Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
One among my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the stunning cenotes of the Yucatan. Listed here are ideas for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and how you can get pleasure from them responsibly.
Cenotes in Mexico are tremendous cool! The Mayan individuals used cenotes to produce their historic cities (like Chichen Itza) with contemporary water, in addition to a sacred place to conduct sacrificial choices to their gods.
Historic artifacts and even human bones have been found in lots of.
Choices had been made to the Mayan god Chaac, the god of rain, when drought threatened the realm. The Maya additionally believed these underground wells had been entrances to the afterlife.
Regardless of their barely creepy historical past, nowadays cenotes in Mexico are loved by foreigners and locals alike as refreshing jungle swimming holes and cave diving hot-spots. No journey to Mexico is full with out swimming in a cenote!
Right here you’ll discover particulars about Tulum cenotes, in addition to cenotes close to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Valladolid too.
After spending years dwelling in and frequently touring to Mexico as a digital nomad, I wished to place collectively a useful information to my favourite cenotes all through the Yucatan Peninsula.
Hello, I’m Matthew Karsten
I’ve been touring the world for 10+ years as knowledgeable photographer & author. I hope you get pleasure from my Mexican cenote ideas! In case you discover them helpful, utilizing my affiliate hyperlinks to ebook one thing will give me a small fee, at no further value to you. Thanks!
Mexico Cenotes Map
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you’ll discover a map of cenotes in Mexico. Click on on the highest left of the map to search out separate layers marking the route and factors of curiosity. You’ll be able to cover and present totally different layers, or click on icons on the map to see the names of locations I point out on this journey information. “Star” the map to put it aside to your individual Google Maps, or open the map in a brand new window for a bigger model. Get pleasure from!
Finest Cenotes In Mexico
What Precisely Is A Cenote?
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is legendary for its wonderful cenotes — pure swimming pools of contemporary water positioned in limestone caves. These swimming pools are linked to one another by the world’s largest underground river system.
Rain water seeps by the porous limestone, accumulating underground.
Cenotes themselves are created when the limestone floor collapses, making a cave opening into this river system. Some cenotes are “open air” which means the roof has utterly collapsed, whereas “cave cenotes” could have most or all of their roof nonetheless intact.
Many cenotes in Mexico are house to a wide range of fish and flowers, some even have turtles!
There are supposedly over 6000 totally different cenotes positioned in Mexico. Some have been was swimming holes for vacationers, others are used for technical cave scuba diving, and plenty of extra are merely inaccessible – hidden within the distant Mexican jungle.
Finest Cenotes In Tulum
Casa Cenote (Cenote Manatí)
One among my favourite Tulum cenotes, Casa is an open-air cenote that appears extra like a river than a typical cenote. Jungle crops go proper as much as the sting of it, and it’s a great place for snorkeling. It’s slender however VERY lengthy, so that you may wish to use a life jacket (they’ve them) in case you’re not a robust swimmer.
Locals name it “Cenote Manati”, as a result of there was a inhabitants of Manatees dwelling in it. Whereas they’re not there, a pleasant crocodile named “Panchito” does typically make appearances to swim with vacationers. I wouldn’t pet it, however in any other case there’s nothing to be afraid of!
Entrance Payment: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Dos Ojos
Dos Ojos Cenote is among the coolest cenotes close to Tulum. It’s very talked-about for scuba diving, because of its “two eyes” (sinkholes) separated by a 400m lengthy underwater tunnel. Nevertheless it’s additionally enjoyable for snorkeling, as there are many caves to discover which are simply above the water line.
As a result of Dos Ojos is among the most well-known cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula, it may get crowded quick. It’s really a part of an enormous cenote advanced, and there are lots of totally different ones you possibly can go to within the space.
