Our list of the 12 best cenotes in Valladolid includes: the hidden gems, the most beautiful open and closed cenotes, the easiest ones to get to, the ones for epic jumps + more!
We have visited Valladolid several times, always looking for the next cenote that will WOW us. In this guide I share all of the best cenotes to visit in Valladolid. I even link to our in-depth reviews to some of our favourite cenotes. Yes we’ve made guides to some of our favourites… that’s how serious we take cenote hunting!
Below I cover all the questions we initially had, and no doubt that you’ll also have. Questions like what is the significance of a cenote, how many are there, how deep are they, what’s it like to snorkel or scuba dive in a cenote?
Then when we you have a better understanding of what a cenote is, I’ll help you figure out how to visit them. Is it better to taxi, bike, scooter, take public transport or rent a car? So relax, take a deep breath… read on because everything is explained below.
If it’s just cenotes you want… use the table of contents to fast track through this post to explore our list of the best cenotes in Valladolid. So if it’s an adventure cenote you want, or a beautiful cenote, a cenote for families, or a hidden cenote, then this is the blog post you need!
* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!
What is So Special About Cenotes
The above, is one of the most googled questions about cenotes. And truth be told we had similar questions when stepping off our flight into Cancun. Boy were we in for a surprise… and so are you, if you’re planning a trip to the Yucatan and Quintana Roo. But first it helps to know what a cenote is and what makes it special!
A cenote is essentially a sinkhole, which is explained below in more detail. But most interestingly, if you check out Google Maps you’ll see that rivers are uncommon in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
But of course there had to be access to drinking water with the number of Mayan civilisations dotted all throughout. Well with an abundance of cenotes, there was no shortage of fresh water. Go check out Maps, zoom in and you’ll find cenotes everywhere! (That’s when you start to panic… like, yikes, which is the best cenote for me to visit. Fortunately we will help you with that 💃)
However, this just goes to show how Mayan cities stretched far and wide over the Yucatan. For example both ruins near Valladolid – Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam – are closely located within walking distance of cenotes. In fact cenotes were a very important part of Mayan culture in terms of culture, and ritual. They were interpreted by Mayan people as a gateway to the underworld and therefore used for the sacrifice of both humans and artefacts.
How Many Cenotes are There in the Yucatan
This following statistic, kind of blew me away. Get this, there are some estimated 10,000 cenotes in the world BUT 6,000 of those are in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico!
Many of the cenotes are connected through underground fresh water rivers… pretty incredible stuff right.
Your next question, why so many sink holes! How has the Yucatan landscape become so prone to sinkhole cenotes. My husband has done the cenote research and this is what he discovered…
Sinkhole Cenotes
Cenotes are large underground caverns that have been formed by water over millions of years. The Yucatan Peninsula is the ideal environment, as it’s reasonably flat and predominantly made up of porous limestone. So, the rain water seeps through the rock, paving out underground rivers, caverns and wells. And so a cenote is born.
Meteorite Cenotes
There’s also an area known as the ring of cenotes, which was caused by a meteorite impact at the end of the cretaceous period. The epicenter of the meteorite is off the coast of a town called Chicxulub.
In terms of the Valladolid cenotes, well these are further south from the ring of cenotes. As such, they are the regular form of sinkhole cenote.
Types of Cenotes
Chances are, you’ve already seen images of cenotes and you’ve noticed that some are enclosed, cave like cenotes, while others are open. There are actually three or four different types of cenotes referred to online. These are defined and explained in different ways, but generally speaking this is what we gathered from everything we read and researched.
Open Cenotes in Valladolid
In the open cenote, the ceiling has completely given way or collapsed into the cenote. In other words, the water is completely exposed and with the natural light, you can admire the cenote in all its beauty. These give you a better opportunity to enjoy the colours of the water, with the help of the sunshine and blue sky!
