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Tuesday, February 25, 2025

High 31 Cenotes Close to Cancun


There’s an insane quantity of cenotes all through the Mexican Caribbean space, a lot of that are simply accessible and open to guests. Some are free or pretty low-cost and a few are a part of a extra intensive park which may price considerably extra. From a calming swim to excessive dives, cenotes supply a wealthy historical past and otherworldly magnificence. With a surplus of cenotes all through the Mexican Caribbean, guests can get pleasure from this unparalleled expertise time and again.

Cenotes are a sinkhole you may entry and swim in, pronounced seh-NO-tay. Cenotes have a deep historical past of well being and wellness within the Mayan group. Mayans thought the waters had been believed to purify and defend the soul, thus cenotes have served as the positioning for conventional rituals. 

The Mexican Caribbean space is massive, so I’ve damaged these down into the assorted areas the place yow will discover them. A few of these are two hours from Cancun, however I used Cancun as the primary level as a result of that’s the place the primary airport is. This entire space is gorgeous, so it could be a disgrace when you solely went to Cancun. Hopefully, this listing will encourage you to exit and discover. 

I like to recommend getting the automotive on the Cancun Airport, it should make it manner simpler to get to those. This whole space is straightforward to drive round in. Get a Cancun automotive rental for $11 a day!

Cenotes in Cancun

1. Cenote Fantasma

Cenote Ghost

Cenote Ghost

Cenote Fantasma also called Cenote Ghost is a big closed-in cenote with stalactites, cool clear water, and bats fluttering round. There’s a place to alter garments and purchase snacks corresponding to water and chips. The price of entry is 50 pesos and you may hire a life jacket for 20 pesos. It is a nice cease on the strategy to Chichen Itza or Ek Balam Mayan ruins or in your manner again.

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Cenotes in Tulum

2. Cenote Angelita

A very distinctive cenote, owing to its gorgeous halocline (a cloud of hydrogen sulfide that divides the freshwater from the saltwater). This cenote is 180 toes deep.

To get right here take freeway 307 south from Tulum in direction of Chetumal about 15 km on the left facet, search for a giant rock on the best facet about 8 miles (13 km) from Tulum you might be getting shut.

 


3. Cenote Calavera

Cenote Calavera

Cenote Calavera

Cenote Calavera also called the Temple of Doom named for its resemblance to a cranium is 50 toes deep. To enter the water you stroll down a path about 200 toes lengthy after which bounce in from a top of eight toes! To get out, there’s a sturdy wood ladder.

It’s straightforward to get to this cenote from Tulum. Drive out of city on the highway to Coba for about 5 minutes. You possibly can simply trip a bicycle right here in case you are solely planning to snorkel. You will note an indication with a cranium on it (the phrase calavera means “cranium” in Spanish) displaying you the place to entry the cenote. There’s a gravel parking zone near the highway. After this, it’s a brief trek via the jungle. In case you’re diving right here, the dive tables are close to the parking zone, so most individuals load up with their dive gear and do the stroll absolutely outfitted.  

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00-16:00

Admission: 100 MXN ($5 USD)


4. Cenote Gran Tulum

Gran Cenote Tulum

Gran Cenote Tulum

Gran Cenote is a well-liked limestone cenote & cavern with snorkeling areas, tools leases & boardwalks. Additionally they have altering stalls. It’s solely three miles (5 kilometers) from central Tulum. They enable guests from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Entrance to the cenote prices 180 pesos (or about $9.50). An awesome place to cease after visiting the Tulum ruins

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:00-16:45

Admission: 200 MXN ($10 USD)


5. Cenote Manatí

Situated between Puerto Aventuras and Tulum, it was the house for manatees. It’s 6 meters deep (19.6 toes) making it’s an unimaginable place to snorkel and swim the place yow will discover reef formations and a giant cave that connects to the ocean.


