Where to Find Cenotes & Underwater Caves in Mexico? [2023]

Did you know that Mexico is home to some of the most beautiful cenotes and underwater caves in the world?

When most people think of Mexico, beaches and ancient ruins come to mind, but there is so much more to explore in this diverse country! If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider checking out Mexico’s incredible cenotes and underwater caves. These geological wonders offer a unique perspective on the Mexican landscape and provide a one-of-a-kind adventure for travelers of all ages.

In this article, you will learn where to find the best cenotes in Mexico as well as what to expect during your visit!

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What is a cenote in Mexico?

Cenotes, sometimes misspelled and referred to as ceynotes or senotes, are freshwater sinkholes or caves filled with clear groundwater and rainwater. They are formed when the underground rivers flow and erode the limestone bedrock. Over time, this erosion leads to the formation of vast caverns under the surface. Many cenotes have part or all of the roofs remaining, while some cenotes are open-air as the caverns’ roofs collapsed and created an opening at the surface.

In the Mayan culture, cenotes were revered as sacred places and were seen as vital sources of fresh water. Many sacred cenotes were frequently used for sacrificial offerings by the ancient Mayan people, who believed that such purification rituals helped to enhance their prosperity and power.

What is the difference between a cenote and a cave?

Although both cenotes and caves are formed by the same set of geological processes that involve the erosion of limestone, there are key differences. Cenotes tend to be found in tropical climates, where they have developed deep, steeply-walled pits and sinkholes. In contrast, caves are far more varied, appearing in a wide range of different terrains and geologic settings. One of the most notable differences between cenotes and caves is their water content. Cenotes are typically filled with water, while caves usually remain dry.

What are the Different Types of Cenotes in Mexico?

💦Fully-Open Cenotes

Fully-open cenotes are natural pools or ponds with clear waters that are typically found near ground level, which makes them easy to access. These cenotes are filled with clean and clear water. They typically have warm water as they are directly exposed to sunlight throughout the day. These fully-open cenotes are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving

🤿Try Scuba Diving in a Fully-Open Cenote (No Experience Required)

Casa Cenote is one of the most notable cenotes in Riviera Maya. The sun makes the crystal clear turquoise waters in the cenote warm and comfortable to swim in. We did scuba diving here and found a lot of colorful tropical fish and dancing blue craps!

💦Semi-Open Cenotes

Semi-open cenotes are basically a combination of fully-open and cave cenotes. Since the ground-level limestone is partially caved, you may be able to get a glimpse into the sinkhole. A lot of semi-open cenotes have activities such as rappelling, zip-lining, and cliff jumping. So if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you’ll definitely find it here. Semi-open cenotes are a great way to experience the best of both worlds – the beauty of nature with the excitement of adventure.

⛰️Semi-Open Cenote Jungle Maya Native Park with Ziplines

One of my favorite semi-open cenotes in Mexico is Jungle Maya Native Park. With many activities to choose from (ziplining, rappelling, snorkeling, etc), you’re sure to find something that thrills you. The park also has a variety of animals that you can see up close, including monkeys and parrots. Plus, the staff is very knowledgeable and will make sure that you have everything you need to enjoy your time at the park.

💦Underground Cave Cenotes or Caverns

Cave cenotes in Mexico are untouched by the sun’s rays. Since natural light doesn’t reach them, cenote caves tend to be cold and dark, but many of these cenotes are home to breathtaking stalagmites and stalactites.

There are several cave cenotes in Mexico, but I highly recommend Xplor for a comprehensive experience. There are cenotes, underground rivers, caverns, and jungle tours in ATV at Xplor that can satisfy your thirst for adventures.

💰Purchase Xplor Admission Ticket Online for 15% Off!

Where are cenotes in Mexico?

The Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya are home to more than 7,000 cenotes, natural underground pools, and waterways that connect to an extensive network of caves. With so many cenotes to explore in this region, there is no shortage of natural wonders just waiting to be discovered.

Whether you are an avid cave scuba diver looking for your next thrilling adventure, or simply exploring as a part of your beach vacation in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, there is a cenote for everyone to enjoy along the Riviera Maya. With easy access by road from popular resort destinations, you will find it easy to head out on a day trip to beautiful cenotes.

Riviera Maya, the region south of Cancun, is known for having incredibly long caves, spanning hundreds of kilometers, and collectively make up some of the world’s longest operating underlying cave systems, such as the Sistema Dos Ojos, Sistema Ox Bel Ha, and Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich.

What is the most famous cenote in Mexico?

The most famous cenote in Mexico is undoubtedly Cenote Maya, which is also the biggest vaulted cenote in the country. This immense natural sinkhole is located within the Yucatan Peninsula and boasts stunning crystal-clear waters.

