This happens as a result of limestone caves collapsing and exposing a natural pool. Best time to visit: The best months to visit the region are April, May, and November. Opening Hours: 8am to 5pmEntrance Fees: 180 MXN. Take a towel with you and be careful when descending into the underworld, it is often slick because the stones are covered with algae. Set amid a collapsed cave, waves of sunlight flood the space and keep the foliage lush and green. Best time to visit: The best time to visit this cenote is between April to June. Hi, we are Kathi and Romeo. Best private cenote near Cancun: Elvira. Cenote Cristalino 3. Cenote Kaak offers several activities like hiking, snorkeling, diving across the jungle and encompasses exuberant vegetation. On the road that goes from Cancun to Valladolid, at about 30 minutes before arriving in Valladolid, you will find a bright orange road sign to indicate the dirt road that leads you to the entrance of the cenote. The large, open space above also makes this one of the best cenotes to snorkel in Mexico. Those who are a little bolder dont take the steps, but instead jump into the cold water. Nowadays the cenotes are for sure one of the most impressive natural attractions for many visitors from all over the world. 1) Cenote Ik Kil My ranking of the most beautiful Cenotes in Yucatan can only start from Cenote Ik Kil, probably the most famous! Best 10 Cenotes to Explore in the Yucatan Peninsula It came back wet in the evening, although it hadnt rained. One of the best cenotes in Yucatan is Cenote Zaci, a spectacular cenote found deep underground, with a winding pathway leading down towards the water. Divers can also encounter an abundance of sea creatures, such as fish, turtles, and stingrays, making the dive all the more thrilling. Best cenote tour leaving from Cancun: 4 cenotes in 1 day. The best cenotes to visit in Mexico are almost always found on the Yucatan Peninsula, where natural conditions and the geological history of the area have produced thousands of these spectacular, underground pools. Opening Hours: 8am to 5pmEntrance Fees: 50 MXN. The Yucatn Peninsula of Mexico boasts a renowned diving spot called Cenote El Pit, also known as The Pit Cenote. Azure blue water & secret charm Mexicos cenotes are a highlight for many on their travels. You will find it on your right. The Cenote Azul spectacular natural swimming pool is immersed in a tropical garden. Your email address will not be published. It is very unique because its completely unsuitable for swimming. Jungle rain had no beginning or end; it grew like foliage from the sky, branching and arching to the earth, sometimes in solid thickets entangling the islands, and, other times, in tendrils of blue mist curling out of coastal clouds. Watercourses also cross many of the caves. Its about 4mt high, about 12 ft, where the water has a depth of 5mt Its a great photography setting. Please contact us at moderator@travelsillustrated.com. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. A dive here is a surreal experience, as the water is remarkably clear and the rock formations around you appear ephemeral as you drift slowly downwards. So, please take a look. Most people visiting the historical Chitzen Itza pyramids also make a stop at the stunning Ik Kil cenote within a short 10-minute drive from the pyramids. Its name is derived from the Mayan word that means place of the blue waters, which is fitting since the cenote boasts of crystal-clear blue waters that are surrounded by lush greenery, giving visitors a sense of tranquility and serenity. The closest Cenotes to Cancun are located in Puerto Morelos, on a road that is called La Ruta de los cenotes. If you want to bring your mask and snorkel in some cenotes it will turn out useful, but you can find gear rental on-site almost everywhere. There is a lot of space and benches in the shadow where to relax and enjoy the soothing nature. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is located around 5 minutes drive out of Tulum, one of the tourist towns in Yucatn. Here are the nine most beautiful banknotes in the world - Yahoo Finance Cenote Dos Ojos Located in the beautiful Yucatn Peninsula of Mexico, the renowned tourist spot known as Cenote Dos Ojos (Two Eyes Cenote) boasts a breathtaking spectacle that is sure to amaze visitors. Also, ceramics and utensils used in religious ceremonies were found. Its an open cenote surrounded by rocks and vegetation and you also have a lovely natural platform from where to jump. Zaci is a great place to swim, snorkel, and dive. If youre looking for a more cavernous space more typical of Mexican cenotes, head inland from Playa del Carmen to Cenote Chaak Tun. You can find them scattered around the Yucatan Peninsula. It resembles more of a small lake. 2023 Road Affair, LLC. The Blue Cenote is well-deserving of its fame and the crowds that