Open cenotes to visit in Valladolid:
- Saamal Cenote
- Oxman Cenote
- Sac Aua Cenote
- Secreto Maya Cenote
Semi-Open Cenote in Valladolid
The semi-open cenote refers to a mostly closed cenote. Basically, as it suggests some of the ceiling vault has collapsed but much of it is still intact.
Semi-open cenotes to visit in Valladolid:
- Zaci Cenote – but note it’s currently closed – read below for the details
The Closed or Cave Cenotes in Valladolid
Closed or cavern cenotes are those that are still covered by a rocky vaulted roof. Therefore, access is provided through a cave like entrance into the ground. Closed cenotes are also described as the newer cenotes, given that their cavern ceiling has not yet fallen in.
Some cenotes have small holes in the ceiling, which can provide some natural lighting. But usually lights are installed, illuminating the beautiful stalactites commonly found in the closed cenotes.
Closed cenotes to visit in Valladolid:
- Suytun Cenote
- Dzitnup Cenotes – Samula and Xkeken
- Xcanahaltun Cenote
- Agua Dulce and Palomitas Cenotes
- Tekom Cenote
Can You Swim in Cenotes in Valladolid
Yes you can swim in cenotes, but not all of them. For example, visitors to the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá cannot swim in the Sacred Cenote. This is because of the sacred nature of the cenote.
Also some of the delicate ecosystems within the cenotes, have become contaminated due to over-tourism. As a result these cenotes are now only open to admire… in other words, look but don’t enter the water!
Which raises a very important rule when it comes to swimming in cenotes. Before entering the water visitors must shower, and there is normally a bathroom facility available nearby. This is to ensure that skin is clean and all lotions and repellants have been removed. Naturally, these products can have a harmful effect on the cenote.
💦 So we urge responsible tourism. Shower before entering the cenotes in order to protect these fragile resources.
Snorkelling and Diving in Cenotes
Snorkelling is permitted in cenotes, but most don’t have snorkelling equipment available for rent. Though we did find some rental snorkelling equipment at Cenote Secreto Maya.
We took our snorkelling gear with us to all cenotes, but didn’t necessarily use them at all. In some of the cenotes, particularly the cave cenotes, it’s dark and therefore difficult to see underwater. But for sure there are some beautiful crystal clear ones that offer a very interesting snorkelling experience. Look out for small fish, tree roots, or stalactites that hang down into the water. Our favourite cenotes for snorkelling include:
🤿 Cenote diving is less common in and around Valladolid and certainly better in cenotes near Tulum. I recommend you read this post by friend and fellow traveller Bucketlist Bri, for tips related to cenote diving in Tulum.
How Deep is a Cenote
Cenotes vary greatly in depth. Some such as Cenote Suytun are extremely shallow at 1 to 5 metres, while Cenote Zaci in Valladolid for example, is 100+ metres at its deepest point. It’s relevant to note that in many cenotes around Valladolid, wearing a life jacket is compulsory. Also ropes are suspended across the water to help guide swimmers should they need it.
Some of the other cenote depths are as follows:
- Cenote Secreto Maya – is said to be 80 metres deep
- Cenote Saamal – 46 metres deep
- Cenote Xkeken at Dzitnup 20 metres deep
- Cenote Sac Aua – 1 to 14 metres deep
- Cenote Palomitas – 55-60 metres deep
- Cenote Xcanahaltun – 60 metres deep
Getting to the Valladolid Cenotes + Map
These are the location points of the best cenotes in and around Valladolid. The southern cluster of cenotes are best reached from Valladolid by bicycle and taxi. While the northern cluster, by scooter or rental car. Read below for more details about each mode of transport and our recommended methods for getting to each individual cenote.
Valladolid Cenotes by Bike
To the south of Valladolid there are a number of cenotes that can be visited by bike. An awesome sustainable way of visiting cenotes right! What we like about this option is that you can visit several in a day and the bike trails are very very good.
It costs between 100 to 150 MXN pesos to rent a bike for the day (12 to 24 hours). There are many rental companies available within town.
