Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Considered one of my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the lovely cenotes of the Yucatan. Listed here are ideas for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and find out how 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.
Historic 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 world. The Maya additionally believed these underground wells had been entrances to the afterlife.
Regardless of 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!
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 dwelling in and commonly 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 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 reserve it to your personal Google Maps, or open the map in a brand new window for a bigger model. Take pleasure in!
Mexico Journey Restrictions 2022
Mexico has eliminated all COVID-19 entry necessities. Assessments, vaccination particulars, and well being kinds are now not required as of January 2022. Nonetheless Individuals nonetheless must get examined in Mexico earlier than flying again to america.
Most lodges, points of interest, and personal excursions are open with new well being & security protocols in place, and also you might need to observe sure tips (like carrying masks) relying in your vacation spot.
You’ll find the most recent updates on touring to Mexico right here.
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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 positioned 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” that means the roof has fully collapsed, whereas “cave cenotes” might have most or all of their roof nonetheless intact.
Many cenotes in Mexico are dwelling to a wide range of fish and flora, some even have turtles!
There are supposedly over 6000 completely 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.
Greatest Cenotes In Tulum
Casa Cenote (Cenote Manatí)
Considered one 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 place for snorkeling. It’s slim however VERY lengthy, so that you may 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 a inhabitants of Manatees dwelling in it. Whereas they’re now 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 Payment: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Dos Ojos
Dos Ojos Cenote is without doubt one of the coolest cenotes close to Tulum. It’s extremely popular for scuba diving, resulting from 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 without doubt one of the most well-known cenotes within the Yucatan Peninsula, it may well get crowded quick. It’s truly a part of an enormous cenote advanced, and there are numerous completely different ones you’ll be able to go to within the space.
Entrance Payment: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Gran Cenote Tulum
Gran Cenote (aka Nice Cenote) is without doubt one of the closest cenotes to Tulum. In truth it’s doable to journey a motorcycle right here if you wish to. It’s not tremendous massive, however has two cool chambers separated by a cave tunnel. Additionally 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 recognition over time, and might see big crowds typically.
Entrance Payment: 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 saved trying pure, which I really like. The water is tremendous clear, and snorkeling right here makes you are feeling like a cave diver. Which, by the best way, you’ll see loads scuba divers disappear into the abyss past.
It’s typically one of many less-crowded cenotes in Tulum, partly resulting from its steep worth to enter in comparison with others.
Entrance Payment: 500 MXN ($24 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Automotive Wash (Aktun Ha)
The Automotive 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.
Automotive Wash has just a few wood leaping platforms, a rope swing, and is one other cave diving spot. There are numerous downed bushes on the backside too, making for a novel underwater world to view whereas snorkeling round.
Entrance Payment: 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. Good for leaping from the perimeters (there’s even a slim opening you’ll be able to 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 Payment: 250 MXN ($12 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: Click on 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 certainly one of my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.
The shallow water makes this an ideal cenote to go to with a household or small children, though the steps down are fairly steep and slippery. So simply be further cautious! Choo Ha is definitely certainly one of 3 cenotes positioned round Coba, and it’s doable to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.
Entrance Payment: 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 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 that you would be able to climb for an ideal view of the entire space.
Entrance Payment: 300 MXN ($15 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click on For Map
Tulum Cenotes Tour
Favor a guided tour? Discover a few of Tulum’s lovely cenotes in addition to some Mayan ruins.
Greatest Cenotes In Cancun
Cenote La Noria
The most effective cenotes close to Cancun are positioned alongside the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) simply exterior the 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 Payment: 300 MXN ($14 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm
Location: Click on For Map
Verde Lucero
Cenote Verde Lucero is a enjoyable one, with completely different cliff leaping spots and even a zipline! A extremely popular cenote that many excursions cease at. Additionally they have kayaks to lease right here. In case you are staying at a resort in Cancun, these are a number of the closest cenotes to go to.
