10 Stunning Cenotes in Riviera Maya, Mexico You Can’t Miss

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Are you planning a cenote excursion during your trip to Mexico? In this guide, you’ll discover how to get to some of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya & Yucatán!

You’ve undoubtedly heard of cenotes in the Riviera Maya if you’re considering a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula or Mexico’s Riviera Maya. These stunning natural formations are a must-see.

Cenotes are natural sinkholes that form when the porous limestone bedrock gives way to reveal underground rivers. 

Cenotes are full of freshwater, and because it is filtered through rock, it tends to be obvious. Some cenotes are part of large cave systems, and some stand alone. Usually, they have picturesque rock formations hidden beneath the surface.

There are thousands of cenotes throughout the Yucatán peninsula. While some cenotes serve as major tourist attractions with full amenities like changing rooms and restaurants, others maintain their natural state.

Of course, we have yet to discover many more cenotes. There are literally tens of thousands of cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.

With their refreshing water and scenic settings, it’s no wonder that cenote swimming is such a popular activity for visitors to Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula. 

As you plan your itinerary, consider adding several cenotes in Riviera Maya to your list of activities. Each cenote has unique charm and appeal!

Whether you prefer swimming or diving, the cenotes in Riviera Maya are perfect for both activities, providing something for every adventurer!

For this article, I’ve teamed up with fellow travel bloggers to present you with a collection of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya and the Yucatán peninsula.

You can easily reach some of these cenotes from Playa del Carmen or Tulum, while others are closer to Mérida or Chichén Itzá. 

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Riviera Maya offers numerous cenote tours, but you can also visit each spot independently. 

I’ve plotted each cenote on the map below for your reference:

Related Reading:

• The Ultimate Riviera Maya & Cancun Packing List
• How to Spend 5 Perfect Days in Playa del Carmen
• 18 Magical Things to do in Riviera Maya, Mexico
• 10 Awesome Playa del Carmen Day Trips

Some of the most popular cenotes in Riviera Maya include Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote, and Cenote Ik Kil, known for their stunning water and unique formations.

Cenotes in Riviera Maya offer unique swimming experiences that highlight the natural beauty of the area.

Don’t miss out on exploring these breathtaking locations during your visit!

What to Know Before Visiting A Cenote:

Cenote swimming is an awesome thing to do in the Riviera Maya, and you should definitely include it on your itinerary. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re prepared:

• Wear biodegradable sunscreen – Because you’re swimming in natural pools, it’s important to be conscious of the delicate ecosystem.
  
  Some cenotes don’t allow creams or lotions, but if they do, choose an eco-friendly brand. For more recommendations for reef-safe sunscreens, read about the best biodegradable and Coral Reef Safe Suncreens that I’ve tested out.

• Pack a towel – Naturally, a towel will come in handy if you’re getting in and out of the water all day. I suggest a microfiber travel towel, as they’re compact and they dry quickly.
  
  A sarong is another solid option, as it can double as a dress if you’re not quite ready to put your street clothes back on.

Many tours also include cenotes in Riviera Maya, making it easier for visitors to explore multiple locations in one trip.

• Bring plenty of water – While many cenotes have food and drinks available for purchase, it’s still wise to bring your own. Make sure to carry a bottle with you in your daypack.

For families, cenotes in Riviera Maya are a great way to spend a fun-filled day together in a stunning natural setting.

• Bring cash – Most cenotes have entrance fees. Some, like Dos Ojos, are equipped to accept credit card payments, but many aren’t.
  
  Be sure to pack cash, preferably small bills, to pay for entrance fees. You’ll likely want a bit of cash to pick up snacks and beverages along the way as well.

Be sure to research the best cenotes in Riviera Maya to find the perfect spots that suit your interests and preferences.

• Pack snacks – Lots of cenotes have food vendors or even restaurants, but it’s still smart to bring a few of your favorites.
  
  Swimming burns a lot of energy, so you would rather not experience hunger that could ruin your fun. Be sure to stock up on snacks at an Oxxo before you head out for the day.

