Kaan Luum — Tulum's blue lagoon

Seen from above, Kaan Luum forms an almost perfect turquoise disc ringed by mangrove, with a cenote some thirty metres deep at its centre that appears as a dark blue eye. The lagoon lies a few kilometres south of Tulum, an hour from Playa del Carmen and two from Cancún. A shaded path leads to a wooden jetty reaching out over the water. Swimming is limited to the shallow rim, where you can stand in warm water; the central cenote area is off-limits to swimmers, both to protect the wildlife and for safety.

The day does not stop there. It continues with two semi-open cenotes lost in the jungle, then a Mexican lunch with a drink, before the Yalku lagoon. There, fresh groundwater meets the sea and draws a density of fish that has earned the spot its nickname of natural aquarium: life jacket, fins, mask and snorkel are provided so you can stay in as long as you like. Bring a swimsuit you keep on all day, you get in the water four times.

Good to know: extra drinks and the 10 dollar per person tax are not included; they are paid locally.