Heading to Mexico and wish to go to the very best cenotes within the Mayan Riviera? In this text, I stroll you thru our prime picks.
Having spent over a yr dwelling within the Riviera Maya, now we have a ton of nice tricks to share concerning the cenotes on this area.
Mexico is internationally famend for its range of ecosystems, starting from its huge deserts and formidable forests to its stunning seashores that appear like they got here out of a portray. In addition, within the jungle and close to a few of the hottest coasts, we discover what we name “cenotes”.
Where is the Mayan Riviera?
Before we start, you is likely to be questioning, the place precisely within the Riviera Maya? Located within the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mayan Riviera refers to a area, South of Cancun. It encompasses smaller cities akin to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Puerto Morelos. If you’re searching for issues to do in Riviera Maya, take a look at our full information.
For the sake of this text although, I’m together with a number of cenotes which are positioned close to Valladolid because the cenotes there are fairly out of this world.
Technically, these cenotes are close to Merida however from expertise, once you’re planning out your route round these cenotes, a visit to Valladolid is all the time factored in.
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What is a Cenote?
A cenote is actually a sort of freshwater pool that originates from underwater rivers, as soon as soil erosion creates the opening that enables entry to water. The state of Yucatan, within the southeast of Mexico, is without doubt one of the areas of the nation that presumes the very best variety of these wonders of nature.
The Riviera Maya cenotes are, for sure, one thing you’ll be able to’t miss if you end up on this paradisiacal nook of the Mexican Caribbean. In reality, the founders of this weblog spent a yr dwelling within the Riviera Maya, exploring these beautiful underwater caverns.
The 4 varieties of cenotes. open cenote, semi-open cenote, underground cenote, and cave cenote. They all have all their very own distinctive allure, and they also’ve change into a few of the predominant sights for nature lovers and followers of underwater actions.
Many of those cenotes in Mayan Riviera could be discovered within the areas with the very best density of wildlife within the Mexican southeast, so the journey would require a automobile or bus journey to get to them.
However, it might fluctuate relying on the cenote, so right here we provide extra particulars about the very best cenotes in Riviera Maya, together with tips about tips on how to go to them. I’ve additionally included a Mayan Riviera cenotes map for every vacation spot so that you get an thought on the place they’re positioned.
Mayan Riviera Cenotes in Tulum
While now we have a full article on the very best cenotes in Tulum, listed here are the very best ones from the listing. Located an hour away from Cancun, Tulum is a hotspot visited by many.
While most individuals flock to Tulum to celebration in its white sandy seashores, there are a plethora of different actions for adventurers to get pleasure from.
Cenote Dos Ojos
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 8 am to five pm
- Location: Cenote Dos Ojos Maps
- Price: $350 MXN pesos ($17 USD) You can even hire snorkel gear for additional $
- Facilities: Showers, bogs
Let’s begin with the one that’s, unsurprisingly, among the many hottest and visited cenotes in Mexico. Not solely is it extraordinarily enticing to take a look at with its fantasy turquoise water, nevertheless it additionally provides a wide range of choices for hanging out.
Both diving rookies (accompanied by a information) and extra skilled divers can benefit from the delights of this place.
Cenote Dos Ojos consists of two our bodies of water that resemble a pair of eyes – therefore the title, because it means “two eyes” in Spanish – and caverns interconnected by subway rivers to the Sac Actún system.
As such, it kinds a part of one of the vital intensive underwater cave ecosystems on the planet and is taken into account top-of-the-line sights within the Riviera Maya. These underwater caves could be explored by scuba diving.
If you wish to go to cenote Dos Ojos, understand that it’s positioned round 20 kilometers from Tulum and it’s a must to get there by land. You can hire a automobile or take a cab, and the journey takes about 40 minutes.
The cenote is throughout the Dos Ojos Park, which in fact takes its title from the cenote but in addition homes different cenotes (Cenote Jaguar, Cenote El Pit, Cenote Nicte Ha, and Cenote Los Monos).
This space provides a wide range of actions and facilities akin to zip-lining, diving and snorkeling excursions, a restaurant for hungry vacationers, hammocks to calm down for slightly break, restrooms, and lockers which you can hire to maintain your belongings secure.
And, if you’re desirous about delving deeper into the origins of this place, you’ll be able to take part in a Mayan ceremony.