are drawn to it (especially in peak season). You can compare car rental deals and find the cheapest prices at Rentalcars.com. There are 3 types of Mexican cenotes according to their structures and layout: Where you can see the sky as there is no ceiling, its completely open although its depth can vary Examples are: cenote garden of Eden or cenote Azul or cenote Cristalino among the amazing cenotes of the Riviera Maya or Lucero Verde in the cenotes near Cancun, Miguel Colorado in Campeche, 3 Ochos in Homun among others. It has been carefully selected and compiled to the best of our knowledge, and it serves as inspiration for our readers and represents recommendations from the editors. There are actually two cenotes here that you can swim in, and both are incredibly deep, and flanked by rocky, jungle-clad cliffs. 12 Best Cenotes in Yucatan You Can't Miss | She Wanders Abroad Hence, my concern. Then refresh at the most famous cenote in the area: Cenote Dos Ojos. 20 Best Cenotes in Mexico You Must Visit Richard CollettJune 26, 2023 Share TwitterPinterestFacebookFlipboardEmail Road Affair is reader-supported and may earn commission from purchases made through links in this article. They are the community of Homun and Cuzam. What are the most beautiful cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula? Grand Cenote, Tulum flickr Located outside of Tulum on the 307 highway, Grand Cenote is one of the best Cenotes you have ever visited. 10 minutes drive Chichn Itz. Cenote Selvatica is located along the Ruta de los Cenotes, probably the most famous cenote Cancun. They are very simple and the cenote closes in the night so I dont really see the point in staying there. A single hole in the ceiling of the limestone rock lets in the natural light that illuminates the surrounding cavern. Taak Bi-Ha entrance fee 350 Pesos per person, You can dive if you come with a diving guide and it has a different cost (check with your preferred dive shop). Explore the ancient Mayan city, then cool off with a refreshing dip in Cenote Xlacah. La Noria was my favorite of these cenotes. However, when you come closer, you discover a ladder that leads you about 33 ft (10 m) into the crystal clear, cold water. Ik Kil, Best Cenote By Chitzen Itza. Here visitors can enjoy many leisure activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving in low-lit caverns with natural pools & stalactites. Its depths gleam in various shades of blue, with its darkest hue found at its deepest point of 121 ft (or 32 m). The cenote is in fact very small apt for jumping and continuing the exploration underneath the surface. It encompasses plenty of stalactites in its crystal water and also fishes and turtles. A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole that has been forming for several centuries or thousands of years. 10 Best and Most Beautiful Riviera Maya Cenotes - Sand In My Suitcase It is part of a more extensive complex that comprises a restaurant, a store, changing rooms, and charming cottages that can be rented for a comfortable stay. (You can pay to rent one). You can find Cenote Xkeken just a short ten-minute drive outside of Valladolid, on the road towards the town of Dzitnup (Cenote Xkeken is also often called Cenote Dzitnup!). Manage Settings 15 minutes), free parking is available. When you pass through the entrance you may not believe what an oasis you will find just a few streets away from the main square. In the cenote, you can swim relaxed, snorkel or jump from the about four-meter high cliff. You can also categorize cenotes as Cave, Young Cenote, Mature Cenote and Dry Cenote. Best times to visit: For unforgettable experience visit during the months of September, October and November. A little tip: Many of the caves are now real tourist attractions, so similar to the Chichn Itz Mayan site, it is worth coming here early to avoid the large crowds. How to Visit and Enjoy the Yucatan's Most Beautiful Cenotes Find 68 ways to say MOST NOTABLE, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Required fields are marked *. The entire Yucatan territory is flat and low with an exception of the soft elevation of the Puuc Hills in the southwest of Yucatan close to the border with the State of Campeche. Map: Overview of all of the cenotes in Yucatn. Not much for thecosts, but because they are usually less contaminated and more natural as the human civilization ( or uncivilization ) have barely set foot on. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Most beautiful cenote near Cancun: La Noria. