Cenotes in Mexico
Mexico's cenotes are almost all on the Yucatán Peninsula, where thousands of limestone sinkholes open onto clear groundwater. Below: where they are, the best areas to base yourself, and the cenotes we have covered so far.
Quick answer
- Where: Quintana Roo, Yucatán and Campeche
- Best bases: Tulum, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, Mérida
- Types: open, semi-open and cave cenotes
- New to cenotes? What a cenote is →
Where are cenotes in Mexico?
Quintana Roo
The Caribbean side: Tulum, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Bacalar. Home of huge flooded cave systems like Sac Actun, so many cenotes here are caverns made for snorkeling and diving.
Cenotes in Tulum →Cenotes near Cancun →Ruta de los Cenotes →Cenotes near Playa del Carmen →Cenotes in Cobá →Cenotes in Bacalar →Cenotes near Akumal →Cenotes in Cozumel →Yucatán
Inland around Mérida, Valladolid, Homún and Chichén Itzá. Many deep open and cave cenotes reached by stairs, plus the Ring of Cenotes around the Chicxulub crater.
Cenotes in Valladolid →Dzitnup cenotes →Cenotes near Chichén Itzá →Cenotes near Mérida →Cenotes in Homún →Campeche
The quiet western side of the peninsula with fewer, less-visited cenotes, like Miguel Colorado.
Cenotes in Campeche →Why here? The peninsula is a flat limestone shelf with no surface rivers; water flows underground and collapses create cenotes. Read about the Ring of Cenotes and the Sac Actun cave system, or how the Maya used them at the Sacred Cenote of Chichén Itzá.
Best cenotes in Mexico we cover so far
Tulum, the Ruta de los Cenotes, Valladolid, Dzitnup, Chichén Itzá, Homún and Mérida so far. Every cenote page has location, activities, how to get there and verified fees where available.
Semi-open cenote · Tulum
Gran Cenote
Best for: First-time visitors, Snorkeling, Families
Entry: 500 MXN per adult (cash) (checked 2026-10-03)
Cave cenote · Tulum
Dos Ojos
Best for: Snorkeling, Cavern diving, Photography
Entry: 400 MXN basic entry (life jacket incl.); guided Bat Cave snorkel ~800 MXN; locker 50 MXN (checked 2026-10-03)
Semi-open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Calavera
Best for: Adventure, Jumping, Divers
Entry: 250–300 MXN (sources differ); photo/video permit about 200 MXN extra (checked 2026-10-03)
Open cenote · Tulum
Casa Cenote
Best for: Snorkeling, Beginner divers, Kayaking and paddleboarding
Entry: About 650 MXN general entry (one 2026 source; prices have risen, confirm at the entrance) (checked 2026-10-03)
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Zacil-Ha
Best for: Families with kids, Relaxed swimming, Non-confident swimmers (life jackets available)
Entry: Reported at 300–400 MXN per person, cash only (sources differ; one says a life jacket is included) (checked 2026-10-03)
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha)
Best for: Cavern divers, Snorkelers who like plants and fish, Quieter swims
Entry: 400 MXN foreign visitors (checked 2026-10-03)
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Cristal
Best for: Relaxed swimming, Jumping, Budget trips
Entry: Reported at 150 MXN per cenote or 300 MXN for Cristal + Escondido together, cash (source updated January 2025; one site lists a lower combo price, so confirm at the ticket office) (checked 2026-10-03)
Semi-open cenote · Puerto Morelos
Cenote Siete Bocas
Best for: Snorkeling, Photography, Confident swimmers
Open cenote · Puerto Morelos
Cenote Verde Lucero
Best for: Families, Jumping, Easy swimming
Cave cenote · Puerto Morelos
Cenote La Noria
Best for: Jumping and swinging, Adventure add-ons, Families
Entry: Cenote only: 400 MXN international, 300 MXN national, 250 MXN local (checked 2026-10-03)
Cave cenote · Puerto Morelos
Cenote Kin Ha
Best for: Divers, Snorkeling, Confident swimmers
Cave cenote · Puerto Morelos
Cenote Boca del Puma
Best for: Adventure, Groups, Families
Cave cenote · Puerto Morelos
Cenote Zapote
Best for: Certified advanced divers, Adventure, Swimmers who like deep, dark cenotes
Cave cenote · Tulum
Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich
Best for: Guided snorkeling, Cave diving (certified)
Open cenote · Akumal
Cenote Xunaan Ha
Best for: Quiet swim, Snorkeling, Avoiding crowds
Open cenote · Akumal
Cenote Santa Cruz
Best for: Short swim near Akumal, Snorkeling
Cave cenote · Akumal
Aktun Chen
Best for: Families, Guided cave visit
Semi-open cenote · Cozumel
Cenote Aerolito de Paraíso
Best for: Swimming, Snorkeling
