When you think of Mexico, you instantly think of the gorgeous white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. But what if we told you there is even somewhere cooler to swim and snorkel in Mexico?
Put visiting a few of the best cenotes in Mexico on your bucket list. After lying on the beach in Playa del Carmen or Tulum for a few days, you’ll be ready for an adventure. There are over 6,000 cenotes in Mexico. Most cenotes are located in the Yucatan.
This cenote guide will go through some of the best cenotes in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Merida, etc. We’ve included the entrance fees and address with linked maps to help you find all of these amazing cenotes.
Jump to info on Cenotes:
- Best Cenotes in Mexico
- Cenotes Near Tulum
- Cenotes near Playa del Carmen
- Cenotes near Chichen Itza
- Cenotes near Cancun
- Best Cenote Tours
Mexico Cenote Facts
Q: What is a Cenote?
A: The Yucatan Peninsula is home to more than 6,000 cenotes or sinkholes, thought to be formed by the meteor that killed the dinosaurs. These ancient cenotes have been a special place for many millennia. They were a source of fresh water and were considered sacred places for the Mayan People.
The Mayans thought these cenotes were the doors to the underworld and would often make animal and even human sacrifices here. Thankfully, the sacrifices have stopped today, but now the cenotes are a super unique geological and historical place to explore.
A cenote is an underwater sinkhole that is revealed after the cave roof of limestone bedrock collapses. Some cenotes are completely open while others are partially collapsed, leaving some of the cenotes underground like Calavera Cenote, and some even require several steps walking underground to access.
These sinkholes are very similar to small ponds. The water in cenotes is super clear and clean. It comes from rainwater that is filtered through the ground. Each cenote is different, so we suggest visiting more than one.
Q: How Many Cenotes Are there in Mexico?
A: There are over 6,000 cenotes in Mexico. The best cenotes in Mexico are located in the Yucatan.
Q: What caused the Cenotes in Mexico to form?
A: Cenotes are formed by underground rivers carving out the limestone caves. The open-topped cenotes are generally caused by trees breaking the thinned-out layer of stone with their roots.
While cenotes exist in other parts of the world, scientists believe the same asteroid that killed the dinosaurs created the extensive system of cenotes in Mexico. There is a visible ring of cenotes that corresponds with the impact of the Chicxulub Crater impact that started the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
**Please make note that only biodegradable sunscreen should be worn. Do not apply any lotions or regular sunscreen if you’re going to visit a cenote. These lotions can be poisonous to fish and plant life. Many of the cenotes in Mexico will have signs reminding you. It’s best to bring biodegradable sunscreen with you, get it here on Amazon.
Best Cenote Tours
If you aren’t renting a car in Mexico and cannot drive yourself to several of the best cenotes in the Yucatan, the next best thing is a cenote tour. Several cenote tours in the Yucatan visit a handful of cenotes in one day.
If you’ve never been to some of the famous Mayan ruins, you should consider a cenote tour that combines Coba Ruins, Tulum Ruins, or Chichen Itza.
There is no better way to visit Chichen Itza, a cenote, and Valladolid (one of our favorite towns).
Visit Tulum Ruins, go snorkeling, includes lunch buffet, swim in a cenote, and visit Xtun Cave. This is an action-packed day!
Explore the Mayan jungle by ATV, then jump in a cenote for a little swim before heading off to the zipline!
How to Get to the Cenotes
By Rental Car:
The best way to visit the cenotes in Mexico is by renting a car. These aren’t really places you want to visit with a large group; they are best explored independently. Renting a car in Mexico can sound intimidating, but in the Riviera Maya, it is easy.
Have ultimate freedom and save tons of money on tours with your own rental car! Don’t worry – It’s safe (we’ve rented 20+ times), the roads are good, and it’s easier than you think! We always rent from Discover Cars, it’s easy & they have the best prices.
We have a complete guide to walk you through the process. Our Mexico Rental Car Guide can be found here. For the best prices and free cancelation, we always book online here with Discovercars.com
Having a car gives you the freedom to visit other nearby Riviera Maya attractions before or after a cenote.
By Taxi or Collectivo:
There are also several cenotes right off the highway near Tulum and Playa del Carmen, to which you can easily take a shared taxi.
By Guided Tour:
If driving in Mexico isn’t your thing, you can hire a private driver for the day for reasonable prices. It’s best to negotiate in person for the best prices. Another option is to join a group tour that is visiting cenotes. Many organized tours visit a cenote or two with a famous Mayan ruin like this Chichen Itza, Il Kil cenote, and Vallodid lunch tour.