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. This natural sinkhole or pool gets then filled with rain water and with water flowing through the underground river, to which these cenotes are connected to. The two main caves are linked, and its a great place to explore. The crystal clear waters of Ha are the perfect place for snorkelling. Very close to Cenote Azul, you will find Cenote Cristalino. It is spectacular because it is an open-air cenote with certain parts of it concealed. The fact that territory is so full of holes made it impossible for rivers to form, but favorssubterranean rivers, instead, which eventually would end up in a hole forming big or small subterranean lakes, the cenotes. Walk-in off the busy street, and youre in the midst of the cenote. Regarded as a 'hidden cenote,' there's a reason this beautiful attraction has Azul in its name. Both of the cenotes are classic cave-style cenotes, straight out of a picture book. 21 Best Cenotes To Visit In Mexico (Tulum, Cancun, Yucatan) Located 5 km south Playa del Carmen, this majestic cenote offers an array of activities to its visitors ranging from Hiking, swimming to just exploring the fantastic sea life along a turquoise river. 10 kilometers inland from Tulum along the road that leads to the ruins of Coba you can find the unusually named Carwash Cenote. In the bushes around the cenote, you will discover many iguanas that have populated this region. There are more than 6,000 cenotes all around the Yucatan Peninsula and the majority of them are scattered around the Mexican states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, a few also in Campeche. Free spirited Wanderers and Freelancers from Vienna. Obviously, there are so many more Cenotes in the area that I wrote a dedicated post on the Cenotes of the Riviera Maya to help you find your favorite one to visit. The cenote Suytun opens at 9, officially, but if you bike around the restaurant on the right and keep going to the cabaas entrance they would let you in from 8 am. We havent heard about any accidents, so this this one seems not to be a danger to humans. So dont let the photos of a seemingly empty cenote fool you. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission from Travels Illustrated! Cenote Cristalino - Tulum Some of them have been discovered accidentally by locals in their own garden or land. However, there are a couple of communities, one close to the other which are worth mentioning. And we have to admit: We were also attracted by the photos. )The opinions and information provided on this article are original editorial content of Travels Illustrated. The cenote is hidden away in the jungle, but there are modern changing facilities and lockers you can make use of. Speaking of swimming: wearing a lifejacket (provided) is mandatory. Best time to Visit: November and early December are the best months to visit the cenote. Cenotes (also called cenotes in Spanish) are karst caves filled with freshwater. There are organized tours that would include one of these cenotes in the Ruta de Los Cenotes, but if I were you I would either rent a car, or if you dont feel comfortable you could go by taxi. Cenote Xlacah is more like a large lake, or pond, but the water extends quite deep, all the way to where the cave system is just as elaborate as any other on the Yucatan Peninsula. You will forget all your worries and will get peace here. Useful info & tips for visiting cenotes in Yucatn, Mexiko, 3. The Cenote Cristalino near Playa del Carmen lives up to its name because the water is crystal clear. Cenotes Labnaha 8. Opening Hours: 8am to 5pmEntrance Fees: 120 MXN. It is probably the most Instagrammable cenote on the Yucatn Peninsula. The Cenote Calavera is famous for two things: Firstly, it makes for a very popular photo opportunity. Our most beautiful cenotes in yucatan | Makeholidaysplan.com Lake or cenote? This is a cenote thats never as busy as others near Tulum which is reflected in the much lower entrance price. Opening Hours: 9am to 5pmEntrance Fees: 100 MXN. Located just outside of Valladolid., Cenote Suytun is an underground cavern surrounded by stalactites, gristalinas shallow waters where visitors can explore the freshwater fishes living in it. Theres plenty of space for the crowds, and theres a huge area of blue water. Crystal-clear water awaits you in the Cenote Azul, which reaches a depth of 85 ft (26 m) and is a 20-minute drive from Playa del Carmen. Here visitors can find an oasis of life in the midst of the surrounding deciduous forest, near the ruins of Ek Balam. From a purely visual point of view, the Cenote Ik Kil is a natural gem! If you are staying in one of the Cancun resorts or Cancun Airbnb and you are thinking of making a day trip to visit one cenote or two, worry not, because although there are no cenotes in Cancun, I wrote a list of 21 amazing cenotes that you can visit from Cancun. The first question you're probably asking right now is: " What is a cenote ?" They were considered to be sacred and entire Mayan cities, such as Chichen Itza, were built around them. We were there in the late afternoon and were lucky that there were only a few other guests in the cenote. Especially if