Yucatán’s Cenotes – The Ultimate Guide for Mérida Travelers
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What Is a Cenote?
A cenote is a natural sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock, exposing groundwater below. Found in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, cenotes are popular for swimming, diving, and snorkeling due to their clear waters. They also hold cultural significance for the Mayan civilization.
The Yucatán Peninsula is essentially a huge limestone plateau with underground rivers and basins, which was also shaped by the impact of the meteorite at Chicxulub 66 million years ago.
The meteorite not only ended the era of the dinosaurs, but also cracked the rock on the Yucatan Peninsula, allowing rainwater to seep through the cracks into the caves. The meteorite also triggered a chain reaction in the earth, creating many underground cavities and caves. This is how the so-called cenotes were formed.
Some interesting figures about cenotes:
Around the area where the crater hit, there’s the highest concentration of cenotes. The impact formed a special ring of cenotes that surrounds Mérida. Homún, for example, sits right on this ring – which explains why it has so many cenotes.
There are a few cenotes within Mérida itself, but they’re not super impressive. You can even find a small one in the park area of a Walmart in the north of the city. Nowhere else in the world has more of these so-called cenotes than the Yucatán Peninsula. Some estimates say there are up to 10,000.
Cenotes were often used as a water source, but they were also sacred to the ancient Maya and sometimes used for sacrifices. Many are connected by underground rivers.
Open cenotes have a special vibe – trees grow right at the edge, with roots stretching 20 or 30 feet down into the water. The water is usually super clear since it’s filtered through limestone. And you’ll often spot little fish or catfish swimming around.
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Best Cenotes to Visit near Mérida and Yucatán Peninsula
This is just a small selection of cenotes featured on this site. While the Yucatán Peninsula is home to thousands of cenotes, these are some of the best – whether they’re famous highlights or lesser-known gems worth visiting.
Cenotes close to Mérida:
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Cenote San Ignacio is in Chocholoá. You'll find a garden, hammocks, pool, water landscape and also a restaurant.
Cenotes at Archeologial Sites:
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The Archaeological site of Chichén Itzá is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World with the large cenote Sagrado.
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Dzibilchaltún is less known, but the oldest and largest Mayan archaelogical site with the above-ground cenote Xlakah.
Haciendas with Cenotes – History and Nature:
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Hacienda Mucuyché has largely original unrestored buildings and there are cenote Carlota and cenote Azul Maya.
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Hacienda Sotuta de Peón takes you back 100 years to the golden age of henequen. There is cenote Dzul Ha.
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The two small cenotes X'batun and Dzonbacal belong to the Hacienda San Antonio de Mulix.
Areas with Many Cenotes:
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Homún and Cuzamá are two small villages southeast of Mérida. There are over 20 cenotes that can be visited.
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Between the towns of Cuzamá and Homún, the Santa Bárbara Cenotes include four amazing cenotes.
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Playa del Carmen, a popular beach resort on the east coast of Mexico, has some nice cenotes.
Best Cenotes in and Around Valladolid:
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There are cenotes in Valladolid, a "Pueblo Magicó", and the third largest city in the state of Yucatán.
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The spectacular Cenote Suytun is close to Valladolid and the place is well-known for very "instagramable" photos.
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Cenote Zazil Tunich is a large cenote that is completely underground and a breathtakingly beautiful experience.
Cenotes in Water Parks – Nature Meets Fun:
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Xcaret is a water park with underground rivers and cenotes, at the Riviera Maya between Cancun and Tulum.
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Xel-Há Park is also a huge natural water park near Tulum at Riviera Maya with some cenotes.
Best Cenotes Tours from Mérida
Did I mention that a visit to a cenote is an absolute must when you are on the Yucatan Peninsula? There are so many incredible places that you should definitely not miss it.
We have picked out the best guided tours to the best cenotes for you from our partner, the market leader Viator. You save time and nerves, get everything you need to know and insider tips from an expert guide and can join up with others if you like. And it's also safer to travel in a group.
Disclosure: This article contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we get a small provision at no additional cost to you (#Disclosure Policy)
Top Tips for Visiting Cenotes
Swimming in a cenote is one of the most unique and refreshing things you can do on the Yucatán Peninsula. But to really enjoy it (and avoid surprises), a little prep goes a long way.
Here are a few smart things to bring;
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Water shoes – for slippery rocks and wet stairs
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Waterproof phone pouch – to snap photos safely in the water
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Waterproof fanny pack – keeps valuables safe
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Regular camera with flash – great for darker cenotes
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Quick-dry towel – dries fast and easy to pack
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Snorkel gear – to explore underwater
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Biodegradable sunscreen – regular products harm the water
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Life jacket – often mandatory and usually provided on site
And some good-to-know tips:
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Credit cards often not accepted – always have cash on you
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Expect no cell service – especially outside of town
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Shower before swimming – required at most cenotes
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Cenotes and Maya Beliefs
The ancient Maya believed that the cenotes were portals to the underworld. When a king died, he entered the underworld through the waters of the cenote and defeated the evil lords of the underworld. Then he traveled up to the upper world (heaven). So the cenotes also represent reincarnation and the journey to paradise.
The Maya held fire ceremonies and cave rituals at the cenotes to summon their gods and also made human sacrifices. In Chichén Itzá, for example, hundreds of people were ritually executed and their bodies were thrown into the water of the sacred cenote. This is evidenced by the discovery of a large number of skeletons at the bottom of the cenote.