Cenotes to visit by bike:
Note: that if you are travelling with kids, bike rental is more difficult. We tried at just about every bike rental place we came to, but with no luck. Nobody had bikes for kids and regulations prevented them from renting to people who wanted to double. So sorry if you’re a family, it might be better to check out scooter rental.
- Saamal Cenote at Hacienda Selva Maya
- Dzitnup Cenotes – both Samula and Xkeken at the same complex
- Hacienda Oxmán Cenote
- Cenote Suytun – however there is no bicycle path
Valladolid Cenotes by Taxi
Believe it or not, but this is actually one of the more difficult ways to visit cenotes. Especially the better more hidden cenotes. And that’s simply because taxis don’t tend to visit these areas. However, to the cenotes closer to town then it’s easier.
Cenotes to visit by taxi: are the same as listed above under biking
Valladolid Cenotes by Scooter or Rental Car
Scooter was our preferred transport method of cenote hunting. With our scooters we could travel two at a time, it was an adventure, we had the freedom to visit cenotes and ruins, we also covered a lot of ground in a day. For this reason, I thoroughly recommend a scooter!
The cenotes to the north of Valladolid are some of the best and more remote to visit by scooter. In fact, this area is often referred to as the Cenote Route. Dotted along a main road, and some smaller connecting roads, beautiful more remote cenotes can be found, begging to be explored.
Scooter rental in Valladolid costs around 500-550 MXN pesos. Check out the following scooter rental provider here with Viator.
It’s possible to visit all the cenotes listed above by scooter, in addition to the following:
- Ek Balam X’Canché cenote
- Sac Aua Cenote
- Agua Dulce & Palomitas Cenotes
- Hubuku Cenote
- Secreto Maya Cenote
- Xcanahaltun Cenote
Our second recommended method of transport for this northern group of cenotes is with car rental. One of the more well known rental car agencies in Valladolid is – Ko’ox Balak. They also come with great Google reviews.
Valladolid Cenote Tours
If you are staying in Valladolid then these are the best cenote tours I have found on Viator.
The first tour – (I know the first image doesn’t exactly excite… but click it open and read more). In terms of value for money it’s a great option and you get to visit four of the best cenotes – Hubuku, Xcanahultan, Palomitas and Agua Dulce Cenotes. It’s a pure cenote fest!
The second tour – combines street tacos with three awesome cenotes. You start at Cenote Suytun, then onto Cenote Xux Ha, finishing with Cenote Oxmán. They also provide an optional pickup from Cancun.
Option three – well it’s not all cenotes! But for something a bit different, the tour goes to Ek Balam ruins, Las Coloradas (which was a destination in Mexico we loved) and finishes with a visit to Cenote Hubuku.
Valladolid Cenote Tours from Cancun
Alternatively if you are staying in Cancun and fancy a day trip to the Valladolid cenotes then look no further. This excellent day tour includes a pickup, tour of Chichén Itzá and Valladolid town. It finishes with a swim in Saamal Cenote.
This is one of the most booked guided tours, and comes with excellent reviews from Get Your Guide travellers.
12 Best Cenotes You Should Visit in Valladolid
Here it is, our top recommended cenotes for your visit to Valladolid. Browse them all, using the key points to help you identify the right cenotes for you.
Saamal Cenote
🌀 Type of Cenote – open
💰 Price – 150 pesos
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 5.8 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Dzitnup & Oxman
🚿 Amenities – changing facilities, showers, lockers, life jacket compulsory
🍋 Restaurant, bar and gift shops on premises
🪢 Extra activities – massage, bicycle rental, zip-lining with 3 towers
🚲 Best way to get there – scooter, bicycle or taxi
⏰ Timings – 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle
There is a lot happening at Saamal Cenote, so this is a great option for the family. Combine your trip with some tequila tasting, or cruise the jungle canopies on the zip-line. Many bus tour groups come from Cancun and other destinations in the Yucatan to swim at this cenote. Therefore, expect many people if you arrive during the middle of the day.