6. Cenote Casa

Diving in the Casa Cenote in Mexico Casa Cenote in Mexico (41787128060) 

7. Cenote Jaguar 

Cenote Jaguar is off of the Dos Ojos highway. It’s an open water cenote with three completely different leaping platforms in addition to a zipline. You need to pay to zipline throughout the cenote. Life jackets are supplied freed from cost. Snorkel and masks (MX$70) and locker (MX$50) leases can be found. Open day by day from 8 am -5 pm. Admission is MX$250 per particular person, ages 7 and up. All guests should cease on the Parque Dos Ojos Customer Middle and pay admission.

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Cenotes in Puerto Morelos

8. Cenotes Zapote

The Zapote cenote is a part of an ecological park situated alongside the ‘cenotes route’ in Puerto Morelos with three cenotes. Cenote Zapote has a bounce platform with a top of 8, 10, and 14 meters excessive. Cenote Palmas can be situated right here. It has an aquatic zip line. Cenote Abuelo Cheche is a closed cave-like cenote the place you may recognize the stalagmites and stalactites shaped for greater than 1,300 years and revel in snorkeling.  It’s best to go to this web site upfront to make a reservation forward of time. 


9. Cenote Kin Ha

Cenote Kin-Ha

Cenote Kin-Ha

There are two cenotes right here plus a slew of different actions like ATVs and horseback using. Cenote Kin-Ha is the primary cenote. It’s a stunning cave with a gap the place gentle enters to replicate enjoyable shapes all through. To swim right here it prices $23 USD.


10. Cenote Selvatica

Selvatica Cenote

Selvatica Cenote

The cenotes at Selvatica can solely be visited by these partaking within the all-inclusive journey they provide. They’ve received a zipline right here that can blow your thoughts. 


Cenotes in Riviera Maya

11. Parque Tankah 

Cenote Piraña

Cenote Piraña

Parque Tankah is residence to Cenote Piraña a cavern-like cenote. Additionally they have a lake, zip-lining, and canoeing. 


12. Kantun Chi 

Kantun Chi 

Kantun Chi

An eco-park with 5 unimaginable cenotes and a formidable underground river. It prices $26.10 USD to go to all 5. The worth additionally contains using life jackets, hammocks, solar loungers, loos, showers, dressing rooms, and lockers.


13. Dos OjosDos Ojos Cenote

Two our bodies of water are joined by underground caverns, making this cenote perfect for guided snorkeling, simply quarter-hour from Tulum. It’s a good place to do snuba and snorkel to cross under the water to a different adjoining cenote often known as the cave of the bats. The water is a cushty 25 levels and the water is obvious and refreshing. Throughout an expedition to check this cenote greater than 67 kilometers of underground routes had been discovered. 

Since that is an especially in style cenote, the sooner you arrive the higher.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday from 9:00-17:00

Admission: 350 MXN (round $18 USD)

Cenotes Dos Ojos in Yucatan, Mexico, CC BY 2.0, Hyperlink


14. Escondido CenoteEscondido Cenote

Escape the crowds and discover this hidden gem of Riviera Maya – Cenote Escondido! Get there early to have all of it for your self, or deliver your loved ones alongside as a result of its shallow waters make it good for youths. Take a dip within the refreshing turquoise pool, spot some fish with no need snorkel gear & get an adrenaline rush by zooming off from the rope swing situated simply meters away from you. After cooling down with loads of splashes, take a while out at one of many many spots out there to loosen up and take in these jaw-dropping views.

Mosquitoes are quite common right here, however be certain your repellant is biodegradable when you plan on going within the water – in any other case, skip the repellant till after you might be finished swimming.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00-17:00

Admission: 120 MXN (round $6 USD) & contains entry to Cenote Cristal


15. Cenote Cristalino aka Cenote Cristal

Cenote Cristalino

Situated near Puerto Aventuras and virtually adjoining to the aforementioned Cenote Escondido, this cenote is sort of a large pool the place you may bounce off from a cliff of 4.5 meters to swim within the crystal waters. You too can do zip strains, snorkel, and uncover the biodiversity of tropical fishes residing there.

