Thursday, March 28, 2024

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


Cenotes in Mexico
The Finest Cenotes in Mexico
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

One in every of my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the stunning cenotes of the Yucatan. Listed below are suggestions for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and the way to take pleasure in them responsibly.

Cenotes in Mexico are tremendous cool! The Mayan individuals used cenotes to produce their historic cities (like Chichen Itza) with recent 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 realm. The Maya additionally believed these underground wells had been entrances to the afterlife.

Regardless of their barely creepy historical past, today 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 residing in and repeatedly 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 search out separate layers marking the route and factors of curiosity. You may 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 put it aside to your personal Google Maps, or open the map in a brand new window for a bigger model. Get pleasure from!

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Snorkeling in a Cenote
Cenote Swimming in Mexico

Finest Cenotes In Mexico

What Precisely Is A Cenote?

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is legendary for its superb cenotes — pure swimming pools of recent water situated in limestone caves. These swimming pools are related to one another via the world’s largest underground river system.

Rain water seeps via the porous limestone, amassing 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 quite a lot of fish and flowers, some even have turtles!

There are supposedly over 6000 completely different cenotes situated in Mexico. Some have been was 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
Casa Cenote in Tulum

Casa Cenote (Cenote Manatí)

One in every of 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 slim 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 residing 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 Price: 150 MXN ($7 USD)

Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Dos Ojos Cenote Mexico
Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) Cenote

Dos Ojos

Dos Ojos Cenote is among the coolest cenotes close to Tulum. It’s highly regarded for scuba diving, because of 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 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 possibly get crowded quick. It’s truly a part of an enormous cenote advanced, and there are lots of completely different ones you possibly can 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

Gran Cenote Tulum

Gran Cenote (aka Nice Cenote) is among the closest cenotes to Tulum. Actually it’s potential to journey a motorbike right here if you wish to. It’s not tremendous large, 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 reputation through the years, and might see large crowds typically.

Entrance Price: 180 MXN ($8 USD)

Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Cenotes in Mexico
Cenote Taak Bi-Ha

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 really 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 worth to enter in comparison with others.

Entrance Price: 500 MXN ($24 USD)

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Car Wash Cenote
Cenote Automobile Wash

Cenote Automobile Wash (Aktun Ha)

The Automobile Wash Cenote is situated proper off the highway 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 couple of wood leaping platforms, a rope swing, and is one other cave diving spot. There are a variety of 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
Calavera Cenote
Temple of Doom
Anna Hanging Out!

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 edges (there’s even a slim opening you possibly can drop into).

It’s typically 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

Choo-Ha Cenote
Choo Ha Cenote (close to Coba)

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 lots of stalagmites hanging from the ceiling. It’s a dramatic wanting cenote, and one in all my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.

The shallow water makes this an amazing cenote to go to with a household or small youngsters, 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 potential to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.

Entrance Price: 100 MXN ($5 USD)

Location: Click on For Map

Laguna Kaan Luum
Laguna Kaan Luum

Kaan Luum

Laguna de Kaan Luum is a transparent shallow lake with brilliant 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 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 you can climb for an amazing view of the entire space.

Entrance Price: 300 MXN ($15 USD)

Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm

Location: Click on For Map

Tulum Cenotes Tour

Desire a guided tour? Discover a few of Tulum’s stunning cenotes in addition to some Mayan ruins.

Finest Cenotes In Cancun

Cancun Mexico Cenote: La Noria
Cenote La Noria

Cenote La Noria

The perfect cenotes close to Cancun are situated alongside the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) simply outdoors 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

Cenotes in Cancun
Cenote Verde Lucero

Verde Lucero

Cenote Verde Lucero is a enjoyable one, with completely different cliff leaping spots and even a zipline! A highly regarded cenote that many excursions cease at. In addition they have kayaks to hire right here. In case you are staying at a lodge in Cancun, these are among the closest cenotes to go to.

Entrance Price: 300 MXN ($15 USD)

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Sol y Luna Cenote
Sol y Luna Cenote

Cenote Sol & Luna

Cenote Sol y Luna is the primary cenote you’ll encounter on the Ruta de Cenotes. It’s an enormous advanced, 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

Cancun Cenote
Boca de Puma
Spider Monkeys
Anna & Her New Good friend!

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 truly comprised of two completely 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 in every of them wouldn’t go away Anna’s aspect!

