Best cenotes in Mexico

From ancient Mayan temples to golden beaches and vibrant nightlife, there is just so much the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer! No matter what, the natural turquoise swimming pools – best known as “cenotes” – are by far its most special attraction.

Well connected by a vast network of underground rivers, cenotes were born as result of the limestone bedrock collapse. Cenotes were sacred to the Mayan people, as they represented their main water supply. That’s where they usually performed important religious ceremonies and sacrifices – to them, the cenotes were gateways to the afterlife. For this reason, they’re still treated as such and you’ll be asked to keep a decent, respectful attitude while inside.

According to the guides we’ve met in Mexico, there are over 10.000 cenotes all across Yucatan. Even more surprising, many more are still discovered every year! Some of them are open to visitors, others are exclusively used by the landowners. During our two-week trip, we’ve been exploring them a lot and gathered this list of the best cenotes in Mexico!

Valladolid Cenotes

SUYTUN

Entrance Fee: $385 MXN (about $18 USD)

The Instagram famous Cenote Suytun was the very first cenote we’ve ever stepped down into. This cenote is extremely popular due to its high social media visibility – everyone wants to capture its beautiful light beam for a lifetime memory. Hard to believe as it may sound, it’s only this popularity that definitely harms the experience.

Coming straight out of Cancun, we got there around 11 am. As you can imagine, the sun wasn’t shining vertically through the roof opening yet. The rock altar in the middle was submerged due to serious previous rainfalls, but nonetheless the place looked absolutely magical. We took a swim in the crystal clear lagoon and soaked in the gnawing silence.

While midday was getting closer and tourists kept on flowing, we decided we’d rather go out for some food and return later for the perfect photo setup. However, to our great disappointment, the owner wouldn’t allow us to get back once we came out 🙁 Quite rude if you ask us, bearing in mind the entry fee (one of the most expensive cenotes in Yucatan). By the time we visited, they had a rule in place – you could only spend one hour inside the cenote – can’t really say if that’s the general case or it was just one of the corona measures.

All in all, if the ultimate Insta pic is everything you are here for, time your visit around 1 pm when the sun is in place. Otherwise, no one can argue about this cenote’s stunning beauty!

IK-KIL

Entrance Fee: $150 MXN (about $7 USD)

Should you ever come to Yucatan, there’s just no way you can miss a daytrip to Chichen-Itza! One of the seven wonders of the modern world, the heritage site gathers millions of tourists every year and will leave you in awe of the mexican ancestors’ culture. But no visit to Chichen-Itza is complete without cooling off at a neighbouring cenote in the afternoon. Just a ten-minute drive from the ruins, Ik-Kil is all you can wish for after hours of temple-hopping under the hot mexican sun! You’ll notice this cenote also becomes pretty crowded, as people finish their tours at the historical landmark.

Unlike Suytun (a cavern cenote), Cenote Ik-Kil is a semi-open one. The lush vines hanging down from the tall, limestone walls make it stand out from the crowd. Any amenities you may need are available: parking, showers, changing rooms, lockers and restaurants.

X-CANCHE

Only entrance Fee: $150 MXN (about $7 USD)
Entrance and activities Fee: $300 MXN (about $14 USD)

Located next to another ancient Mayan temple, Ek-Balam, X-Canche makes the top of the most fun and entertaining cenotes we’ve been to. When it comes to ticket, there are several options for you to choose from ws. We went for the full ticket – entry + activities – and got a nice discount (2 for 400 MXN) due to the low number of visitors that day. Also, they gave us rental bikes to ride the 2.5km road to the cenote. We had a blast zipline crossing above the cenote and rappelling straight into the water. Among other stuff you can do for free: super fun swing rope, snorkeling, or for the bravest of you – high diving. You’ll have the time of your life at one of the best cenotes in Mexico, we promise!

SAC-AUA

Entrance Fee: $190 MXN (about $9 USD)

Sac-aua is the most accurate definition of a “hidden gem”. Located only miles away from X-Canche, this cenote was advertised as a must-see by our Valladolid free-walking tour guide. The drive to the cenote takes you through several typical little Mexican villages – a great opportunity to see how real-life unravels in the small pueblos. Don’t let yourselves deceived by appearances. Despite the less touristy-looking surroundings, Sac Aua is undoubtedly worth the detour.