This is the biggest vaulted fresh-water cenote with rappelling, ziplining, and other fun activities. You can buy Cenote Maya Park admission tickets online and make a stop if you drive to Chichen Itza. That would allow you to avoid the tourist crowds, but make sure to arrive before 3:00 PM. The park closes at 4:00 PM as the sun goes down and it gets dark, but from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, the place would be perfect!

Cenote Maya Admissions Ticket

Since we drove there and arrived after the tour groups left, we were pretty much the only two people here and had a private guide to help us with the cenote activities. Before entering the cenote, we watched a Mayan ceremony performed by a local shaman in the back garden. The ceremony lasts about 2-3 minutes and is included in the ticket. If you want to watch it, I would suggest doing it before the cenote so you don’t stand there being wet.

What is the best way to visit all types of cenotes?

🚌 Join a Comprehensive Cenotes Tour

If you’re looking for a tour that will take you to experience all types of cenotes, then look no further than the Xenotes Tour from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. This tour includes transportation to four different cenotes, a certified guide, plus food and beverages. You’ll get to experience natural environments with activities like assisted rappelling, hammock splashing, zip-lining, kayaking, and swimming.

Check Price & Availability for Xenotes Tour

Four cenotes you will visit on the tour:

K’áak’ Fire Cenote: an open-air cenote surrounded by jungle, with vertical walls upholstered in various shades of green from the vast vegetation. It is a beautiful landscape that you can admire while swimming or relaxing on an inner tube.

Iik’ Wind Cenote: an ancient cenote that offers visitors the chance to experience a range of adventure activities, from zip-lining to cliff jumping. The seven-meter-high cliff jump is not to be missed for those who are brave enough to take the plunge

Lu’um Earth Cenote: a cave cenote that is connected to the aquifer mantle through a series of tunnels and major caves. Because it is relatively young, the cenote is almost completely covered. However, you can access the pool by descending through the cavity in its roof.

Há Water Cenote: a semi-open cenote with beautiful aquatic flora and rock formations

🚗Rent a Car and Drive

If you’re planning to rent a car and drive around in Mexico, you can choose from the list of popular cenotes below that suit your preference and your itinerary. Make sure you buy insurance with your reservation to avoid scams at check-in. We made the mistake of not doing this on our first trip renting a car in Cancun and ended up paying way more than we should have.

To avoid rental car agency scams, you should reserve your car with a reputable company through Discover Cars and include car rental insurance, even if you have Auto Collision Damage Waiver from U.S credit card companies. ✔️BOOK NOW

10 Top-Rated Cenotes & Underwater Caves to Visit in Mexico

1. Casa Cenote (Cenote Manatí )

Casa Cenote (Cenote Manati) is one of the most breathtaking cenotes in Tulum. With its gently winding river channels and crystalline waters, this open-air cenote is one of the most breath-taking cenotes in Cancun and an ideal destination for anyone interested in scuba diving. It is home to tropical fish and blue crabs and you can discover scuba diving without any prior experience.

If you just want to go swimming in this cenote, you simply need to follow the unpaved road that runs north of Tulum for about 9 kilometers. The entrance fee is around $8 per person, which includes a life jacket as required by local safety regulations. If you need somewhere to store your belongings while you’re swimming, you can rent lockers for 50 pesos ($2.5 USD).

2. Dos Ojos Cenote

Cenote Dos Ojos, or “Two Eyes Cenote,” is a renowned diving site in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. This unique cave system is nearly 7,000 years old and comprises over 300 miles (483 kilometers) of connected underwater passageways.

Cenote Dos Ojos is also home to the deepest-known cave passage in Quintana Roo. Scuba divers of all levels come to these interconnected cenotes to explore its crystal-clear waters, magnificent rock formations, and hidden chambers. There are fish, turtles, and an abundance of incredible stalactites and stalagmites.

3. Gran Cenote

Gran Cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Located just outside of Tulum, Gran Cenote is a complex of both open-air cenote and underground caves, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. You’ll be amazed by the stalagmites and stalactites, and may even get to see bats and birds fluttering overhead.

El Gran Cenote can get quite crowded because of its proximity to Tulum, so it’s best to arrive early. To get there, you can join a guided tour or simply drive or take a taxi toward Cobá until you see the sign for the Gran Cenote on your right.

4. Cenote Yakul Lagoon

Yal-Kú lagoon is a one-of-a-kind tropical paradise, where freshwater and seawater merge. Its crystal-clear waters are home to several species of colorful fish and turtles, making it the perfect spot for snorkeling.

Located just two miles away from Akumal Beach, Cenote Yakul Lagoon is the perfect place to get in touch with nature, sunbathe, relax, and discover a fantastic underwater landscape. You can swing in a hammock, rent a private space with palapas, or explore the sculpture garden.

