30+ Best Cenotes, Cancun: Pro Guide To Plan Your Trip [2023]

Do you want to discover the most beautiful cenotes near Cancun?

Before you embark on this adventure, you should know several important things.

First, the closest cenotes to Cancun are 1 hour away by car. Secondly, there are more than 5000 of them and different kinds. You will have to make choices.

I visited more than 30 cenotes during my 2 months in the Riviera Maya, and this article will help you plan the perfect cenote adventure.

Bring your snorkel, and let’s go.

👉 Don’t hesitate to read our Cancun guide to plan your vacation and not make any more mistakes. You will find all our articles about this destination.

Quick Answers: Best cenotes near Cancun

• Best diving cenote near Cancun: Taj Maha
• Best private cenote near Cancun: Elvira
• Best open cenote near cancun: Verde Lucero
• Best cenote tour leaving from Cancun: 4 cenotes in 1 day
• Most beautiful cenote near Cancun: La Noria
• Best cenote park near Cancun: Zapote
• Best adventure park with cenote: Extreme Adventure or Selvatica

Cenotes Cancun Map

Best cenotes near Cancun: La ruta de los cenotes

All the cenotes near Cancun are on the same road. It is called the Ruta de Los Cenotes. Before you know how to get there, I’ll help you choose which cenotes to visit.

$ = < 100 MXN; $$ = 100 – 250; $$$= 250 – 500; $$$$= > 1000 MXN

1# Cenote Sol y Luna

Sol y Luna is the closest cenote to Cancun. It is an open cenote with a depth of 3 meters, whose water is not transparent. On-site, you will find activities such as ATV, paintball, and a swimming pool for children. There is also a short zipline to jump in the cenote. The infrastructure is not well maintained.

☑️ Infos about Sol y Luna

• 10 am – 5 pm
• Price: $$$
• Beauty: 1.5/4
• Water transparency: 1/4
• Popularity: 1/4
• Infrastructure: 1.5/4
• Lifejacket: Included
• Google Map

💡 Tips & Remarks

• A family with kids could have a fun moment, but there are better options nearby.
• Food on-site is expensive.

2# Cenote Las Mojarras

Cenote Las Mojarras is the largest cenote (60+ m) on the Ruta de las Cenotes. It is an open cenote with green water that belongs to the Loma Bonita Cancun Park. There is a 5-6m jump and a zipline. Travelers come here to enjoy horseback riding, ATVs, and zip lines.

☑️ Infos about Las Mojarras

• 9 am – 6 pm
• Price: $$
• Beauty: 1/4
• Water transparency: 0/4
• Popularity: 0.5/4
• Infrastructure: 1.5/4

💡 Tips & Remarks

• According to the reviews, it is a somewhat rustic family eco-park whose quality/price ratio is not excellent.

3# Cenote Siete Bocas

Cenote Siete Bocas is composed of 7 entries (hence the name). There is an open cenote with a 5-meter jump, a semi-open cenote circuit with some light effects, and stalagmites. You follow a survival line to move alone without the help of a guide. It’s simple, fast, and not scary. 2 entrances are reserved for divers.

☑️ Infos about cenote siete bocas

• 8 am – 5 pm
• Price: $$$
• Beauty: 3/4
• Water transparency: 2.5/4
• Popularity: 2/4
• Infrastructure: 2.5/4 (no lockers)
• Life jacket: Included and mandatory
• Google Map

💡 Tips & Remarks

• There is nowhere to buy food or water. You can bring your food and eat in the shade of the Palapas.
• No phone signal.
• Cenote 7 Bocas allows you to discover 2 types of cenotes and to have a good time with your family.
• Tour available.

4# Cenote Boca del Puma

The Boca del Puma park has an open cenote (pretty but artificial, with a zipline/swing) and a semi-open cenote with very transparent water. The latter is relatively small, but it is about 15 meters deep. A rope allows you to descend more easily if you like to snorkel. You can see the bottom. Your group will be accompanied by a guide (there is a 5-minute walk between the 2 cenotes). On-site, you can order food and drinks, book additional activities (ATV & Zipline), and see monkeys – the owner buys them from local people and sets them free in the park.

