Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
One in all my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the stunning cenotes of the Yucatan. Listed below are ideas for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and the right way to take pleasure in them responsibly.
Cenotes in Mexico are tremendous cool! The Mayan folks used cenotes to provide their historical 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 have been made to the Mayan god Chaac, the god of rain, when drought threatened the realm. The Maya additionally believed these underground wells have 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 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 on the highest left of the map to seek out separate layers marking the route and factors of curiosity. You’ll be able to conceal 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 reserve it to your personal Google Maps, or open the map in a brand new window for a bigger model. Take pleasure in!
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Greatest Cenotes In Mexico
What Precisely Is A Cenote?
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is known for its wonderful 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, accumulating 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 totally different cenotes situated in Mexico. Some have been become 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 in all 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 would possibly need 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 once a inhabitants of Manatees residing in it. Whereas 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 Charge: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Dos Ojos
Dos Ojos Cenote is likely one of the coolest cenotes close to Tulum. It’s very talked-about 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 likely one of the most well-known cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula, it may possibly get crowded quick. It’s really a part of an enormous cenote complicated, and there are a lot of totally different ones you may go to within the space.
Entrance Charge: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Gran Cenote Tulum
Gran Cenote (aka Nice Cenote) is likely one of the closest cenotes to Tulum. Actually it’s potential 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. In addition they have a mini turtle sanctuary!
A pleasant cenote for swimming and snorkeling, additionally they have showers and restrooms on website. It’s grown in reputation through the years, and may see large crowds generally.
Entrance Charge: 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 stored 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 best way, you’ll see loads scuba divers disappear into the abyss past.
It’s usually one of many less-crowded cenotes in Tulum, partly because of its steep value to enter in comparison with others.
Entrance Charge: 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 just a few picket leaping platforms, a rope swing, and is one other cave diving spot. There are plenty of downed timber on the backside too, making for a singular underwater world to view whereas snorkeling round.
Entrance Charge: 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. Excellent 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 Charge: 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 wanting cenote, and one in every of my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.
The shallow water makes this an important 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 every of 3 cenotes situated round Coba, and it’s potential to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.
Entrance Charge: 100 MXN ($5 USD)
Location: Click on 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 ft, the waters of this cenote supposedly have magical properties.
Kaan Luum can also be good for scuba diving or freediving with the deeper space cordoned off to forestall entry to swimmers. There are water hammocks, swings, and small tower which you could climb for an important view of the entire space.
Entrance Charge: 300 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click on For Map
Tulum Cenotes Tour
Choose a guided tour? Discover a few of Tulum’s stunning cenotes in addition to some Mayan ruins.
Greatest Cenotes In Cancun
Cenote La Noria
The very best cenotes close to Cancun are situated alongside the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) simply exterior 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 Charge: 300 MXN ($14 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click on For Map
Verde Lucero
Cenote Verde Lucero is a enjoyable one, with totally different cliff leaping spots and even a zipline! A very talked-about cenote that many excursions cease at. In addition they have kayaks to lease right here. If you’re staying at a lodge in Cancun, these are among the closest cenotes to go to.
Entrance Charge: 300 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on 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 supplied (and required) right here.
Entrance Charge: 350 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Boca de Puma
A brilliant enjoyable cenote to go to close to Cancun known as Boca de Puma (Mouth of the Puma). It’s really comprised of two totally 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 all them wouldn’t depart Anna’s aspect!
Entrance Charge: 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 via the caves under is tremendous enjoyable. You need to bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s a bit of place to purchase lunch right here too.
Entrance Charge: 250 MXN ($12 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Journey Tour
Go to 4 totally different cenotes on a guided tour from Cancun. Contains kayaking, zip-lining, rappelling, and extra!
Greatest Cenotes In Playa Del Carmen
Backyard Of Eden Cenote
Cenote Jardin del Eden (Backyard of Eden) is a big open-air cenote simply exterior Playa del Carmen. It’s fairly common with locals and expats, with a lot of shady timber, a number of decks for leaping or sunbathing, and loads of little fish swimming round. An excellent 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’s often loads of room to unfold out.
Entrance Charge: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Azul
Positioned proper subsequent to Backyard of Eden, Cenote Azul has gorgeous blue water. The “blue” cenote boasts a pleasant small cliff you may soar from, a picket boardwalk, and some shaded areas to hang around.
There’s a lot of small fish on this cenote too, who will nibble in your lifeless pores and skin in case you put your ft within the water. A pure Mexican fish spa! Be sure that to stroll the jungle path that circles the cenote too, it’s tremendous cool.
Entrance Charge: 100 MXN ($4.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Yax Kin
Cenote Yax Kin is an excellent cenote in Mexico for households and children. This is because of its massive shallow areas, one thing that almost all 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 complicated.
There are grills and campsites obtainable to lease too. Maintain a watch out for all of the HUGE iguana lizards who like to hold round this cenote! Generally they chase one another up timber. It’s fairly entertaining.
Entrance Charge: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Greatest Cenotes Close to Valladolid
Ik-Kil Cenote
Cenote Ik-Kil is a brilliant common cenote close to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, and is commonly included as a cease on guided bus excursions. As such, it’s typically full of folks. Large vines stretch all the way down to the water, making it look very dramatic. Whereas cool, as a result of crowds, it’s not my favourite cenote within the space.
Entrance Charge: 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 straightforward bike journey from wherever on the town. It’s not fairly as common as others, however has just a few totally different cliff jumps, some large black fish swimming round, and generally a bit of waterfall.
Entrance Charge: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Suytun
One of the crucial photogenic cenotes within the Yucatan, Suytun Cenote has grow to be an Instagram sensation. Daylight streams down from a gap within the ceiling, making for a really dramatic scene. Attributable to 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 photographs, earlier than they blow a whistle and let the following particular person in line get their flip. Makes a beautiful picture, however isn’t a really magical expertise like another cenotes will be. A little bit of a vacationer lure.
Entrance Charge: 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 additionally they provide bicycles to lease.
To get all the way down to the water itself, it’s worthwhile 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 payment.
Entrance Charge: 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 crushed 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 Charge: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4:30pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Sac-Aua
One of the crucial distinctive cenotes I visited in Mexico, Sac-Aua has a large island in the midst of it, making a doughnut form. They lease kayaks right here, so you may 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 may go to, and can prepare dinner a conventional Mayan meal for lunch too.
Entrance Charge: 345 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
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 achieved with the cenote. Cherished this one! It wasn’t too crowded both.
Entrance Charge: 200 MXN ($10 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
How To Go to Cenotes
Rental Automotive
The very best website to guide a rental automobile in Mexico is with Uncover Automobiles. They search each native and worldwide automobile rental firms that can assist you discover the very best value. That is the best approach to lease a automobile and drive in Mexico.
Renting a automobile gives the very best flexibility for exploring and visiting among the extra distant cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s my favourite approach to get round! You need to use my Mexico cenote map on the prime 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 common possibility leaving from Cancun is the Xenote Expertise.
Bicycle Or Taxi
A few of the Tulum cenotes will be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For many others, except you will have your personal rental automobile, you’ll want to rent a neighborhood taxi to take you. Usually taxi drivers gives you their enterprise card, permitting you to name them once you’re achieved visiting the cenote to get a journey again into city.
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 traces, and can lease 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. If you happen to arrive at a cenote and see a bunch of tour buses, it is likely to be price 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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