Open cenote · Cozumel
Chankanaab Lagoon
Best for: Families, Snorkeling from the beach
Cave cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Chukum
Best for: Families, Lunch and swim
Cave cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Xcanahaltún
Best for: Quiet swim, Photography
Open cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Kikil
Best for: Swimming, Side trip to Río Lagartos
Cave cenote · Chichén Itzá
Cenote Holtún
Best for: Photography, Swimming
Cave cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Tajma Ha
Best for: Cavern diving, Snorkeling
Cave cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Dreamgate
Best for: Experienced cavern divers
Open cenote · Bacalar
Cenote Xul-Ha
Best for: Quiet swim, Kayak
Open cenote · Campeche
Cenotes of Miguel Colorado
Best for: Adventure, Nature
Cave cenote · Tulum
Cenote Sac Actun (Pet Cemetery)
Best for: Guided cave snorkeling, Cavern diving
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Jaguar
Best for: Families, Jumping
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Dos Palmas
Best for: Quiet swim, Cave diving
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Tankah
Best for: Quiet swim
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Corazón del Paraíso
Best for: Swimming, Photos
Open cenote · Tulum
Xel-Há Cenotes
Best for: Families on a park day
Cave cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Kukulkán
Best for: Cavern diving, Snorkeling
Open cenote · Puerto Morelos
Cenote Las Mojarras
Best for: Adventure, Groups
Cave cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Palomitas
Best for: Photography, Swimming
Semi-open cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Agua Dulce
Best for: Snorkeling
Cave cenote · Homún
Cenote Bal-Mil
Best for: History, Cave swim
Cave cenote · Homún
Cenote Chelentún
Best for: Cave swim
Semi-open cenote · Homún
Cenote Chak Zinik Che
Best for: Swimming, Photos
Open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Dzombakal
Best for: Diving, Quiet swim
Cave cenote · Mérida
Cenote Sambulá
Best for: Short swim, Town visit
Open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Sabak-Há
Best for: Technical divers only
Open cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Azul
Best for: Families, Easy swimming, Snorkeling
Open cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Jardín del Edén
Best for: Snorkeling, Cliff jumping, Cavern diving
Open cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Cristalino
Best for: Families, Clear water, Jumping
Entry: Adults 25 USD, children 5–12 15 USD, under 5 free; snorkel 10 USD, life jacket 5 USD, locker 5 USD (checked 2026-10-03)
Semi-open cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Chikin Ha
Best for: Several cenotes in one park, Adventure packages
Cave cenote · Playa del Carmen
Cenote Chac Mool
Best for: Cavern diving, Snorkeling
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Escondido
Best for: Quiet swim, Snorkeling, Cavern diving
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Angelita
Best for: Advanced divers
Cave cenote · Tulum
Cenote Taak Bi Ha
Best for: Cave formations, Snorkeling, Cavern diving
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Nicte-Ha
Best for: Quiet swim, Lily pads, Cavern diving
Cave cenote · Tulum
The Pit Cenote
Best for: Advanced divers, Light beams
Open cenote · Tulum
Cenote Yax Kin
Best for: Quiet swim, Camping
Cave cenote · Cobá
Cenote Choo-Ha
Best for: First cave swim, Stalactites
Cave cenote · Cobá
Cenote Tankach-Ha
Best for: Jumping, Deep water
Cave cenote · Cobá
Cenote Multum-Ha
Best for: Cave atmosphere
Open cenote · Bacalar
Cenote Azul (Bacalar)
Best for: Strong swimmers, Lunch with a view
Open cenote · Bacalar
Cenote Negro (Bacalar)
Best for: Boat tours, Photography
Open cenote · Bacalar
Cenote Cocalitos
Best for: Stromatolites, Relaxing, Families
Open cenote · Bacalar
Cenote Esmeralda (Bacalar)
Best for: Boat tours, Color contrast photos
Cave cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Suytun
Best for: Photography, Light beams, Short visits
Semi-open cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Zací
Best for: Walking from town, History, Strong swimmers
Open cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Saamal
Best for: Ik Kil alternative, Families with life jackets, Lunch stop
Open cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Oxman
Best for: Rope swing, Relaxed day with pool, Couples