We were lucky enough to be the only visitors by the time we got there. Soon we would find out why: it’s one of the recently discovered cenotes, thus its marketing and popularity are still far beyond its potential. No wonder we were more than happy to have it all for ourselves! A young Mexican guy showed us around, and – even with our questionable Spanish skills – we managed to get some insights to the cenote’s history and characteristics. Sac-Aua owes its name to the massive tree whose roots are rasing up from the bottom of the cenote. Also, the island in the middle has been formed by the fall of the cenote’s roof, long time ago, contributing to the uniqueness of the place. As you can see, at that time the island was fully underwater because of the heavy rains.

We spent plenty of time kayaking and swimming inside the cenote, while our guide volunteered to take pictures of us. Besides that, we could also explore another connected cave by foot. Overall, Sac-Aua left us a brilliant impression and we’re sure it’s only little until it becomes a magnet for tourists.

Tip: If you’re keen on seeing some other cenotes in the area, Palomitas and Aguadulce are just around the corner!

X-KEKEN AND SAMULA

Entrance Fee: $350 MXN (about $16.5 USD)

These two cavern cenotes belong to the same property and you’ll be visiting them both at once. To us, X-Keken felt much more charming, thanks to the small hollow in the ceiling. Samula is completely enclosed, with huge rock formations like stalactites and pillars inside. Both of them have warm, blue, super clear water.

ZACI CENOTE

Entrance Fee: $30 MXN (about $1.5 USD)

Wearing the old, Mayan name of Valladolid, Cenote Zaci is a surprising oasis right near the city center. If you have an afternoon to kill in Valladolid, that’s the place to be. Locals often come here to chill out – you’ll notice that in the admission price too. Maybe less spectacular than other Mexico cenotes, Zaci has a huge swimming space with a man-made waterfall pouring down in the middle. Also, cliff jumpers can show themselves off from various heights.

Merida Cenotes

CENOTES HACIENDA MUCUYCHE

Entrance Fee: $480 MXN (about $22.5 USD)

If you’re dependent on big city vibes, Merida, the capital of Yucatan, is somewhere you’ll certainly end up. Just an hour drive away, Hacienda Mucuyche makes an easy, yet amazing day trip. Their entertaining guides will teach you about the history of the hacienda and invite you to swim inside the two cenotes onsite. Don’t expect any pristine, unspoiled nature in here, a great part of the place is mainly man built – however, this doesn’t make it less beautiful!

Every tour starts with the presentation of the hacienda. You’ll listen about the activities and life at the old farm and visit the preserved ruins. Then everybody gets a lifevest and jumps in the first cenote, Carlota, named after a former Belgian Empress. A beautiful, Instagram-worthy river, leads to the second cenote, Maya Azul. The rock formations in the cave are really stunning – among them, a giant mineralized pillar which symbolises the link to the underworld.

When your experience in the cenotes is complete, keep in mind the access to the nearby pool is included. Enjoy a cocktail at the bar and spend a while resting on the sunbeds before heading back to the hustle and bustle of Merida.

Tulum Cenotes

GRAND CENOTE

Entrance Fee: $300 MXN (about $14 USD)

Perhaps one of the most famous cenotes in Tulum, Grand Cenote was absolutely packed with people. The two natural pools are connected by a cave, so you can swim your way to the other side. While the crowded area is better for snorkeling and has dedicated turtle areas, the latter is quieter with azure, shallow water.

Photography wise, the best time to visit seems the afternoon, just before it closes at 5pm.

CENOTE CALAVERA

Entrance Fee: $250 MXN (about $12 USD)

If you’ve ever watched hole diving videos, there’s a big chance it was happening at Cenote Calavera. We were super excited to visit this cenote! In spite of the shady gates and poorly marked entrance, the place is cozy and well taken care of. We really loved the orange sunbeds and the small bar by the cenote. Jumping down in the water is a must – save the stairs for climbing back up and photo sesions. For your adrenaline rush, find the two narrow ground pits and let yourself “disappear”!

Here’s some other useful stuff you should know about the cenotes in Mexico:

• Showers are available at each and every cenote – and you’ll need to use them before getting wet :). Little fish and other microorganisms are crucial for the underwater environment. Keeping bug spray, sunscreen and any kind of pollutants away from the water is therefore mandatory.
• In most of the cenotes, lifevests are required, no matter if you are a confident swimmer or not. Some places include “chalecos” in the admission tax, while other times you’ll find them for rent for a small extra fee.
• Bring enough cash with you. Card payments are quite rare and on top of that, you’ll often have to tip!
• Snorkeling gear is nice to have.