Popular Cenotes and Where to Find Them

Cenotes are Mexico's hidden gems! Although growing in extreme popularity through social media, I still refer to them as hidden gems because only a handful are known by tourists (including me for that matter) and there are hundreds left unknown or only familiar to locals. Even still, the more popular ones could be referred to as hidden because of their nature to suddenly be there in a place where there was seemingly nothing.

One thing I love about cenotes is their extreme diversity. Some are sink holes in the ground, others inside a cave, some are small and exclusive and others absolutely massive. But their beautiful blue water is something usually seen across the board and is breathtaking.

Altogether, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico has about 6,000 cenotes according to Google. In this blog post I'll address the more popular ones, my favorites that I've been to, what I know about others, which I believe are the better choice to visit, and of course where to find them!

Cenote Zaci

Located in the city of Valladolid, Cenote Zaci is incredibly accessible. Just on the streets of Valladolid you'll see signs pointing up the sidewalk towards Cenote Zaci. Being literally off the side of the road I expected something small and uneventful. I was shocked when walking down into a cave and it suddenly opened up into this magnificent world that cannot be seen from the streets. This cenote is perfect for a refreshing swim but also to simply admire from inside and outside the cave. Entrance to get in is only 30 pesos which is not even $2.

Inside the Cenote Zaci cave

Swimming in Cenote Zaci

Cenote Palomitas

Unfortunately I never made it to this cenote on my trip to Mexico (sometimes you have to pick and choose) but it is definitely on my bucket list! This cenote is much more off the beaten path than Cenote Zaci and therefore will probably have less tourists. It can be found on google maps and is about a 40 minute drive away from Valladolid. It is inside a cave surrounded by stalactites and is noteworthy for the beam of light that shines through at a certain time in the day. According to what I found online, it's about 100 pesos ($5) to enter.

*This photo was found off of Google and is not my own.

Cenote Ik Kil

In my opinion...this is the most overrated cenote. Yes of course, as you can see it's very beautiful. But also as you can see, it's VERY crowded. This is one of those place you see on instagram and it wows you, and then you realize they edited out all the people. Now if you don't mind a crowd (literally, because not pictured is the people above looking down, as well) and you just want to swim, then by all means throw on a life jacket and dive in. But I personally was really turned off by the crowd, and my boyfriend and I ended up just parking to see it and then leaving.

If you do want to visit, the cenote is 40 minutes from Valladolid and just 5 minutes from Chichen Itza. The entrance fee is 70 pesos ($4) but like jackets to swim will be extra.

Cenotes y Cabañas Suytun

Only 15 minutes outside of Valladolid is another instagram famous place, Cenote Suytun. This place is amazing!! When I visited I was in absolute awe and felt like I was in an underworld! Like many places though, it has gained popularity for its pictures of the sunbeam shining through the cave onto the platform. At any point in the day, tour buses are constantly going in and out and the only way to have it to yourself for a picture (such as my own) and to appreciate the beauty is to wait for the crowd to disperse and go down in between tours. I actually went at the end of the day (around 4pm) when the last tour bus left. My boyfriend and I did wait a little while but it was well worth it.

The cenote is open from 9am - 5pm, but keep in mind there are sometimes ceremonies, there are always tour buses, and if you want to go when the sunbeam is there I imagine you would have to go in the middle of the day (noon or so?). Again, I went at 4pm when there was no sunbeam but the tours were over and we had the place to ourself.

Additionally, if you want to swim you are able, but you have to rent lifejackets. I personally didn't find swimming in still water inside a cave appealing...I imagine bacteria swimming around with you 😖 So to just admire from above the water, the entrance fee is 70 pesos ($4).

Cenote Dos Ojos

*This photo was found on Google and is not my own

Cenote Dos Ojos is incredibly popular for tourists in Tulum, as its about 30 minutes away on the way to Cancun. The water is said to be pristine blue and a great place to swim. I, however, opted out of this one as it didn't seem beyond special to me compared to others I wanted to see and because it is crowded with people. They say to get a good picture you have to be there first thing in the morning, something I didn't think worth it. It doesn't help that this is also one of the more expensive cenotes with an entrance fee of 200 pesos ($10). But if this has been on your bucket list, by all means visit! Many people love it. It simply was not my personal priority.

Gran Cenote

*This photo was found off Google and is not my own

Gran cenote is only 10 minutes from Tulum's center making it a very popular spot for tourists. To me, this cenote seemed similar to Dos Ojos in terms of it's popularity, crowd, higher price (200 pesos), and what it has to offer. Arriving in Tulum, I had already had my share of swimming in cenotes and wanted to go wherever the crowds were not. Therefore I also opted out of visiting Gran Cenote. However, if you're not going through the Yucatan Peninsula and are only staying in Tulum, this is a great place to visit if you've never been to a cenote since it is close and the water is beautiful!

Cenote Calavera

Literally meaning 'Skull Cenote,' this sinkhole is also named 'The Temple of Doom.' Although having an eerie name, this place is really so beautiful and unique. After paying the entrance fee you'll walk down a path to reach this cenote, and suddenly where there was ground, there's gaping holes where blue water shines from below. Although smaller than some of the cenotes I mentioned before, I found this one just as impressive.

And it's completely accessible! Only 5 minutes outside of Tulum's city center, it's possible to even rent and ride a bike here. The entrance fee is 100 pesos ($5), and you are able to swim. Diving in is quite a lot of fun, and the view from below is a whole new perspective. However, don't be alarmed if you see a bat or two beneath the grounds surface 🤷🏼‍♀️

Tips for all Cenotes

No matter which Cenotes you decide to visit, there are some things to keep in mind:

1. Bring cash! Almost all Cenotes have an entrance fee, and although cheap, it's essential you rememberer to have cash as it's the only method of payment.

2. If you want to avoid crowds go in the morning! I planned on doing this multiple times and honestly it never worked out for me as I'm not a morning person and would rather not be grumpy at a cenote. So at every location there were always other people around with me. But if you want to truly avoid that, set your alarms and be there at opening!

3. Ask locals! There are tons of cenotes besides the ones I've mentioned and no one knows where to find them better than someone who lives there. Whether it's someone from your hotel, your airbnb host, or a tour guide, they usually know.

Now you know where to find them, go enjoy Mexico's hidden gems!