The cenote earned its nickname because local taxi drivers used to wash their cars here many years ago.

The open lagoon is often covered with water lilies and floating lily pads. They are present all year-round but are usually most abundant during the warmer months, particularly from late spring through early autumn, when they sometimes bloom with flowers. From below, sunlight shining through the pads creates and beautiful and unusual underwater scene.

At certain times of the year, especially during warmer months, layers of algae and natural tannins near the surface can create subtle colour shifts in the water. When sunlight filters through these layers it produces striking lighting effects.

Car Wash often has freshwater turtles, fish and aquatic plants, giving it a very different atmosphere compared with many other cenotes.