21 Greatest Cenotes To Go to In Mexico (Tulum, Cancun, Yucatan)

Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

One among my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the lovely cenotes of the Yucatan. Listed here are ideas for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and find out how 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 had been made to the Mayan god Chaac, the god of rain, when drought threatened the world. 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 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.

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’ll be able to disguise and present completely 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 reserve it to your personal Google Maps, or open the map in a brand new window for a bigger model. Get pleasure from!

Greatest Cenotes In Mexico

What Precisely Is A Cenote?

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is known for its wonderful cenotes — pure swimming pools of contemporary water situated in limestone caves. These swimming pools are linked to one another by means of the world’s largest underground river system.

Rain water seeps by means of the porous limestone, gathering 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” might have most or all of their roof nonetheless intact.

Many cenotes in Mexico are residence to a wide range of fish and plants, some even have turtles!

There are supposedly over 6000 completely different cenotes situated in Mexico. Some have been became 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.

Greatest 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 vegetation go proper as much as the sting of it, and it’s a great spot for snorkeling. It’s slender however VERY lengthy, so that you may wish to use a life jacket (they’ve them) in the event you’re not a robust swimmer.

Locals name it “Cenote Manati”, as a result of there was once a inhabitants of Manatees dwelling in it. Whereas they’re 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 without doubt one of the coolest cenotes close to Tulum. It’s very fashionable for scuba diving, attributable to its “two eyes” (sinkholes) separated by a 400m lengthy underwater tunnel. However it’s additionally enjoyable for snorkeling, as there are many caves to discover which might be simply above the water line.

As a result of Dos Ojos is without doubt one of the most well-known cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula, it will probably get crowded quick. It’s really a part of an enormous cenote complicated, and there are numerous completely different ones you may 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 without doubt one of the closest cenotes to Tulum. In truth it’s doable to journey a motorcycle right here if you wish to. It’s not tremendous large, however has two cool chambers separated by a cave tunnel. Additionally 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 may see large 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 like. The water is tremendous clear, and snorkeling right here makes you are feeling like a cave diver. Which, by the way in which, you’ll see loads scuba divers disappear into the abyss past.

It’s typically one of many less-crowded cenotes in Tulum, partly attributable to 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 Automotive Wash (Aktun Ha)

The Automotive Wash Cenote is situated proper off the highway from Tulum to Coba, and was once 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.

Automotive Wash has a number of wood leaping platforms, a rope swing, and is one other cave diving spot. There are plenty of downed bushes on the backside too, making for a novel 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 title 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 edges (there’s even a slender opening you may drop into).

It’s generally 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 Price: 250 MXN ($12 USD)

Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Choo Ha

This shallow water cave cenote is situated 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 trying cenote, and one in all my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.

The shallow water makes this an incredible 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 all 3 cenotes situated round Coba, and it’s doable to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.

Entrance Price: 100 MXN ($5 USD)

Location: Click on For Map

Greatest Cenotes In Cancun

Cenote Sol & Luna

Cenote Sol y Luna is the primary cenote you’ll encounter on the Ruta de Cenotes. It’s a giant 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

An excellent enjoyable cenote to go to close to Cancun is known as Boca de Puma (Mouth of the Puma). It’s really comprised of two completely 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. One among them wouldn’t depart 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 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 ft excessive, and swimming by means of the caves under is tremendous enjoyable. You need to bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s just a little place to purchase lunch right here too.

Entrance Price: 250 MXN ($12 USD)

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Greatest Cenotes In Playa Del Carmen

Greatest Cenotes Close to Valladolid

Ik-Kil Cenote

Cenote Ik-Kil is a brilliant fashionable 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 filled with folks. Large vines stretch right 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 situated 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 fashionable as others, however has a number of completely different cliff jumps, some large black fish swimming round, and generally just a little waterfall.

Entrance Price: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Suytun

One of the photogenic cenotes within the Yucatan, Suytun Cenote has turn into an Instagram sensation. Daylight streams down from a gap within the ceiling, making for a really dramatic scene. Attributable to its recognition, it will probably get fairly busy as everybody waits in line for a photograph on the round walkway.

Every particular person will get a couple of minute to pose on the walkway for pictures, earlier than they blow a whistle and let the following particular person in line get their flip. Makes an exquisite photograph, however isn’t a really magical expertise like another cenotes could be. A little bit of a vacationer entice.

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 website. 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 in addition they provide bicycles to hire.

To get right down to the water itself, it is advisable 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 price.

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 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 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 distinctive cenotes I visited in Mexico, Sac-Aua has a large island in the midst of it, making a doughnut form. They hire kayaks right here, so you may cruise across the island. There’s additionally a leaping platform, and a bunch of iguanas hanging round. Additionally they have a cavern (cave) you may go to, and can prepare 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 carried out with the cenote. Beloved 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 Automotive

The most effective website to guide a rental automobile in Mexico is with Uncover Automobiles. They search each native and worldwide automobile rental corporations that can assist you discover the very best value. That is the simplest approach to hire a automobile and drive in Mexico.

Renting a automobile gives the very best flexibility for exploring and visiting a few 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 ideas for renting a automobile and driving in Mexico too. We do it so much!

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 fashionable choice leaving from Cancun is the Xenote Expertise.

Bicycle Or Taxi

A number of the Tulum cenotes could be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For many others, until you will have your personal rental automobile, you’ll want to rent a neighborhood taxi to take you. Usually taxi drivers will provide you with their enterprise card, permitting you to name them whenever you’re carried out visiting the cenote to get a journey again into city.

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 robust swimmers. Most cenotes don’t have a shallow space — they are often tremendous deep.
• Some cenotes embody rope swings, leaping platforms, zip traces, and can hire you snorkeling gear.
• Cave divers frequent some cenotes, so make certain to present 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. When you arrive at a cenote and see a bunch of tour buses, it is perhaps 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.