The price to enter the park is determined by the bundle you select and which actions you wish to add on. Prices vary from $350 to $700 Mexican pesos, and all of them embrace parking and secure swimming vests amongst different options that depend upon every different.
Considering that entrance to Dos Ojos provides you entry to a couple different cenotes within the Riviera Maya, the steep price ticket makes it value it.
Gran Cenote
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 8 am to 4:00 pm
- Location: Grand Cenote Maps
- Price: $300 MXN pesos ($15 USD) You can even hire snorkel gear for additional $
- Facilities: Showers, bogs, locker rental, and a small store
Gran Cenote is, as its title implies (“gran” means “big”), a really giant waterhole. This is without doubt one of the finest Riviera Maya cenotes and is incessantly visited by many.
This semi-open cenote with crystalline waters is positioned roughly 4 kilometers from Tulum, the place folks of all ages who know tips on how to swim can do completely different actions akin to swimming or snorkeling.
It can be doable to dive within the Gran Cenote though the utmost depth is 10 meters. This depth, which is comparatively shallow, is without doubt one of the explanation why it is without doubt one of the best suited cenotes for youngsters.
In the Gran Cenote, you’ll find facilities like parking, tables to eat, hammocks, restrooms, lockers, and snorkel tools rental – being one of the vital widespread cenotes, these options are important not just for the consolation of vacationers but in addition for the conservation of the place.
Fish, turtles, iguanas, and different wildlife coexist on this marvel of the Riviera Maya, so it is very important maintain the ecosystem -as in all cenotes- and never pollute any nook of this temple of nature. For this motive, it’s necessary to make use of the showers earlier than coming into the cenote in order to not contaminate the water with lotions and sunscreen.
Not being so removed from Tulum, you’ll find numerous types of land transportation. In addition to automobile or cab service, it’s also accessible by bicycle and even strolling for the extra adventurous – though, as a result of heat of the world, the latter just isn’t really useful.
The admission charge to entry the location is round $180 Mexican pesos and doesn’t embrace snorkel tools rental. It is advisable to reach early because it is without doubt one of the most accessible and widespread cenotes and there may very well be a big inflow of vacationers throughout sure hours.
And if you wish to proceed exploring the fantastic thing about Tulum, from the Gran Cenote, you’ll be able to go to the Punta Laguna Ecological Reserve or the Coba Archaeological Zone, that are each close by.
Cenote Calavera
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 9 am to 4 pm
- Location: Cenote Calavera Maps (Due to its shut proximity to Tulum downtown, this Cenote is accessible by bicycle)
- Price: $300 MXN pesos ($15 USD)
- Facilities: Showers, bogs, and a small restaurant (current additions)
Cenote Calavera (“calavera” stands for “skull” in Spanish) is the third cenote we advocate within the listing of Riviera Maya cenotes. Don’t let the title scare you, it merely derives from the truth that there are three holes that allude to what the title describes.
In this cenote, you’ll be able to swim, dive to a depth of as much as 19 meters, and snorkel, amongst different actions. There are restrooms, a small parking space, lounge chairs, a ladder to entry the cenote, and a swing; nevertheless it doesn’t have all of the facilities provided by the preferred vacationer parks. The entrance charge is barely $100 pesos.
One of its predominant execs is that not like the 2 earlier websites and regardless of mendacity lower than 2 kilometers from Tulum, it isn’t probably the most touristic cenote within the space. Cenote Calavera is one other glorious cenote to discover through scuba diving.
As a end result, the entry routes are diversified and you may go by automobile, cab, bicycle, or strolling – however, once more, you should take into consideration the sweltering warmth earlier than setting off.
The draw back goes the identical approach: being a small cenote, it doesn’t take too many individuals to make it really feel crowded. For this motive, it’s nonetheless advisable to go to it on days and instances when there could also be fewer vacationers.
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Best Tulum Cenote Tours
Don’t wish to take care of the trouble of finding out your individual transport? One of the very best methods to go to these cenotes is through an organized small group tour! Here are a number of of our really useful cenote excursions:
If you wish to learn our full article on the very best Tulum Cenotes the place we function extra cenotes across the space, click on the button beneath.
Mayan Riviera Cenotes in Puerto Morelos
While Tulum and Playa del Carmen have extra cenotes, I did wish to embrace an possibility for a non-public cenote in Puerto Morelos because it was simply an unimaginable expertise.