☑️ Infos about cenote Boca del puma

• 10 am – 6 pm
• Price: $$$
• Beauty: 3/4
• Water transparency: 3.5/4
• Popularity: 2.5/4
• Infrastructure: 2.5/4
• Life jacket: Included.
• Google Map

💡 Tips & Remarks

• The best light is around 11-12 am.

5# Cenote Verde Lucero

Verde Lucero is an open cenote with many aquatic plants and small fish. The depth is about 15 meters max, and the water transparency is correct. There are several tables where you can eat lunch and have a good time. You can also enjoy the zipline and a 7m jump.

☑️ Infos about cenote Verde lucero

• 9 am – 5 pm
• Price: $$$
• Beauty: 3/4
• Water transparency: 3/4
• Popularity: 2/4
• Infrastructure: 3/4 (no locker)
• Life jacket: Included.
• Google Map

💡 Tips & Remarks

• It is a beautiful cenote, but the price is a bit high.
• Come before 11 am.
• Not fun if there are too many people.
• Bring your snacks.

6# Cenote Elvira

Elvira is a beautiful semi-open cenote that can be privatized for weddings, birthdays, and other events. The clean site has facilities that blend perfectly with the Yucatan jungle.

☑️ Infos about cenote ELVIRA

• Reservation needed
• Price: $$$$
• Beauty: 3.5/4
• Popularity: 0/4
• Infrastructure: 4/4

💡 Tips & Remarks

• Don’t come without booking in advance.

7# Cenote Zapote

Zapote is a superb ecological park with 4 cenotes (2 open, 1 semi-open, and one closed). Being quite far from Cancun (1h30) and rather expensive, you will find few people there. There are several options for visiting this park. You can do it by yourself, taking advantage of the facilities (zipline, platforms, locker) or by booking a tour (with a bike, longer zip lines, snorkel equipment, and a guide). ATVs are also available for an extra price. In any case, count 4 hours to enjoy it.

☑️ Infos about cenote Zapote

• 9 am – 6 pm
• Price: $$$$
• Beauty: 3.5/4
• Popularity: 1/4
• Infrastructure: 4/4
• Life jacket: included
• The water in the cave cenote is crystal clear.
• Google Map

💡 Tips & Remarks

• Beautiful cenotes surrounded by wild nature & stalactites.
• There is a diving cenote.
• The restaurant is delicious.
• The guides are great.
• A tour from Cancun is available

8# Cenote Kin Ha

Kin Ha is another ecological park with 2 cenotes. The first one is an open cenote with green, murky water. Although not very photogenic, adrenaline lovers can have a good time with a 14m jump and several zip lines. Then, you will discover Kin Ha, a semi-open cenote with crystal-clear water. The park also offers packages with ATV (15 min) and horseback riding.

☑️ Infos about cenote Kin ha

• 9 am – 6 pm
• Price: $$$
• Beauty: 2.5/4
• Popularity: 1/4
• Infrastructure: 3/4
• Life jacket: included
• Google Map

💡 Tips & Remarks

• Several travelers complained that they were not allowed to take pictures. Then the park sells them photos at an astronomical price.
• With a depth of about fifty meters, some agencies come to dive there.

9# Cenotes Lu’um and Oasis Maya

These two cenotes are part of a tour offered by Xenotes. For more than 6 hours, you will discover 4 private cenotes with several activities: Zipline, cliff jumping, kayaking, rappel & snorkeling. The cenotes 1 and 3 seem to be artificially landscaped so that you can get carried by the current. The sceneries are fantastic, though. Lu’um is a beautiful semi-open cenote with giant rooted trees that reach down from the rocky ceiling to the fresh water.

☑️ Infos about XENOTES

• It starts between 8 – 10 am.
• It lasts 9 hours.
• Price: $$$$
• Beauty: 3.5/4
• Popularity: 4/4
• Infrastructure: 4/4
• Life jacket: included and mandatory.

💡 Tips & Remarks

• This is the most complete and best-organized cenote tour from Cancun.
• I didn’t like the snorkeling activity. There is nothing to see.
• An excellent option for families.
• Check prices

10# Cenote La Noria

La Noria is another semi-open cenote (40m long!). The site is little known and managed by a lovely family. You can take the wooden stairs or jump off the edge to reach the blue water. At the bottom, there is a wooden platform and a swinging rope. It is ideal for taking beautiful pictures. There is a depth of 14 meters. On-site, you can also book an ATV experience.

