange your pickup.
By colectivo
Catch a shared van toward Felipe Carrillo Puerto and ask to get off at Kaan Luum.
By bike
A flat ride along the highway shoulder. Start early and carry water.
12 kmTulum · 15 min
75 kmPlaya del Carmen · 1 h
141 kmCancún · 2 h
Laguna de Kaan Luum
Federal Highway 307 Tulum–Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Tulum, Quintana Roo 77763, Mexico
Photo gallery
Photos of Kaan Luum Lagoon & surroundings
The lagoon, its wildlife and the jungle, mangrove and cenote landscapes around it. Tap any photo to view it full size.
Living nature
Neighbours with feathers
Kaan Luum is part of the corridor of jungle, wetland and mangrove that stretches into Sian Ka'an, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep your eyes open — here are a few of the locals.
Brown pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Grey-necked wood rail
Aramides albiventris
Yucatán jay
Cyanocorax yucatanicus
Great blue heron
Ardea herodias
Caring for the yellow earth
A place we protect together
Kaan Luum is looked after by the local community, who keep the lagoon the way the jungle made it: no invasive development, minimal footprint. Your visit directly supports that work. In return, we ask just three things:
- Arrive clean. No sunscreen or repellent — rinse off before you swim.
- Leave no trace. Pack out what you pack in, and never feed the wildlife.
- Respect the zones. Swim inside the marked areas and never cross the ropes.
- Caribbean at Tulum — Thomas Schlosser (tschloss), Flickr, CC BY 2.0
- Tulum from above — Dronepicr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Make a day of it
Things to do near Kaan Luum
The lagoon sits on the road to some of the most beautiful places south of Tulum. Pair them up in a single day.
Biosphere Reserve
Sian Ka'an
Over 500,000 hectares of jungle, mangrove and reef, protected by UNESCO.
≈ 15 min south
Muyil ruins
A Maya city deep in the jungle, with natural canals you can float down.
≈ 20 min north
Tulum ruins
The walled Maya city perched on a cliff above the Caribbean.
Around Tulum
Tulum cenotes
Gran Cenote, Calavera and dozens more to keep exploring.
FAQ
Your Kaan Luum questions, answered
Can't find what you need? Ask at the ticket booth — we're happy to help.
How much is the Kaan Luum Lagoon entrance fee?
General admission is 300 MXN (about US$17) per person. Mexican nationals with ID pay 200 MXN, Quintana Roo residents 150 MXN and children aged 3–11 pay 100 MXN. Under-3s enter free. Cash only, in Mexican pesos.
What are the opening hours?
We're open every day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Hours may be extended in high season. Come early for the calmest water and fewest people.
How far is Kaan Luum from Tulum, and how do I get there?
About 12 km (7.5 miles) south of downtown Tulum on Federal Highway 307 toward Felipe Carrillo Puerto — roughly 15 minutes by car. You can also take a taxi (≈ 250 MXN), a colectivo shared van, or ride a bike. See all options.
How deep is the lagoon? What's in the middle?
The swimming area is just 1–1.5 metres (3–5 ft) deep with a soft sandy bottom. In the middle is a cenote roughly 80 metres (262 ft) deep, visible as a dark blue circle. It's roped off and reserved for certified divers.
Is Kaan Luum a cenote or a lagoon?
Both. Kaan Luum is a shallow freshwater lagoon with a cenote at its center — a natural sinkhole connected to the Yucatán Peninsula's vast underground water system.
Is it safe for kids and non-swimmers?
Yes. Most of the lagoon is shallow and calm, which makes it ideal for families. Non-swimmers should wear a life jacket (available to rent), stay in the swimming area and keep an eye on children at all times. Never cross the ropes toward the cenote.
Are there crocodiles at Kaan Luum Lagoon?
Kaan Luum sits in the Quintana Roo jungle, home to wild animals. Always swim inside the marked areas and follow staff instructions. If you see any wildlife, keep your distance, don't feed it, and let staff know.
Can I wear sunscreen or bug spray?
No. To protect the water's clarity and the life in it, sunscreen, repellent, lotions and oils are not allowed — not even biodegradable or reef-safe ones. Cover up with a long-sleeve rash guard and a hat, and visit early.
Can you scuba dive or freedive the cenote?
Yes, but only certified scuba divers and freedivers with an authorized guide or dive center. It's a deep, technical dive. Without certification, the cenote zone is off-limits.
Can I rent a kayak, paddleboard or life jacket?
Yes. Life jackets, kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent on site (hourly, cash only). Bringing your own kayak or board? Ask at the ticket booth about the access fee.
Can I bring food? What about alcohol?
You're welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted. Please take your trash with you.
Do you accept credit cards or US dollars?
Payment is cash only, in Mexican pesos. There's no ATM on site, so withdraw pesos in Tulum and bring small bills.
Is there parking, restrooms and showers?
Yes — free parking, restrooms and showers, plus shaded palapas, docks and a lookout tower. There are no lockers, so bring only the essentials.
Are pets or drones allowed?
Pets are not allowed, to protect local wildlife. Flying a drone requires a permit, payable at the ticket booth.
Do I need to book in advance?
No booking needed — just arrive, pay at the gate and enjoy. If you want to dive the cenote, book with your dive center.
What does Kaan Luum mean?
In the Maya language, k'aan means "yellow" and lu'um means "earth". Kaan Luum is the "yellow earth", named for the pale clay around the lagoon. You'll also see it written Ka'an Lu'um.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, the dry season, is when the water looks most turquoise. During the rainy season (May to October) the color can be less intense. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
The lagoon is waiting. No rush.
Open daily 9 am to 4 pm. Bring pesos, leave the sunscreen at home, and come discover the yellow earth.