See more cenote tour options here
Top 5 Must-Visit Cenotes in Mexico
1. Cenote Calavera
2. Suytun Cenote
3. Azul Cenote
4. Gran Cenote
5. Ik Kil Cenote
Best Cenotes in Mexico
Best Cenotes in Tulum
The town of Tulum along HWY 307 in the Yucatan has some of the highest concentrations of Cenotes in Mexico. The popularity of both Tulum and the cenotes has led to many of the cenotes being opened for visitors.
We’ve been to just about all of the best Tulum cenotes. Here is our mini guide to our favorites and all of the details.
Related Article: Things to do in Tulum
Dos Ojos Cenote
Dos Ojos is a must-visit cenote in Tulum. The entrance fee is rather steep, but there are actually several cenotes in the Dos Ojos complex. Some require an additional payment. If you’re a diver, this is a must-dive cenote.
- Address: Cenote Jaguar Rd, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Open daily 9 am-5 pm
- 350 MXN entrance only without equipment or 600 MXN entrance, snorkel, torch, and tour
El Pit Cenote
If you are a diver, you need to get to El Pit. It is frequently rated as the dive master’s favorite in Tulum and the Riviera Maya. This is one of the deepest known cenotes in Mexico and the deepest in the area.
What makes this cenote such a treat to dive in are the stunning beams of light that come into the narrow cave opening and penetrate deep into the cenote. Every time I visit Tulum, I am torn between diving into new cenotes or jumping back into Cenote El Pit. If you love underwater photography, you have to dive into this cenote.
El Pit is part of the Dos Ojos complex, and you enter via the same road as that cenote. There is no snorkeling in El Pit. This cenote is for divers only. This is because there is no shallow area of this cenote, and there wouldn’t be much to see for snorkelers in El Pit.
- Address: Cenote Jaguar Rd, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Open Daily 9 am-5 pm
- El Pit is part of Dos Ojos entrance fee of 350 MXN (entrance only)
*When looking for the best price and the biggest selection of hotels in Tulum, check prices on Booking.com. We’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancellation policy.*
Calavera Cenote
If you ask us, this is the best cenote in Tulum. After many trips to the Yucatan and visiting tons of other cenotes in Mexico, we love Calavera. This cenote is located just outside of Tulum. You could easily ride a bike there from Tulum Town.
It’s not on most tourists’ radar YET. None of the cenote tours stop here, so you will likely have it to yourself if you come early or in the late afternoon. We love the two holes you can jump in to access the cenote!
Snorkeling in Cenote Calavera is good, but there is also some fantastic diving. Calavera Cenote is also known as the “Temple of Doom,” as several animal skeletons can be seen if you are diving.
In addition to the historical artifacts, this cenote has an amazingly defined layer separating fresh and saltwater levels. Behind El Pit cenote, this was my favorite cenote I have dove. Read more on Cenote Calavera.
- Address: Quintana Roo 109, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
- Open Daily 9 am-5 pm
- Entrance Fee: 250 pesos
Tulum Packing List – Pack This & Not That
Carwash Cenote
- Address: QROO 109, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Open Daily 9 am-5 pm
- 50 MXN entrance fee
Gran Cenote
- Address: Quintana Roo 109, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Open Daily 8 am-5 pm
- 180 MXN entrance fee, 30 MXN locker rental, 80 MXN rent snorkeling gear
Best Cenotes in Playa del Carmen
Located halfway between Cancun and Tulum, Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist beach town with its proximity to many of the top cenotes in Mexico. The best way to reach these cenotes from Playa del Carmen is to self-drive. Renting a car in Playa del Carmen is easy and the best way to explore the cenotes.
Many of the same cenotes near Tulum can easily be visited from Playa del Carmen as well. Here is the list of Cenotes that are close to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Cenote Azul
- Address: Carretera Tulum- Cancun Km 1266, Riviera Maya, Q.R., Mexico
- Open Daily 8:30 am-5 pm
- 100 MXN entrance fee and 70 MXN for snorkel gear
Before or after visiting Cenote Azul, head over to Xpu Ha Beach. It is right down the road. It is one of our favorite beaches in the area. The beach is gorgeous and not too crowded.
Cenote Jardin del Eden
A favorite of many locals and ex-pats, Cenote Jardin del Eden is a large, clear water cenote. It’s the perfect place to cool off during a warm day in Playa del Carmen, with lots of shady trees surrounding the cenote. Here, you’ll also find a large deck and even a platform to jump in from.
However, we prefer the opposite side of the cenote because there are generally fewer people over here, and it’s very peaceful. In the middle, large rocks sit only a few feet from the surface of the water, which is fun to play around on.
