The 3 Most Unknown Cenotes Near Valladolid
Valladolid is one of the most attractive destinations for visiting cenotes in Yucatán. We love exploring the beautiful cenotes around Valladolid. We’re sure you’ll be surprised by these 3 hidden gems.
Our idea is to describe the places in a way that lets you visualize and feel them, so you can choose which cenote you want to visit. Explore with us 🩵💙🩵
We have to say that, for us, the mere fact that a cenote is little known, which means fewer visitors, is already a point in its favor.
1- CENOTE XLA’KAJ
It is an open cenote surrounded by nature. The first time we visited, we swam with a turtle living in the cenote. Cenotes never stop surprising us. This cenote is ideal if you want to have the place to yourself and enjoy a refreshing swim surrounded by nature. Cenote Xla’kaj is more popular among locals than tourists.
What to Know About Cenote Xla’kaj
- ENTRY FEES: 100 pesos per person
- FACILITIES: It has a pool area and restaurant (open from 2 to 6 PM), as well as rustic cabins for lodging (with air conditioning). 900 pesos all day; the night is 400 pesos. It’s an affordable place, popular with locals.
- ABOUT ITS NAME: Xla’kaj means ancient village.
- CHARACTERISTICS OF CENOTE XLA’KAJ: It’s an open cenote with steep walls, where you can enjoy the surrounding nature. The water is crystal clear with green hues.
- ACCESS TO CENOTE XLA’KAJ: The descent to the cenote is via well-carved, wide, and easy-to-climb stone steps. There’s a stone platform that facilitates entry into the water.
- WHAT WE LIKED MOST: The natural surroundings are beautiful. We appreciated the local atmosphere and the fact that you can be alone. Go early on a weekday, and you’re very likely to enjoy the cenote in solitude. These moments are worth it.
- WHAT WE LIKED LEAST: La escaIt’s neglected, and the restaurant service leaves much to be desired.
- A LITTLE SECRET: Sundays are packed with locals, so if you want to experience the local atmosphere, go on a Sunday or during holidays. The pool area gets more crowded than the cenote itself.
- PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: There are great views from different points in the cenote. Move around, observe the light, and find the best angle for your photos.
- PERSONAL OPINION: It’s one of the few cenotes where you’ll find more locals than tourists. It’s very popular with locals to go to the pool and restaurant area on weekends, and that kind of atmosphere is a bonus we enjoy. The ambiance is family-friendly, although beer consumption is quite high.
Category – Family friendly
Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
How to get to Cenote Xla’kaj
Cenote Xla’kaj is located just 9 kilometers from Valladolid, near the town of Chichimilá. It’s a 10-minute drive.
- HOW TO GET TO CENOTE XLA’KAJ BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From downtown Valladolid, you can take a combi (minibus) to Chichimilá, and from there you can reach the cenote by moto-taxi (motorcycle taxi). You can also go by motorcycle or bicycle, which you can rent in Valladolid.
2- CENOTE K’OM HA
It is one of the most hidden cenotes in the area surrounding Valladolid, and we’re sure it will bring a smile to your face. It’s a must-see in the town of Tekom; we’re going to surprise you with the K’om Ha cenote.
What to Know About K’om Ha
- ENTRY FEES: 50 pesos per person
- FACILITIES: They only offer life jackets; there are no restrooms, showers, or changing rooms.
- ABOUT ITS NAME: (also spelled Kom Ha) means deep water. It comes from the words k’om (deep, deep, or sunken) and ha (water).
- CHARACTERISTICS OF CENOTE KOM HA: It is a cave cenote, which you access by descending a staircase to the platform from where you enter the water. The platform is small, but it’s not crowded.
- ACCESS TO THE CENOTE: The entrance to the cenote is in the town square of Tekom. You descend about 23 meters via a well-made stone staircase. As you descend, you’ll notice how the humidity and your breathing change. Access is easy, although the stairs are somewhat slippery.
- WHAT WE LIKED MOST: It’s one of those cenotes that makes you smile because of how surprising it is. We all love secret and surprising places.
- WHAT WE LIKED LEAST: We don’t like to swim here; the water is too stagnant.
- A LITTLE SECRET: It’s usually more crowded on weekends with locals who come to cool off; it’s like the town’s swimming pool. On the same day, you can perfectly combine a visit to the Kom Ha cenote and the Xlakaj cenote
- PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Taking good photos of this cenote is tricky. The place is dark and artificially lit, which doesn’t help because of the strong light hitting the camera. We recommend bringing a tripod and a wide-angle lens, 24-14mm.
- PERSONAL OPINION: When Sandra worked as a tour guide in the Yucatán Peninsula, this cenote was a surprise stop on the routes. It was always a hit; it’s truly surprising to find a cenote under a town square.
Category – Family-friendly
Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
How to get to Cenote K’om Ha
Cenote Kom Ha is located in Tekom, a town 12 kilometers south of Valladolid. It takes about 20 minutes to get there. It’s in the same direction as Cenote Xla’kaj, so you can visit both.
- HOW TO GET TO CENOTE KOM HA BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From downtown Valladolid, you can take public transportation to the town of Tekom. Tell the driver to let you off at the main square. There are also shared vans (combis) for the return trip to Valladolid.
