Cave cenotes in Mexico

Cave (closed) cenotes are underground chambers where water fills a cave, often lit by a small roof opening or lamps. They are cooler, quieter and full of stalactites. Here is every cave cenote in our directory.

#1 · Cave cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Suytun
The famous light beam on a stone platform near Valladolid.
#2 · Cave cenote · Valladolid
Cenote Xcanahaltún
Light beams and few visitors north of Valladolid.
#3 · Cave cenote · Homún
Cenote Bal-Mil
Maya handprints on the cave walls in Homún.

More cave cenotes

Dos Ojos (Tulum)
Cenote La Noria (Puerto Morelos)
Cenote Kin Ha (Puerto Morelos)
Cenote Boca del Puma (Puerto Morelos)
Cenote Zapote (Puerto Morelos)
Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich (Tulum)
Aktun Chen (Akumal)
Cenote Chukum (Valladolid)
Cenote Holtún (Chichén Itzá)
Cenote Tajma Ha (Playa del Carmen)
Cenote Dreamgate (Playa del Carmen)
Cenote Sac Actun (Pet Cemetery) (Tulum)
Cenote Kukulkán (Playa del Carmen)
Cenote Palomitas (Valladolid)
Cenote Chelentún (Homún)
Cenote Sambulá (Mérida)
Cenote Chac Mool (Playa del Carmen)
Cenote Taak Bi Ha (Tulum)
The Pit Cenote (Tulum)
Cenote Choo-Ha (Cobá)
Cenote Tankach-Ha (Cobá)
Cenote Multum-Ha (Cobá)
Cenote Hubiku (Valladolid)
Cenote Xkeken (Dzitnup)
Cenote Samula (Dzitnup)
Cenotes Santa Bárbara (Homún)
Cenote Canunchén (Homún)
Cenote Santa Rosa (Homún)
Cenote Tza Ujun Kat (Homún)
Cenote San Ignacio (Mérida)
Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché (Mérida)

What makes a cave cenote

The cave roof is still mostly intact, so you enter by stairs or a ladder into an underground room. Read more in our guide to the types of cenotes.

Safety

Stay in lit, roped areas; never swim into passages. Cave diving requires full cave certification.

Cave, cavern and semi-open: what is the difference?

A cave cenote is mostly enclosed, entered by stairs or a ladder, often lit by one roof hole. A cavern is the zone near an entrance where daylight still reaches. A semi-open cenote has part of its roof collapsed, so one side is under rock and the other open to the sky.

Best cave cenotes near Valladolid

Suytun is famous for its light beam on a stone platform. Xkeken and Samulá at Dzitnup, Hubiku near Temozón and Xcanahaltun north of Valladolid are big underground chambers with stalactites and roots.

Best cave cenotes near Mérida

Homún and Cuzamá have many family-run cave cenotes such as Canunchén, Santa Rosa and Bal-Mil, which has old Maya handprints on its walls.

Best cave cenotes near Tulum and the Riviera Maya

Dos Ojos, Sac Actun and Nohoch Nah Chich open into some of the longest flooded caves in the world. Visitors usually see them on guided snorkel tours with lights, while certified divers explore further.

When to see light beams

Beams through roof holes are strongest around midday, roughly 11:00 to 14:00, on sunny days. Dust or mist in the air makes them more visible. In the rainy season, cloud cover can hide them.

What lives in cave cenotes

Small black catfish, blind cave fish and shrimp in deeper zones, and bats that roost in the roof. Swallows and motmots often nest near the openings.

Tips for visiting a cave cenote

Wear water shoes for wet stairs, bring a light jacket for the cooler air, skip sunscreen, and use a life jacket if the cenote requires it. Photos come out best with a phone in night mode and no flash.

Learn the difference in our types of cenotes guide, or browse all cenotes in Mexico.

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Cave cenotes: FAQs

What is the most famous cave cenote?

Cenote Suytun near Valladolid, known for its light beam onto a stone platform.

Is the water colder in cave cenotes?

It feels colder because there is no sun, though temperature stays around 24 to 25 °C.

When is the best time to visit a cave cenote?

Around midday on a sunny day for light beams, or at opening for fewer people.

Are cave cenotes safe?

Yes when you stay in the open swimming area and follow staff rules; passages beyond are for certified divers only.