5 best cenotes

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There are literally thousands of cenotes in Yucatan. Cenotes are underwater sinkholes formed

when limestone caves collapse, revealing these underground pools.

The Mayans thought they were sacred – that they were portals to communicate with the gods of the

underworld. Which means that in the more sacred cenotes, human sacrificial remains have been

found (the Mayans were hardcore about their gods that way).

Regardless – Jack and I thought exploring these cenotes were a blast. I’m just glad we didn’t see any

human remains at the bottom.

Some of the cenotes have become part of the all inclusive amusement parks that charge up to $100

for admission *gulp*. Among these, we considered seeing Rio Secreto – having heard a lot of good

things about it. But they don’t allow cameras inside and they want you to buy the photos they take for

$25 a pop. That’s just not really nice.

Did I mention there are thousands of these in the area? If you don’t feel like spending tons of money

on these cenotes, check out a list below of what we think are the best cenotes in Yucatan for the

money.

5 Best Cenotes in Yucatan in PicturesJuly 18, 2012 by Jill Permadi ()

of 145 Best Cenotes in Yucatan in Pictures

12/21/2014http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-pictures/

Chaak Tun Cenote – Playa del Carmen

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Chaak Tun cenote

I’ve written more extensively about Chaak Tun cenote here (/chaak-tun-the-hidden-gem-of-playa-del-

carmen/) – this is by far our favorite cenote we’ve visited in Yucatan. It has many rooms to explore,

impressive stalactites, and almost no crowd.

The beautiful Chaak Tun caves are kept in semi darkness and the shadows played havoc to our

imagination. One time we thought we saw a water snake (and I thought my heart was going to jump

out of my chest) only to find out it was a piece of rope instead.

Seriously, it was a blast. Highly recommended but not for those who are claustrophobic or afraid of

the dark.

How to get to Chaak Tun from Playa del Carmen: see here (/chaak-tun-the-hidden-gem-of-playa-

del-carmen/)

Grand Cenote – Tulum

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This partially-open air cenote was lots of fun (and a lot less scary) to explore. It has partially

submerged tunnels that take you between open air areas, bats hanging overhead, underwater

formations to explore, and docks to sunbathe on and jump from.

It was bright, airy, and popular. Recommended for first time cenote explorers.

Jack getting close and personal with a giant, submerged stalactite in

Grand Cenote

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Cenote X’Keken – Valladolid

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(http://jackandjilltravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_3618_mod.jpg)

This cenote is completely underground and reached by a narrow stairway. The stalactite formations

were pretty impressive. It was dominated by a gigantic brain-like clump of limestone.

Dip your feet in the water and let a group of small fish nibble at your dead skin cells (tickles). Then

watch the catfish eat these smaller fish like popcorns.

The only reason it’s not higher in my favorite is that it has funky lighting. The spotlights changed color

every minute from yucky blue to yuckier pink. It felt like being inside a flooded nightclub. It’s a pity.

How to get to Cenote X’Keken: a short taxi ride from Valladolid will take you to the complex that

contains both X’Keken and Samula.

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Cenote Samula – Valladolid

Cenote Samula could possibly be the most photographed cenote in Yucatan. There’s a gaping hole

on the ceiling through which a massive system of roots reaches towards the water 25 feet below.

It wasn’t as inviting for swimming though being rather small in size (compared to the others). It does

make for a good photo op, however.

How to get to Cenote Samula: see Cenote X’Keken above

Dos Ojos Cenote – Tulum

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Dos Ojos Cenote complex near Tulum has quite a bit of colllection of cenotes to explore. They are all

connected by an underwater tunnel system which makes them popular with divers.

For snorkelers like us, we thought they were just ok. Too many restrictions on where we can/can not

go without a guide. However, if you get a chance to piggyback off the scuba divers’ powerful lamps –

do so. You get to see impressive formations you don’t get to see by yourself.

We’ve written more about Dos Ojos cenote here (/dos-ojos-cenote-tulum/).

How to get to Dos Ojos: the Tulum – Playa collectivo can drop you off at the entrance but it’s still

quite a hike (1 mile?) to the actual cenote itself. We rented a motorbike in Tulum. Getting a ride with a

passing vehicle is also a possibility. At the entrance they might tell you (or imply) that a guide is

required – but it’s NOT true.

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—

A more personal reason why cenotes are a big deal to me: I’ve never been a good swimmer – and I

finally learned how to tread water in these sinkholes. Yay!

I have no doubt there are other equally impressive if not more cenotes in Riviera Maya.

Would love to hear about your favorites if you’ve been to this part of Mexico

before.

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18 Responses to “5 Best Cenotes in Yucatan in Pictures”

July 15th, 2014 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-

pictures/#comment-69371)

John (http://johnpascoe.wordpress.com/)

I liked Cenotes Dos Ojos and Gran, and loved Xkeken and Samula. But

another three that are lovely are the cenotes in the village of Chunkunan,

near Cuzama, about an hour south-east of Merida. The cenotes are

refreshingly cold, all quite different from each other, and reached by a

quaint journey on a horse-drawn cart through the grounds of an old

henequen hacienda.