3- CENOTE TOH
The breathtaking 18-meter descent into the Toh cenote makes more than one person’s legs tremble and their heart skip a beat. That sight alone makes a visit to the Toh cenote worthwhile. The cenote is managed by a Mayan-speaking family.
What to Know About Cenote Toh
- ENTRY FEES: 150 pesos per person
- FACILITIES: Rustic restrooms and showers. Life jackets are available.
- ABOUT ITS NAME: The Toh is one of the most prized and well-known birds in the Yucatan Peninsula, also popularly known as the clock bird. In this cenote, you can see the Toh bird. In fact, it’s a popular bird in cenotes. April is the easiest time to see them, as it’s the end of the dry season and more of them arrive at the cenotes.
- CHARACTERISTICS OF CENOTE TOH: It’s a cave cenote with a large, wide cavity. The cavity and the descent are the most impressive features.
- ACCESS TO THE CENOTE: The descent is 18 meters down a sturdy iron ladder, but it is a steep drop. This cenote isn’t for everyone; some people may feel uncomfortable going down the ladder. Be careful not to slip; the steps don’t have non-slip grips.
- WHAT WE LIKED MOST: The descent into this cenote is impressive; the cavern is very spacious.
- WHAT WE LIKED LEAST: The water isn’t very clear; it’s somewhat stagnant.
- A LITTLE SECRET: It’s one of the least visited cenotes in Valladolid. The facilities are rather basic.
- PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Use a wide-angle lens (from 24mm to 14 mm) to capture the vastness of the place; your photo will look better. From 11 o’clock onwards, the beam of light enters through the opening.
- PERSONAL OPINION: We have nice memories of the day we visited, though, and we loved spending time with the family who manages it. It’s not our preferred style of cenote; we don’t like the use of materials like cement and iron in natural spaces. We believe that for many people it would be too rustic.
Category – Curious adventurers
Rating – ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
How to get to Cenote Toh
Cenote Toh is located 5 kilometers from the center of Valladolid, a 10-minute drive. It’s near the unique Hotel Vocho.
- HOW TO GET TO CENOTE TOH BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport to Cenote Toh. You can go by bike, motorbike, on foot, or by taxi. There are several options in Valladolid for renting bikes and motorbikes.
Cenote Etiquette
Simple actions of great impact
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Think Before Acting
Respect the natural environment; do not harm nature; do not remove flowers or plants. Let’s create awareness together.
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Take Care of the Water
Do not use sunscreen, repellents or mosquito products that contain chemicals that can affect the water of the cenotes.
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Shower Before Entering
Wash your skin well with water. When entering the cenote, bring with you the fewest products and chemicals.
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Collect Your Trash
Do not leave your own waste in nature. Collect your remains and dispose of them in appropriate places. Bring your reusable water bottle.
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Respect the Environment
Do not hang from the roots of the cenotes; do not touch them; do not shout. Do not harm other visitors or damage the environment.
General Information & Practical Tips about cenotes
- Opening hours: Most cenotes open between 8 and 9 AM and close at 5 to 6 PM, every day.
- Entrance costs: Typically range from 100 to 300 pesos for basic entry, with higher fees for additional activities. In most cenotes, you must pay in cash.
- What to Bring: Pack your swimsuit, a towel, and eco-friendly insect repellent — applied only after you leave the water. Sunscreen is the same: wear it outside only, never before swimming. A snorkel mask is worth throwing in the bag for certain cenotes. Dress lightly but wear closed, comfortable shoes to ward off insects.
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Where to stay in Valladolid
As an old colonial city, it offers an excellent range of historic boutique hotels and hostels to suit every taste. You will have no trouble finding restaurants open for dinner. It is a city where you can spend a few days, make yourself at home, and explore the local culture and surrounding nature.
Something you should know about us is that we love discovering hotels. Valladolid is one of our favorite destinations; we’ve been dozens of times, and we have our recommendations 🥰
Hotel Posada San Juan
A hotel that pays attention to detail; our stay here was lovely. We especially appreciated the Yucatecan-style decor, the spacious and comfortable rooms, and the very helpful staff. The breakfast was good.
Its location, just four blocks from the city center, makes it very convenient for exploring Valladolid. It has a pool, which is perfect for the Yucatecan heat. Medium budget.
👉 Read more on Booking.com
Hotel Mesón del Marqués
It’s a classic Yucatecan hotel, a landmark in Valladolid’s Central Park. An old mansion houses rooms of varying categories. The restaurant is located in the building’s courtyard and is quite charming. During the day, several tour groups come to eat here, so it’s best to visit the restaurant in the evening.
Some rooms can be a bit noisy, as it’s a fairly large hotel. Medium budget.
👉 Read more on Booking.com
Casa Lucia Valladolid
A centrally located hotel with lovely rooms, each with a private bathroom. They offer a basic kitchen and common areas that give it a hostel feel, where you can meet other guests. We absolutely love Casa Lucia; the colonial building is beautiful. Low budget.
👉 Read more on Booking.com
Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas
The most luxurious hotel in Valladolid, a hotel that truly stands out in the city. It’s located within the grounds of the Saamal cenote, about 6 kilometers from downtown Valladolid. Here, rest, tranquility, and attention to detail are the perfect accompaniment for travelers.
The space they’ve created is wonderful; we loved it 💛 All rooms have a private pool. High budget.
👉 Read more on Booking.com
