Open cenote · Mérida
Cenote Xlacah
- Type
- Open cenote
- Area
- Mérida
- Entry fee
- Check at entrance
- Hours
- Daytime, check locally
Cenote Xlacah is the open cenote inside the Dzibilchaltún archaeological site, about 15 minutes north of Mérida. Its clear pool is about 44 m deep at one end. As of 2025–2026 reports, Xlacah is closed to swimming, although the archaeological zone and its museum are open.
Cenote Xlacah is one of the best cenotes near Mérida in our guide to cenotes in Mexico.
Key facts about Cenote Xlacah
- Supplied water to the large Maya city of Dzibilchaltún.
- Divers have recovered ceramic offerings from its depths, showing ritual use.
- Currently closed to swimming, but you can view it from the edge.
- Visit in the morning before the paths get hot.
Source: Yucatán Guide, checked October 2026.
A cenote inside a Maya city
Dzibilchaltún was settled more than 2,000 years ago and was one of the longest-lived Maya cities in northern Yucatán. Xlacah was its main water source, and the city grew around it. Divers and archaeologists have recovered thousands of offerings and objects from the water.
What the cenote looks like
Xlacah is a wide open pool, about 22 by 36 m by reports, with water lilies, fish and a shallow shelf at one end. At the other end the floor drops into a dark gallery that leads into a cave.
Visiting the site
The cenote is part of the archaeological zone, so one ticket covers the ruins, the museum and the cenote area. Check locally whether swimming is open on the day of your visit, and never use sunscreen in the water.
What to do at Cenote Xlacah
- Viewing (swimming currently closed)
- Dzibilchaltún ruins and museum
Highlights
- Next to the Temple of the Seven Dolls
- Depth reported at about 44 m at the deep end
- Shallow end reported around 8 m
- Currently closed to swimming (2025–2026 reports)
How to get to Cenote Xlacah
Location: Inside the Dzibilchaltún archaeological zone, about 15 minutes north of Mérida.
Drive or take a taxi about 15–20 minutes north of Mérida toward Progreso, then follow signs to Dzibilchaltún.
Cenote Xlacah entrance fee and hours
Entry: we have not found a reliable, current price for Cenote Xlacah yet. Ask at the Mérida entrance and bring cash in pesos.
Hours: Cenote Xlacah opens in daytime only; confirm hours locally before you go.
How far is Cenote Xlacah?
Approximate driving times to the Mérida cenote area (car, normal traffic):
- Mérida centre to Cenote Xlacah: 30–60 min
- Chichén Itzá to Cenote Xlacah: 1 h 45 min
- Valladolid to Cenote Xlacah: 2 h
- Tulum to Cenote Xlacah: 3 h 30 min
- Cancún to Cenote Xlacah: 4 h
Plan your visit to Cenote Xlacah
- Time needed: 1–2 hours at the cenote, more if you combine it with nearby cenotes.
- Best time to go: Early morning (before about 10 am) for calm water and fewer people; weekdays are quieter than weekends.
- Note: swimming is currently closed at Cenote Xlacah; bring water, a hat and cash in pesos.
Is Cenote Xlacah worth visiting?
Yes, if you are looking for archaeology, maya history. At Cenote Xlacah you can do: viewing (swimming currently closed), dzibilchaltún ruins and museum.
Tips and rules for visiting
- Check locally before going to swim: it is reported closed.
- For a swim near Mérida, try San Ignacio instead.
- Visit the Temple of the Seven Dolls.
Nearby cenotes
See all the best cenotes in MéridaLearn more: The Maya and cenotes, The Sacred Cenote of Chichén Itzá, How deep are cenotes?, Maya cities built around cenotes
Cenote Xlacah FAQs
Can you swim in Cenote Xlacah?
Not currently. 2025–2026 reports say Xlacah is closed to swimming, while the Dzibilchaltún site is open.
Where is Cenote Xlacah?
Inside the Dzibilchaltún archaeological zone, about 15 minutes north of Mérida.
How deep is Xlacah?
It is reported at about 44 m at its deepest point.
What type of cenote is Cenote Xlacah?
Cenote Xlacah is an open cenote. Cenote Xlacah is the open cenote inside the Dzibilchaltún archaeological site, about 15 minutes north of Mérida.