Cave cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Hubiku
Best for: Big cave chamber, Pairing with Ek Balam
Semi-open cenote · Valladolid
Cenote X'Canché
Best for: Ek Balam visitors, Quiet mornings, Adventure add-ons
Cave cenote · Dzitnup
Cenote Xkeken
Best for: Stalactites, Photography, Short visits
Cave cenote · Dzitnup
Cenote Samula
Best for: Sun beam and roots, Photography
Open cenote · Chichén Itzá
Cenote Ik Kil
Best for: Combining with Chichén Itzá, Photos, Strong swimmers
Entry: General admission 240 MXN; children 150 MXN; buffet package 530 MXN (checked 2026-10-03)
Open cenote · Chichén Itzá
Cenote Yokdzonot
Best for: Ik Kil alternative, Community tourism, Adventure
Open cenote · Chichén Itzá
Cenote Xcajum
Best for: Quiet swim near Chichén Itzá, Dramatic descent
Open cenote · Chichén Itzá
Cenote Lol Ha
Best for: Off the beaten path, Community tourism
Cave cenote · Homún
Cenotes Santa Bárbara
Best for: Several cenotes in one visit, Families
Cave cenote · Homún
Cenote Canunchén
Best for: Cave atmosphere, Short stop on a Homún circuit
Cave cenote · Homún
Cenote Santa Rosa
Best for: Families, Cave swimming
Cave cenote · Homún
Cenote Tza Ujun Kat
Best for: Easy access, First Homún stop
Open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Xlacah
Best for: Archaeology, Maya history
Open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Noh Mozón
Best for: Deep blue water, Divers
Semi-open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Kankirixché
Best for: Roots and light, Divers, Quiet visit
Open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Xbatún
Best for: Blue water, Divers, Quiet swim
Cave cenote · Mérida
Cenote San Ignacio
Best for: Closest to Mérida, Families, Easy half day
Entry: General pass: adults 480 MXN, children (4–12) 380 MXN (national and foreign visitors); Yucatán residents 420 / 320 MXN (checked 2026-10-03)
Cave cenote · Mérida
Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché
Best for: History plus swimming, Couples, Weddings and photos
Open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Yaal Utzil
Best for: Jumping, Budget visit, Locals' cenote
How to choose a cenote
Easy swimming
Open cenotes with stairs, platforms and life jackets. Example: Casa Cenote
Snorkeling
Semi-open and cavern cenotes with clear water and rock formations. Example: Gran Cenote
Diving
Cavern routes in big systems; cave diving needs certification. Example: Dos Ojos
Adventure
Small openings and jumps into the water. Example: Cenote Calavera
Compare the types of cenotes →
Lists: best for swimming · best for snorkeling · cave cenotes · Gran Cenote vs Dos Ojos
Plan: are cenotes safe? · prices · what to bring
Tips for visiting cenotes in Mexico
- Go early: most cenotes open around 8–10 am and are quietest in the first hour.
- Shower before entering and skip regular sunscreen and repellent.
- Carry cash in pesos; many cenotes do not take cards.
- Wear a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer.
Book a tour
Cenote tours in Mexico
Transport, guide and gear included on most tours. Free cancellation on many options.
See tours and pricesCenotes in Mexico: FAQs
Where are the cenotes in Mexico?
Almost all of Mexico's cenotes are on the Yucatán Peninsula, in the states of Quintana Roo, Yucatán and Campeche. The best-known bases are Tulum, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Mérida and Valladolid.
How many cenotes are there in Mexico?
Estimates run into the thousands; figures of 6,000 or more for the Yucatán Peninsula are often quoted, but no complete official count exists. Only a fraction are open to visitors.
What are the best cenotes in Mexico for a first visit?
Open or semi-open cenotes with stairs, platforms and life jackets are easiest. Around Tulum, Gran Cenote and Casa Cenote are popular first choices.
Which is better for cenotes: Tulum or the Yucatán state?
Tulum has many cave and cavern cenotes for snorkeling and diving. Yucatán state, around Valladolid, Homún and Mérida, has more deep open cenotes reached by stairs.
Are cenotes only in Mexico?
No. Water-filled sinkholes exist in other countries too, such as the blue holes of the Bahamas, but the word cenote comes from the Maya and is used mainly for Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, which has by far the most.
When is the best time to visit cenotes in Mexico?
Cenotes can be visited all year. Go early in the morning for fewer crowds; in cave cenotes, midday sun gives the best light beams.