Once you arrive here, you’ll see why it is called the Jardin del Eden or Garden of Eden in English. This idyllic setting with lush jungle surrounding this crystal clear turquoise-colored water is surely reminiscent of the biblical version of Eden.
Bring your snorkel, mask, and fins to explore this beautiful cenote. Also, do your part to keep this cenote clear and nature healthy by using biodegradable sunscreen or avoiding using sunscreen while in the water.
- Address: Solidaridad, Q.R., Mexico
- Open Daily 8 am-5 pm
- 100 MXN entrance fee
Cenote Chaak Tun
- Address: Avenida Benito Juarez, s/n, Playa del Carmen 77710, Mexico
- Open Daily: 9 am-5 pm
- 500 MXN entrance fee
Cenote Cristalino
- Address: Carretera Cancún – Tulum Km 269, Playa del Carmen, QROO, Mexico
- Open Daily: 8 am-6 pm (one of the cenotes to stay open the latest)
- 175 MXN entrance fee, 50 MXN locker rental, 50 MXN sunbed rental
Cenote Cristalino is right next door to Cenote Azul. If you have time, visit both!
Alux Cave Cenote Restaurant
You can even eat dinner in a cenote in Mexico in the popular tourist town of Playa del Carmen. This is a dry cave that has been converted into a restaurant. It’s one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen.
Cenotes Near Chichen Itza
Ik Kil Cenote
Several tour companies sell a combined tour of Chichen Itza and visit Il Kil cenote at the end of the day.
- Address: Cenote, Ik-Kil, Yuc., Mexico
- Open Daily: 9 am-5 pm
- 80 MXN entrance fee, 30 MXN life jackets, 30 MXN locker rental
Suytun Cenote
Suytun is the best cenote near Valladolid, a quick ten minutes from town. If you’re looking for the best cenote near Chichen Itza, definitely head to Cenote Suytun. It’s 45 minutes away.
Most tourists go to Il Kil Cenote and don’t even realize how close Suytun is. If you are renting a car in Mexico and driving yourself, we would suggest visiting both cenotes
- Address: Carretera Libre Valladolid-Cancun Kilometro 6, Valladolid, Mexico
- Open Daily: 9 am-6 pm
- 70 MXN entrance fee
Cenote X’keken
- Address: Camino a Dzitnup, Yuc., Mexico Yokdzonot Cenote
- Open Daily: 8 am-7 pm
- 80 MXN Entrance Fee for Cenote X’keken only or 125 MXN for X’keken and Samula
Cenote Samula
Similar to Suytun in style and a cracked top portion. However, there is no platform or pier to walk out on now, and it remains more natural-looking.
- Address: Camino a Dzitnup, Yuc., Mexico Yokdzonot Cenote
- Open Daily: 8 am-7 pm
- 80 MXN Entrance Fee for Cenote Samula only or 125 MXN for X’keken and Samula
Cenote Hubiku
- Address: Temozón, Yucatan, Mexico
- Open Daily: 9 am-5 pm
- 100 MXN entrance fee of 150 MXN with buffet lunch
Cenote Zaci
Cenote Zaci is located right in Valladolid. We always suggest having lunch in Vallodid after visiting Chichen Itza, and you could easily walk over and check out Cenote Zaci while in town. This isn’t the most impressive cenote, but it is super easy to get to.
- Calle 37 x Calle 39, Centro, Sta Ana, 97780 Valladolid, YUC, Mexico
- Open Daily: 8:30 am-5:30 pm
- 30 MXN entrance fee
The Best Cenotes in Merida
Cenote Xlacah
- Address: Zona Arqueológica de Dzibilchaltún, Dzibilchaltún, 97305 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
- Open Daily: 8 am-4 pm
- Free with Dzibilchaltún Mayan Ruins ticket
Los 7 Cenotes
Los 7 Cenotes isn’t just one cenote. Los 7 Cenotes is a whole-day adventure and experience located 80 minutes outside of Merida. Click here for more about Los 7 Cenotes and reviews.
- Address: Calle 22 #98 por 15 y 17, Itzimna, Itzimná, 97100 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
- Open Daily: 9 am-5 pm
- book online for a private tour
Cenote Yax Bacaltun
- Address: Carretera Homun-Laguna Yalajau km 1, 97580 Homún, Yuc., Mexico
- Open Daily
- 80 MXN entrance fee
X’batun
- Address: Carretera cenotes, Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
- Open Daily: 8 am-5 pm
- 40 MXN entrance fee
Cenote Sambulá
- Address: Calle 43 296, Sambulá, 97430 Motul de Carrillo Puerto, Yuc., Mexico
- Open Daily: 9 am-6 pm
- 12 MXN entrance fee
Cenotes are only a small part of all the amazing things there are for tourists visiting Merida. Tourists sometimes overlook this up-and-coming city, but for those looking for a more authentic side of the Yucatan, head over to Merida. Check out our Merida guide here.
