If you go to Riviera Maya or Cancun and don’t go to a Cenote, you are missing out.

These impressive sinkholes are formed when limestone bedrock collapses, creating a connection between the surface and an underwater world of calcareous caves or subterranean rivers. Some of these caves and rivers are great places for swimming and relaxing, while others are perfect for diving.

Here, we’ll show 10 of the most impressive cenotes in Riviera Maya.

Cenotes in Riviera Maya

Chac Mool

Cenote Chac Mool. Photo by Pierre Lobel. CC.

Located in Puerto Aventuras, Chac Mool has two entries that lead to the respective cavities. The first one is of significant size, and the second one is full of stalagmites.

You’re going to love the fact that here fresh and salt water currents converge to create something called an alocline, which creates the effect of a river inside the river.

Even though Chac Mool is a popular cenote for beginner divers, it’s important to follow the signs and stay out of the restricted areas.

Xkekén

Cenote X´Kekén.

This cenote is 3 kilometres (2 miles) from Valladolid, on the road between Valladolid and Merida.

You’ll get a spectacular sensation here, because there’s only one way in and it’s really narrow, so when the space opens up into a monumental room, the view gets amazing.

Xkekén is a popular cenote, so it’s well-appointed. Its name means ‘pig’ because it’s said to have been discovered by a local farmer who fell into the cenote while looking for his pig.

Cenote Sagrado

Cenote Sagrado. Photo by Erik Cleves. CC.

Within the archaeological site of Chichen Itzá is the Sacred Cenote, so called because the Mayan people believed that cenotes were a doorway to the underworld.

With a diameter of 60 metres (200 feet) and walls of 15 metres (50 feet), the sacred cenote is connected to the Kulkulcán pyramid by a 300 metre (985 feet) long road.

Tajma-hál

Cenote Tajma hál. Fotografía de MironCaro. Lic. Creative Commons.

This is the local name of the Taj Mahal Cenote, which takes its name from the famous Indian monument, thanks to the majesty of this natural wonder.

It is actually four interconnected cenotes located 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of Playa del Carmen. It is very well equipped, with bathrooms and a restaurant, but to explore it in its entirety you need to be an experienced diver and overcome the five-metre wall that gives access to the magnificent caverns.

The landscape of stalactites and stalagmites will be stunningly beautiful.

Gran Cenote

Gran Cenote. Photo by Eugene Kaspersky. CC.

Nearly 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from Tulum, in the direction of the Coba archaeological site, is the most famous cenote in this part of the country.

It has a characteristic half-moon shape and is suitable for everyone, as it consists of shallow areas where you can enjoy snorkelling without difficulty. You can also dive in other areas with depths of up to ten metres, a feature to consider if you are an experienced diver.

There are good facilities, including a car park and diving equipment rental. Its transparent waters offer a fantastic experience, both in the open air and in areas covered with stalactites.

Suytun

Cenote Suytun. Photo by Eugene Kaspersky. CC.

Suytun is not only a beautiful cenote, but also a wonderful rural and nature tourism complex.

Located 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Valladolid, it offers lodging in cabins and a museum with archaeological remains found in the cenote itself. You can also enjoy the experience offered by the cattle ranch that is also located here.

The entrance fee is just over $4 and gives access to a beautiful and impressive underground cavern with shallow waters so transparent that you can see the fish.

Ik Kil

Ik Kil Cenote. CC. By BORIS G.

A whole eco-park has been built around this impressive and beautiful cenote, where, in addition to the lush forest and many birds, you can stay in one of the upscale cabins, in pure Mayan style, but with a Jacuzzi.

There are plenty of restaurants and shops where you can buy souvenirs. Ik Kil Cenote is one of the most spectacular places in Yucatan, just 3 kilometres (2 miles) from Chichen Itza. It is not to be missed.

Ponderosa

Cenote Pondesora or Garden of Eden.

This cenote in Quintana Roo is also known as Cenote Eden.

As soon as you arrive, the reason for its name will be obvious, as the environment in which it is located, under the open sky, is wonderful.

The vegetation of this huge natural pool, with a depth of about 15 metres (50 feet), overhangs the sides of its walls.

The water is a crystalline green that will allow you to see the species that live in this ecosystem. You will see how friendly the turtles and eels are.

Dos Ojos

Cenote Dos Ojos. Photo by Eric Molina. CC.

We are entering one of the most popular cenotes for divers.

It was discovered quite recently, in the 80’s, and is still being explored, with more than 6,700 metres (4 miles) already investigated.

Dos Ojos Cenote is up to 120 metres (395 feet) deep in places, so it is very important that you have a lot of experience in this flooded cave.

If you do not have the necessary skills, it is best to hire the services of qualified instructors to accompany you during the dive.

Cenote Samula

Cenote Samula. Photo by SEDER Yucatan.

Before entering this beautiful cenote, you must enjoy its fabulous entrances and picturesque local handicraft stalls. Then you will have to go down some narrow stairs carved in the stone.

We recommend that you stop for a while on the second floor and admire the stunning beauty of this flooded cavern. Then you can continue descending the wooden stairs to reach Samula Cenote.

Here there are platforms where you can rest, leave your things and get ready to swim. It is also an ideal place to admire the very long roots of a tree that hang down to the bottom of the cenote. If you want to dive, you can rent equipment outside.

Cenote Azul / Blue Cenote, Tulum.

Cenote Azul, Tulum.

One of the classic cenotes on the Riviera and one of the most popular due to its location, size and depth. Ideal for the whole family.

Located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the Blue Cenote offers a variety of water activities and has everything you need for a spectacular day.

It is also close to three other cenotes and other tourist attractions, so you can visit several places in one day.

General information:

• Working hours: Most cenotes are open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm.
• Price: Although there are cenotes with lower prices, the entrance fee for the most visited ones is between 4 and 8 USD. Hiring a snorkelling tour with qualified staff costs between USD 25 and USD 40.
• Tour cenotes: If you want to make the most of your time and visit several cenotes during your stay in the Riviera Maya, there are specialised companies that offer a tour starting at USD 75. In these cases they usually offer a tour of four cenotes and include activities such as kayaking, snorkelling, zip lines, rappelling and picnic.
• It is important to consult before contracting if you have health problems (asthma, heart, diabetes, pregnancy…), as some activities may not be recommended.

Cenotes map

In the following map you can find the main ones within the area that comprises the Riviera Maya called “The route of the Cenotes”.

The route of the Cenotes.

In this map we can see the cenotes located around Tulum:

Cenotes near Tulum.

Cenotes on this list:

Map of cenotes in the Riviera Maya.

Cenotes Tour

One way to explore several cenotes in a single day is with an organized tour. One of the most popular cenotes tours is conducted by Xcaret and is called Xenotes.

This tour includes:

• Round trip with certified guide in all cenotes.
• Visit to each of the types of cenotes that exist.
• Rappel in a cavern cenote.
• Zip lines and jumps in an open cenote.
• Canoe and kayak in a cavern cenote.
• Kayaking and swimming in a semi-open cenote.
• Non-alcoholic beverages and fruit.
• Life jacket, visor, kayaking equipment, rappel and tire.
• Lifesaver vest, visor, kayaking equipment, rappel and tire.
• Dressing rooms, toilets and towel.

It can be booked at the official Xenotes site.

Cupones disponibles January 2025

Código comprobados y funcionando.