Finding good cenotes can be difficult and tiring, Apart from the most famous ones (for example, Ik-Kil) most cenotes aren't that known. This guide will help you find the all of the best cenotes from famous to hidden gems. 

After visiting Yucatan this year and talking to the locals and family members who live here, we bring you that information directly to you. This way you can truly enjoy Yucatán and not get caught by tourist traps :)

In this guide you will find all there is to know about the amazing cenotes. 

Not only will we share the best cenote, but also the best tours (in case you don't feel comfortable driving), best restaurants to eat near each cenote and where to stay. 

What it includes: 
- 17 cenotes in the state of Yucatan (divided into Mérida and Valladolid)
- Best restaurants (you will be hungry afterwards :) )
- Where to stay 
- Best cenote tours 
- What to bring with you


With this guide you will get all the information needed for you to explore the beautiful cenotes. 

Valladolid, Yuc., México

Mérida, Yuc., México

Yucatán, México

Chichén Itzá, Yuc., México

México

Yucatan cenote guide🏝️✨

- What to expect when visiting the cenotes

Cenotes are natural sinkhole found in limestone surfaces that many believe were created by the meteorite that made extinct the dinosaurs. They then filled up with rain water for millions of years. 

There are various ways you can visit the cenotes. The first one is by car. You can rent it at. AVIS rent a car through the link below. We recommend you rent it online and in advance to avoid being charged extra. 

Most cenotes already have restaurants next to them. However here are some suggestions for restaurants in each city. 

However we are aware that many either don't feel comfortable driving alone or simply don't want to. In that case we have various tour options for you. If you don't want to drive but still want to see the cenotes this is perfect for you. 

Valladolid: Cenote Maya Native Park Admission Ticket

Cenote tours that have pick up or transportation available

From Merida: Mayapán and Hacienda Mucuyché Guided Day Trip

From Tulum: Four-Cenote Adventure

From Merida: Chichén Itzá, Izamal, Valladolid and Cenote tour

From Merida: Day Trip to Cenotes de Santa Barbara with food

There are over 10000 cenotes in the whole Yucatan Peninsula. There are many types and can be divided into three types: closed cenote (a cave), half closed cenote (is only partly closed) and open cenotes (something resembling a natural pool). Keep in mind each cenote is different and each place offers something different. 

For the mayans they were an important place where a lot of religious ceremonies and sacrifices were made, that's why you will usually find mayan cities next to a cenote. Another reason why the Mayans built their cities next to a cenote was because it was their source of water.

When visiting cenotes keep in mind that the water temperature may be cold and some even have animals like fishes and turtles! Most cenotes will give you non-negotiable life jackets that you can take off only when you are out of the water to take photos. This obviously depends on the cenote but it's good to keep in mind. If you're not sure you can always ask the staff if you can take the life jacket off for photos. 

Depending on how you visit the cenotes you will have a completely different experience (not better or worse just different), if you visit them alone you will have more time but you will have to drive there, if you have a guided tour you will get information you otherwise might not get and depending on the tour you will get transport, however you will have limited time. It just depends on your preferences. 

It also depends on where you will be staying. We always recommend Merida as it is beautiful and one of the safest cities in Mexico if not the safest. However if you don't really care about that and you want to keep close to other cenotes you can also choose to stay in Valladolid depending on what you prefer. 

There are a lot of cenotes in Yucatán. So it's basically imposible to visit all of them. Here we will list the best ones divided into two categories: from Mérida and from Valladolid. 

Now that you know where to stay, where to eat and which places to visit what do you bring with you? 

- First keep in mind that cenotes are natural places so many sunscreens can damage them. It is important to use sunscreen but you need to bring one that isn't damaging to the environment. 

- You will need a bikini or a bathing suit

We always recommend to stay in Merida since it's beautiful, safe and close to either Progreso or Valladolid.

- Water proof phone cover if you wanna take pics or videos 

We hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Yucatan and experience the best cenotes. For more advice and tips follow us on Instagram @pintxo_travels. 

Thanks for getting our guide and if you enjoyed it, a tip would be greatly appreciated 💙

Note: the entrance cost, unless specified, only covers the entry to the cenote. Some cenotes offer tours that cost extra as well as lifejackets.

This ultimate guide is really all you need for a perfect vacation in Yucatan. Wether you want to lay on the beach and relax for a week or experience the perfect culinary experience or want to go on adventures such as cenotes and the classic Mayan temples we have you covered.

Not only will we share with you the best sites to see in each city but also the best museums, beach clubs, where to buy food if you’re staying for longer and the best hidden cenotes and Mayan temples. There is over 100 places for you to choose from so we’re sure that this guide will help you get that perfect trip. 

We have traveled to Yucatan for the past 3 years and have all the inside information coming directly from the locals to you. 

What it includes:  

100+ places in the state of Yucatan 

- Detailed information about Yucatán
- Must activities in each of the bigger cities and others  (museums, churches, plazas, etc.)
- Best hotels
- Transportation in Merida and beyond
- Food culture (types of food and best restaurants in each city)
- About Mayans (what places you need to visit apart from Chichén-Itzá)
- All you need to know about cenotes and where to find the best ones 
- Tips for traveling 
...And more!...

This guide is really all you need when traveling to Yucatan 
Tag us on your Yucatán experience @pintxo_travels

Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico

Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico

Yucatan, Mexico

Chichén-Itzá, Yucatan, Mexico

Celestún, Yucatan, Mexico

Mexico

THE ULTIMATE Yucatán, Mexico travel guide 🫶✨

Want a quick search for amazing hotels in Yucatán Mexico? Then you've come to the right place. 
Don't waste hours searching for good hotels and find all of the best options for all budgets right here. 

We're Sebastian and Alya and we have travelled to Yucatán on various occasions so here are our hotel recommendations!

We hope this helps!

Yucatan cenote guide🏝️✨

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