Best Cenotes in Riviera Maya & Yucatán 

1. Cenote Dos Ojos

The Dos Ojos cenote is so named because it is actually two side-by-side cenotes, which resemble eyes (ojos). This cenote is a popular destination for visitors because it offers the opportunity to either swim or dive in a cave system.

I learned about this cenote by participating in a tour. I would definitely visit this one of many cenotes in the vast jungles of Riviera Maya through an organized tour with great reviews picked out from Viator.

Click here to take advantage of my discount if you book a tour with Viator.

The partially covered nature of the two main cenotes (Dos Ojos) evokes the feeling of swimming in the mouth of a cave.

The water in the cenotes remains relatively fresh due to their partial exposure to the sun.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of sunny spots to warm up after your swim.

The water is clear and blue, and the rock formations below the surface are fascinating to look at.

Be sure to bring a snorkel (or rent one on-site) so you can dive down and check out the rock formations. 

Not only are the cenotes in Riviera Maya beautiful, but they are also brimming with history and local legends, just waiting for your discovery!

When visiting the cenotes in Riviera Maya, remember to take plenty of photos to capture the memories of your incredible experience!

If you’re really curious about the rocks, consider joining a dive tour of Dos Ojos. The dive will take you through a cave that connects the two cenotes together!

Cenote Dos Ojos is in a park called Parque Dos Ojos, about 30 minutes south of Playa del Carmen.

The park has different admission tiers depending on which amenities you wish to utilize. The base admission fee is $350 MXN (~ $16 USD). You can rent life jackets and snorkels or join a dive tour on-site for additional fees.

The Dos Ojos cenote offers facilities including bathrooms, picnic tables, equipment rentals, and food and drinks for purchase. This makes it easy to spend hours enjoying the gorgeous cenotes.

It is easy to reach the park by colectivo; just choose one of the vans headed for Tulum and tell the driver you’re going to Parque Dos Ojos.

Keep in mind, the cenotes within the park are spread along a 5 km stretch of dirt road. You can rent a car to get to the cenotes, but you can also rent a bike on-site.

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Related Reading: How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Cenote Dos Ojos

2. Cenote Calavera

Just 3 km north of Tulum is the beautiful Cenote Calavera (so-called because the three holes of the cenote look like the eyes and mouth of a skull!) which makes it unique and one of the best things to do in Tulum.

Of the cenotes near Tulum, this one is less built up, and it’ll feel much like you’re walking into someone’s back garden.

It can get busy, so go when it opens or closes to enjoy the cenote in peace.

You can jump into any of the skull’s three holes, but be careful with the two smaller ones, as there’s little room for error. Alternatively, you can climb down the ladder into the water too.

The water is incredibly clear and the perfect temperature for swimming.

Some bats fly around the cenote, and some fish swim over to nibble on you.

You can get to cenote Cavalera by bicycle from Tulum, by car, or in a taxi. Just head north on highway 109. This cenote is open from 9 am to 4 pm and costs 100 pesos.

3. Gran Cenote

If you’re looking for adventure, consider exploring the deeper cenotes in Riviera Maya for a unique diving experience.

When looking for the best cenotes in Riviera Maya, you must check out Gran cenote. It is not called ‘Gran,’ which means ‘big’ in Spanish, for no reason.

Mexico is known for its world-class cenotes. This particular cenote with its deep tunnels is popular with people who want to dive, swim, or just float in the crystal-clear waters.

Would you like to give snorkeling a try? Mini fish await discovery in the water. My highlight was arriving at the attraction and locating a staircase with not many people around.

I managed to find an area of the cenote where no one else was and got some wonderful video footage.

I paid around $10 USD (about 180 pesos) to get in the attraction, which was reasonable. A few other people I spoke with had arrived with an organized tour.

Depending on where you’re staying, you can arrive here by yourself; some people were arriving from Tulum via rented bicycles.

Just make sure you carry your towel and some extra change to pay for a locker so you don’t have to leave your belongings lying around.

