7 Best Cenotes near Valladolid, Mexico
Are you looking for the best cenotes in Valladolid? The Yucatan Peninsula has many beautiful cenotes, some of which you can visit during your stay. These cenotes are easily accessible by car, taxi, or bicycle, and one cenote is located in the center of Valladolid. You can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, and sometimes jump off platforms into crystal clear waters.
In this post, you’ll find the best cenotes near Valladolid, learn why they were essential to the Mayan civilization, and get practical information about the cenotes.
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- 7 Best Cenotes near Valladolid, Mexico
- Best Time to Visit Valladolid Cenotes
- How to Get to the Valladolid Cenotes
- What are Cenotes?
- Best Valladolid Cenotes
- 1. Cenote Zaci
- 2. Cenote Suytun
- 3. Cenote Saamal
- 4. Cenote Ik Kil
- 5. Dzitnup Cenotes (Cenote Xkeken & Samula)
- 6. Cenote Oxman
- 7. Cenote Chichikan
- Where to Stay in Valladolid
- What to Pack
- Tips for Visiting Valladolid Cenotes
- Map of the Best Cenotes near Valladolid
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Best Time to Visit Valladolid Cenotes
Valladolid’s tropical climate makes it a popular destination all year round. The best time to visit Valladolid is usually from mid-November to the end of April. The weather is pleasantly warm during this period, and rainfall is rare. However, this is the peak season in Valladolid, when prices are higher, and there will be crowds at the main attractions.
Many people visit Valladolid in May when there are fewer tourists and lower prices. But the weather will be warmer, and heavy rains should be expected.
The best time to visit the cenotes to avoid crowds is in the morning hours or just before closing time.
Recommended post → How to Spend 3 Days in Valladolid
How to Get to the Valladolid Cenotes
You can easily reach the nearby cenotes by bicycle. Alternatively, you can travel by taxi, colectivo (shared minivan), or join an organized tour that includes transportation.
Since we arrived in Valladolid by car from Cancun, it was easy to get to the beautiful cenotes and other great attractions. Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving in the Yucatan Peninsula.
The best way to explore the Valladolid area if you don’t have a car is to rent a scooter and drive yourself. You can rent a scooter in many places in the town. Motorbike rental costs around 500 MXN (24 USD) for a day. Hotels also offer bike rental, which costs around 150-300 MXN (7-15 USD) for 24 hours.
Alternatively, you can book a tour from Valladolid, which includes a visit to Chichen Itza and 3 cenotes via GetYourGuide or Viator.
What are Cenotes?
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’ve visited many beautiful cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula, and we can honestly say that no two cenotes are the same. Some cenotes can only be accessed by stairs, while others have a jumping platform.
Read our → Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
Best Valladolid Cenotes
1. Cenote Zaci
The best cenote in Valladolid is the Cenote Zaci. This is a stunning, semi-open cenote where you can jump from the cliffs or swim in the refreshing water.
Cenote Zaci is just a 10-minute walk from the center of Valladolid and is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. The last entry is at 4 PM. This cenote is usually crowded, so we recommend avoiding weekends and arriving as early as possible. In high season, there is a 2-hour limit for visitors.
The entrance fee to Cenote Zaci is 150 MXN (7 USD) for adults and 75 MXN (3,70 USD) for children, which is much cheaper than other cenotes near Valladolid.
After the cenote, visit the local market, Mercado Municipal de Valladolid. Here, you can try some traditional Mexican food and buy fresh fruit or handmade souvenirs.
2. Cenote Suytun
Cenote Suytun is the best cenote near Valladolid, just a 15-minute drive away. You can usually walk on the whole platform, which is a fantastic experience. But depending on the water level, sometimes you can only get there by swimming.
Arrive as early as possible, because you have to stand in line to take photos.
It is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee to Cenote Suytun is 280 MXN (13,50 USD) for adults and 230 MXN (11 USD) for children (5-11 years old), which includes a life jacket and access to the other smaller cenote (Kaapeh).
If you want to catch the Cenote Suytun when the natural light is beaming onto the platform, you should visit between noon and 2 PM.
Read the full post → How to Visit Cenote Suytun
3. Cenote Saamal
Cenote Saamal is a stunning open cenote near Valladolid, just a 10-minute drive from the town center. The cenote is 150 feet deep (45 meters) and surrounded by beautiful plant-covered cliffs. There is a platform from which you can jump into the cenote, but you can also go down the stairs. There is also a restaurant on site that serves traditional Mexican food.
