Updated November 2026 · By Terry Barkhuizen, NOM-08 certified tour guide (credential N012608).
Cenotes are the natural wonder that sets the Yucatán Peninsula apart. These are sinkholes where the limestone has collapsed to reveal crystal-clear groundwater, and thousands of them dot the jungle between Cancun, Tulum and Valladolid. For the ancient Maya they were sacred entrances to the underworld. Today they’re the best swim in the region, the perfect plan B when the beaches have sargassum, and one of the most fragile ecosystems you’ll visit. This page brings together everything we’ve published about cenotes.
All cenote guides
- Best cenotes near Tulum – Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, Calavera and more
- Best cenotes near Playa del Carmen – Azul, Cristalino, Jardín del Edén
- Cenotes near Cancun – the Ruta de los Cenotes
- Cenotes near Valladolid – Suytun, Xkeken, Samula, Oxman, Zaci
- Cenotes near Chichen Itza – Ik Kil and Yokdzonot
- Cenote snorkelling – the best cenotes to snorkel and tips
- Cenote diving – cavern vs cave, sites and operators
- Cenote rules and safety – a guide’s checklist
Start here
- Cenotes 101 – how cenotes form, the different types (open, semi-open, cave), their role in Maya culture and the basics of visiting.
- The best cenotes near Tulum – Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, Calavera, Car Wash, Zacil-Ha, Casa Cenote and the Coba cenotes compared, with fees and who each one suits.
- Cenote rules and safety – a guide’s checklist: sunscreen, life jackets, caverns vs caves, children and what to bring.
- Why conscious travel matters for cenotes – the threats cenotes face and how visitors can help protect them.
Choose a cenote by what you want
| You want… | Look for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| An easy, sunny swim | Open cenotes | Casa Cenote, Zacil-Ha, Car Wash |
| Snorkelling through caverns | Semi-open cenotes | Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos |
| Drama and stalactites | Cave cenotes | The Coba cenotes (Choo-Ha, Tamcach-Ha, Multum-Ha) |
| Jumping | Deep cenotes with platforms | Calavera, Tamcach-Ha |
| A swim after a Maya site | Cenotes near the ruins | Coba cenotes; Ik Kil near Chichen Itza |
Cenotes by area
- Tulum: the highest concentration of well-known cenotes, along the Coba road and Highway 307. See the best cenotes near Tulum and the Tulum guide.
- Coba: three cool, quiet cave cenotes a few minutes from the ruins. See the Coba guide.
- Playa del Carmen and Akumal: cenotes along Highway 307, easy by colectivo. See the Playa del Carmen and Akumal guides.
- Chichen Itza and Valladolid: Ik Kil and the cenotes around Valladolid pair well with the ruins. See the Chichen Itza guide.
The five rules every cenote visitor should know
The full explanation is in our cenote rules and safety checklist.
- No sunscreen or insect repellent in the water. Cenotes are part of the aquifer that supplies the region’s drinking water.
- Shower before you enter.
- Use a life jacket if you’re not a strong swimmer – many cenotes are deep from the edge.
- Don’t touch formations or wildlife. Stalactites take thousands of years to form.
- Never enter cave passages unless you’re a certified cave diver with a qualified guide.
Bring cash in pesos for entry fees, which are typically about 100–500 MXN per person in late 2026.
Getting to the cenotes
Many cenotes are a short colectivo ride from Playa del Carmen or Tulum – ask the driver to stop at the entrance. A rental car makes it easy to combine several cenotes with Coba or Chichen Itza. For every option, see Getting Around the Riviera Maya.
Related guides
- Wildlife & Nature – turtles, reefs, birds and responsible encounters
- Staying safe in the Riviera Maya – water safety, roads and practical tips
- Plan your Riviera Maya trip