Cenotes on Cozumel
If you’re vacationing in Cozumel or on a cruise that stops in Cozumel for the day, you’ll have to take the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. Once in Playa del Carmen, you can book a cenote tour or rent a car in Cozumel. They are super cheap if booked in advance here. We used to live in Playa del Carmen and never paid more than $10 a day.
There are several cenotes near Playa del Carmen and even more cenotes in Tulum, only 45 minutes away. You could make a whole day trip from Playa del Carmen to visit some of the best cenotes in Mexico.
Best Cenotes near Cancun
Most of the cenotes in the Yucatan area are between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. We would not recommend many cenotes in Cancun. The best thing to do is rent a car in Cancun for the day or your entire trip and spend a day visiting the best cenotes in Mexico.
Things To Bring To a Cenote
Depending on the cenote, you don’t want to bring too much stuff as you’ll want to spend most of the time in the water. The most famous cenotes in Mexico, like Il Kil, will have lockers you can rent to store your belongings. If you come on a cenote tour or you rented a car in the Yucatan, leave unnecessary items in the car.
1. Biodegradable sunscreen
The number one thing to bring to a cenote is biodegradable sunscreen. Regular sunscreen is not allowed in cenotes. You’ll see signs posted all over the cenotes. Regular lotions are not healthy for plants and fish in the cenotes or the ocean. Wear biodegradable sunscreen in the cenotes (since it’s a small space) and, if you can afford it, also in the ocean.
2. Water Shoes
Having a cheap pair of water shoes for cenotes is always a good idea. Not all cenotes will use them, but you’ll be happy to have them when you do. Usually, the surface around the cenotes is rocky, uneven, and slippery. Some cenotes you jump in, while others you can walk in. Buy on Amazon Now.
3. Waterproof Dry Bag
A waterproof dry bag is great to have in general for any trip, whether it be the beach, cenote, hike in the mountains, etc. You never know when you’ll get caught in a rainstorm and need a place for your expensive camera, wallet, phone, etc.
A dry bag is great to just throw all that stuff in and then jump in the cenote. Buy on Amazon now. We have a backpack dry bag, so it’s easy to hike with and holds a lot of stuff.
4. GoPro
The best camera waterproof camera is a GoPro, and it should be in your bag for visiting cenotes. We also suggest a GoPro dome for fun over-under shots. Read our article on GoPro dome tips to get those epic shots.
5. Quick Dry Towel
Bring a quick-dry towel so that by the time you get to the next cenote stop of the day, it’ll be dry. If you’re like us, you’ll want to see several of the best cenotes in Mexico. This cheap quick-dry towel is also a sand-free towel!
Diving In Cenotes
The best way to experience the cenotes is to dive in. Each cenote is very different, and most aren’t just a single sinkhole but connect to a vast underwater cave system full of chambers and swim-throughs. If you go with a licensed instructor, you only need a basic diving certification to dive in the cenotes.
A few cenotes to consider diving
Cenote Angelita – One of the most fascinating dives with a thick cloud of poison to swim through (seriously). Read More on Cenote Angelita
Cenote El Pit – A cenote you could dive over and over and always find something new and amazing. Dive into this cenote for out-of-this-world pictures of light beams and stunning cave structures. Read more on El Pit Cenote.
Cenote Calavera – By far the most fun starts to a dive with a 15-foot high giant stride into an amazing cenote dive —one of the best haloclines with a razor-sharp line separating fresh and saltwater. Read more on Cenote Calavera
Places in Mexico to Visit Before or After Cenotes
If you’ve got more time to explore Mexico, there are some amazing places in Mexico nearby you should check out. We highly recommend Isla Holbox and Bacalar if you have time. It’s our new favorite. If you can’t make it on this trip, consider them on your next trip. Make sure to check out some of our other Mexico articles to fuel your wanderlust.
2024 Isla Holbox Ultimate Guide – Must KNOW Travel Tips
Is Isla Holbox worth the trip? YES! Holbox Mexico is one of the best places in Mexico to visit. Skip Tulum! 2024 Complete Holbox guide with things to do in Holbox, best restaurants, where to stay, how to get to Holbox, and more.
5 Things To Know BEFORE Renting a Car in Cancun
Don’t rent a car in Cancun without reading this first! Cancun car rental guide: driving in Mexico tips, common scams, what to do if police pull you over, best rental car company, and more.
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