Saamal Cenote is perfect in the sense that it’s super close to Valladolid, it’s easy to get to and absolutely beautiful. I like to think of it as a starter cenote, it’s a great introduction to the cenote experience.
🔗 Read our full guide and review to Saamal Cenote here.
Dzitnup Cenotes – Samula & Xkeken
🌀 Type of Cenote – closed
💰 Price – 220 MXN pesos adults / 175 MXN pesos kids
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 6.9 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Saamal & Oxman
🚿 Amenities – changing facilities, locker, showers, life jacket compulsory
🚲 Best way to get there – scooter, bicycle or taxi
⏰ Timings – 8am to 5pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle
With the Dzitnup Cenotes you get two cenotes for the price of one. They are within walking distance of each other and both beautiful examples of a closed cenote.
A beam of light enters through the ceiling of both Samula and Xkeken cenote. And each have different characteristics in terms of experience. For example Samula is a large circular shaped cenote with a small island in the centre. While Xkeken is more cave like with incredible stalactites and tree roots suspended from the ceiling and dipping into the water.
🔗 Read our full review and in-depth guide to the Dzitnup Cenotes right here.
Hacienda Oxmán Cenote
🌀 Type of Cenote – open
💰 Price – 150 MXN pesos for basic entry, but food and pool packages are available
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 6.2 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Dzitnup & Saamal
🚿 Amenities – changing facilities, showers, lockers, life jacket compulsory
🍋 Restaurant and bar on premises
🚲 Best way to get there – scooter, bicycle or taxi
⏰ Timings – 7am to 5pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle
Hacienda Oxmán Cenote, is also to the south of Valladolid. This is a busy cenote with tour buses arriving throughout the day.
The cenote is set on a large section, a Mexican hacienda style of location. With the pool, food and drink voucher packages available, there can be a bit of a party atmosphere. A section of the cenote is roped off for those who wish to jump in.
Oxmán Cenote is great if you want to visit by bike, the bike tracks are easy to navigate and very safe. We recommend combining it with a visit to the Dzitnup cenotes, and that way you can experience both open and closed cenotes. Read our dedicated guide to the Dzitnup cenotes to get a better idea of how to visit these cenotes by bike.
Sac Aua Cenote
🌀 Type of Cenote – open
💰 Price – 150 MXN pesos adults / 75 MXN pesos kids
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 29 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Secreto Maya, Xcanahaltun, Agua Dulce & Palomitas
🚿 Amenities – kayaks, changing facilities, showers, life jacket optional
🚲 Best way to get there – scooter or taxi
⏰ Timings – 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle, snorkel & mask
This is possibly the best open cenote in Valladolid, because it’s just so damn pretty. It feels almost surreal with a large island at the centre of the cenote, which the staircase winds down onto. As such making this unique cenote entrance different from all the others here in our guide of Valladolid cenotes.
The water stretches around like a large ring, meeting the outer edge of the cenote. And the intense aquamarine colours of the water, it’s picture perfect.
🔗 Read our complete guide to visiting Sac Aua Cenote here.
Agua Dulce & Palomitas Cenotes
🌀 Type of Cenote – closed
💰 Price – 180 MXN pesos for Palomitas & 180 MXN pesos for Agua Dulce
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 28 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Sac Aua, Xcanahaltun & Secreto Maya
🚿 Amenities – changing facilities, showers, life jacket
🍋 Restaurant
🛵 Best way to get there – scooter or rental car
⏰ Timings – 8am to 4.30pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle
Situated at the same complex are two spectacular cenotes Agua Dulce and Palomitas. They are incredible for seeing stalactites and some have even labelled Agua Dulce as the best closed cenote near Valladolid. Agua Dulce is more shallow and peaceful for swimming, and Palomitas is very deep and therefore great for jumping into.
Unfortunately, Agua Dulce is booked out for private bus tours most days until 3pm. Therefore you can generally only visit from 3pm to 4pm. It seems strange, but these two cenotes are both privately owned and have obviously come to some agreement with a local tour operator. However Palomitas is always open and available to visit and more often than not, there is no-one else there.
