A cenote is a natural swimming hole formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. It is believed they were created by the impact of the massive meteorite that extinguished dinosaurs.
The Mayans revered cenotes because they were a source of much-needed water during periods of drought and were used for many things from watering different crops to places of sacrifice where bodies were dumped into after being sacrificed to the gods (those Mayans surely killed a lot of people) hence the name cenote which means sacred well.
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has undeniably stunning beaches around Cancún, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. But those who wish to cool off from the scorching sun and escape some of the more crowded beaches of the peninsula will be able to escape to this secret underworld of turquoise water pools where Mayans communicated with their gods which sometimes come in the form of magical caves or occasionally are open to the outside world but usually framed by luxurious jungle.
Read on if you'd like to know where to find some of the best cenotes in the Yucatan.
Best Cenotes In The Yucatán
There are thousands of cenotes dotted all over the Yucatan's Peninsula, but instead of being sacrificial sites, nowadays they are mainly used for swimming in the pristine waters filtered by the earth, making them so clear and pure that you can see with the make eye shoals of small fish swimming past you.
I've decided to focus mainly on the cenotes which are somewhat less visited, less crowded and to some degree less tainted by mass tourism. Most cenotes along Mexico's Caribbean coast (Tulum, Playa del Carmen, etc.) are already suffering from the effects of too many tourists, and if possible they should be avoided to preserve the delicate ecosystems that call these swim holes their home.
From the list above the cenotes closer to the City o Valladolid (Yokdzonot, Samula and XKeken) tend to be busier due to their proximity to Chichen Itza (CLICK HERE if you want to find out how to visit Chichen Itza on your own) but they'll still be somewhat less busy than the ones along the Caribbean coast. These are best visited early in the morning, if possible before 11 am as that's when all the busloads of tourists start flocking to the cenotes. The same goes for the XLacah cenote which is one of the few places where you can take a dip and look at Maya ruins at the same time.
The Xlacah cenote is located inside the Dzibilchaltún Archaeological Site, near Mérida. The site is open daily (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access costs differ for Mexican citizens with ID (MXN $97) and foreigners (MXN $120). A population of small fish similar to those in fish spas call this cenote their home, and they are prone to biting softly to feed on dead skin cells.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting A Cenote
Q: What's the best way to get to the cenotes?
A: The best way to get to the cenotes is to rent a car or check online for organized tours that take you to different cenotes. You can also rent a bike or a motorbike, however, bear in mind that some roads are not paved and others are in bad shape with many potholes, so drive carefully.
Q: If I could only visit one cenote which one would you recommend?
A: That's a tough question, but I'd say the kankirixche cenote. Cenote Kankirixche is a breathtaking natural sight in Mexico where you'll find crystal clear waters, stalactite formations, plants, bats, freshwater fish species and if you can also embark on some exploratory diving if that's your thing.
This is a semi-open type of cenote that provides access via a wooden staircase and platform. The shallowest portion of the cenote is at 2 meters while the deepest part is at 50 meters. The cenote comes with a cave that boasts of spacious underwater galleries. Because it's quite remote, there's usually no one about except you, it's a massive swim hole, and the site is looked after by some old-timers who will welcome you with a big smile.
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Entrance fee: The entrance fee is 50 pesos (per person).
Good for swimming: Yes.
Facilities: There are camping/caravanning facilities.
Car parking: Yes
Q: What do I need to pack before visiting a cenote?
A: You definitely need some pesos for the different entrance fees to the different cenotes (bring around 1100 Mexican Pesos, approx. 50 USD). You'll need swimming shorts, flip-flops and if you have them, water shoes. Bring a dry bag to keep your belonging close to you. Bring a towel and your GoPro. If you really must apply sunscreen make sure it's biodegradable to help maintain the ecosystem of the cenotes.
Q: Are cenotes dangerous?
A: Cenotes are usually slippery, some are difficult to access, and if you don't know how to swim you should avoid them or at the very least, wear a life-jacket. Apart from the dangers aforementioned, you should always keep your belonging insight and if possible keep them close to you in a dry bag. Also, use common sense before visiting a cenote, don't go too late in the afternoon and apart from your camera consider leaving all other valuables at home.
Q: Are there facilities where to buy food or rent equipment like life-jackets or snorkelling gear when you visit a cenote?
A: In some cenotes, you'll have to pay an entrance fee to get in and usually you can rent life-jackets and occasionally snorkelling gear. There are cenotes where snacks and water is available to be purchased. You can also scuba dive in some locations but this is usually done as part of an organized/pre-booked tour.
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