☑️ Infos about La Noria

• 9 am – 5 pm
• Price: $$$
• Beauty: 3/4
• Popularity: 1/4
• Infrastructure: 3/4
• Life jacket: included

💡 Tips & Remarks

• Come after 11 am so that the sun illuminates the cenote.

11# Cenote Popol Vuh

Popol Vuh is a typical example of a little-known open cenote where locals like to come on Sundays to have a good time with their families. The place is rustic, and the cenote’s water is not transparent. On-site, you can bring your lunch (or order at the restaurant), make jumps, and use the zip line.

☑️ Infos about POPOL VUH

• 9 am – 6 pm
• Price: $$
• Beauty: 2/4
• Water transparency: 0/4
• Popularity: 1/4
• Infrastructure: 3/4
• Life jacket: included

💡 Tips & Remarks

• You can stay overnight.
• The dirt road that splits off from the main road is not in good condition.

How to plan your trip to La Ruta de Los cenotes

There are different options to visit these Cancun cenotes.

Car rental

It’s the easier option.

Renting a car in Mexico City is a topic in its own right, and I advise you to do your research before making your choice. From my experience and investigation, Yes Rent a Car seems to be a good choice. Otherwise, the Discovercars website offers full coverage insurance at a reasonable price.

Leave early from Cancun (around 7 am) and head to Puerto Morelos (beach side) to have breakfast (approx. 50 min) — El Nicho is a good option. Puerto Morelos is a quiet town where you can take a cool pic of the lighthouse and walk on the white sand beach.

Afterward, it’ll be time to head to your first cenote. The road starts here, and you will drive in the direction of the town of Leona Vicario.

On this well-maintained 40km road, you will find all the cenotes.

• You can plan on visiting several cenotes. I recommend Verde Luceros, then Siete Bocas, and finish with La Noria.
• Or enjoy your time at an ecological park. Your best option will be Cenote Zapote.

🚗 From Cancun, reaching your first cenote should take around 1h.

Book a taxi

A cab for the day from Cancun will surely cost you the eyes of the head. I advise you to spend 2 nights in Puerto Morelos and book a cab from there. Count 400-500 Mxn for 4 hours.

Public transportation

Once again, it will be easier if you stay the previous night in Puerto Morelos. A bus leaves every hour from el Parque la Colonia (6 am – 9 pm) and costs less than 2$. It goes to Leona Vicario, and you can stop wherever you want along the way.

If you choose this option, you should pick cenotes near the main road and close to each other. For example, Verde Lucero, Boca del puma & 7 Bocas (30 min walk).

Book one of the many Cancun cenotes tours

There are several factors to consider:

• The price?
• How many cenotes will you visit?
• Are the cenotes worth it?
• Is transportation included?

I did a full tour with Xenotes, an excellent option for people who don’t have to worry about anything.

You will visit 4 cenotes (with several activities such as kayaking, zipline, and rappeling), and transportation and lunch are included. This experience is not cheap. But you will pay more if you decide to visit 4 cenotes (average 15 USD) by yourself from Cancun.

Cenotes far away from Cancun

There are several tips for enjoying a cenote. One of them is to arrive early or leave late to avoid the tourists. This will be even more imperative if it is a famous cenote.

Therefore, I do not recommend visiting from Cancun the cenotes listed in this section (except for cave diving). Instead, you should stay in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Valladolid.

Cenotes near Playa del carmen

The first group of cenotes is located on the side of the road after Playa del Carmen. You can easily get there by public transportation.

12# Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul is an open cenote with crystal-clear water and lush vegetation. It is one of the most beautiful cenotes to take a picture of. After 10 am, it will be crowded.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 1h45

13# Cenote Cristalino

Cristalino is a cenote that was popular for a while because of its attractive price. It’s no longer the case. One side of the cenote goes under a cave with bats, and mangroves surrounding the other half. It is an excellent place for families.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 1h45

14# Cenote Jardin del eden

Jardin del Eden is one of my favorite cenotes to snorkel (and it is much less visited than Cenote Azul!). It is a large open cenote with excellent visibility underwater and different areas to bask in the sun. You can also observe the many scuba divers who come to train for the Padi Cave diving certification.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 1h45

15# Cenote Tajma Ha

Tajma Ha is the ideal place for cave diving. The transparent water and the narrow passages that open to large caverns seduce all diving enthusiasts. The site is not yet too well known. It’s up to you to enjoy it now 😉

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 1h45

16# Cenote Yal Ku

Located in Akumal, Yal Ku is a particular cenote because it is situated at the seaside. The meeting of salt water and seawater favors rich fauna and aquatic flora. Many agencies come to Yal Ku to snorkel. Avoid going there during the sargasso season.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h

Cenote near Tulum

Here you will find the cenotes present between Tulum, Akumal, and Coba.

