All about Cenotes Santa Bárbara in Mexico

Astonishingly, the Yucatán Peninsula is home to an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 cenotes, which the ancient Maya believed were sacred gateways to the mystical underground world.

The Cenotes Santa Bárbara are nestled on a private property in the heart of a region renowned for its incredible abundance of cenotes, situated between the charming towns of Cuzamá and Homún.

This magical area is a true paradise for cenote enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the natural beauty and geological wonders of the Yucatán Peninsula. The four stunning cenotes of Santa Bárbara are beautifully named:

• Cascabel,

• Chacksikín,

• Xooch', and

• Pool Cocoon.

In and around Cuzamá and Homún there are over 20 more cenotes that can be visited. But the Cenotes Santa Bárbara are the best developed and most visited. If you’re not planning to venture into the smaller, less touristy cenotes, this one comes highly recommended from my perspective as the ultimate choice (yes, really!).

A special tour recommendation

If you’re looking to combine a cenote experience with a visit to a stunning 17th-century hacienda, a tour featuring the Santa Barbara Cenotes and Hacienda Mucuyché is the perfect choice. Take a look at this Viator Tour for a hassle-free and truly memorable experience.

In my opinion, Hacienda Mucuyché is not only one of the most stunning haciendas on the peninsula, but it also features two additional cenotes that rank among the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

It's unfortunately not really cheap, as neither the tour nor the entrance fees for both locations (if you decide to visit on your own) are particularly budget-friendly, but I promise, it’s truly a memory for life.

The world of cenotes

Cenotes are mystical natural wonders, hidden beneath the lush Yucatán landscape, where crystal-clear waters meet ancient limestone caves, offering an nice glimpse into Mexico’s geological and cultural history. Here are some interesting figures:

If you’re curious about the fascinating formation of cenotes, want to discover the best cenotes and tours, explore their cultural significance, or simply learn what to keep in mind when visiting these natural wonders, be sure to check out my page "Cenotes: Background & Tips" for an in-depth and inspiring guide.

The Santa Bárbara site

The cenotes at Santa Bárbara are located on a large property. The approximately 2km walk to the cenotes on the property can be done on foot, with a rented bicycle or with a horse cart. The path is a bit bumpy and there is also a small uphill in between.

If you have smaller children with you or want to avoid any effort in hot temperatures, I would better take the horse cart. You sit on wooden planks and are given a good shake during the ride. Unfortunately, as usual in Mexico, the animals are probably not being cared that well.

Facilities

The entire facility is fully developed and everything you need is available. There are changing rooms, toilets, bathrooms, showers and lockers in the entrance area. Free WiFi is also available in the entrance area.

You can also take a bag with you. Life jackets are mandatory and wearing them is partly supervised. Access to the Cenote Pool Cocoon is also possible via an elevator, although this is only intended for disabled people, senior citizens and pregnant women.

There are two restaurants that serve typical Yucatecan food, such as poc-chuc, queso relleno (stuffed cheese), carne yucateca (Yucatecan meat), panuchos, salbutes or sopa de lima (lime soup). For younger children there is a lovely water play park with slides.

The four cenotes

Since 2023, there have been four cenotes on the site that you can visit. After the drive (or the longer walk) to the cenotes, the first three are relatively close to each other. The last cenote is back in the starting area.

There are staff from Cenotes Santa Barbara at each of the cenotes, but there are no guided tours and - apart from the opening times - no other fixed times that you have to adhere to. You can therefore stay at the individual cenotes and on the property for as long as you like.

The first cenote (Cascabel) is completely underground and is only illuminated by artificial lights. You’ll have all the space you could wish for to swim, but the cenote is not as spectacular in comparison.

The large cenote is 26m long, 24m wide and has a height from the water level to the ceiling of approx. 10m. But Cenote Cascabel has no stalagmites or stalagtites.

The second cenote (Chacksikín) is only a short walk away. This cenote is absolutely breathtaking, featuring stunning stalactites that create a magical atmosphere. Its semi-open design allows natural daylight to pour in, enhancing its beauty and making it even more spectacular.

There are some thick tree roots in the cenote that hang down from the ceiling and reach into the water. There are several fascinating caves nearby, making diving or snorkeling an exciting adventure if you feel like it.

As with many other cenotes, you first go down a wooden staircase in the Chacksikín cenote (but it is easy to walk the stairs). If you are a bit taller (like me), you should tuck your head in when you take the first steps down.

At the end of the stairs there is a massive wooden platform with benches all around. From here you can take a look at everything or, of course, go into the water via another small wooden staircase.

By the way, taking a photo with a longer exposure time is not so easy because you can't work with a tripod. Even though the wooden platform is very solid, a long exposure is not possible due to the barely noticeable but constantly present slight vibrations of the platform.

The third cenote, Xooch', is accessed by descending a long stone staircase, unlike the wooden structures found at most other cenotes. Cenote Xooach' has a large round opening to the top and is one of my personal favorite cenotes.

Toh birds and swallows sing and circle inside the cenote and small fish swim in the clear water. Right at the opening of the cenote is a large poplar tree on the edge, its thick roots reaching right into the water.

This makes for a spectacular photo motif: with a wide-angle lens (I used 12mm full-frame) you can capture the entire cenote with the turquoise water, the rock faces, the poplar above and the blue sky behind.

If you want a perfect photo, you need to take an HDR shot to cover the wide dynamic range between the "hole in the ground" and the sky. I was able to use a tripod for the photo as there is a solid (rocky) surface.

The fourth cenote (Pool Cocoon) is a very large open cenote with an elongated shape and with nice (but artificial) waterfalls. The cenote is about 15m deep, 30m wide and has a length of about 30m.

Cenote Pool Cocoon was added in 2023, featuring also a comfortable stone staircase for easy access, as well as an elevator to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

As the cenote Pool Cocoon is quite large, it is very suitable for swimming if you want to. There are several waterfalls (which have been artificially created) and the cenote ends in a small cave.

Prices

The entrance fee of 250 pesos includes a visit to all cenotes, an (obligatory) life jacket, and a ride on a bicycle or a horse-run rail cart around the site (as desired) and there is free parking. In my opinion, the costs are very reasonable for what is offered.

Optionally, for an additional 80 pesos, lunch can be booked at the associated restaurant. If you are traveling with younger children, they will certainly enjoy the water playground (the water is turned off at the end of the tours around 4:00 pm).