YUCATAN CENOTES

After a Chichen Itza tour, this is the most wanted cenote, it is located just a few minutes away from the World wonder. Ik kil offers impressive views, refreshing waters, and a great family atmosphere.

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 meter (150 feet) below the water level, which makes this sinkhole 80 meters (240 feet) deep. Check out our this post to know more about this cenote.

Everybody wants to go to Cenote Suytun due to its incredible thin stone walkway stretching out into a perfectly turquoise pool. Suytun gets its name due to this famous pathway; Suytun means “stone center”. This cenote goes as deep as 5 meters at its deepest point.

Located in the direction to Tikuch, 9 km (5.5 mi) from Valladolid, it is the most demanded stop when going to Chichen Itza's ruins.

This cenote is probably Valladolid’s icon, it is literally in the middle of the city. It can be reached in 10 minutes by feet from the main square. This is a huge cenote with fantastic vegetation and deep waters to swim.

Cenote Zaci is a unique semi-open cenote with a 45 meter (147 feet) diameter and a 40 meter (130 feet) depth. From its ceiling, as water filtrates from the surface, mineral residues form stalactites that make the cave much more magical.

It is a beautiful underground cavern that without a doubt will impress you. Its turquoise blue waters are illuminated by a hole in the upper part of the cavern.

Cenote Samula is located 15 minutes away from Valladolid. Located on a finca, you can take the highway Merida-Valladolid and get to the town of Dzitnup. Just on the way to Cenote X’keken.

Something that makes Cenote Samula stand out are the roots that hang from the open ceiling until they gently touch the cool waters, making it seem as a cascade.

Other activities like snorkeling are allowed and encouraged at this and other cenotes.

This cenote is an unbelievable place surrounded by fantastic stalagmites and stalactites.

It is located just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of Valladolid. Compared to other cenotes, Xkeken is quite small, but full of mystic vibes. A perfect site to explore and take great pictures. The entire cavern measures only 30 x 20 meters (98 x 65 feet). The water level itself is only 20 meters (65 feet) deep at its deepest point, and the walls that surround this cave are filled with some beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Cenote Maya is one of the largest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, this huge natural pool is famous for its exciting Mayan experience that combines with your adventurous side. Perfect place to swim and learn about the Mayan culture.

With 17 meters (55 feet) of depth, this semi-open cenote maintains its mystical essence and encourages visitors to immerse themselves into the Mayan culture. Ceremonies and Mayan rituals are still being held in Cenote Maya.

This cenote is famous for its proximity to the Dzibilchaltún Archaeological site, which makes it perfect for a day trip. This natural pool is popular due to its crystalline waters that are covered with lilies floating on the surface.

Compared to other sinkholes this one is a small open cenote with fantastic vegetation. On a deviation from the Merida-Progreso highway, you can find Xlacah (Old Town), an open cenote of 100 meters (328 feet) wide with a depth that starts by 1 meter (3.2 feet) and goes up to 45 meters (147.6 feet). On its deepest part, you can see a dark cave opening, which its interior is unknown. Artifacts found in this cenote, like vessels, carved bones and wooden objects have helped the archaeologists to obtain very valuable information about the ancient Mayans that inhabited the area.

Cenote Cristalino is a natural sinkhole that makes honor to its name and has one of the most crystalline waters you’ll find in a cenote.

What makes cenote Cristalino stand out from the rest is the abundance of vegetation around this sinkhole, as it enhance the fact that the cenote is in the middle of the Yucatecan jungle. The fact that its waters are so clear allow you to sea all kind of small fish and the beautiful flora.

The main attraction at Cenote Oxman is its huge opening that gifts us an amazing view. The top is surrounded by vegetation that invites birds to find a home inside, other species simply come down to drink water or cool off a little.

To access the cenote Oxman you must enter through a hole where you will descend a spiral staircase until you come across a large stone hole. Immediately you can admire the beauty of the cenote, all of it is surrounded by vegetation and the roots of the trees that fall until they touch the water.

Gran Cenote is one of the best known and most visited cenotes in the Riviera Maya in Mexico. The turquoise waters are crystal clear and ideal for diving.

Both smaller fish and turtles swim in the beautiful cenote, from where you can reach the different water depths through a wooden platform. You have the option of entering various cave entrances, the turtle pool or the grotto. An elongated cave connects two parts of the complex through which you can dive.

Cenote Calavera is so called because it looks like a skull: there is one main hole and two smaller ones that look like eyes.

The water here is quite clear, and this area is popular with divers because the visibility is very good. Visiting this cenote is definitely one of the best things to do in Tulum.

This cenote is a less popular one in Yucatan, which means that, if you are lucky, you can have it all to yourself.