This cenote is one of the most popular, so it can get crowded. For the best photo ops, I suggest coming before 10 a.m. 

4. Cenote Suytun

With only one thin stone walkway stretching out into the turquoise water, Cenote Suytun is one of the most incredible yet mysterious cenotes we’ve ever witnessed.

The famous Kil Cenote, located nearby, often overshadows this cenote, but we’re glad we decided to explore Suytun instead.

As you enter, there is a paved staircase with handles and ropes that leads you down to the water. The walls of the cenote are very tall, but the water is shallow. You’ll notice one small hole in the ceiling where trees and vegetation have started to break, creating a natural spotlight.

The best way to get to the cenote is to rent a car and drive.

If you don’t feel comfortable driving, there are also a few tours that include a visit to Cenote Suytun as part of a day trip to nearby Chichen Itza. 

All cenotes in Riviera Maya have their own special features, so be sure to explore a variety for the best experience! The Riviera Maya Cenotes are each individually unique, and some are best for beginners, while others are best for experienced scuba divers.

Cenote Suytun is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has an admission fee of 120 pesos ($6.50 USD). If you intend to swim in the cenote, life jackets are mandatory. You can rent them for 30 pesos (less than $2 USD). 

5. Cenote Caracol

If you’re someone who likes hidden gems, skip the more popular cenotes and head to Cenote Caracol – an underground cenote complex near Tulum that feels like you’re swimming in a cave.

I’ve seen many cenotes in the Yucatan, and this is one of the most beautiful!

There’s plenty to do on your visit to the cenote as well. You can swim, dive if you have a certification, or simply enjoy the spectacular views inside the cenote.

Getting to the cenote is a bit of a challenge, but that difficulty also helps keep away the crowds. Cenote Caracol is located off the main road between Tulum and Playa del Carmen on private land a few kilometers into the jungle, so you’ll need to either rent a car or hire a taxi to get there.

Note that there is also a fee to access the cenote.

Cenote Caracol is worth the extra effort to visit; it’s one of the best cenote experiences in the Yucatan!

Planning a visit to Tulum? Check out this Tulum itinerary to help you plan your trip!

6. Cenote El Pit

Cenote El Pit is an unreal cavern and cave dive site in Mexico and on the bucket list of many Scuba divers.

Driving a jeep into the jungle and taking little wooden steps into a spectacular dive site with crystal clear water is a unique experience.

A hole with a diameter of only 10 meters opens up into the deepest cenote in the State of Quintana Roo, which is 110 meters deep; therefore, an advanced qualification is required to dive here.

The Pit is located in Dos Ojos Park, 22km north of Tulum and about 54km south of Playa del Carmen.

Rainwater filters through the jungle floor to fill cenotes with crystal-clear water, and Cenote El Pit is known for excellent visibility, sometimes exceeding 40 meters.

The bright beams of sunlight penetrate the mouth of the cave and reach deep towards the bottom of this cenote, making them some of the highlights of diving here.

As you descend during your dive, you will reach an overhung cavern adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites; even deeper, you will pass through a halocline, which creates an interesting experience due to the refraction of light as it passes through water layers of different densities.

Around about 27 meters, you dive into a cloud of hydrogen sulfate, swimming around some eerie tree branches before starting your ascent.

The price of entering the park is $25 USD and dive centers charge $150 USD more for a two-tank dive in the cenote from Tulum.

Cenotes in Riviera Maya provide a refreshing escape from the heat, making them perfect for a midday swim!

7. Cuzama Cenotes

The Cuzama cenote system may not be the most accessible cenote in the Mayan Riviera, but it is definitely one of the most impressive! It is located about a 3-hour drive from Tulum and a 1-hour drive from Progresso in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Progreso is one of many Gulf of Mexico beaches near Mérida.

The three cenotes of the Cuzama system are located deep within the jungle. Visitors are not permitted to drive to the cenotes.

