Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the lovely cenotes of the Yucatan. Listed here are suggestions for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and methods to get pleasure from them responsibly.
Cenotes in Mexico are tremendous cool! The Mayan folks used cenotes to produce their historical cities (like Chichen Itza) with contemporary water, in addition to a sacred place to conduct sacrificial choices to their gods.
Historical artifacts and even human bones have been found in lots of.
Choices have been made to the Mayan god Chaac, the god of rain, when drought threatened the realm. The Maya additionally believed these underground wells have been entrances to the afterlife.
Regardless of their barely creepy historical past, lately 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 often touring to Mexico as a digital nomad, I needed 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 an expert photographer & author. I hope you get pleasure from my Mexican cenote suggestions! When you discover them helpful, utilizing my affiliate hyperlinks to guide one thing will give me a small fee, at no additional 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 seek out separate layers marking the route and factors of curiosity. You possibly can 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 personal Google Maps, or open the map in a brand new window for a bigger model. Take pleasure in!
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 via the world’s largest underground river system.
Rain water seeps via 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” that means the roof has fully 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 flora, some even have turtles!
There are supposedly over 6000 totally different cenotes positioned in Mexico. Some have been become swimming holes for vacationers, others are used for technical cave scuba diving, and lots of extra are merely inaccessible – hidden within the distant Mexican jungle.
Finest Cenotes In Tulum
Casa Cenote (Cenote Manatí)
Certainly one of 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 spot for snorkeling. It’s slim however VERY lengthy, so that you would possibly need to use a life jacket (they’ve them) when 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 now not there, a pleasant crocodile named “Panchito” does generally make appearances to swim with vacationers. I wouldn’t pet it, however in any other case there’s nothing to be afraid of!
Entrance Price: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Dos Ojos
Dos Ojos Cenote is likely one of the coolest cenotes close to Tulum. It’s very talked-about for scuba diving, resulting from its “two eyes” (sinkholes) separated by a 400m lengthy underwater tunnel. But it surely’s additionally enjoyable for snorkeling, as there are many caves to discover which can be simply above the water line.
As a result of Dos Ojos is likely one of the most well-known cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula, it could actually get crowded quick. It’s truly a part of an enormous cenote complicated, and there are a lot of totally different ones you’ll be able to go to within the space.
Entrance Price: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Gran Cenote Tulum
Gran Cenote (aka Nice Cenote) is likely one of the closest cenotes to Tulum. The truth is it’s attainable to journey a motorbike right here if you wish to. It’s not tremendous massive, however has two cool chambers separated by a cave tunnel. Additionally they have a mini turtle sanctuary!
A pleasant cenote for swimming and snorkeling, additionally they have showers and restrooms on web site. It’s grown in reputation over time, and might see enormous crowds generally.
Entrance Price: 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 trying pure, which I really like. The water is tremendous clear, and snorkeling right here makes you are feeling like a cave diver. Which, by the best way, you’ll see loads scuba divers disappear into the abyss past.
It’s typically one of many less-crowded cenotes in Tulum, partly resulting from its steep value to enter in comparison with others.
Entrance Price: 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 vehicles! 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 picket leaping platforms, a rope swing, and is one other cave diving spot. There are numerous downed bushes on the backside too, making for a singular underwater world to view whereas snorkeling round.
Entrance Price: 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. Good for leaping from the perimeters (there’s even a slim opening you’ll be able to drop into).
It’s generally known 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 Price: 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 lots of stalagmites hanging from the ceiling. It’s a dramatic trying cenote, and considered one of my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.
The shallow water makes this an ideal cenote to go to with a household or small youngsters, though the steps down are fairly steep and slippery. So simply be additional cautious! Choo Ha is definitely considered one of 3 cenotes positioned round Coba, and it’s attainable to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.
Entrance Price: 100 MXN ($5 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Kaan Luum
Laguna de Kaan Luum is a transparent shallow lake with vibrant 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 excellent 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 could climb for an ideal view of the entire space.
Entrance Price: 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 lovely cenotes in addition to some Mayan ruins.
Finest Cenotes In Cancun
Cenote La Noria
The perfect cenotes close to Cancun are positioned alongside the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) simply exterior 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 Price: 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. Additionally they have kayaks to lease right here. If you’re staying at a resort in Cancun, these are a number of the closest cenotes to go to.
Entrance Price: 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 an enormous complicated, that includes the cenote itself, in addition to a pool, waterslides, temazcal sauna, ATV rides, and extra. The cenote is massive and inexperienced, with enjoyable zipline and a few leaping platforms. Lifejackets are supplied (and required) right here.
Entrance Price: 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 named Boca de Puma (Mouth of the Puma). It’s truly comprised of two totally different cenotes, one in a cave, the opposite open-air. Additionally 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. Certainly one of them wouldn’t go away Anna’s facet!
Entrance Price: 400 MXN ($20 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Ojo de Agua
This cool cenote known 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 via the caves under is tremendous enjoyable. You must bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s a bit place to purchase lunch right here too.