Riviera Maya has a lot to supply guests in search of a serene getaway! Whether or not you need to benefit from the lush panorama with some refreshments at one among Cenote Cristal’s picnic tables, or take an exhilarating leap off its diving platform into glistening waters under – that is the right spot for leisure and journey.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00-17:00

Admission: 120 MXN (round $6 USD) & contains entry to Cenote Escondido


16. Cenote X’canche aka Ek Balam Cenote

Cenote X'canche aka Ek Balam Cenote

Uncover an historic paradise on the spectacular Cenote X’Canche! Constructed by the Mayans in occasions lengthy forgotten, this hidden gem holds wonders hardly ever seen: cool blue crystal waters, and winding tree roots sprawled under into mysterious depths of darkness. Stone partitions linger beside wood staircases resulting in a bridge swing and zip line – all accompanied by scurrying iguanas for added ambiance.

They’ve showers on-site. And for these not feeling the lengthy 2 km stroll to the doorway there are pedicabs or bicycle leases you should use to take you there.  (Sure, that’s me rappelling.)

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday from 9:00-17:00

Admission: A a fundamental entrance ticket is 70 pesos. For bike leases, rappelling, and ziplining it’s 400 pesos. In case you simply need to swim and aren’t up for strolling or biking to the cenote, get the 150 peso ticket that features round-trip pedicab trip to the cenote. The Ek Balam ruins are among the many costliest within the space (over 400 MXN), so plan accordingly when you want to go to each.


17. Cenote X’keken

Cenote X’Keken is an unimaginable spot with a legendary backstory! Legend has it, the cenote was found when a farmer’s pig fell into it whereas strolling sooner or later. Throughout daylight, this majestic place of wonders permits for rays of sunshine to traverse its limestone cave and create some gorgeous photographs you gained’t need to miss out on. And if that wasn’t sufficient — soak up cool refreshing water surrounded by humidity together with small black fish swimming round; who knew warmth and sweat could possibly be whisked away so simply!?

Cenote X’Keken’s ethereal blue waters are breathtaking to behold. Containing a medley of dramatic results, together with ropes for the adventurous swimmers and a wood walkway crossing one facet – this particular place is actually value visiting! The colours you see could look filtered or synthetic, however don’t be deceived because it seems they had been created naturally by daylight refracted via an overhead gap with some minor assist from lighting contained in the cenote.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:00-17:00

Admission: 150 MXN (round $8 USD)


18. Cenote Clan Destino

For a novel and unforgettable expertise, head over to Clan Destino Cenote in Riviera Maya. Situated amongst the plush jungle, its gorgeous crystal-clear waters supply up a few of the greatest swimming round – without spending a dime! All it’s a must to do is seize one thing from the bar or restaurant first. And don’t neglect about that rope swing encircled by glowing blue water – simply bear in mind your beverage stays firmly on terra firma whereas swinging away! Unwind with an ice-cold cerveza or mezcal margarita as you linger beneath fashionable civilization’s forgotten secret jewel… although be certain to not take too lengthy as a result of there are a lot of different majestic Mexican cenotes beckoning exploration.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 13:00-23:00

Admission: Free, however it’s a must to make a purchase order on the bar.


Cenotes in Valladolid, Yucatán

19. Cenote Samulá

Cenote Samulá.jpg

By Haakon S. Krohn – Personal work, CC BY 4.0, Hyperlink

Cenote Samula is a pure pool in a cavern sinkhole with dramatic hanging tree roots & stalactites. It prices 80 pesos to enter.


20. Cenote Suytun

Cenotes Suytun - panoramio (2).jpg

By Николай Максимович, CC BY 3.0, Hyperlink

Cenote Suytun is the cenote you sometimes see epic photographs of on social media. Its most notable options embody a monolithic cave stuffed with turquoise water and an idyllic stone pathway that leads out to the center of this fascinating cenote.