Instead, once they arrive at the parking lot, visitors can pay their 400 pesos to enter and then walk or take a horse-drawn “train carriage” to the cenotes.

The train tracks are the remnants of the agave rope industry, which used to operate in this area.

The three cenotes are Chelentun, Chansinic Che, and Bolon-Chohol. The smallest and shallowest is Chelentun.

However, the latter two are progressively bigger and require you to descend a ladder into the sinkhole to reach them.

Each cave opens up onto stunning turquoise pools. Bring a mask and snorkel! There are little fish skirting around the intriguing rock formations.

Due to its seclusion, doing a Progreso excursion to the Cuzama cenotes on your own can be quite difficult, so we highly recommend booking a guided tour.

Every cenote in Riviera Maya has its own unique ecosystem, so be sure to respect the natural environment during your visit.

8. Cenote Ik Kil

Ik Kil is one of the most popular cenotes in the Yucatan because it’s right off Highway 180, just south of the Chichen Itza Ruins.

Many times you’ll find tour packages that include a stop at Ik Kil along with visiting Chichen Itza.

If you’re planning your Riviera Maya excursions, make a point to arrive at Ik Kil early to beat the crowds.

Cenote Ik Kil opens to the sky with a 200′ diameter pit. You climb down carved stairways to the water level, which is about 85′ below the surface.

From there, you can swim in the cenote, jump off the diving platform, or simply enjoy the view of the picturesque vines and waterfalls that come down into the water.

Ik Kil is the perfect open cenote with just the right mixture of pit, light, and water.

Logistics of Ik Kil: Ik Kil is open from 8:00 to 5:00 daily. The entrance fee is 80 pesos. There is also an attached restaurant and hotel on the property.

9. Casa Cenote

A cenote visit is a must-do activity anywhere within Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.

Just a 10-minute taxi from Tulum, Casa Cenote is a fantastic way to spend a quiet afternoon away from the crowds.

Unlike some of the other more famous cenotes in the area, Casa Cenote isn’t closed in but is instead an open mangrove with abundant sea life.

There are no longer manatees here, but you can meet the “friendly” crocodile, Panchito, as well as giant fish and maybe even a few Coatis.

The water is crystal clear, and seeing the light shine through the mangrove roots to the deep bottom is totally breathtaking.

Take a taxi from Tulum for 200 pesos. The entrance fee is 120 pesos; you can rent snorkel gear or a kayak (100 pesos) or go with a dive shop.

Just be careful not to wear any sun creams or body lotion, as it is a sensitive environment, so they are banned.

There is also a restaurant, a shop, and a small beach nearby for snacks and relaxing.

10. Cenote Azul

Located roughly 15 minutes by car from the center of Playa del Carmen, Cenote Azul is an absolutely stunning hacienda cenote near the Riviera Maya in Mexico.

The main cenote is made up of an open-top pool, complete with deep, crystal-clear water that is incredibly fun to jump into from one of the ledges overlooking the pool.

While the cenote is popular, the pool is large enough that there’s plenty of room for everyone.

In addition to the main, largest pool, there are several smaller pools in the Cenote Azul complex, and while more shallow and less engaging to swim in, they are also beautiful and a great place to get away for a quiet moment when the crowds of Cenote Azul get a bit overwhelming.

Entry fees for cenotes in Riviera Maya vary, so check before going.

The environment at Cenote Azul is laid-back, family-friendly, and lots of fun, with a great mix of Mexican and international visitors.

Cenote Azul is one of the most stunning cenotes in Riviera Maya, perfect for swimming and enjoying a relaxing day in nature.

Cenote Azul costs 120 pesos to enter (bring cash!) and showering before entering the cenote is mandatory.

Like all cenotes, sunscreen and lotion are forbidden inside the pool, as the chemicals can damage the fragile environment.

Parking is available at Cenote Azul, but if you would rather not drive yourself, colectivos and tours are also available.

FAQ (Frequently asked Questions)

Have you visited a cenote before? Which was your favorite?

Send your responses to me at hello@janineintheworld.com