In a nutshell
- Cenotes are karst limestone caves filled with freshwater. Most of Mexico’s cenotes are found on the Yucatán Peninsula — and there are thousands of them.
- Visiting at least one cenote is a must on any Mexico trip — they’re seriously stunning for swimming, snorkeling, and photos. Even if you’re traveling with kids, you won’t regret it.
- In this article, we share our favorite cenotes near Tulum, Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, and Mérida — plus practical tips on admission, water quality, and what to bring.
What are cenotes?
Cenotes are karst caves filled with freshwater that form when cave ceilings collapse. They’re without question among the most beautiful attractions in Mexico.
There are closed, semi-open, and open cenotes. The closed ones are essentially caves, the semi-open ones have a cave ceiling covering about half the opening, and the open cenotes have no ceiling at all.
The word cenote comes from the Maya word d’zonot and roughly means reservoir of spring water. Cenotes were deeply significant to the Maya — they were considered entrances to the underworld.
Also read our tips for the best Maya temples in Mexico
How were the cenotes in Mexico formed?
The history of cenotes goes back about 66 million years. At that time, the Yucatán Peninsula didn’t yet exist — it was completely underwater. When the Chicxulub meteorite struck between the Gulf of Mexico and Mérida, the peninsula was lifted out of the water.
Back then, Yucatán was still a coral reef that gradually died off and became a limestone bedrock. Ice ages repeatedly flooded the peninsula over time. Whenever the ground was above water, CO₂ mixed with rain, causing the limestone to dissolve in certain spots.
This created a kind of underground river system — known today as cenotes or sinkholes. Some cenotes are still connected to one another underground to this day.
Where can you find cenotes in Mexico?
Most cenotes in Mexico are found on the Yucatán Peninsula. You’ll also find some in the regions of Chiapas and Campeche, as well as in neighboring Belize.
No one knows exactly how many cenotes exist in Mexico. Estimates range from 3,000 to 8,000 cenotes — we’ve seen quite a variety of figures.
In our opinion, the best base camps for exploring Yucatán cenotes are Valladolid, Mérida, and Tulum. The cenotes near Playa del Carmen are also very popular with tourists.
Also read our tips for a road trip through Yucatán
Our tips for the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico
Here are our picks for the most beautiful cenotes in Yucatán.
Note: Cenote prices change frequently. Our last update was September 2025.
The best cenotes near Tulum
Tulum is probably the most popular base for visiting cenotes in Mexico. There are a whole lot of cenotes in and around town.
You can reach many of them by bike from Tulum. For those farther out, your best bet is a scooter or rental car. That said, colectivos (shared buses) also run to many of them.
Book a guided tour from Tulum to Gran Cenote and two more cenotes
Cenote Dos Ojos
- What you need to know: Two beautiful cenotes that aren’t crowded, especially early in the morning. A top pick for divers.
- Admission: 400 MXN.
- Getting there: Located 20 kilometers north of Tulum. Colectivos depart from across the ADO terminal.
Gran Cenote
- What you need to know: One of the most popular and well-known cenotes in Mexico. The water is crystal clear and perfect for snorkeling.
- Admission: 500 MXN.
- Getting there: Located 5 kilometers north of Tulum. Easily reachable by bike.
Cenote Corazón
- What you need to know: A lesser-known open-air cenote that’s great for a relaxed swim away from the crowds.
- Admission: 200 MXN.
- Getting there: Located 8 kilometers southeast of Tulum. Reachable by bike.
Cenotes near Cobá
- What you need to know: Near the archaeological site of Cobá, there are several cenotes that are real local favorites — very few tourists make their way out here.
- Admission: 100 MXN.
- Getting there: Located 40 kilometers east of Tulum. Take a colectivo to Cobá, where you can rent a bike.
Read all our tips for Tulum:
The most beautiful cenotes near Playa del Carmen
There are also cenotes near Playa del Carmen. The selection is smaller than around Tulum, and honestly we don’t find them quite as stunning as those in other parts of Mexico.
That said, if you’re staying in Playa del Carmen, a visit to a nearby cenote is absolutely worth your time.
Cenote Azul
- What you need to know: One of the top highlights near Playa del Carmen — and often pretty busy because of it.
- Admission: 180 MXN.
- Getting there: Located 25 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen. Colectivos heading toward Tulum depart from Calle 1 Sur near the main road.