Entrance Payment: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Gran Cenote Tulum
Gran Cenote (aka Nice Cenote) is among the closest cenotes to Tulum. The truth is it’s doable to journey a motorcycle right here if you wish to. It’s not tremendous huge, however has two cool chambers separated by a cave tunnel. In addition they have a mini turtle sanctuary!
A pleasant cenote for swimming and snorkeling, in addition they have showers and restrooms on website. It’s grown in recognition over time, and might see big crowds typically.
Entrance Payment: 180 MXN ($8 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Taak Bi-Ha
This cenote hidden within the jungle of Tulum is a particular one. A full on cave cenote, it’s lit with led lights, however nonetheless saved wanting pure, which I like. The water is tremendous clear, and snorkeling right here makes you’re feeling like a cave diver. Which, by the way in which, you’ll see lots scuba divers disappear into the abyss past.
It’s typically one of many less-crowded cenotes in Tulum, partly because of its steep value to enter in comparison with others.
Entrance Payment: 500 MXN ($24 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Automobile Wash (Aktun Ha)
The Automobile Wash Cenote is positioned proper off the street from Tulum to Coba, and was the place locals would wash their automobiles! Now it’s a correct Tulum swimming cenote the place you’ll see tons of fish, water lilys, iguanas, and even some turtles occasionally.
Automobile Wash has a number of wood leaping platforms, a rope swing, and is one other cave diving spot. There are lots of downed bushes on the backside too, making for a singular underwater world to view whereas snorkeling round.
Entrance Payment: 200 MXN ($10 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Calavera (Temple Of Doom)
Cenote Calavera will get its identify from the looks of a cranium, with three openings into the bottom. It’s a really deep cenote in Tulum which cave divers love. Excellent for leaping from the perimeters (there’s even a slender opening you possibly can drop into).
It’s typically referred to as The Temple Of Doom by skilled scuba divers. There’s a swing, in addition to a climbing rope. They’ve lounge chairs for sunbathing too.
Entrance Payment: 250 MXN ($12 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Choo Ha
This shallow water cave cenote is positioned subsequent to the ruins of Coba (about 45-minutes from Tulum). It boasts crystal clear blue water and plenty of stalagmites hanging from the ceiling. It’s a dramatic wanting cenote, and one in every of my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.
The shallow water makes this an important cenote to go to with a household or small children, though the steps down are fairly steep and slippery. So simply be further cautious! Choo Ha is definitely one in every of 3 cenotes positioned round Coba, and it’s doable to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.
Entrance Payment: 100 MXN ($5 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Kaan Luum
Laguna de Kaan Luum is a transparent shallow lake with shiny blue water which encircles a deep cenote (sinkhole). With a depth of roughly 262 toes, the waters of this cenote supposedly have magical properties.
Kaan Luum can also be good for scuba diving or freediving with the deeper space cordoned off to stop entry to swimmers. There are water hammocks, swings, and small tower that you may climb for an important view of the entire space.
Entrance Payment: 300 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click on For Map
Tulum Cenotes Tour
Favor a guided tour? Discover a few of Tulum’s stunning cenotes in addition to some Mayan ruins.
Finest Cenotes In Cancun
Cenote La Noria
The very best cenotes close to Cancun are positioned alongside the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) simply outdoors the town of Puerto Morelos. La Noria was my favourite of those cenotes. It boasts milky blue water, some rope swings, a leaping platform, and dramatic cave stalactites hanging from the roof.
Entrance Payment: 300 MXN ($14 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click on For Map
Verde Lucero
Cenote Verde Lucero is a enjoyable one, with totally different cliff leaping spots and even a zipline! A very talked-about cenote that many excursions cease at. In addition they have kayaks to hire right here. If you’re staying at a lodge in Cancun, these are a number of the closest cenotes to go to.
Entrance Payment: 300 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Sol & Luna
Cenote Sol y Luna is the primary cenote you’ll encounter on the Ruta de Cenotes. It’s a giant advanced, that includes the cenote itself, in addition to a pool, waterslides, temazcal sauna, ATV rides, and extra. The cenote is giant and inexperienced, with enjoyable zipline and a few leaping platforms. Lifejackets are offered (and required) right here.