It’s situated simply a few meters off the primary highway 180 going East in direction of Coba and Tulum. It prices 120 pesos to go to.  A cave cenote like Cenote Suytun is exclusive since it has a gap within the roof which permits pure gentle to enter the cave. Though just a few hanging lights illuminate the cave’s inside, the steps themselves are fairly darkish. 

On the stone path extending out into the turquoise waters, you may stroll and take some wonderful photographs. From varied angles, it’s attainable to view Cenote Suytun. The most well-liked view is from the highest of the staircase. 

Cenote Suytun is greatest visited early within the morning, beginning at 9:00 – attempt to be first in line if you would like the right picture with nobody else within the image. Vacationers swim within the water and everybody desires to take photographs on the platform within the center, so it might get very crowded.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday from 9:00-17:00

Admission: 120 MXN (round $6 USD)


21. Cenote Dzitnup

Cenote Dzitnup

By, CC BY-SA 3.0, Hyperlink

Cenote Dzitnup is a limestone cave with a single opening within the ceiling. It’s free. 


22. Cenote Oxmán

Cenote Oxmán

Riviera Maya’s Cenote Oxmán is an journey to not miss! Its huge sinkhole, pure pool, and particularly its epic rope swing make it a prime vacation spot for thrill-seekers. Ensure you expertise the enjoyable early within the morning earlier than everybody else arrives – your photographs shall be so significantly better minus any solar glare brought on by an excessive amount of daylight on the water later through the day time.

Youngsters can get pleasure from this one safely as nicely with somewhat assist from adults getting them up there first! It’s roughly three meters under the highest of the wall earlier than you drop into the Oxmán Cenote. There are just a few completely different choices to enter the water. You possibly can bounce off the sting of the platform, use the rope swing, or use the staircase.

I extremely suggest bringing goggles to Oxmán Cenote if you wish to discover under the floor of the water. The water is about 45 meters deep, and there’s nice visibility.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:00-18:00

Admission: 80 MXN (round $4 USD)


Cenotes close to Chichen Itza

23. Cenote Ik Kil

Looking up at the partial hole above cenote Ik Kil in Riviera Maya.

Cenote Ik Kil is situated within the northern middle of the Yucatán Peninsula and is a part of the Ik Kil Archeological Park close to Chichen Itza. It’s open to the general public for swimming from 8 am – 5 pm for 80 pesos per particular person. A wood ladder is constructed into Ik Kil Cenote makes getting into and exiting simpler.

This construction is nearly completely round and has an inside concrete staircase, making entry very handy. A number of viewpoints are value stopping at when you’re strolling down the steps. Leaves and vines hold from the highest of the cenote and canopy the partitions till they attain the water.

Take a swim to the center of the pure pool, float in your again, and marvel on the open-air circle above! It’s the right alternative so that you can sit again, loosen up, and take all of it in.

Cenote Ik Il has altering rooms, eating places, and bogs, which is uncommon as most smaller cenotes do not need these amenities.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday from 8:00-17:00

Admission: 80 MXN ($4 USD)


Cenotes in Playa del Carmen

24. Cenote el EdenCenote Eden

Often known as Cenote Ponderosa To get right here drive south on the 307 freeway from Playa Del Carmen. You’ll move Puerto Aventuras after which about 5 minutes previous there, you will note the primary entrance to Barceló Resort on the left. There’s a massive Cenote Jardin Del Eden signal and also you comply with the dust highway again to the cenote. In case you take a cab they may drop you off on the entrance. From the doorway, you’ll stroll 1/8 mile down a mud highway to the gate the place a Mexican household lives. They cost 2 {dollars} per particular person to entry. From there you’ll stroll one other 1/2 mile to the cenote. They’ve just a few snorkel units for $3 per particular person. There have been individuals scuba diving right here.   The park provides loos and life vest leases, in addition to small palapas the place you may get pleasure from a picnic. There is no such thing as a meals or drink out there on website, so remember to pack some snacks. Alcohol just isn’t permitted.

