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Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

One in all my favourite issues to do in Mexico is swim within the lovely cenotes of the Yucatan. Listed here are suggestions for visiting a cenote in Mexico, and the right way to get pleasure from them responsibly.

Cenotes in Mexico are tremendous cool! The Mayan individuals 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 world. 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 dwelling in and recurrently 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 search out separate layers marking the route and factors of curiosity. You’ll be able to conceal 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. Get pleasure from!

Finest Cenotes In Mexico

What Precisely Is A Cenote?

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is legendary for its wonderful cenotes — pure swimming pools of recent water situated in limestone caves. These swimming pools are related to one another by way of the world’s largest underground river system.

Rain water seeps by way of the porous limestone, gathering 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” could have most or all of their roof nonetheless intact.

Many cenotes in Mexico are house to a wide range of fish and flora, some even have turtles!

There are supposedly over 6000 completely different cenotes situated in Mexico. Some have been changed into 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.

Finest 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 place for snorkeling. It’s slender however VERY lengthy, so that you may wish to use a life jacket (they’ve them) should you’re not a powerful swimmer.

Locals name it “Cenote Manati”, as a result of there was once a inhabitants of Manatees dwelling in it. Whereas they’re 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 Price: 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, as a consequence 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 can be 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 lots of completely different ones you possibly can go to within the space.

Entrance Price: 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 actual fact it’s potential to journey a motorbike right here if you wish to. It’s not tremendous massive, 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 web site. It’s grown in reputation through the years, and may see large crowds generally.

Entrance Price: 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 way in which, you’ll see a lot scuba divers disappear into the abyss past.

It’s usually one of many less-crowded cenotes in Tulum, partly as a consequence of its steep value to enter in comparison with others.

Entrance Price: 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 street from Tulum to Coba, and was once 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 now and again.

Automotive Wash has a couple of picket leaping platforms, a rope swing, and is one other cave diving spot. There are numerous downed timber on the backside too, making for a singular underwater world to view whereas snorkeling round.

Entrance Price: 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 possibly can drop into).

It’s generally 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 Price: 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 trying cenote, and certainly one of my favourite cenotes close to Tulum.

The shallow water makes this an awesome cenote to go to with a household or small children, though the steps down are fairly steep and slippery. So simply be additional cautious! Choo Ha is definitely certainly one of 3 cenotes situated round Coba, and it’s potential to purchase a ticket that covers all of them.

Entrance Price: 100 MXN ($5 USD)

Location: Click on For Map

Finest Cenotes In Cancun

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 massive and inexperienced, with enjoyable zipline and a few leaping platforms. Lifejackets are offered (and required) right here.

Entrance Price: 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 truly comprised of two completely 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 go away Anna’s aspect!

Entrance Price: 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 beneath. There are leaping platforms as much as 20 ft excessive, and swimming by way of the caves beneath is tremendous enjoyable. You must bathe earlier than getting in, and there’s a little bit place to purchase lunch right here too.

Entrance Price: 250 MXN ($12 USD)

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

Finest Cenotes In Playa Del Carmen

Finest Cenotes Close to Valladolid

Ik-Kil Cenote

Cenote Ik-Kil is an excellent 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 full of individuals. Huge vines stretch right down to the water, making it look very dramatic. Whereas cool, because of the crowds, it’s not my favourite cenote within the space.

Entrance Price: 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 in style as others, however has a couple of completely different cliff jumps, some massive black fish swimming round, and generally a little bit waterfall.

Entrance Price: 30 MXN ($1.50 USD)

Location: Click on For Map

Cenote Suytun

One of the crucial photogenic cenotes within the Yucatan, Suytun Cenote has turn out to be an Instagram sensation. Daylight streams down from a gap within the ceiling, making for a really dramatic scene. Resulting from its reputation, it may well 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 subsequent particular person in line get their flip. Makes a beautiful photograph, however will not be a really magical expertise like another cenotes might be. A little bit of a vacationer lure.

Entrance Price: 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 web site. 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 right down to the water itself, that you must 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 Price: 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 overwhelmed 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 high that enables daylight to stream in. There’s additionally a knotted rope hanging down for climbing!

Entrance Price: 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 an enormous island in the course of it, making a doughnut form. They lease kayaks right here, so you possibly can 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 possibly can go to, and can cook dinner a conventional Mayan meal for lunch too.

Entrance Price: 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 conventional Mayan blessing. There’s additionally meals, a swimming pool, hammocks, and an enormous colourful mural to get pleasure from if you’re performed with the cenote. Cherished this one! It wasn’t too crowded both.

Entrance Price: 200 MXN ($10 USD)

Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm

Location: Click on For Map

How To Go to Cenotes

Rental Automotive

The most effective web site to e book a rental automotive in Mexico is with Uncover Vehicles. They search each native and worldwide automotive rental firms that will help you discover the absolute best value. That is the simplest technique to lease a automotive and drive in Mexico.

Renting a automotive gives the very best flexibility for exploring and visiting a few of the extra distant cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s my favourite technique to get round! You need to use my Mexico cenote map on the high of this text that will help 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 number of the Tulum cenotes might be reached by bicycle, in addition to some cenotes close to the city of Valladolid. For many others, except you may have your personal rental automotive, you’ll want to rent a neighborhood taxi to take you. Usually taxi drivers offers you their enterprise card, permitting you to name them if you’re performed 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 robust 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 be certain that to present 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. For those who arrive at a cenote and see a bunch of tour buses, it could be price on the lookout 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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