Entrance Price: 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. Contains 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 exterior Playa del Carmen. It’s fairly common with locals and expats, with numerous shady bushes, a number of decks for leaping or sunbathing, and loads of little fish swimming round. An ideal spot for snorkeling!
Relying on the time of yr, and time of day, it could actually get crowded right here. Nonetheless as a result of it’s massive, there may be often loads of room to unfold out.
Entrance Price: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Azul
Situated proper subsequent to Backyard of Eden, Cenote Azul has beautiful blue water. The “blue” cenote boasts a pleasant small cliff you’ll be able to leap from, a picket boardwalk, and some shaded areas to hang around.
There’s numerous small fish on this cenote too, who will nibble in your lifeless pores and skin when you put your toes within the water. A pure Mexican fish spa! Be certain to stroll the jungle path that circles the cenote too, it’s tremendous cool.
Entrance Price: 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 massive shallow areas, one thing that almost all cenotes don’t have. Additionally they have lounge chairs, and pathways that take you to much more cenotes which can be a part of the identical complicated.
There are grills and campsites accessible to lease too. Hold a watch out for all of the HUGE iguana lizards who like to hold round this cenote! Typically they chase one another up bushes. It’s fairly entertaining.
Entrance Price: 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 usually included as a cease on guided bus excursions. As such, it’s typically full of folks. Large vines stretch all the way down to the water, making it look very dramatic. Whereas cool, because of the crowds, it’s not my favourite cenote within the space.
Entrance Price: 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 wherever on the town. It’s not fairly as common as others, however has a number of totally different cliff jumps, some massive black fish swimming round, and generally a bit waterfall.
Entrance Price: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Suytun
One of the crucial photogenic cenotes within the Yucatan, Suytun Cenote has grow to be an Instagram sensation. Daylight streams down from a gap within the ceiling, making for a really dramatic scene. Because of its reputation, it could actually get fairly busy as everybody waits in line for a photograph on the round walkway.
Every individual will get a couple of minute to pose on the walkway for images, earlier than they blow a whistle and let the following individual in line get their flip. Makes a beautiful photograph, however just isn’t a really magical expertise like another cenotes will be. A little bit of a vacationer lure.
Entrance Price: 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 web site. It’s fairly cool, and appears like a round crater within the floor with steep sides. It’s a couple of mile (1.5 km) stroll from the Mayan ruins, however additionally they supply bicycles to lease.
To get all the way down to the water itself, you could stroll down a few very steep picket 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 charge.
Entrance Price: 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 crushed path, about 30-minutes from Valladolid. It doesn’t see as many vacationers as others do. It’s truly a part of a 3-cenote complicated. It’s a large cave cenote, with a single gap within the prime that enables daylight to stream in. There’s additionally a knotted rope hanging down for climbing!
Entrance Price: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4:30pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Sac-Aua
One of the crucial distinctive cenotes I visited in Mexico, Sac-Aua has a large island in the course of it, making a doughnut form. They lease kayaks right here, so you’ll be able to cruise across the island. There’s additionally a leaping platform, and a bunch of iguanas hanging round. Additionally they have a cavern (cave) you’ll be able to go to, and can cook dinner a conventional Mayan meal for lunch too.
Entrance Price: 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 whenever you enter, you’re handled to a conventional Mayan blessing. There’s additionally meals, a swimming pool, hammocks, and a large colourful mural to get pleasure from whenever you’re performed with the cenote. Liked this one! It wasn’t too crowded both.
Entrance Price: 200 MXN ($10 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
How To Go to Cenotes
Rental Automobile
The perfect web site to guide a rental automobile in Mexico is with Uncover Vehicles. They search each native and worldwide automobile rental corporations that can assist you discover the very best value. That is the simplest approach to lease a automobile and drive in Mexico.
Renting a automobile gives the perfect 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 can assist you discover all of them.
Listed here are some helpful suggestions 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 number of the Tulum cenotes will be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For many others, except you’ve gotten your personal rental automobile, you’ll want to rent a neighborhood taxi to take you. Typically taxi drivers provides you with their enterprise card, permitting you to name them whenever you’re performed visiting the cenote to get a journey again into city.
Lease A Automobile In Mexico
Search each native and worldwide automobile rental corporations that can assist you discover a whole lot.
Suggestions For Visiting Cenotes In Mexico
- To keep away from polluting the water in cenotes, most locations require you to bathe earlier than coming 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 robust swimmers. Most cenotes don’t have a shallow space — they are often tremendous deep.
- Some cenotes embody rope swings, leaping platforms, zip strains, and can lease you snorkeling gear.
- Cave divers frequent some cenotes, so be sure that to present them loads of room, and watch out the place you leap!
- Some cenotes can get very crowded, relying on the season and time of day. When you arrive at a cenote and see a bunch of tour buses, it may be price in search of 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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