The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Cenote Ik Kil

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Cenote Ik Kil

Cenote Ik Kil, also known as the Sacred Blue Cenote, is one of the most famous and beautiful cenotes near Chichen Itza, Mexico. This cenote is a popular stop on most Mayan ruins tours, as it is easily accessible by car or tour bus.

It is a breathtaking natural sinkhole surrounded by hanging vines, roots, and green plants that offer stunning photo opportunities. There is also a platform where you can jump into the crystal clear water, which is a fantastic experience.

This ultimate guide to Cenote Ik Kil includes the best time to visit, how to get there, practical information, and tips for visiting.

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Where is Cenote Ik Kil?

It’s just a short drive from the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

How to Get to Cenote Ik Kil from Chichen Itza

First we drove from Valladolid to Chichen Itza. After spending a few hours exploring the Mayan ruins, we visited the cenote, which was only a 10-minute drive away.

If you don’t have a car, you can get to the cenote from Chichen Itza by taxi, hitchhiking, or bus. Be sure you negotiate the price with the driver before you get in the taxi. We couldn’t find reliable information about the colectivo (shared minivan), so we recommend asking the locals.

You can also book a day trip from Valladolid, which includes a visit to Chichen Itza and 3 cenotes.

Good to know
There is a large car park, and parking is free at the cenote.

Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving around the Yucatan Peninsula.

Best Time to Visit the Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather all year round. The best time to visit the Yucatan Peninsula is from mid-November to April. The weather is pleasantly warm during this period, and rainfall is rare. However, this is the peak season in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, when prices are higher, and there will be crowds at the main attractions.

The rainy and hurricane season usually starts in June and ends in October.

Since it was scorching hot during our visit, it was a fantastic experience to cool off in the cool water of the cenote.

What is a Cenote?

Cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes that form after an underground limestone cave collapses, exposing the groundwater underneath. The cenotes are filled with crystal clear, cold underground and rainwater. These cenotes and underground rivers provided the Maya with drinking water and were used for bathing and irrigation.

The cenotes were sacred places, and the Maya people believed that they were a passage to the underworld and the afterlife. Therefore, during Mayan rituals, they offered valuables and human sacrifices to their gods.

There are different types of cenotes: open cenotes, semi-open cenotes, cave cenotes, and underground cenotes.

Visiting the cenotes is one of the best things to do in Mexico. You can escape from the heat, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the scenery of natural sinkholes. We visited many cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula, and Cenote Ik Kil was one of our favorites.

Read our → Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

Cenote Ik Kil Opening Hours & Entrance Fee

It is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee to Cenote Ik Kil is 220 MXN (11 USD) for adults and 140 MXN (7 USD) for children (under 12 years), which includes a life jacket and a locker.

You can also buy a ticket with a buffet meal and 1 drink for 480 MXN (23,50 USD) for adults and 250 MXN (12 USD) for children.

Cenote Ik Kil & Chichen Itza Tour

After Chichen Itza, you should visit Ik Kil Cenote, about a 10-minute drive away. Once you’ve spent a few hours walking around the Mayan ruins, you will be looking forward to this refreshing experience. This cenote is always crowded because most Chichen Itza tours stop here, but don’t miss it.

Cenote Ik Kil is a beautiful open-air cenote, about 48 meters deep, and the perfect place to jump off the elevated platforms. The average water temperature is 23-25ºС.

The cenote is accessed via a stepped tunnel. As the stairs are often wet, go slowly and be careful not to slip. On the way down, there will be a few viewpoints with magnificent views of the cenote.

Take a few photos from above and then go down and swim or jump into the turquoise water from the platform. Wearing a life jacket is mandatory for swimming.

Good to know
You cannot wear sunscreen or insect repellent, and you must shower before entering the water at the cenote.

See also → Best Cenotes in Tulum

You can easily book a day trip from Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Merida. On the tour, you can visit the world-famous Chichen Itza, swim in Cenote Ik Kil, and explore the charming town of Valladolid.

Most tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, a bilingual guide, a guided tour at Chichen Itza, bottled water, and lunch.

Recommended post → Chichen Itza Guide

What to Pack

• Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
• Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
• Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
• Swimsuit
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Water shoes
• Camera gear
• GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
• Plenty of Water
• Local money

Tips for Visiting Cenote Ik Kil

• Avoid weekends and arrive early.
• Bring your snorkel gear if you want to snorkel.
• Do not touch hanging roots.
• If you stay at Hotel Ik Kil, you’ll get free access and can enjoy this magical place without the crowds.
• The facilities are well maintained, with clean changing rooms and lockers for your belongings. There are also bathrooms, showers, and a restaurant on site.
• Use the bathroom before going swimming.
• If you don’t want to jump into the water, you can use the wooden steps to get down into the cenote.

Where to Stay near the Cenote

For the best experience, stay at Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa, just a 5-minute walk from Chichen Itza and less than a 10-minute drive from Cenote Ik Kil.

The nearest town is Valladolid, but most people take a day trip from Tulum, Cancun, or Playa del Carmen. Here are our accommodation recommendations.

Best hotels in Valladolid, Mexico

• Luxury: Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas
• Mid-Range: Hotel Waye or Hotel Meson del Marques
• Budget: Hotel Casa Bamboo

Best hotels in Tulum

• Luxury: Casa Malca or Kan Tulum Hotel
• Mid-Range: Uman Glamping
• Budget: Hotel Casa Tortuga Tulum

We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Tulum.

We hope you found our guide to Cenote Ik Kil useful and will inspire you to visit Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

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