John recently posted..Food of the Gods

(http://johnpascoe.wordpress.com/2014/06/14/food-of-the-gods/)

April 5th, 2014 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


adam

I saw 2 great ones near valladolid including the above shown x'keken

which were great and reasonable at 59 pesos but some of these cenotes

that charge 100 dollars and have become "disney-ized" is soooo

depressing!! I wish the government would take over and regulate that! its

scary what has happened to mexico , for example oaxaca has become

sooo touristy now so most restaurants there charge nearly 30$ US for a

meal!! my god!! i wouldnt even pay that price in paris for a meal so WHY

WOULD I pay 30 US in the 3rd world for a meal with a tiny piece of

chicken??? stop the "disney-ization" of mexico please!

January 24th, 2014 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Maxim

2 Great cenotes that I dove in but wasn't mentioned here –

Angelita – http://youtu.be/J1yC9mk2K48 (http://youtu.be/J1yC9mk2K48)

Tajma ha – http://youtu.be/edkr3rrSPCs (http://youtu.be/edkr3rrSPCs)

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January 2nd, 2014 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Eric

Found this looking for places to go tomorrow – in Valladolid now, just got

back from X’Keken and Samula. Just wanted to add that they cost 59

pesos each, and a nice way of getting there is spending 20-30 minutes on

a bike (we paid 10 pesos per hour and bike). And, I don't know how they

"work", but it looks like there's a lot less water on your pictures than what

we saw today! That little "island" we can see in the Samula picture, for

example, was mostly under the surface. They were both nice to swim in,

but Samula was much larger (!).

December 9th, 2013 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


freewheelings.com (http://www.freewheelings.com)

Thanks for the heads up guys. We just hit the Yucatan yesterday by

motorcycle from West Virginia. I think we’ll put a couple of these on our

itinerary.

August 16th, 2013 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


photo of Steven (http://ecx.images-

amazon.com/images/I/51UkaH10t9L._SY346_.jpg)

Love these pictures! I went to a cenote as part of tour to Chichen Itza

several years ago, but can't remember the name – it was pretty crowded

though. Would love to go back and check out some of these. They looks

so eery, but tranquil.

April 5th, 2013 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Scott (http://www.theshirtoffmybackpack.com)

We are in Valladolid right now, and this will help us decide where to go

tomorrow, lol.

()



Scott recently posted..Home

(http://www.theshirtoffmybackpack.com/2013/03/Stlouistravelblog.html)

January 30th, 2013 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Anastasiia

How much the cost to go to ALL mention cenotes? Can you go without

guide? And can you swim in all of them?

October 16th, 2012 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Steph | DiscoveringI (http://discoveringice.com)

We visited Gran Cenote and the unpronounceable one in Valladolid! :P

Both were gorgeous but you'd spend a fortune trying to see them all!

Going to 1 or 2 is definitely worth it.

September 16th, 2012 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Rhonda (http://www.joehendricks.com)

I'm researching cenotes to visit & found this blog! I have a BIG question

that will be a dealbreaker for us visiting: which of the cenotes allow

personal cameras? My hubby is a photog & I refuse to pay to see one that

only allows you to buy THEIR photos! Thanks so much!!



Tiffany (http://www.leftbanked.com/)

These are all so beautiful! I found out about Xkeken a long time ago and

it's been near the top of my to-go list ever since!

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Gina (http://www.onedayinacity.com)

Love these pictures! I went to a cenote as part of tour to Chichen Itza

several years ago, but can't remember the name – it was pretty crowded

though. Would love to go back and check out some of these. They looks

so eery, but tranquil.

August 4th, 2014 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-

yucatan-pictures/#comment-69436)

C. L. Panter

I think you mean Ik-Kil. I was on the tour and we stopped there,

went down the dozens of stairs, then down the ladder and into

that crazy cold water!

July 24th, 2012 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Sandy Allain (http://www.simplyplayadelcarmen.org/)

Scary, I don't know whats on the bottom of the water, but It's a nice place

to explore. Your little girl enjoyed swimming :)

July 23rd, 2012 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Ayngelina (http://www.baconismagic.ca)

Samula is definitely my favourite and was the first one I saw.

July 21st, 2012 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-


Dani (http://globetrottergirls.com)

Some beautiful cenotes here – but I have to say that we visited a few near

Merida which were also spectacular, plus the Cenote Azul near Chetumal

on the southern end of the Yucatan. Can't believe that some of the cenotes

are so expensive – $100 – seriously?!

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July 19th, 2012 (http://jackandjilltravel.com/5-best-cenotes-in-


Doc Wends (http://www.journeysandtravels.com)

scary but interestingly wicked to explore. I fear waters but this one on

Villadolid is awesome!

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