17# Cenote Dos Ojos

The two cenotes Dos Ojos are mainly under a rocky vault. Although you can do a snorkel circuit (with a mandatory life jacket), the main interest of this site is cave diving. At the park entrance (here), you can also buy a package to visit 2 other cenotes: Jaguar & Nic Te Ha.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h15

18# Cenote Taak Bi Ha

Taak Bi Ha is a beautiful semi-open cenote with incredible stalactites and turquoise waters. Thanks to a nice artificial light, you can take magnificent photos—if you come with the right equipment. That’s why it’s better to go early 😉

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h15

19# Cenotes Sac Actún

Sac Actun is the most extensive underwater cave system worldwide, and the cenotes Sac Actún are one of the many entrances. You will have to book a tour (with a guide) to get inside. It’s a fixed price that allows you to snorkel and admire beautiful rock formations for 45 minutes. The tour is a bit demanding, so it’s better not to come with young children.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h30

20# Cenote El Pit

El Pit is only for scuba diving and free diving. The play of light when the sun illuminates the cenote is incredible. You have the impression of being in another galaxy. It’s the deepest cenote in the area.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h30

21# Cenotes Casa Tortuga

Casa Tortuga is a famous ecological park with 4 cenotes (cave, semi-open and open). The tour lasts 1h30, but you can stay longer (if you rent another life jacket). The lace is beautiful, but there are tons of people. I recommend you skip the buffet.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h00

22# Cenotes Yaxmuul

These are 4 closed cenotes that you visit with a guide. The high price ($35) means you will meet fewer people. The park also offers a Mayan ceremony and an ATV tour.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h00

23# Casa Cenote

Casa cenote proposes a fantastic circuit that passes between the mangroves. Its turquoise and transparent waters make it the ideal playground for snorkeling lovers. Be careful; you will have to pay a fee if you want to use your Go-pro

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h00

24# Cenote Escondido

Cenote Escondido is located after Tulum, and you can couple it with a visit to the Kaan Luum lagoon. This open cenote is little known by travelers and is an excellent place to spend a few hours.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h20

25# Cenote Calavera

Due to its proximity to Tulum, Calavera is a famous cenote, and the visibility underwater is not so good. You can jump to enter the cenote, and there are many chairs to rest in the shade of the trees and take some drinks at the bar. You go there to chill out.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h10

26# Gran Cenote

Gran cenote is one of the most famous cenotes in the Riviera Maya. The site is well maintained, and there is a nice snorkel circuit to do by yourself. The water is crystal clear, and you can observe many fish and rock formations. Get there early.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h20

27# Cenote Aktun Ha o Car Wash

It is an open cenote surrounded by beautiful green vegetation. It is also a favorite place for divers. There is an area off-limits to the public with lilies and turtles, and you can even see a small caiman.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h20

28# Cenote Zacil-Ha

Zacil-ha is a small open cenote with turquoise waters. Next to it, there are 2 pools and a restaurant. It’s ideal for spending a few hours with your family.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h20

29# Cenotes near Coba

Coba is famous for its Mayan ruins. After the visit, you can rent bikes (or take your car) to visit 3 beautiful underground cenotes: Cenote Tankach-Ha, Cenote Choo-Ha, and Cenote Multum Ha. Come early to avoid the crowd.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h40

Cenotes near Valladolid

It would be foolish to go from Cancun to Valladolid to visit the cenotes only. However, most tours to Chichen Itza like to include a cenote in the day trip.

Here are the 2 most famous ones.

30# Cenote Ik Kil

Ik Kil is the most famous cenote in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Because of its proximity to Chichen Itza, investigators have found many artifacts at the bottom of the cenote. If you come on a tour, you will be surrounded by people. The place is photogenic and well maintained, but I prefer other cenotes in the area.

