travel and stay in Merida yucatan
Best Cenotes near Merida
Travel to Merida Mexico and discover and discover some of the most amazing Cenotes that are nearby.
Best Cenotes Near Merida – 2022
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its unique cenotes — natural freshwater pools located in limestone caves. These pools are connected through the world’s most extensive underground river system.
Cenotes are created when the limestone surface collapses, creating a cave opening into this river system. There are four types of Cenotes.
Open cenotes: You may see these called swimming pool cenotes, as they are completely open and look like a natural swimming pool.
Semi-open cenotes: These cenotes are semi-encased in their native limestone rock, with tall limestone walls surrounding the pool itself. The top has a large opening, so a lot of sunlight gets in.
Cave cenotes: Cave cenotes are precise, as the name says; these are located in a cave entirely underground. To access them, you have to walk down some stairs.
Cave diving cenotes: These Cenotes are also in a cave, but the water in these cenotes is much deeper, so they are sought out for diving.
Each type of cenote is unique and beautiful in its own ways, and many are home to a variety of fish and plant life; some even have turtles! So try to visit as many types of Mexican cenotes as possible.
There are supposedly over 6000 cenotes located in Mexico. Some have been turned into swimming holes for tourists, others are used for technical cave scuba diving, and many more are simply inaccessible.
Merida Cenote – Fun Fact
There is a Costco in Merida with a cenote in the parking lot! To see the famous Cenote Costco, called Cenote Ka’Kutzal, head to the Costco in the Monte de Amé neighborhood. Keep in mind that you can’t swim here, but it’s worth the visit, and you can do some shopping at the same time.
Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyche
Type: Two Semi-Open Cenotes
Admission Cost: You must book a tour to visit! Tours and transportation from Merida are $75USD — which includes Cenote Carlota, Cenote Azul Maya, and a tour of a Yucatan Hacienda
Distance from Merida: 1 hour by car
Cenote X’Batun and Dzonbakal
Type of Cenote: X’Batun – Open (Swimming pool cenote). Dzonbakal semi-open
Admission Cost: $100 pesos ($5USD) — Includes entry to Cenote X’Batun & Cenote Dzonbakal
Distance from Merida: 1 hour by car
Cenote Yaal Utzil
Type of Cenote: Semi-Open
Admission Cost: $20 pesos ($2USD)
Distance from Merida: 1 hour by car
Cenote Xlacah
Type of Cenote: Semi-Open
Admission Cost: $20 pesos ($2USD)
Distance from Merida: 1 hour by car
Santa Barbara Cenotes
Type of Cenotes: One Semi-Open Cenote & Two Cave Cenotes
Admission Cost: $200 pesos ($10USD) — Includes entry to Cenote Xoch, Cenote Chaksikin & Cenote Cascabel
Distance from Merida: 1 hour by car
Cenote Santa Rosa
Type of Cenote: Cave Cenote
Admission Cost: There are several tour options, ranging $300-500 pesos ($15-25USD)
Distance from Merida: 1 hour by car
As mentioned before, there’s plenty more, but this list includes the most known cenotes near Merida.
Tips for Visiting Cenotes
Bring cash (Mexican Pesos); most of these places don’t take credit cards.
Most places require you to shower before entering to avoid polluting the water. Please don’t use sunscreen, as it can harm wildlife.
Many cenotes in Mexico provide life jackets for not-strong swimmers. Most cenotes don’t have a shallow area — they can be super deep.
Some cenotes include rope swings, jumping platforms, zip lines and will rent you snorkeling gear.
Cave divers frequent some cenotes, so make sure to give them plenty of room, and be careful where you jump!
The water in most cenotes is pretty cold, as they are fed from underground sources; bring a quick-dry towel.
Bring water shoes. As cenotes are natural pools, most have slippery rocks, muddy ground, etc. Water shoes also help you not slip in general, especially when walking down any staircase entryways.
If you’re planning to take photos, an inexpensive waterproof phone holder necklace will really come in handy. So you can take your phone into the water and capture the best pictures of the cenotes from all angles.
A waterproof fanny pack is a great option to hold all of your valuables, not just your phone. So save your money on a locker rental at the cenotes, and keep your belongings on you in this waterproof waist bag.
Get a waterproof camera instead of using your phone.
You can snorkel in many cenotes near Merida to see the little fish, plants, and more. For those who want to conserve luggage space, these small goggles and this roll-up snorkel are a great option, but this combo mask and snorkel is the best option for snorkeling in cenotes.