All about Cenote San Ignacio in Mexico

Cenote San Ignacio or Tuunich Ha cenote (in Mayan it means "water in the stone") is located on private grounds in the town of Chocholoá.

It is one of the closest cenotes from Mérida. As with some other places, a small hotel and restaurant has also been built around the cenote.

There is a garden with sunbeds and hammocks, a pool, a smallo water landscape and a restaurant serving typical Yucantan food. There is also free WIFI available, lockers, changing rooms and toilets. Furthermore a playground for younger children.

The small and shallow cenote is completely underground. A hole lets in sunlight on one side and the cenote is also lit.

Small fish swim in the clear water, stalactites hang from the ceiling and stalagmites located under the water. You can swim in the cenote, but you can also snorkel if you have an equipment.

Is it worth it?

350 pesos entrance fee is in my opinion actually too much for what is offered. The feedback from our children was mixed and somewhat restrained.

There should only be clear recommendations here, but the entry remains and if you are anyway in the area and the cost does not scare you, it's ok.

The world of cenotes

Some interesting figures about cenotes:

The very best cenotes tour

If you are interested in getting to know the two best places with six cenotes and a 17th century hacienda in a private tour (Cenotes Santa Barbara and Hacienda Mucuyché), you should take a look at this Viator Tour. It's not really cheap, but a memory for life.

How do you get to Cenote San Ignacio from Mérida?

By car, drive southwest on highway 180 for about 20 minutes and then take the exit to Chocholá. The Cenote San Ignacio is located directly in Chocholá, a small village next to the highway.