Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
One of my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the lovely cenotes of the Yucatan. Here are ideas for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and the best way to take pleasure in them responsibly.
Cenotes in Mexico are tremendous cool! The Mayan individuals used cenotes to provide their historic cities (like Chichen Itza) with recent water, in addition to a sacred place to conduct sacrificial choices to their gods.
Ancient artifacts and even human bones have been discovered in lots of.
Offerings 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.
Despite 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!
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.
Mexico Cenotes Map
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you’ll discover a map of cenotes in Mexico. Click on the highest left of the map to seek out separate layers marking the route and factors of curiosity. You can disguise 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. Enjoy!
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Best Cenotes In Mexico
What Exactly Is A Cenote?
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is legendary for its wonderful cenotes — pure swimming pools of recent water positioned in limestone caves. These swimming pools are related to one another by the world’s largest underground river system.
Rain water seeps by 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” that 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 flowers, 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.
Best Cenotes In Tulum
Casa Cenote (Cenote Manatí)
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 place for snorkeling. It’s slender however VERY lengthy, so that you would possibly need to use a life jacket (they’ve them) for those who’re not a robust swimmer.
Locals name it “Cenote Manati”, as a result of there was a inhabitants of Manatees dwelling in it. While 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 Fee: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
Dos Ojos
Dos Ojos Cenote is likely one of the coolest cenotes close to Tulum. It’s highly regarded for scuba diving, on account of its “two eyes” (sinkholes) separated by a 400m lengthy underwater tunnel. But it’s additionally enjoyable for snorkeling, as there are many caves to discover which are simply above the water line.
Because Dos Ojos is likely one of the most well-known cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula, it may get crowded quick. It’s truly a part of an enormous cenote complicated, and there are numerous totally different ones you’ll be able to go to within the space.
Entrance Fee: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
Gran Cenote Tulum
Gran Cenote (aka Great Cenote) is likely one of the closest cenotes to Tulum. In reality it’s attainable 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. They even have a mini turtle sanctuary!
A pleasant cenote for swimming and snorkeling, in addition they have showers and restrooms on web site. It’s grown in recognition through the years, and may see big crowds generally.
Entrance Fee: 180 MXN ($8 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click 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 stored trying 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 a lot scuba divers disappear into the abyss past.
It’s usually one of many less-crowded cenotes in Tulum, partly on account of its steep value to enter in comparison with others.
Entrance Fee: 500 MXN ($24 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha)
The Car 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 once in a while.
Car Wash has a couple of picket 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 Fee: 200 MXN ($10 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click 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. Perfect for leaping from the perimeters (there’s even a slender opening you’ll be able to drop into).
It’s generally referred to as The Temple Of Doom by skilled scuba divers. There is a swing, in addition to a climbing rope. They have lounge chairs for sunbathing too.
Entrance Fee: 250 MXN ($12 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click 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 one among my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.
The shallow water makes this an excellent 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 one among 3 cenotes positioned round Coba, and it’s attainable to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.
Entrance Fee: 100 MXN ($5 USD)
Location: Click For Map
Kaan Luum
Laguna de Kaan Luum is a transparent shallow lake with vivid 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 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 you can climb for an excellent view of the entire space.
Entrance Fee: 300 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click For Map
Tulum Cenotes Tour
Prefer a guided tour? Explore a few of Tulum’s lovely cenotes in addition to some Mayan ruins.
Best Cenotes In Cancun
Cenote La Noria
The finest cenotes close to Cancun are positioned 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 Fee: 300 MXN ($14 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click For Map
Verde Lucero
Cenote Verde Lucero is a enjoyable one, with totally different cliff leaping spots and even a zipline! A highly regarded cenote that many excursions cease at. They even have kayaks to hire right here. If you might be staying at a lodge in Cancun, these are a number of the closest cenotes to go to.
Entrance Fee: 300 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click 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 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 offered (and required) right here.
Entrance Fee: 350 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click 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 truly comprised of two totally different cenotes, one in a cave, the opposite open-air. They even 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 of them wouldn’t go away Anna’s facet!
Entrance Fee: 400 MXN ($20 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click 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 beneath. There are leaping platforms as much as 20 toes excessive, and swimming by the caves beneath is tremendous enjoyable. You must bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s somewhat place to purchase lunch right here too.
Entrance Fee: 250 MXN ($12 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
Cenote Adventure Tour
Visit 4 totally different cenotes on a guided tour from Cancun. Includes kayaking, zip-lining, rappelling, and extra!
