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Mystical atmosphere, adventurous feeling, and crystalline waters. Cenotes are sacred sinkholes that have become more and more visited by tourists. Still, hundreds of cenotes lay undiscovered in the Yucatan Peninsula. Explore like never before by immersing in the Mayan Culture and its charm. There’re so many amazing cenotes near Valladolid, Yucatan, you can easily bump into one just driving. Today we listed our favorites, the Best Cenotes near Valladolid, thinking every one of them is unique and so different from each other. There’s no such thing as visiting too many cenotes! Enjoy reading about Cenote X’Canché, Cenote Maya Native Park, Cenote Dzitnup, and Cenote Oxman.
Famous for its Instagram breakthrough. Cenote Suytun is where everyone wants to snap a picture! It only takes a few moments inside the cave to leave everyone in awe. The impressive view from the top of the cenote lets you admire how the sunbeam illuminates the stone runway in the middle of the cenote.
This cenote is most definitely worth the time. That’s why we wrote a whole article about it here.
The entrance fee is $120 MXN, this includes a lifejacket and the entrance to a second cenote.
Opens daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
On the highway to Valladolid Yucatan, you can easily stop by Ik Kil cenote and immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico. So there is no reason to wonder, here is something for everyone to enjoy!
The water level of Cenote Ik Kil is about 30 meters (90 feet) lower than the surface. The walls of Cenote Ik Kil go straight down to the bottom of the cenote at 50 meters (150 feet) below the water level, which makes this sinkhole 80 meters (240 feet) deep.
Check out our article on Ik Kil Cenote here.
The entrance fee is $80 MXN
Opens daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cenote Xcanche is a stunning open cenote with swimming, zip-lining, and swing jumps as well as a waterfall cascading into the cenote as you swim. You can be swimming by yourself if you get there early, but still, doesn’t get too crowded.
Also known as the Ek Balam Cenote, Cenote X’canché shares the entrance with the Ek Balam Archaeological site.
The Ek Balam Cenote shares an entrance with the Ek Balam archaeological zone. To enter the cenote you can do it independently from the archaeological site. The cenote is located at a short distance down the path which leads to the ruins.
In addition to swimming at Cenote Xcanche visitors can also zip line and rappel in the cenote.
Opens daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Imagine descending into the crystal-clear waters and rocky formations of the region’s most impressive cenote. With a 60 m (196 feet) diameter and an almost perfect circular shape, this cenote becomes a natural gem. Ascend from the underworld through a tunnel or use the large wooden staircase and live the cenote experience like never before.
Besides swimming, the site offers other optional activities like diving, ropes, a Tarzan-like vine, and rappeling down 26 m (85 feet).
As part of the uniqueness of this site, you’ll be able to witness an authentic Mayan ceremony of blessings carried out by a Maya shaman of the community and scented by copal.
Located 15 minutes away from Valladolid, Cenote Chichckan recently open its doors to the public. Luckily, this cenote is not that famous, so it doesn’t get crowded. The most beautiful thing you’ll find here is the waterfall and a small island in the middle.
Besides the entrance to the cenote, you can have pretty good food in the restaurant, witness a Mayan ceremony and good music.
The entrance fee for foreigners is $150 MXN and $120 MXN for Mexican residents. This fee includes a lifejacket and locker.
Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Cenote Xcanahaltún o "X-Ca’najaltun", means “tall waterfall” in Mayan. As you get into the cave by a mysterious hole in the rocks, you’ll understand why it was named that way. You’ll be amazed by the number of stalactites and the crystal-clear waters that get illuminated by sunbeams. The sun reflections make this place look magical!
Still, this is not a very touristic cenote, up to recently, you’re able to do kayaking on site!
The entrance fee is $175 MXN.
Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Cenotes Dzitnup is located just 10 kilometers south of Valladolid and is a must on your cenote list. Keep in mind that this place tends to get a bit crowded.
It is possible to snorkel here, but Dzitnup is not the best place to have a dive.
At Dzitnup, you’ll find two cenotes, Samulá and Xkeken.
First Cenote Samula is an underground cave-style cenote set in a limestone cave with a small opening on its roof. When the sun is directly overhead, dazzling light beams stream through the opening and illuminate the cenote waters creating a magical effect. Hanging vines cascade from the ceiling making swimming much like a fairytale.
In Cenote Xkeken, there is little natural light on the surface of the water and this guarantees visitors lots of shade. The air in the cavern can get hot and humid but the water is at a constant 25 degrees Celsius.
Cenote Oxman is an underground cave-style cenote, located 15 minutes from Valladolid. Set in a collapsed cave with an open roof, allowing a natural spotlight on the clear waters below. Hanging tree roots make a cascade down into Cenote Oxman, creating a magical effect.
For adventure junkies, Cenote Oxman’s rope swing is perfect for making a fun and dramatic entrance into the cenote! Though it is mandatory, as in many cenotes, to wear a lifejacket. The site offers showers, changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers for you to use. There’s also a restaurant in Hacienda Oxman.
The entrance fee is $150 MXN.
Opens daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.