Opening Hours: Sunday-Friday from 7:00-17:00; Closed Saturdays (Sundays would be the busiest!)

Admission: 200 MXN adults; 100 MXN kids ($10 USD / $5 USD)

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25. Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul

The gorgeous open Cenote Azul lies roughly midway between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. Cenote Azul is famend for its clear blue water (therefore its identify), which makes it good for swimming. 

Given its pure magnificence and shut proximity to each Playa del Carmen and Tulum, you may think about how busy it might get. Nevertheless, its gorgeous clear blue waters and the combo of darkish and white rock formations underwater make it a worthy contender on the listing of greatest cenotes in Riviera Maya.

There are loos, altering rooms, and a small store out there on-site.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 6:30-17:30

Admission: 120 MXN (round $6 USD)


26. Cenote Chaak Tun

In case you’re trying to get off the overwhelmed path in Playa del Carmen, take a guided tour of Cenote Chaak Tun! A 15-minute drive away and solely accessible through guided excursions as a result of security issues – the excursions final roughly two hours. – security helmets and life jackets included with admission. You’ll be taught all about this beautiful underground formation from well-trained guides as they lead you thru the caves (however beware: Bats could also be lurking!). It’s actually not for the faint of coronary heart however an eye fixed opening journey that’s certain to go away lasting impressions on these courageous sufficient to enterprise out into its depths.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday from 9:00-15:00; Sunday 9:00-13:00

Admission: 500 MXN (round $26 USD) – GUIDED TOUR ONLY!


Cenotes in Coba

27. Cenote Choo-Ha

Cenote Choo-Ha - Cobá-3.jpg

By, CC BY-SA 3.0,

Choo-Ha, Tamcach-Ha, and Multun-Ha are a collection of small cenotes near the Mayan website of Cobá in central Yucatán Peninsula. All of them are accessible to the general public for swimming. Choo-Ha has a small entrance of solely about 3 by 4 meters and it’s stuffed with stalactites and stalagmites.


28. Cenote Pac Chen

Rappelling at Pac Chen

Rappelling at Pac Chen with Mike’s Highway Journey

Pac Chen is a cool exercise the place you go to a cenote, kayak, zipline, and extra. You need to rappel down into the cenote which makes it fairly distinctive. It’s a part of a personal property tour expertise, so the one strategy to get to it’s by tour.  Close by are the Coba Mayan Ruins.


Cenotes in Cozumel

I just lately discovered that there are tons of cenotes in Cozumel however I’ve solely been to 2 thus far, so these are those I’m sharing. 

29. Cavernas de Jade Jade Cenote

Often known as Cenote Chempita it is a pleasant spot with unbelievable stalactite formations. This pretty oasis has orchids and palm timber. It is a cease on a number of of the excursions you may go on, together with the  ATV journey with Wild Excursions. It’s attainable to get right here your self, however the highway could be very a lot off-roading at occasions. 


30. Cenote El Aerolito 

Cenote El Aerolito Cenote El Aerolito is straightforward to get to, free, and accessible to everybody. This one has mangroves, Noah’s favourite. 

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Cenotes in Holbox

31. Yalahau

In accordance with legend, divers on this cenote emerge feeling ten years youthful. That is one other one that’s not straightforward to get to. The Mayans believed that cenotes held highly effective suhuy ha’, or virgin water, an Cenote El Aerolito origin of life. As well as, for hundreds of years these aquifers served as the primary supply of chilly, naturally filtered water to close by communities. Varied minerals that filtered via the water over hundreds of thousands of years have created a backdrop of spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. In case you’ve gone all the best way to Holbox you’ll positively need to learn about different issues to do in Holbox.


In case you are leaping off cliffs into cenotes you may need to contemplate getting journey insurance coverage. I like to recommend Travelex insurance coverage, due to the number of choices.

 

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top-31-cenotes-around-the-yucatan

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