Entrance Payment: 350 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Boca de Puma
A brilliant enjoyable cenote to go to close to Cancun is known as Boca de Puma (Mouth of the Puma). It’s really comprised of two totally different cenotes, one in a cave, the opposite open-air. In addition they have a zipline course right here, in addition to a handful of rescued spider monkeys who roam free within the jungle, however aren’t afraid of individuals in any respect. One among them wouldn’t depart Anna’s aspect!
Entrance Payment: 400 MXN ($20 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Ojo de Agua
This cool cenote referred to as Ojo de Agua has a number of openings (eyes) into the crystal clear water under. There are leaping platforms as much as 20 toes excessive, and swimming by the caves under is tremendous enjoyable. It’s a must to bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s just a little place to purchase lunch right here too.
Entrance Payment: 250 MXN ($12 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Journey Tour
Go to 4 totally different cenotes on a guided tour from Cancun. Consists of kayaking, zip-lining, rappelling, and extra!
Finest Cenotes In Playa Del Carmen
Backyard Of Eden Cenote
Cenote Jardin del Eden (Backyard of Eden) is a big open-air cenote simply outdoors Playa del Carmen. It’s fairly common with locals and expats, with plenty of shady bushes, a number of decks for leaping or sunbathing, and loads of little fish swimming round. An awesome spot for snorkeling!
Relying on the time of 12 months, and time of day, it may get crowded right here. Nevertheless as a result of it’s huge, there’s normally loads of room to unfold out.
Entrance Payment: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Azul
Positioned proper subsequent to Backyard of Eden, Cenote Azul has beautiful blue water. The “blue” cenote boasts a pleasant small cliff you possibly can soar from, a wood boardwalk, and some shaded areas to hang around.
There’s plenty of small fish on this cenote too, who will nibble in your useless pores and skin in case you put your toes within the water. A pure Mexican fish spa! Be certain that to stroll the jungle path that circles the cenote too, it’s tremendous cool.
Entrance Payment: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Yax Kin
Cenote Yax Kin is an excellent cenote in Mexico for households and youngsters. This is because of its giant shallow areas, one thing that the majority cenotes don’t have. In addition they have lounge chairs, and pathways that take you to much more cenotes which are a part of the identical advanced.
There are grills and campsites out there to hire too. Hold a watch out for all of the HUGE iguana lizards who like to hold round this cenote! Generally they chase one another up bushes. It’s fairly entertaining.
Entrance Payment: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Finest Cenotes Close to Valladolid
Ik-Kil Cenote
Cenote Ik-Kil is a brilliant common cenote close to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, and is commonly included as a cease on guided bus excursions. As such, it’s usually full of individuals. Huge vines stretch right down to the water, making it look very dramatic. Whereas cool, as a result of crowds, it’s not my favourite cenote within the space.
Entrance Payment: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Zaci-Ha
Cenote Zaci is positioned proper within the coronary heart of the Mexican city of Valladolid, and a simple bike journey from anyplace on the town. It’s not fairly as common as others, however has a number of totally different cliff jumps, some huge black fish swimming round, and typically just a little waterfall.
Entrance Payment: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Suytun
Some of the photogenic cenotes within the Yucatan, Suytun Cenote has turn out to be an Instagram sensation. Daylight streams down from a gap within the ceiling, making for a really dramatic scene. Resulting from its recognition, it may get fairly busy as everybody waits in line for a photograph on the round walkway.
Every particular person will get a few minute to pose on the walkway for photographs, earlier than they blow a whistle and let the following particular person in line get their flip. Makes a beautiful photograph, however is just not a really magical expertise like another cenotes may be. A little bit of a vacationer lure.
