I have visited 15 cenotes, and Taj Mahal is one of my favorites. To have a magical visit, I suggest you bring/rent:
- Light wetsuit or rash guard
- Snorkel mask and fins
- Underwater flashlight
- Underwater camera
We went late in the day during our visit in September 2015, and had the place to ourselves. The water was cold, of course, but be strong and jump right in because you'll want to see the underwater beauty of Taj Mahal.
I don't think you need a guide here. It's just not that big. Be curious and you'll see everything on your own. We started by swimming around the main cavern, and then I began looking for the swim-under to get to the big cave (it's to the far left). By using my flashlight and pointing it under the rock formations, I could see surface tension of the water in the other cave, so I knew there was an opening for me to breathe. To swim under from the cavern to big cave, you only need to go about 5 feet long and 2 feet deep, but because it's dark, weaker swimmers may become disoriented or scared, so just be cautious. I went first and then signaled to my friends that it was good to come over. This isn't difficult, but you do feel like an explorer.
The big cave is absolutely stunning. It opens up into an enormous dome with 2 skylights. Beneath the water is rock piles and formations that sink in to depths of 30 feet or more. We spent 45 minutes exploring and then got cold and headed back to the main cavern. By the time you get in and out of the water and possibly change clothes, I'd allow and hour and a half or two hours for your visit. read more