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 3h20

31# Cenote Suytun

Suytun is the Instagrammable cenote par excellence. A stone path leads to the cave’s center, and a ray of sunlight illuminates the platform between 11 am and 1 pm. If you go, be prepared to wait in line. I’ll let you in on a little secret: there’s better in the area ;).

🚗 Distance from Cancun by car: 2h40

Cancun cenotes: Become an expert

This section will give you practical tips on what to expect and how to visit the cenotes close to Cancun best.

What’s a cenote?

Cenotes are sinkholes filled with fresh water and are connected by underground rivers. Their formation is due to the rocky characteristics of the Yucatan peninsula (mainly limestone) and the fall of the colossal asteroid possibly responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs (Chicxulub crater).

The Mayan people considered the cenotes to be the entrance to the underworld. Some of them are so exceptional that it is easy to understand why they were regarded as sacred places.

4 different types of Cenotes

To be able to choose your cenotes (there are between 5 and 8,000), you must know what kind of day you want to enjoy.

👪 The open cenotes look like small lagoons. These are the oldest, whose ceiling and rocky vault have disappeared. These are ideal places to alternate swimming and sunbathing in the middle of beautiful vegetation. You can easily spend a few hours there, especially with your family.

🥃 Some cenotes look strangely like bottomless wells. Numerous lianas run along the walls to reach the freshwater. They are very photogenic.

🤿 There is a second type of semi-open cenote. These are caves with small holes in the ceiling that allow light to pass through. Generally, the lighting is at its best from 11 am to 3 pm. This can change depending on the cenote. The water is crystal clear and perfect for snorkeling (if you like going deep).

🔦 Closed cenote (or cave cenote). Once inside, there is no daylight. You can only go in with a guide and a flashlight to admire the stalagmites and stalagmites. The majority of these cenotes are ideal for diving.

What should you bring?

In addition to your towel and swimsuit, here is the list of the perfect cenote adventurer.

🌊 A good waterproof phone case. There is sometimes little space around the cenote where you will want to keep your phone with you. It’s also handy for holding keys and money.

👟 Waterproof shoes will be practical to protect feet from stones. In addition, you will often have to take a shower before entering the cenote.

📷 It is challenging to take good photos and videos in semi-open cenotes. And unless you have a waterproof phone, you will need a Go Pro (especially for underwater shots). Remember to set it up correctly.

🤿 Come with your snorkel gears. The underwater world of (almost) every cenote is mind-blowing.

💰 Bring some cash. Most cenotes near Cancun don’t accept credit cards.

Practical tips for visiting cenotes

Let’s start with essential tips.

🤼 Avoid tourists by arriving early or late. Most cenotes open at 9 am and close at 5 pm. You can either come at the opening or after 3 pm and hope that people leave little by little.

⌛ If it is a semi-open cenote (with a hole in the ceiling), timing is vital to take good pictures. You have to wait until the sun is high enough in the sky. It’s usually between 11 am and 3 pm (depending on the cenote).

🦟 During the raining season (May – September), you will have mosquitoes. They are mostly present at the beginning and end of the day, and they love the cenotes deep in the Mexican jungle. The problem is that it is forbidden to apply mosquito repellent to avoid contaminating the cenotes. It’s up to you to choose between mosquitoes or people.

🗓️ Avoid Sundays and public holidays. Locals love cenotes too.

🌞 The sun is essential to appreciate the beauty of a cenote; the contrast of colors, and the transparency of the water — unless it is a closed cenote. Try to choose a sunny day.

🐱‍👤 Keep an eye on your valuable. There are sometimes lockers or guarded parking.

📈 Entrance fees increase every year (and by a lot!). Always include a little more in your cenote budget.

🚿 A shower is mandatory before entering the cenotes. This is to remove your sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and makeup to avoid contaminating the cenotes. Bring a hat and clothes to protect yourself from the sun.

Q&A: Cancun cenotes

Many travelers ask us questions about the cenotes of Mexico. Here are our answers.

Bottom line: Best cenotes near Cancun

The best option is renting a car and driving along the Ruta de cenotes. It’s an accessible adventure that will allow you to discover several cenotes in one day. If you don’t want to bother, then book this tour.

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