It is ideal for these touring as a big group or as a household. While there are not any excursions that head to this specific cenote, we advocate both getting a taxi or renting a automobile and driving there your self. At the tip of this text, I’ll share extra transport choices.
Cenote Elvira (Private Cenote)
Quick Info:
Operation Hours: 10:00am by reservation
Location: Map for Cenote Elvira
Contact: 984 270 0226
When we had been dwelling in Playa del Carmen, we gathered a bunch of pals and rented out this non-public cenote. This turned out to be top-of-the-line experiences of the journey. If you’re touring with a bunch of pals or as a household, you’ll be able to hire out this cenote for a day.
The cenote has slightly bar space the place you’ll be able to usher in meals for a picnic in addition to hammocks and chairs. The cenote itself is comparatively small nevertheless it runs deep, supplying you with the possibility to leap out and in of the opening.
This is without doubt one of the finest Mayan Riviera cenotes and is an expertise I extremely advocate doing if you happen to can.
Mayan Riviera Cenotes in Playa del Carmen
As there are over 6000 cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula alone, as you’ll be able to think about, there are additionally a handful of cenotes in Playa del Carmen.
Similar to our article concerning the cenotes in Tulum, for this part, we selected the three finest cenotes in Playa del Carmen, plus tips about tips on how to go to every one.
Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote)
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 8:30 am to five:00 pm
- Location: Cenote Azul Maps
- Price: $120 MXN pesos ($7 USD) You can even hire snorkel gear for an additional $
- Facilities: Showers, bogs, and a small restaurant
From Tulum to Playa del Carmen, there is without doubt one of the most stunning and widespread open cenotes within the area. Cenote Azul (blue cenote) is small however stunning. It is good for swimming, snorkeling, diving within the deepest areas, and even cliff-jumping into the water 4 meters excessive for the extra adventurous. Younger kids can safely get pleasure from this cenote as a result of it’s shallow in some areas.
Amenities embrace restrooms, parking, shops, and a restaurant. You can even hire snorkeling or diving tools there, in case you wish to attempt certainly one of these actions. Although Cenote Azul can get busy, it’s so giant that it doesn’t all the time really feel crowded in comparison with different smaller ones.
Likewise, we advocate that you just go to on a day and time when there are fewer vacationers. Early mornings are finest for any of those cenotes! Cenote Azul is without doubt one of the finest cenotes in Riviera Maya so be sure to head there early.
The entrance charge ranges from $80 to $150 Mexican pesos and could be reached by automobile, public transportation, or perhaps a cab from downtown, positioned 25 kilometers away from Playa del Carmen.
In Cenote Azul, it is suggested to put on water footwear and keep away from making use of sunscreen earlier than coming into, as will probably be essential to rinse it off in one of many showers beforehand in order to not contaminate the water of the cenote.
Cenote Chaak Tun
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 9:00 am to three:00 pm
- Location: Cenote Chaak Tun Maps
- Price: $100 MXN pesos ($5 USD) You can even hire snorkel gear for an additional $
- Facilities: Showers, bogs, and a small restaurant
Chaak Tun, a cenote lower than 8 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, is a well-liked attraction on this metropolis.
Not solely are you able to snorkel as in the remainder of the cenotes, however you can even take part in an ancestral ceremony to expertise firsthand the mystique of this place. You will have the ability to see turtles, a wide range of fish, and different animals that make this place a real oasis of nature. And, as if that weren’t sufficient, historical past additionally floods this place.
It is made up of three caverns, and in certainly one of them, the Mayas carried out rituals and sacrifices. Some ceramic objects had been discovered there, which could be seen on the entrance.
In Cenote Chaak Tun, along with being necessary to put on a life vest, all excursions have to be finished with a information to be able to shield each vacationers and the integrity of the world. So if you’re searching for a spot the place you’ll be able to transfer extra freely, this cenote might not be the most suitable choice for you.
The entrance charge is between $150 and $400 pesos and consists of snorkeling tools and tour, the rental of a wetsuit, life vest, water footwear, a lamp, lockers, and using the restrooms.
To get there, you’ll be able to request a shuttle service instantly from Chaak Tun employees, take a cab, or drive – you’ll be able to go away your automobile within the parking zone. It is a unbelievable possibility if you happen to’re seeking to go to a cenote in Riviera Maya with a information.