I highly recommend purchasing the admission ticket online for 15% off. It includes free parking, showers, dressing rooms, locker rental, life vest, and snorkeling gear rental.

5. Cenote Sac Actun

Cenote Sac Actun is the world’s largest known underwater cave system and one of the most impressive cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula. The crystal clear freshwater cave is home to colorful fish, bats, and animal fossils. Although it is not as crowded as some of the other cenotes on the peninsula, Sac Actun is still a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

The cave system is made up of a series of interconnected chambers and tunnels that wind their way through the limestone rock. You can explore the caves by swimming, snorkeling, or diving.

6. Cenote Ik Kil

Cenote Ik Kil is one of the most crowded cenotes in Yucatan due to its close Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, but it’s definitely worth a visit.

Once a sacred cenote for the Maya people, who used it for sacrificial rituals. Today, the cenote is a popular tourist spot, surrounded by tropical vines and small waterfalls. The cenote is approximately 30 meters deep, with water that is crystal clear and refreshingly cool. There is an elevated rock platform where people can climb up and dive into the water.

7. Cenote Maya

Cenote Maya is the biggest vaulted cenote cave in Mexico. This immense natural sinkhole is located deep within the Yucatan Peninsula and boasts stunning crystal-clear waters that shimmer like jewels beneath the sun. The water is so clear that you can see through to the bottom of the cenote.

There are plenty of activities available at the cenote including rappelling, ziplines, and slackline “trepachanga”. Before refreshing at the cenote, you can participate in an authentic Mayan ceremony led by a shaman.

If you drive from Cancun to Valladolid or Chichen Itza, before reaching cenote Maya, you can also stop at Cenote Suytun. It is a popular cenote with a round platform at the center that is the perfect place to take pictures. A lot of people stop by Cenote Syutun just for that instagrammable photo!

8. Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul is a small but beautiful cenote in Playa del Carmen. Its main draw is its clear turquoise water, which is full of tropical fish. Other than snorkeling, you can go for a dive off a mini cliff into the refreshing water.

Cenote Azul is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike and gets very busy on weekends, so if your schedule allows, try to visit during the week.

9.Cenote Calavera

Cenote Calavera is a popular spot for tourists visiting Tulum. “Calavera” means “skull” in Spanish, and the cenote gets its name from its unique shape like a skull! There is one big hole and two smaller holes in the cenote that makes it look like two eyes and a mouth.

You can jump from the platform or take a ladder down to the water. There are also plenty of trees around the cenote, making it a great spot to relax in the shade and take a break from swimming.

10. Cenote Cocalitos

Cenote Cocalitos is a natural sinkhole and a sanctuary of stromatolites, coral-like structures that are believed to be about 3,500 years old. Cenote Cocalitos is located in Bacalar (nicknamed the Maldives of Mexico), a little town that has been recognized by the Mexican government as a pueblic magico (meaning magic town) for its “magical” beauty, historical importance, and natural wonders.

During your visit, try not to touch the stromatolites and use biodegradable sunscreen to protect this natural beauty.

The Wrap-Up: Cenotes & Caves in Mexico

As anyone who has ever visited Mexico can attest, the country is home to some of the most stunning natural wonders in the world. One such example is the cenote, a type of natural pool formed when limestone caves collapse and expose groundwater below. These geological marvels come in many different forms, including fully-open cenote, semi-open cenote, and cave cenote.

Cenotes and caves are found in abundance in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and offer visitors plenty of activities other than just swimming.

Scuba Diving in a Fully-Open Cenote

Semi-Open Cenote with Ziplines & Rappeling

Cave Cenote Expedition at Xplor

Whether you choose to visit an individual cenote or combine the adventures to all types of cenotes in a day tour, you will surely have a great time at these awe-inspiring natural wonders!

Mexico Travel Resources

Travel Insurance:
- No one wants to think about what could go wrong on a vacation, but the truth is that accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have travel insurance, so you can relax and enjoy your trip knowing that you’re covered if something does go wrong. Don’t take the risk when you can be covered for cheap.
- Safety Wing is a great option for budget-conscious travelers, as policies start at just $40 USD for an entire month! Basic policies cover travel emergencies, medical costs, and medical expenses while you’re in Mexico as well as transportation back to your home country under circumstances.
Car Rental Scam
- Don’t fall for car rental scams in Mexico! Make sure you have full coverage when you make the reservation so car rental agencies can’t upsell their insurance.
- Discover Cars offers the cheapest car rental rates in Mexico and full coverage insurance for as low as $7 per day.
Popular Travel Guides in Mexico

Top 10 Magical Cenotes & Underwater Caves in Mexico [2023]

What is a cenote in Mexico?

What is the difference between a cenote and a cave?