Entrance Payment: 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 advanced, that includes the cenote itself, in addition to a pool, waterslides, temazcal sauna, ATV rides, and extra. The cenote is giant and inexperienced, with enjoyable zipline and a few leaping platforms. Lifejackets are supplied (and required) right here.
Entrance Payment: 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 is named Boca de Puma (Mouth of the Puma). It’s truly comprised of two completely different cenotes, one in a cave, the opposite open-air. Additionally 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. Considered one of them wouldn’t go away Anna’s aspect!
Entrance Payment: 400 MXN ($20 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Ojo de Agua
This cool cenote known 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 must bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s a bit place to purchase lunch right here too.
Entrance Payment: 250 MXN ($12 USD)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Journey Tour
Go to 4 completely different cenotes on a guided tour from Cancun. Consists of 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 in style with locals and expats, with plenty 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 well get crowded right here. Nonetheless as a result of it’s massive, there may be normally loads of room to unfold out.
Entrance Payment: 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’ll be able to bounce from, a wood boardwalk, and some shaded areas to hang around.
There’s plenty 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! Make sure that to stroll the jungle path that circles the cenote too, it’s tremendous cool.
Entrance Payment: 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 youngsters. This is because of its giant shallow areas, one thing that the majority cenotes don’t have. Additionally 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 lease too. Maintain an eye fixed out for all of the HUGE iguana lizards who like to hold round this cenote! Generally they chase one another up bushes. It’s fairly entertaining.
Entrance Payment: 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 in style 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. Huge vines stretch right 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 Payment: 350 MXN ($17 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Zaci-Ha
Cenote Zaci is positioned 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 in style as others, however has just a few completely different cliff jumps, some massive black fish swimming round, and typically a bit waterfall.
Entrance Payment: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Suytun
Some of the 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 recognition, it may well get fairly busy as everybody waits in line for a photograph on the round walkway.
Every individual will get a couple of minute to pose on the walkway for images, earlier than they blow a whistle and let the following individual in line get their flip. Makes an exquisite picture, however just isn’t a really magical expertise like another cenotes may be. A little bit of a vacationer lure.
Entrance Payment: 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 in addition they supply bicycles to lease.
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 simply do for an additional charge.
Entrance Payment: 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 truly a part of a 3-cenote advanced. It’s an enormous cave cenote, with a single gap within the prime that permits daylight to stream in. There’s additionally a knotted rope hanging down for climbing!
Entrance Payment: 150 MXN ($7 USD)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4:30pm
Location: Click on For Map
Cenote Sac-Aua
Some of the distinctive cenotes I visited in Mexico, Sac-Aua has an enormous island in the course of it, making a doughnut form. They lease 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. Additionally they have a cavern (cave) you’ll be able to go to, and can prepare dinner a standard Mayan meal for lunch too.
Entrance Payment: 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 if you enter, you’re handled to a standard Mayan blessing. There may be additionally meals, a swimming pool, hammocks, and an enormous colourful mural to take pleasure in if you’re finished with the cenote. Liked this one! It wasn’t too crowded both.
Entrance Payment: 200 MXN ($10 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Location: Click on For Map
How To Go to Cenotes
Rental Automotive
The most effective website to guide a rental automobile in Mexico is with Uncover Automobiles. They search each native and worldwide automobile rental corporations that can assist you discover the absolute best worth. That is the simplest solution to lease a automobile and drive in Mexico.
Renting a automobile gives one of the best flexibility for exploring and visiting a number of the extra distant cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s my favourite solution to get round! You should utilize 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 in style possibility leaving from Cancun is the Xenote Expertise.
Bicycle Or Taxi
A few of the Tulum cenotes may be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For many others, until you may have your personal rental automobile, you’ll want to rent an area taxi to take you. Typically taxi drivers offers you their enterprise card, permitting you to name them if you’re finished 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 embody rope swings, leaping platforms, zip strains, and can lease 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 perhaps price in search of 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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