Cenote Jardin del Eden
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Sunday-Friday from 7 am to five pm (Closed Saturdays)
- Location: Cenote Jardin del Eden Maps
- Price: $200 MX
- Facilities: Lifejackets, snorkeling tools
Considering its title, which interprets as “Garden of Eden”, you’ll be able to count on nothing lower than untouched magnificence from this place. Located in the midst of the jungle and 24 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, this open cenote is without doubt one of the most stunning and largest within the space. Here you can even swim, snorkel and dive to a depth of roughly 15 meters, in addition to take a break from the noise and town.
The water within the cenotes is normally characterised by being chilly, however the location and form of Jardín del Edén enable vacationers to get pleasure from a hotter temperature, extra nice to the contact. The chance of coexisting with fascinating species akin to turtles and eels is one other of its charms.
The cenote doesn’t have a restaurant nevertheless it does have facilities akin to restrooms, palapas, and extra, for an entrance charge of $200 Mexican pesos.
Best Playa del Carmen Cenote Tours
- Hidden Cenote Exploration: Walk via this underground cave system the place you’ll be able to swim and snorkel. A scrumptious native lunch can be included on this tour!
- Riviera Maya Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim: Combine some adrenaline and tradition as you drive round a buggy within the jungle earlier than stopping at a non-public cenote for a refreshing swim.
- Tulum Ruins, Cenote & Swim with Turtles: This full-day tour takes you to a sacred cenote within the jungle and the crystal clear waters of Akumal Bay the place you’ll be able to snorkel with turtles. Lastly, it ends with a go to to Tulum Mayan ruins.
If you wish to learn our full article on the Best Playa del Carmen Cenotes, click on the button beneath.
Famous Mayan Riviera Cenotes close to Valladolid
As talked about, though Valladolid and the cenotes close to Merida are technically not within the Mayan Riviera, I wished to incorporate them on this article as I do assume it should tremendously enable you to plan your travels as normally, folks plan day journeys to see these cenotes from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
Cenote Suytun
Quick Info:
- Operation Hours: Daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Location: Cenote Suytun Maps
- Price: $120 MXN pesos ($7.50 USD) / Locker rental $35 MX ($1.75 USD)
- Facilities: Showers, bogs, and a small restaurant
This is without doubt one of the most particular cave cenotes, partly as a result of its stunning platform construction that enables guests to stroll into the center of the cenote and benefit from the nearly magical illumination that enters via a small vent on the prime of the cave.
To recognize this mystical second, it’s splendid to go to the cenote between midday and a couple of p.m., but in addition understand that it may very well be the busiest time for vacationers. If you like to discover the location with fewer vacationers, you’ll be able to go to the location earlier within the day – don’t fear concerning the darkness, as there may be synthetic lighting.
It is a shallow cave cenote, with solely 5 meters at its deepest level. Even so, it’s necessary to enter the water with a life jacket. For the identical motive, diving just isn’t an possibility on this cenote.
Its supply, nonetheless, is completely different from most different cenotes: you’ll be able to keep in one of many picturesque cabins close by, have entry to a visitor pool, a restaurant, a museum with items of Mayan tradition, and witness quite a lot of Mayan dances.
Cenote Suytun itself is reasonably for the “selfie-moment” than for underwater actions, so in case your mission is to snorkel and dive, chances are you’ll choose to go to one of many others listed right here. However, it’s nonetheless thought-about top-of-the-line Mayan Riviera cenotes.
It is positioned 9 kilometers from Valladolid, so you’ll be able to drive there and park without spending a dime or take a cab. More particulars on transportation is given on the finish of this submit. The entrance charge is $120-150 pesos and features a life jacket rental.
In our opinion, this cave cenote is value visiting, particularly if you happen to go early within the mornings so you’ll be able to catch it with out the crowds.
Cenote Ik Kil
Quick Info:
Very near Chichén Itzá and about 40 kilometers from Valladolid, Cenote Ik Kil is without doubt one of the necessary pit stops for vacationers heading to probably the most dazzling archaeological web site within the nation. Historical proof tells that this was a sacred place the place the Mayans carried out rituals and human sacrifices.
It is positioned in an ecological park that gives completely different facilities akin to bogs, lockers, shops, unique bungalows with non-public parking and air con, in addition to a restaurant with a global buffet.