Cenote Saamal is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee to Cenote Saamal is 200 MXN (10 USD) for adults and 150 MXN (7 USD) for children, and the price includes a free life jacket and locker.
Alternatively, you can choose from three different entry packages, with basic being the most popular. The basic package includes the entrance fee to the cenote, a life jacket, a locker, and a buffet lunch, which costs 450 MXN for adults and 350 MXN for children.
4. Cenote Ik Kil
Cenote Ik Kil is one of the most beautiful cenotes in Yucatan and should be on every Valladolid Itinerary. Take a day trip to Chichen Itza and visit Cenote Ik Kil. The cenote is just a 10-minute drive from Chichen Itza.
Cenote Ik Kil is a beautiful open-air cenote surrounded by hanging vines, roots, and green plants that offer stunning photo opportunities. Take a few photos from above and then go down and swim or jump into the turquoise water from the platforms.
Book a day trip from Valladolid, which includes a visit to Chichen Itza and 3 cenotes.
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.
Recommended post → Chichen Itza Guide
5. Dzitnup Cenotes (Cenote Xkeken & Samula)
Cenote Samula and Cenote Xkeken are underground cave-style cenotes in the small town of Dzitnup, near Valladolid. Both cenotes are magnificent and you can spend a few relaxing hours exploring the underground limestone caves.
The Dzitnup Cenotes are open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The two cenotes are next to each other, with the same entrance. Each cenote has an entrance fee of 150 MXN (7 USD), but you can visit both for 226 MXN (11 USD) with a combined ticket.
6. Cenote Oxman
One of our favorite cenotes near Valladolid was the beautiful Cenote Oxman, just a 15-minute drive from the center of Valladolid. There is a platform with a rope swing where you can jump into the crystal clear water.
At Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman, you can spend a few chilling hours by the pool or in the hammocks, relaxing in the picnic area, sunbathing, snorkeling, or swimming.
Cenote Oxman is open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM. You can choose from three different entry packages to visit the cenote. Each package includes a life jacket (which you must wear), a locker, and access to the cenote and pool.
We have a detailed post about Cenote Oxman with everything you need to know before you visit.
7. Cenote Chichikan
Looking for more top cenotes near Valladolid? Cenote Chichikan is an open cenote in a beautiful setting with a central island and a small waterfall. It is 24 meters high and 8 meters deep. It is only a 15-minute drive from the center of Valladolid.
This cenote and its restaurant is a popular stop on day trips from Cancun and Tulum. After a few hours of walking around Chichen Itza, this refreshing experience will be fantastic.
Cenote Chichikan is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive immediately after opening.
The entrance fee to Cenote Chichikan is 250 MXN (12 USD) per person, which includes a life jacket and a locker. Or you can buy another ticket with buffet service in the restaurant for 400 MXN (19,50 USD).
TIP
Cenote Noolha is an impressive cave-type cenote with a zip line and diving platform just a 10-minute drive from Cenote Chichikan.
Where to Stay in Valladolid
There are many places to stay in Valladolid, from budget-friendly hostels to boutique or luxury hotels. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Valladolid, Mexico
- Luxury: Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas
- Mid-Range: Hotel Waye or Meson del Marques
- Budget: Hotel Casa Bamboo
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
- Dry bag
- Camera gear
- GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
- Plenty of Water
- Local money
Tips for Visiting Valladolid Cenotes
- The best time to visit the cenotes to avoid crowds is in the morning hours or just before closing time.
- Always bring enough Mexican pesos with you, as not all places accept card payments.
- You cannot wear sunscreen or insect repellent, and you must shower before entering the water at the cenote.
- As petty theft is common, leave your valuables in a locker or carry them in a dry bag. You can rent a locker usually for 30-50 MXN.
- Bring your snorkel gear if you want to snorkel.
- Wearing a life jacket is mandatory for swimming.
- Most cenotes have bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, lockers, and restaurants.
- Some cenotes have less light, and the cave cenotes are dark, so be sure to take a tripod with you if you want to take good-quality photos.
- No food or drink is allowed inside the cenotes.
- Take great photos, but allow enough time to explore the cenotes and enjoy a refreshing dip.
- Be careful, as the steps leading to the cenotes can be wet and slippery.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Map of the Best Cenotes near Valladolid
Have you ever been to one of the beautiful cenotes near Valladolid? Which was your favorite Valladolid cenote? If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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