you want to visit more than one in a day. Born and raised in Italy, I have been living in many different countries for 4 years and in Cancun Mexico for 7 until in 2017 I decided to leave my office job and explore the world, with lots of bags and a camera. Located in the beautiful Yucatn Peninsula of Mexico, the renowned tourist spot known as Cenote Dos Ojos (Two Eyes Cenote) boasts a breathtaking spectacle that is sure to amaze visitors. We let you in on all of our personal tips for your trip to these natural wonders of Mexico. Yucatan, Mexico is home to thousands of cenotes. There are some colorful cabaas if you wish to stay there for the night, but I believe they are very pricey for the basic accommodations that they offer (900 MXN). And when you see its beauty you understand why I absolutely had to go back. How to reach: You can reach Grand Cenote from Tulum by Taxi or by car. In the Yucatan Peninsula, there are at least 6,000 recorded cenotes of varying size, and many more are likely hidden away deep in the jungles. After reaching the main gate of the cenote Samula, you climb down a set of narrow wooden stairs that take you directly into the water. You can jump in from the limestone cliffs above or snorkel beneath them. Luckily though, you dont need to launch an expedition to find the best cenotes in the Yucatan, many of the most spectacular ones are located close to the tourist hub of Cancun, major towns and cities, or accessible Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza. How to reach: Once you reach the town you can descend the 18 meters on a staircase to a wooden platform, to reach the beautiful Yokdzonot cenotes waters. The cenote gets its name from the twin cenotes that are connected by an incredible 400-meter-long underwater tunnel. Cenote Escondido on the other side of the main road, the cenote Escondido even allows you to play Tarzan as there are a couple of cords hanging from a tree for you to enjoy. You dont need to be a good swimmer or a diver to enjoy it. A breathtaking stalactite cave opens up before your eyes, which seems almost scary. 3. There is a ramified, fascinating cave system to discover under the earth in Yucatns. Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, Mexico. The best cenotes near Cancun are located along the Ruta De Cenotes (Cenote Route) just outside the city of Puerto Morelos. We were almost the only guests there in the morning a dream! Also be sure to take some cash with you paying with card is not very standard. You can swim quietly and snorkel to observe the rocks, plants and fish. All rights reserved. But this simple definition doesnt exactly do a cenote justice, because they are much, much more than just a hole filled with water. Kaak meaning fire is an open cenote with underground currents, surrounded by vertical walls and interesting landscapes located in the middle of the jungle. This cenote is located in South Yucatns, very close to the majestic lagoon, Bacalar. This is cenote is also a part of the Tour Cenotes in Riviera Maya. The Maya are said to have used many cenotes as religious sacrificial sites and viewed the underground systems as the gateway to the underworld. I would rather go early in the morning if you decide to visit. 10 Most Amazing Cenotes In Mexico You Should Visit - TheTravel How to reach: You can visit this cenote by car or by private taxi. The most famous cenote close to Playa del Carmen could well be Cenote Azul. The Gran Cenote is one of the most illustrious cenotes in Mexico, renowned for its exceptional cavern and cave diving, as well as for snorkeling. Important: make sure you dont apply any sunscreen or insect repellant before swimming in the cenotes. 16 Best Cenotes Near Tulum To Visit in 2023 - Every Steph Cenote Hubiku is enormous, and its enclosed by a grand cave that has just a few entrances for natural light. The largest cave at Cheek Tun has just one source of light, which is a narrow hole in the limestone ceiling and creates an enchanting underground atmosphere. Best time to visit: The best time to visit is between April to July. We use cookies to understand your needs better, improve performance and provide personalized content and advertisements. Cenote Dos Ojos 6. Entrance:150 Pesos per personDeparture point:ValladolidAccommodation tip:La Flor Casa BoutiqueGetting there:approximately 15 minutes drive from Valladolid. In order to dive here, one needs to be experienced and have made at least 20 dives before. The horses are not in the best condition. The cenote is located a stones throw away from the world wonder, Chichn Itz. The 10 Best Attractions in Oaxaca: Explore the Pretty Colonial City, The 13 Best Places to Visit in the Baja California Peninsula, 9 Best Vacation Destinations in Mexico: A Declaration of Love to Mexican Beaches, The word cenote comes from the Mayan word tsonoot, which means hole with water..