There is also a restaurant onsite, which is great for a refuel.
📎 Read our full review and guide to Cenote Palomitas and Agua Dulce with all the up to day information for 2023.
Xcanahaltun Cenote
🌀 Type of Cenote – closed ceiling
💰 Price – 200 MXN pesos per adult
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 30 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Sac Aua, Agua Dulce, Palomitas & Secreto Maya
🚿 Amenities – changing facilities, showers, lockers free, life jacket optional
🍽 Restaurant
🛵 Best way to get there – scooter or rental car
⏰ Timings – 9.30am to 5.30pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle
Another one of my favourites, Xcanahaltun comes in at the top of my list for best cave cenote. The magic colours will take your breathe away, and for the most part Xcanahaltun Cenote is one of the less frequently visited. In other words, you won’t find the tourist buses parked up at this one!
Situated to the northeast of Valladolid, Xcanahaltun Cenote is located just outside the small village of Yalcoba. Therefore, it is best combined with a visit to Secreto Maya or Sac Aua to name just a couple.
The central opening of Xcanahaltun cenote opens up to let in the perfect amount of natural light. As a result, the water turns a sort of electric blue. This coupled with the stalactites that hang from the ceiling create an incredible scene. As you enter from the top of the cenote and take your first look from above, it really is a special sight.
Onsite, you’ll find kayak rental, a restaurant, a free locker facility and a happy friendly team that will love to tell you all about their cenote!
📎 If this sounds like you too… read my full blog and review on Xcanahaltun Cenote.
Secreto Maya Cenote
🌀 Type of Cenote – open ceiling
💰 Price – 250 MXN pesos adults / 125 MXN pesos kids
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 33 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Sac Aua, Agua Dulce & Palomitas, Xcanahaltun
🚿 Amenities – changing facilities, showers, life jacket optional
💆♀️ Hotel & spa available onsite
🍹 Restaurant & bar with pool
🛵 Best way to get there – scooter or rental car
⏰ Timings – 10am to 5pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle, snorkel & mask
Cenote Secreto Maya was my personal favourite. It was certainly a bonus that we had it all to ourselves, but also because of the location in the middle of the jungle and the scooter adventure we took to get there. For me it had that something extra. The facilities are set up for spa and massage, but also overnight guests. There was an atmosphere of casual, sophisticated and cool about it.
The Mayan ceremony made it extra special. The epic jumps were a total hit with the family and if we’d had more time, I could have stayed all day!
💎 Read our full guide to Cenote Secreto Maya – our hidden gem cenote! We loved it so much that we returned to stay the night – this was our review of the Secreto Maya luxury bungalows.
Cenote Suytun + Cenote Kaapeh
🌀 Type of Cenote – closed
💰 Price – 200 MXN pesos at the entrance or 150 MXN pesos if purchased online
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 8.4 km
🚿 Amenities – changing facilities, showers, life jacket
🏡 Cabins available to book for overnight stay
🍋 Restaurant
🛵 Best way to get there – taxi, scooter or rental car
⏰ Timings – 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, Go-Pro, reusable water bottle
Cenote Suytun is an Instagrammer’s mecca. Be prepared for people! I mean just look at the photo, it’s no wonder why people flock for a photo on the platform under the beam of light. So you can expect a queue of people all lining for their turn on the platform.
There are two cenotes at Suytun, and the crazy thing is that almost no-one visits the second lesser known cenote. Cenote Kaapeh is a great place to visit to get away from the crowds for a minute or two. You can’t swim here but it’s a pretty peaceful cenote. We recommend that you don’t miss it.
At Suytun, you can swim and it’s rather shallow. But our key tip for visiting Cenote Suytun is to book your tickets online in advance. This will save you 50 pesos, and you have one year to use them.
There are also overnight cabins located on the Suytun complex. Plan an overnight stay and enjoy some pool time!
🔗 Read our full guide to Cenote Suytun – find out is it worth the Insta hype!
