Below you can find a list of some of the best cenotes near Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Coba and Valladolid. These Mexican water holes are sure to highlight your trip to Mexico.

Everything you need to know about the Cenotes in Mexico

What is a Cenote?

Cenotes are a unique natural phenomenon in Mexico. A cenote (the name, by the way, comes from the Mayan word “ts’ono’ot) is a natural entrance hole (sinkhole) that gives access to the impressive water-filled grottoes.

These are surrounded by fresh water at the surface and then turn into salt water at depth. Cenotes are formed from collapsed and dissolved limestone segments that have developed over the underground river and cave system.

How many Cenotes are there in Mexico?

There are more than 6000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula. The most famous are located near Tulum and along the Riviera Maya.

What to do at a Cenote?

Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, zip-lining, etc.

Activities vary, among other things, according to the water’s depth and the size and type of cenote. I have linked some great activities that you can do at the Cenotes.

Cenotes bike tour with Lunch
Snorkel with turtles and discover cenotes
ATVs Cenotes
Cenotes Adventure Activity

How much does it cost to enter the Cenotes?

The price of the cenotes varies greatly depending on their location.

As the cenotes in the Riviera Maya are much more touristy, the entrance fee is around 150-300 pesos, but others can cost as little as 35 or 50 pesos.

There really is something for every budget.

When is the best time to visit Cenotes?

If it is a very touristy cenote, go in the morning before 10:30 or after 15:00 to avoid the crowds.

Also, keep in mind that local families usually visit cenotes on Saturdays and Sundays, so I suggest you go during the week to have a more relaxed time.

What to bring to a Cenote

• Bathing suit
• Towel
• Cash is very important because cards are not accepted. So bring enough money for the entrance fee to the cenote and extra expenses (locker rental, something to eat, etc.).
• Waterproof case for your cell phone: you will be able to film and take pictures underwater with your phone.
• Sandals and comfortable shoes: to get to the entrance of some cenotes, you may have to walk along a rocky path.
• Aquashoes: you can actually wear just sandals, but the cenotes are surrounded by rock, and it is much more comfortable for your feet to wear aqua shoes!
• Snorkel Mask and Snorkel Tube: very useful to fully enjoy the cenote and observe underwater!
• Enough drinking water: cenotes are usually located in warm and humid areas. It is important to stay hydrated.

Are Cenotes dangerous?

There always comes a particular danger when it comes to water. Caution should always be taken because cenotes are fed by subway rivers, and, even if there is minimal current, there can be a suction effect in some places. It should also be said that the stones can be pretty slippery, so be careful.

Many Cenotes also rent life jackets (usually available for free or low cost, depending on the cenote). This is especially great for children or anyone not very comfortable swimming.

There are no crocodiles or other animals that could be a threat, and there are only some small fish, turtles, and sometimes bats.

How to get to the Cenotes in Mexico

If a cenote is next to an archaeological ruin or near a town, you should be able to reach it by colectivos or shared cabs. However, you will save yourself a lot of time and effort if you rent a car, as many cenotes are located off the main roads and are more difficult to reach by public transportation. Especially if you want to visit more than one cenote in a day. You can compare car rental deals and find the lowest prices on Rentalcars.com

Should I visit the Cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula alone or with a Tour?

Of course, it is great fun to explore the Cenotes at your own pace and take as much time as you want for each spot but if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of renting a car or hiring a taxi, consider joining a cenote tour instead. There are several cenote tours to choose from, but the most popular ones are:

Cenotes bike tour with Lunch
Snorkel with turtles and discover cenotes
ATVs Cenotes
Cenotes Adventure Activity

The Bests Cenotes in Yucatan (Mexico)

Less Crowded Cenotes near Tulum and Playa del Carmen

Cenote Manatí (aka Casa Cenote)

Entrance fee: 120 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm

It is an open cenote bordered by mangroves. You have a lot of swimming space; as a highlight, there is a peaceful crocodile to see. Furthermore, there is no life jacket obligation, so free divers and snorkelers get their money’s worth.

Cenote Calavera

Entrance fee: 250 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Only about 2 kilometers from Tulum, you can visit the skull cenote (which means Calavera translated). The cenote got its name from the fact that it has three openings that look like two eyes and a mouth. The best way to refresh yourself in the cenote is to jump into one of these holes. With the eyes, it’s a bit adventurous, and you have to balance your jump well.

Cenote Cristalino and Escondido Cenote

Entrance fee: 150 MXN Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm

The Cenote Cristalino near Playa del Carmen lives up to its name because the water is crystal clear. In the cenote, you can swim relaxed, snorkel or jump from the about four-meter high cliff. The cenote is almost completely open and densely overgrown with mangroves. Snorkeling equipment can be rented.