Entrance Payment: 150 MXN ($9 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote X’Canche
X’canche cenote is subsequent to the Mayan ruins of Ek Balam, and a part of the archaeological website. It’s fairly cool, and appears like a round crater within the floor with steep sides. It’s a few mile (1.5 km) stroll from the Mayan ruins, however in addition they supply bicycles to hire.
To get right down to the water itself, it’s good to stroll down a few very steep wood staircases. The water is much less clear than another cenotes, so there isn’t a lot to see with snorkeling gear. There are some leaping platforms, a free rope swing, plus ziplines & a rappel that you just do for an additional payment.
Entrance Payment: 70 MXN ($3.50 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 3:30pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Palomitas
This cenote in Mexico is a bit off the overwhelmed path, about 30-minutes from Valladolid. It doesn’t see as many vacationers as others do. It’s really a part of a 3-cenote advanced. It’s an enormous cave cenote, with a single gap within the prime that permits daylight to stream in. There’s additionally a knotted rope hanging down for climbing!
Entrance Payment: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4:30pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Sac-Aua
Some of the distinctive cenotes I visited in Mexico, Sac-Aua has an enormous island in the midst of it, making a doughnut form. They hire kayaks right here, so you possibly can cruise across the island. There’s additionally a leaping platform, and a bunch of iguanas hanging round. In addition they have a cavern (cave) you possibly can go to, and can prepare dinner a standard Mayan meal for lunch too.
Entrance Payment: 345 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Secreto Maya
There’s heaps to do at this cenote close to Valladolid. A 22 meter leaping platform, 10 meter rope swing, caves to discover, and once you enter, you’re handled to a standard Mayan blessing. There’s additionally meals, a swimming pool, hammocks, and an enormous colourful mural to get pleasure from once you’re performed with the cenote. Cherished this one! It wasn’t too crowded both.
Entrance Payment: 200 MXN ($10 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
How To Go to Cenotes
Rental Automobile
The very best website to ebook a rental automobile in Mexico is with Uncover Vehicles. They search each native and worldwide automobile rental firms that will help you discover the absolute best value. That is the simplest approach to hire a automobile and drive in Mexico.
Renting a automobile presents one of the best flexibility for exploring and visiting a number of the extra distant cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s my favourite approach to get round! You should use my Mexico cenote map on the prime of this text that will help you discover all of them.
Listed here are some helpful ideas for renting a automobile and driving in Mexico too. We do it quite a bit!
Take A Guided Cenote Tour
There are a number of tour choices for visiting cenotes leaving from Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Some are a part of Mayan Ruins excursions, whereas others mix cenote visits with ziplining, ATV’s and different journey actions. One common possibility leaving from Cancun is the Xenote Expertise.
Bicycle Or Taxi
A few of the Tulum cenotes may be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For many others, until you’ve got your individual rental automobile, you’ll want to rent an area taxi to take you. Typically taxi drivers offers you their enterprise card, permitting you to name them once you’re performed visiting the cenote to get a journey again into city.
Hire A Automobile In Mexico
Search each native and worldwide automobile rental firms that will help you discover a whole lot.
Ideas For Visiting Cenotes In Mexico
- To keep away from polluting the water in cenotes, most locations require you to bathe earlier than getting into. Please don’t use sunscreen both, as it may be dangerous to wildlife.
- Many cenotes in Mexico present life jackets for people who find themselves not sturdy swimmers. Most cenotes don’t have a shallow space — they are often tremendous deep.
- Some cenotes embrace rope swings, leaping platforms, zip strains, and can hire you snorkeling gear.
- Cave divers frequent some cenotes, so be certain to offer them loads of room, and watch out the place you soar!
- Some cenotes can get very crowded, relying on the season and time of day. In case you arrive at a cenote and see a bunch of tour buses, it could be price searching for one other if you wish to keep away from crowds.
- The water in most cenotes is fairly chilly, as they’re fed from underground sources.
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