Cenote K’om Há – Tekom
🌀 Type of Cenote – closed
💰 Price – 20 MXN pesos – bargain right!
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 13 km
📌 Nearby cenotes – Dzitnup Cenotes – Xkeken & Samula, Saamal Cenote
🚿 Amenities – locker & life jacket rental
🍋 Town square surrounded by local restaurants
🛵 Best way to get there – bicycle, taxi, scooter or rental car
⏰ Timings – 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week
🎒 What to Bring – towel & swimmers, reusable water bottle
Now here is a non-touristy contender! And I’m guessing the entrance price caught your eye as you scrolled by right?
Tekom Cenote is the only municipal owned cenote here on my list. And I love the fact that it’s essentially a cenote for the people! Right in the heart of town underneath the town square hides the closed ceiling cave cenote. And swimming here you’ll find the locals, they’ll show you all the tricks and secret jumps off the cenote walls.
After paying the exceptionally great entrance price of 20 pesos, follow the steps down, down, down. There are a couple of places that you’ll need to mind your head. When you reach the big bubble like or dome-esque cave you’ll find a small wooden platform to put your belongings. This naturally also doubles as a jumping platform.
What we love about the Tekom Cenote? For a moment in time, you see locals enjoying their typical day to day, it’s a great sense of community. It’s certainly nothing fancy, but it’s too good not to include on our list of Valladolid cenotes.
Only a 15-20 minute drive south of Valladolid, you could rent a bike or scooter, take a taxi or catch a colectivo to get there. Other cenotes in the area to combine with Tekom include the Dzitnup Cenotes or Saamal Cenote.
Zaci Cenote
🌀 Type of Cenote – semi-open
➡️ Distance from Valladolid – 500 m
🍋 Restaurant
🚶♀️ Best way to get there – walk
⏰ Timings – currently closed
Zaci Cenote in the heart of Valladolid is also worth mentioning, however it has been closed for a couple of years, supposedly for renovations. You can visit for free these days and admire from above. But that’s about it.
After speaking to the locals, we learnt that there is a small craft market onsite. This was an opportunity for locals to get good foot traffic to sell their products, so they are eager to see Zaci Cenote reopened. Though there was no sign of renovation work in action during our visit in 2023.
The large restaurant at Zaci Cenote is open during the hours 10am to 4.45pm.
Which are the Best & Most Beautiful Cenotes in Valladolid
The big question… I mean how do you choose just one. How about I give you our top three?
In our opinion and in no particular order, we think the most beautiful cenotes near Valladolid are Xcanahaltun Cenote, Cenote Secreto Maya and Cenote Sac Aua.
Perhaps it was the adventure on rented scooters that contributed to this, but there was just something magical about them. And when combined in a day trip, both offer a uniquely different cenote experience. For all the points listed above, they were our favourite and therefore suited our cenote likes and needs to perfection.
Tips for Cenotes in Valladolid
- Bring cash for entrance. It is possible to pay by card at some of the cenotes and others only take cash, especially the more remote cenotes. In which case, we recommend cash.
- Arriving early can really help in terms of having less people around, but it doesn’t always help with lighting. For example, at Cenote Suytun, the beam of light entering through the small hole at the top of the cenote is only visible in full sun.
- Occasionally there are discounts to individual cenotes with bicycle or scooter rental outlets. So, don’t forget to ask!
Final Thoughts on the Cenotes in Valladolid
We hope this post answers all your questions around cenotes, particularly which ones are right for your visit to Valladolid. If there is something we haven’t answered please drop your questions below in the comments, or just get in touch with us directly.
Don’t miss our other posts on Valladolid – there is so much to see and do in this awesome place. We want you to discover and enjoy all of her beauties just as we did.
- Best things to do in Valladolid (post coming soon)
- How to visit Chichén Itzá and Wonder of the World
- How visit Ek Balam ruins – my personal favourite Mayan ruins
- Where to stay in Valladolid – our review of Oryx Hostel
Don’t forget to bookmark or pin this post for later!
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