Cenotes Yaxmuul

Entrance fee: 400 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Yax-Muul, or green hill in the Mayan language, is a natural site that offers two spectacular cenotes, which can be considered the most beautiful in the Riviera Maya. Its waters are refreshing, and the interior rock formations range from stalactites and stalagmites to columns.

More Crowded Cenotes near Tulum and Playa del Carmen but still worth visiting

Gran Cenote

Entrance fee: 500 MXN

One of the most giant cenotes near Tulum is the Gran Cenote. You’ve probably seen a photo on Instagram before because this is one of the most popular and also the most beautiful cenotes on Yucatan. In the Gran Cenote, there are some fish and exciting rock formations. Therefore, diving and snorkeling here are particularly worthwhile.

Cenote Azul

Entrance fee: 120 MXN Opening hours: 8:30am – 05:30pm

It is also easily reached from Playa del Carmen with a colectivo in the direction of Tulum. The Cenote Azul, which means blue cenote, is also quite a large and open cenote. Underwater you can observe rock formations and small fish. You can also take a small cliff jump here.

Cenote Dos Ojos

Entrance fee: 350 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Dos Ojos is not only the most extended cave system but also one of the most famous cenotes. Especially divers are attracted to Dos Ojos because you can explore the cave system by diving here. You can also snorkel and swim in the two cenotes, which look like two eyes.

Cenote Ponderosa

Entrance fee: 200 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (closed on Saturdays)

Only 20 minutes by colectivo from Playa del Carmen is the Cenote Jardin del Eden (Garden of Eden). It is a large open cenote with a pleasant water temperature. Green nature and crystal clear water make the Cenote Eden a small paradise.

Less Crowded Cenotes near Coba

Cenote Carwash/Aktun-Ha

Entrance fee: 50 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

The Cenote Carwash is popular with divers. You can also go swimming in the large natural pool. When diving, the cenote near Tulum and Coba unfolds its true beauty, and pretty stalagmites can be explored extensively. In the Cenote Carwash is also a small crocodile, which you can see with a little luck.

Cenote Choo-Ha

Entrance fee: 100 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm

Located 10 minutes from Coba on the road, you will find a booth where you will pay for your access to the Choo-Ha cenote, which in Spanish means “dripping water” due to the stalactites that are constantly filtering throughout the interior of the cenote. Choo-Ha is a cave-like cenote with only a relatively small natural opening of about 3 m × 4 m, through which a staircase leads to the cave interior.

Less Crowded Cenotes near Valladolid

Cenote Zacil-Ha

Entrance fee: 30 MXN Opening hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm

Cenote Zaci is probably the only cenote located in the middle of a city. Since the cenote is only slightly closed, you can splash around in the sun or cliff jump.

Cenote X’Canche

Entrance fee: 50 MXN Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:000pm

A short walk from the Mayan town of Ek Balam is the Cenote of X-Canche, an underground lake idyllically located in the jungle, ideal for a refreshing swim and very photogenic.

The clear water is particularly impressive. Action is provided by a steel cable stretched across the lagoon under a waterfall. So far, Cenote X-Canche has been spared from vacation crowds.

Cenote Oxmán

Entrance fee: 150 MXN Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman is located on the grounds of a hacienda just outside Valladolid. You can easily reach it by bike or foot in about an hour. Not really overcrowded and overgrown with lianas where you can swing in, the Cenote Oxman is a real insider tip among the cenotes.

More Crowded Cenotes near Valladolid but still worth visiting

Cenote Suytun

Entrance fee: 80 MXN Opening hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm

If you look at photos of various cenotes on Instagram, sooner or later, you will almost certainly come across Cenote Suytun. It is probably the “most Instagrammable” cenote on the Yucatán Peninsula. Taking a photo on the circular stone slab is a must-do for many Yucatán travelers.

Cénote X’Keken/Dzitnup

Entrance fee: 80 MXN Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Cenote X’Keken, also known as “Dzitnup,” is located on the Yucatán Peninsula and is easily accessible from Valladolid. Many travelers consider it THE cenote par excellence because the ambiance is magical: the water shimmers in all possible shades of blue, stalactites hang down, and stalagmites grow up. Sunlight reaches the cave only through a tiny opening, and this bathes the whole cenote in a mystical light.

Wrapping Up

The Cenotes in Mexico – they are truly something special. I really enjoyed just cooling off in them on those hot Mexican days. One could describe them as almost mystical with the crystal clear water and stone formations. In my opinion, the cenotes should definitely be on your list of top things to do on the Yucatán Peninsula. Renting a car for a couple of days might be the best option to explore the Cenotes. If you would like to find out about my journey exploring Mexico by car and my encounter with the Mexican Police, you should read this blog post.

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