With a depth of fifty meters, it’s an outdated cenote wrapped surrounded by lush jungles that can undoubtedly transport vacationers to a tropical expertise, in whole contact with nature and the ancestral and cultural mysticism of the place.
The space is house to unique animals and vegetation, akin to wild birds and timber lots of of years outdated. It is feasible to dive and snorkel, however bear in mind that it’s essential to descend many steps and that carrying the tools could be very exhausting.
We visited this cenote after a day journey to Chichen Itza and was an effective way to spend the morning! From Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil is barely a 9 minute drive. It is without doubt one of the finest cenotes within the Riviera Maya and is taken into account a should when visiting Chichen Itza.
The price to enter is $150 to $350 pesos. It just isn’t the best cenote to entry, however for a similar motive, the inflow of vacationers could also be lower than in different cenotes. You can get right here by driving or by a vacationer transport service.
Cenote Zaci
Quick Info:
This Riviera Maya cenote just isn’t on the outskirts like others however within the coronary heart of town of Valladolid. It provides an important exhibition of the area’s gastronomy, parking heaps, palapas, lookout level, handicrafts space, and tools rental.
With a most depth of 40 meters, it isn’t splendid for deep diving, however it’s for snorkeling, diving, and swimming.
Located inside Valladolid, cenote Zaci could be reached in a number of methods: on foot, by bicycle, by driving, by taking a cab, and even by public transportation. The worth of entry is claimed to be $30 pesos, though the official web site of the vacationer attraction says it’s briefly closed. Once it reopens, the worth may change.
Best Cenotes in Valladolid Tours
FAQ on Cenotes in Mayan Riviera
It is feasible, for positive. Is it preferable to know tips on how to swim? Yes, it’s. There are many shallow cenotes, and in a number of, it’s necessary to put on a life jacket, so it’s secure to go to a cenote even if you happen to don’t know tips on how to swim.
Ultimately, what’s most vital is to really feel snug within the water, because it may very well be a nerve-wracking expertise for somebody who’s frightened by the immensity and depth of those locations. Having mentioned that, most cenotes have life jackets which you’ll be able to simply hire from which makes the complete course of rather a lot safer if you happen to’re not sure on tips on how to swim.
Absolutely sure, sí, oui! The cenotes within the Mayan Riviera are not any exception as they’re a few of the most stunning within the space.
Sunscreen that doesn’t contaminate the water, a water-resistant digicam, a snug bathing go well with, water footwear (most cenotes have many rocks and slippery components), and a towel. Depending on which cenotes, a few of them have small canteens the place you should buy snacks from.
All cenotes are beautiful, however Dos Ojos is so widespread for a motive. Personally, I discover it probably the most stunning of all of them, though I’ve to say that Ik Kil just isn’t far behind. Swinging from the ropes and touchdown in the midst of the cenote is a unbelievable expertise.
In the tip, to every his personal. There are stunning cenotes that don’t supply as a lot number of actions, akin to Cenote Suytun however are thought-about value visiting as a result of photographs which you can get.
It is finest to rent the providers of a tour with skilled guides as a way to find out about its historical past, tips on how to finest discover the place, and, particularly, to remain secure. Many of the actions which you can carry out in a cenote contain a certain quantity of danger, so it’s preferable to have an expert taking care of you.
If you’re assured in driving in Mexico, one other different could be to hire a automobile and discover these cenotes by yourself. Doing it this fashion will provide you with loads of independence, permitting you to discover and swim at your individual tempo.
How to Visit Cenotes within the Mayan Riviera
When it involves visiting these cenotes, there is no such thing as a proper or flawed reply as this goes down to non-public choice. There are two predominant methods you’ll be able to go to these cenotes.
The first is thru guided excursions which I already gave suggestions for above. The second is to hire a automobile and drive to every cenote independently. Renting a automobile in Mexico is simpler than you assume and driving is fairly simple.
Having mentioned that, we advocate that you just evaluate costs earlier than hand to get the absolute best deal. Click the button beneath to get an thought how a lot it might be to hire a automobile.
That’s it for the very best cenotes within the Mayan Riviera. I hope this information helps you intend an incredible expertise whereas in Mexico. If you’re searching for extra tips about touring Mexico, be sure to take a look at our full Mexico information.
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