No trip through Mexico is complete without visiting and plunge into a beautiful cenote. The water is crystal clear and breathtaking, a must-see when you are exploring Mexico.
In the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, there are an estimated 3000 cenotes, of which about 1400 have been studied and recorded! To help you choose, we have listed the best 5 cenotes to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula.
What is a cenote?
A cenote is, as the word suggests, a cave or pool with water. The correct pronunciation is ´cej noo tey´. During your trip through Yucatan, you may encounter three types: covered, open and semi-open. The covered and semi-open cenotes are like a cave with more or less clear water in it. The open cenotes can be seen as a lagoon with crystal clear water.
For the Maya, the cenotes were sacred and were seen as a gateway to the underworld. The underworld is one of the three worlds where their gods live and it is also the realm of the dead. Therefore offerings were also made in/to the cenotes. But luckily, you won´t see or notice that anymore 😉
The cenotes now look beautiful with crystal clear water with small fish and sometimes even turtles. They are often surrounded by a wealth of nature and you see long roots of trees and plants like lianas reaching towards the water. And in these caves, you´ll see impressive rock formations.
1. Cenote Zaci
Cenote Zaci was the first cenote we visited and tops our list as one of the best cenotes in Yucatan. This cenote is in the center of Valladolid, which makes it very easy to visit. And this beauty is very affordable and strangely less popular in the Yucatan region.
You will get a strap on your wrist, so you could even come back later in the day for a second refreshing splash.
The cenote is semi-open and surrounded by a wealth of green plants. A small waterfall runs into the water from the roof of the cave. And you can jump into the water from the edge or enter the water via the stairs. Note that the cave is quite slippery due to the water. There are also regular performances by Mexicans in original Mayan clothing performing Mayan rituals for a tip. That makes it complete that this is one of our favorite Cenotes.
Ticket price: MXN$30
Address Cenote Zaci is located in de city center of Valladolid.
2. Cenote Suytun
Cenote Suytun is one of the most popular and busiest cenotes in Yucatan. It is a beautiful enclosed cenote with a platform in the water where a sunbeam shines on it around noon. It is good to know that the sunbeam is only visible around that time and actually only when it is not cloudy and preferably also some smoke (from a Mayan performance) in the cave. Those shots you see on Instagram aren't always what it´s like ;).
Other than that, it's not a big cenote, so after you queue up to take your photo on the platform, you'll be ready to go. By the way, there is a limit on your visit of a maximum of one hour. When we wanted to visit the Cenote it, unfortunately, got suddenly cloudy and the platform was more than 3 meters underwater due to the heavy rainfall in December. So check in advance whether it is worthwhile to go there, for example by reading the latest reviews on TripAdvisor.
Ticket price: MXN$120
Address Cenote Suytyn is located 8 kilometers outside Valladolid.
Be sure to check out our cool Instagram Stories for more atmospheric videos and pictures!
3. Cenote Calavera
The Calavera Cenote means skull in Spanish. The hole in the ground looks like a skull and the two smaller holes are the eyes. There are wooden stairs and a rope made of rope which makes it easy to get in and out of the cenote. For the divers among us, this is a popular cenote because at a lower level you have good visibility in the clear water.
Ticket price: MXN$350
Address: Gran Cenote is located 3 kilometers outside Tulum Pueblo.
4. Gran Cenote
The Gran Cenote is a semi-open cenote. You can swim outside in the sun in the open area, but also through the cave. There are small turtles and fish in the crystal clear water. And in the cave, you can see the most impressive rock formations. You can also rent a snorkel set, but be aware that it´s very expensive. Bring your own set if you have one. And unfortunately, you are not allowed to bring a camera inside, only your phone or a GoPro is allowed.
Ticket price: MXN$300
Address Gran Cenote is located 4 kilometers outside Tulum Pueblo. (1,5 km further than Cenote Calavera.)
5. Cenote Oxman
Just outside Valladolid, you arrive at a large villa via a long gravel path. It's a semi-open cenote with awesome Tarzan and Jane vibes! You can look down into the Cenote from above / outside. A spiral staircase takes you into this cave with beautiful natural lianas and roots that run on all sides of the cenote in search of crystal clear water. To enhance the Tarzan and Jane moment, there is a rope with which you can sling yourself in the water for a refreshing dip. A must-do!
Ticket price: MXN$250
Address: Cenote Oxman is located 5 kilometers outside Valladolid.
Insider tips for visiting the best cenotes in Yucatan
>> Our experience is that you can swim in all cenotes, but there is not always a changing cubicle or toilet available. So make sure you already have your swimwear on and don´t forget to bring a towel. The temperatures in Mexico are warm all year round, so it is quite refreshing to take a cooling dip in these crystal clear waters.
>> A life jacket is mandatory at some cenotes. Or if you have doubts about your swimming experience, you can almost always rent one.
>> In recent years, cenotes have become very popular and you see them a lot on Instagram. So make sure you get to a cenote early or an hour before closing. These are the least crowded times of the day to visit a cenote. Some cenotes are so popular that touring buses drive there with flocks of tourists. Keep in mind that they will usually arrive between 10 and 11 am.
Be sure to check out our cool Instagram Stories for more atmospheric videos and pictures!
>> At some cenotes you can choose from two entrance rates. Then you can choose whether to spend only entrance or entrance with a voucher for the restaurant.
>> Yes, there are very small to medium-sized fish in the water. If you sit still with your feet in the water, they will even nibble on your feet. Some cenotes even have turtles! Keep in mind that they are just wild animals, so don't touch them and be respectful of their surroundings.
>> Because many cenotes are a bit further out of the city and you might also want to visit the lesser-known cenotes, a rental car is the best option. Tour buses or collectivos run to the popular cenotes, but then you are dependent on a schedule and you will be less able to avoid the crowds. Some taxis will charge double or triple the rate for bringing you back to town…
>> Before you travel, please don´t underestimate how important it is to have the right travel insurance. We recommend World Nomads or Safety Wings!
More Travel Inspiration: Chichén Itzá, one of the Seven Wonders of the World – A practical visitors guide
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