Cenote Jardín Del Eden
- What you need to know: This cenote almost looks like a small lake. The water is clear and great for snorkeling — and it tends to be quieter in the morning.
- Admission: 300 MXN.
- Getting there: Located right next to Cenote Azul, so you take the same colectivos.
Read all our tips for Playa del Carmen
The best cenotes near Valladolid and Chichén Itzá
Valladolid is our personal favorite base for exploring Yucatán cenotes. The area around the city has an enormous selection. There are also a few beautiful cenotes near the world wonder of Chichén Itzá.
Cenote Ik-Kil
- What you need to know: One of the most famous and most visited cenotes in Mexico. Go first thing in the morning — it gets seriously crowded later in the day.
- Admission: 220 MXN.
- Location: 4 kilometers southeast of Chichén Itzá. You can easily combine both in one trip.
Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula
- What you need to know: Two absolutely stunning cenotes where sunlight filters in only through a small hole in the ceiling — the light is incredible.
- Admission: 226 MXN (combo ticket)
- Location: 6 kilometers southwest of Valladolid. Reachable by bike.
Cenote Suytun
- What you need to know: One of the most photogenic cenotes in Mexico. Your ticket also gets you into a second cenote right next door.
- Admission: 280 MXN
- Location: 10 kilometers east of Valladolid. Reachable by bike.
Cenote Oxman
- What you need to know: A cenote with a pool and a restaurant right next door — super family-friendly.
- Admission: 250 MXN.
- Getting there: Located 5 kilometers south of Valladolid. Reachable by bike or on foot.
Also read all our tips for Valladolid and Chichén Itzá:
The most beautiful cenotes near Mérida
Even though there are a lot of cenotes near Mérida, most of them are relatively unknown among tourists. That means you can often have them all to yourself — and they’re just as beautiful as anywhere else.
Our recommendation is to head to Homún. The town is about 45 kilometers southeast of Mérida and you can get there by colectivo, departing from Calle 52 between 65 and 76.
Book a cenote tour from Mérida
Cenotes de Santa Bárbara
- What you need to know: A complex of three cenotes, all of which are seriously impressive. There’s also a very good restaurant on-site.
- Admission: 350 MXN (for all three cenotes).
- Getting there: 2 kilometers from the center of Homún. You can walk there.
Cenote Cuzamá
- What you need to know: Here, too, you visit three cenotes at once — and you’re transported between them by horse-drawn cart, which is a fun experience in itself.
- Admission: 300 MXN (for all three cenotes).
- Getting there: 5 kilometers from the center of Homún. Your best bet is a mototaxi from Homún.
Read all our tips for Mérida:
Bonus tip: The best cenotes for diving
Some cenotes in Mexico are perfect for diving. The light is absolutely stunning when sunbeams filter through the holes in the cave ceilings — it’s unlike any dive you’ve done before.
If you enjoy diving, you really have to try it in a cenote. You’ll find dive schools all along the Riviera Maya, and most operators offer tours for beginners too.
Here’s a short selection of cenotes where you can go diving. Our top pick for a diving base is Tulum.
- Sac Actun: This underwater cave system connects several cenotes, including Cenote Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote. It reaches depths of up to 118 meters.
- Cenote Cristalino: A great cenote for beginner divers. It’s located near Playa del Carmen and is 9 meters deep.
Practical tips for visiting cenotes in Mexico
Before you go, here are a few things worth knowing.
#1 Swimming and life jackets in cenotes
You’re allowed to swim in virtually all cenotes that are open to visitors. Using a life jacket is usually mandatory. It’s often included in the entry fee, though sometimes you’ll need to leave a deposit or pay a little extra.
The water temperature in cenotes is typically around 75 to 79°F (24 to 26°C).
#2 Water quality in cenotes
The water in cenotes is generally clean. However, with so many tourists visiting, many cenotes aren’t quite as pristine as they once were.
Please shower before swimming, and if possible, apply sunscreen, bug spray, and similar products only after you’ve finished swimming.
#3 Admission info for cenotes
Entry fees at cenotes vary widely. At the most famous spots, you can almost always pay by card — but at many smaller cenotes you can’t. Always make sure you have enough cash on hand.
#4 Lockers, changing rooms, and showers at cenotes
Almost all cenotes in Yucatán have showers, restrooms, and changing rooms, and these are almost always included in the admission price. Lockers are sometimes available, but you typically pay extra for them.