Entrance Price: 400 MXN ($20 USD)

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Ojo de Agua
Ojo de Agua Cenote

Cenote Ojo de Agua

This cool cenote known as Ojo de Agua has a number of openings (eyes) into the crystal clear water beneath. There are leaping platforms as much as 20 toes excessive, and swimming via the caves beneath is tremendous enjoyable. You need to bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s slightly place to purchase lunch right here too.

Entrance Price: 250 MXN ($12 USD)

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Mexican Cenotes

Cenote Journey Tour

Go to 4 completely different cenotes on a guided tour from Cancun. Consists of kayaking, zip-lining, rappelling, and extra!

Finest Cenotes In Playa Del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Cenote
Jardin del Eden Cenote

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 well-liked with locals and expats, with a lot of shady bushes, a number of decks for leaping or sunbathing, and loads of little fish swimming round. An incredible spot for snorkeling!

Relying on the time of yr, and time of day, it may possibly get crowded right here. Nevertheless as a result of it’s large, there may be normally loads of room to unfold out.

Entrance Price: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)

Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Azul
Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul

Situated proper subsequent to Backyard of Eden, Cenote Azul has beautiful blue water. The “blue” cenote boasts a pleasant small cliff you possibly can bounce from, a wood boardwalk, and some shaded areas to hang around.

There’s a lot 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! Ensure that 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

Cenotes for Kids
Yax-Kin Cenote

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 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 accessible to hire too. Preserve an eye fixed 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

Cenote Ik Kil Chitchen Itza
Ik-Kil Cenote

Ik-Kil Cenote

Cenote Ik-Kil is an excellent well-liked 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 individuals. Huge 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 in Valladolid

Cenote Zaci-Ha

Cenote Zaci is situated proper within the coronary heart of the Mexican city of Valladolid, and a straightforward bike journey from wherever on the town. It’s not fairly as well-liked as others, however has a couple of completely different cliff jumps, some large black fish swimming round, and typically slightly waterfall.

Entrance Price: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Suytun Valladolid
Suytun Cenote in Mexico

Cenote Suytun

One of the vital 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. Resulting from its reputation, it may possibly 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 images, earlier than they blow a whistle and let the following particular person in line get their flip. Makes an exquisite picture, however will not be a really magical expertise like another cenotes might 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 in Mexico
Cenote X’Canche

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 supply bicycles to hire.

To get right down to the water itself, it’s worthwhile 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 price.

Entrance Price: 70 MXN ($3.50 USD)

Opening Hours: 8am – 3:30pm

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Palomitas
Palomitas Cenote

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 truly a part of a 3-cenote advanced. It’s a large cave cenote, with a single gap within the high 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
Sac-Aua Cenote

Cenote Sac-Aua

One of the vital distinctive cenotes I visited in Mexico, Sac-Aua has an enormous island in the course 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 conventional Mayan meal for lunch too.

Entrance Price: 345 MXN ($17 USD)

Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Secreto Maya
Tarzan Rope Swing!

Cenote Secreto Maya

There’s tons 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 conventional Mayan blessing. There may be additionally meals, a swimming pool, hammocks, and a large colourful mural to take pleasure in once you’re executed with the cenote. Cherished 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 website to guide a rental automotive in Mexico is with Uncover Automobiles. They search each native and worldwide automotive rental firms that can assist you discover the absolute best worth. That is the simplest solution to hire a automotive and drive in Mexico.

Renting a automotive affords one of the best flexibility for exploring and visiting among the extra distant cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s my favourite solution to get round! You should use my Mexico cenote map on the high of this text that can assist you discover all of them.

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 well-liked choice leaving from Cancun is the Xenote Expertise.

Bicycle Or Taxi

A few of the Tulum cenotes might be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For many others, except you’ve got your personal rental automotive, you’ll want to rent a neighborhood taxi to take you. Typically taxi drivers offers you their enterprise card, permitting you to name them once you’re executed visiting the cenote to get a journey again into city.

Turtle Swimming
Turtle in a Cenote

Suggestions 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 bounce!
  • Some cenotes can get very crowded, relying on the season and time of day. In the event you arrive at a cenote and see a bunch of tour buses, it is likely to be value 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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READ MORE MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you loved my information on cenotes in Mexico! Hopefully you discovered it helpful. Listed below are a couple of extra wanderlust-inducing articles that I like to recommend you learn subsequent:


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