Best Cenotes In Playa Del Carmen
Garden Of Eden Cenote
Cenote Jardin del Eden (Garden of Eden) is a big open-air cenote simply outdoors Playa del Carmen. It’s fairly fashionable with locals and expats, with numerous shady bushes, a number of decks for leaping or sunbathing, and loads of little fish swimming round. An awesome spot for snorkeling!
Depending on the time of yr, and time of day, it may get crowded right here. However as a result of it’s large, there’s often loads of room to unfold out.
Entrance Fee: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
Cenote Azul
Located proper subsequent to Garden of Eden, Cenote Azul has beautiful blue water. The “blue” cenote boasts a pleasant small cliff you’ll be able to bounce 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 for those who put your toes within the water. A pure Mexican fish spa! Make certain to stroll the jungle path that circles the cenote too, it’s tremendous cool.
Entrance Fee: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
Cenote Yax Kin
Cenote Yax Kin is a superb cenote in Mexico for households and youngsters. This is because of its massive shallow areas, one thing that almost all cenotes don’t have. They even have lounge chairs, and pathways that take you to much more cenotes which are a part of the identical complicated.
There are grills and campsites out there to hire too. Keep a watch out for all of the HUGE iguana lizards who like to hold round this cenote! Sometimes they chase one another up bushes. It’s fairly entertaining.
Entrance Fee: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
Best Cenotes Near Valladolid
Ik-Kil Cenote
Cenote Ik-Kil is an excellent fashionable 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 filled with individuals. Massive vines stretch all the way down to the water, making it look very dramatic. While cool, as a result of crowds, it’s not my favourite cenote within the space.
Entrance Fee: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Location: Click 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 fashionable as others, however has a couple of totally different cliff jumps, some large black fish swimming round, and generally somewhat waterfall.
Entrance Fee: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)
Location: Click For Map
Cenote Suytun
One of probably the most photogenic cenotes within the Yucatan, Suytun Cenote has grow to be an Instagram sensation. Sunlight streams down from a gap within the ceiling, making for a really dramatic scene. Due to its recognition, it may get fairly busy as everybody waits in line for a photograph on the round walkway.
Each individual will get a few minute to pose on the walkway for pictures, earlier than they blow a whistle and let the following individual in line get their flip. Makes a beautiful photograph, however will not be a really magical expertise like another cenotes may be. A little bit of a vacationer lure.
Entrance Fee: 150 MXN ($9 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click 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 few mile (1.5 km) stroll from the Mayan ruins, however in addition they supply bicycles to hire.
To get all the way down to the water itself, you want to 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 Fee: 70 MXN ($3.50 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 3:30pm
Location: Click 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 an enormous 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 Fee: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4:30pm
Location: Click For Map
Cenote Sac-Aua
One of probably the most 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’ll be able to cruise across the island. There’s additionally a leaping platform, and a bunch of iguanas hanging round. They even have a cavern (cave) you’ll be able to go to, and can prepare dinner a conventional Mayan meal for lunch too.
Entrance Fee: 345 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click 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 can be meals, a swimming pool, hammocks, and an enormous colourful mural to take pleasure in whenever you’re executed with the cenote. Loved this one! It wasn’t too crowded both.
Entrance Fee: 200 MXN ($10 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click For Map
How To Visit Cenotes
Rental Car
The finest web site to ebook a rental automobile in Mexico is with Discover Cars. They search each native and worldwide automobile rental firms that will help you discover the absolute best value. This is the simplest strategy to hire a automobile and drive in Mexico.
Renting a automobile provides one of the best flexibility for exploring and visiting a number of the extra distant cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s my favourite strategy to get round! You can use my Mexico cenote map on the high of this text that will help 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 fashionable choice leaving from Cancun is the Xenote Experience.
Bicycle Or Taxi
Some of the Tulum cenotes may be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For most others, except you’ve got your personal rental automobile, you’ll want to rent an area taxi to take you. Often taxi drivers will provide you with their enterprise card, permitting you to name them whenever you’re executed visiting the cenote to get a journey again into city.
Tips 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 sturdy swimmers. Most cenotes don’t have a shallow space — they are often tremendous deep.
- Some cenotes embrace rope swings, leaping platforms, zip traces, and can hire you snorkeling gear.
- Cave divers frequent some cenotes, so ensure 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. If you arrive at a cenote and see a bunch of tour buses, it may 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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