Our 5 Favorite Cenotes Around Valladolid

Valladolid and its surroundings are the ideal starting point for exploring the cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula. The sheer variety and number of cenotes, each offering a unique experience, is incredible.

There is a cenote for every taste: from open-air pools surrounded by jungle to mysterious underground caves. Choosing the right one can make all the difference.

Here are our top 5 favorites—cenotes that have been preserved in their natural state, where you can truly immerse yourself in nature.

Come explore them with us 🩵💙🩵

1- CENOTE XCANAHALTUN

The first view of Cenote Xcanahaltun, as you descend the 6-meter staircase, is truly breathtaking. From the very first moment, you realize you are standing before a very special cenote. Its enormous diameter and the partially collapsed dome above the crystal-clear waters create a spectacular natural setting unlike any other.

Without a doubt, it is one of our favorite cenotes in the entire Yucatán Peninsula. Over the years, we have also built a wonderful relationship with the Maya family who lovingly manage and care for this extraordinary place.

What to Know About Cenote Xcanahaltun

ENTRY FEES CENOTE XCANAHALTUN: 250 pesos per person, children 220 pesos.
FACILITIES: Lockers, changing rooms, restrooms, and a rest area are available. Life jackets 30 pesos, rent Kayak 100 pesos. You can request permission to camp in the area; there’s a fee, but we don’t remember the exact amount. We camped there once, and it was simply wonderful. It has a restaurant and rents out tents.
ABOUT ITS NAME: Its name means cascading water.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CENOTE XCANAHALTUN: It’s a cave cenote with a gap in the ceiling through which rays of light pass. Its immense diameter makes the place colossal. The descent into the cenote is truly breathtaking.
ACCESS TO THE CENOTE: A narrow spiral staircase leads down to a first platform where you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking view of the cenote. Once inside the cavern, a comfortable wooden staircase descends to the water below. It’s truly impressive.
WHAT WE LIKED MOST: We’ve visited Xcanahaltun dozens of times, and it never fails to warm our hearts. The descent is always a “wow” moment, and the sheer beauty and atmosphere of the place never lose their magic.
WHAT WE LIKED LEAST: There was nothing we didn’t like, honestly.
A LITTLE SECRET: Cenotes managed by Maya families sometimes receive far fewer visitors simply because they don’t have the same marketing resources or know-how as those managed by larger companies. That doesn’t make them any less beautiful; quite the opposite. They’re often some of the most authentic and rewarding cenotes to visit. 😊 Make sure to cross to the other side of the cenote; the views from there offer a completely different perspective and beautifully complement the experience. Don’t leave without doing it!
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: A wide-angle lens between 14 and 24 mm is extremely useful in most cenotes, allowing you to capture the full scale and beauty of the space. There’s also an iconic spot right in the center of the cenote, where you can stand with your feet touching the bottom while a ray of natural light shines down on you.
PERSONAL OPINION: Without a doubt, one of our favorite cenotes. We’ve visited it dozens of times, both on our own and with friends, and it never fails to impress us. The family has done a wonderful job of preserving the natural beauty of the place, and the result is simply stunning.

Category – Natural & Nature / Photoghenic

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

How to get to Cenote Xcanahaltun

Cenote X-Ca’anajaltun is located about 30 kilometers from Valladolid. By car it takes 30 minutes. In Valladolid, you can rent Scooters by the day; it’s a good option for visiting some cenotes around Valladolid

HOW TO GET TO CENOTE XCANAHALTUN BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Xcanahaltun is near Yalcobá, so you’ll need to take a shared taxi on the Valladolid-Yalcobá route. They depart from Calle 41 between Calle 34 and 32. Shared taxis can carry up to four people and leave when they’re full. Once in Yalcobá, you must take a moto-taxi (the best local transport in Yucatán😊) to the cenote. It’s actually easier to go in your own transport, by private taxi or on a private tour.

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2- CENOTE XUX HA

Cenote Xux Há is one of our favorite cave cenotes near Valladolid. The cenote’s cavern is truly impressive, and the site, managed by local Maya community members, does a fantastic job.

If you enjoy more natural cenotes, you’ll love this one.

What to Know About Cenote Xux-Há

ENTRY FEES CENOTE XUX-HÁ: 150 pesos per person. Life Jacket rental (25 MXN). Lockers (25 MXN).
FACILITIES: Rustic and nice restrooms and showers (remember always to shower before swimming in the cenote). Life jackets are available. A little shop selling sodas and junk food
ABOUT ITS NAME: Xux (pronounced shush) is honeycomb, and Ha is water. Ha is a word you’ll see a lot in these lands, and it always indicates that there is water.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CENOTE XUX-HÁ: It is a cavern cenote with a large diameter, very impressive. A wooden platform leads you into the water. The cavity and the descent are the most impressive features. The detachment in the vault allows natural light to enter.
ACCESS TO THE CENOTE: You’ll begin descending a comfortable stone staircase, continuing down a well-made wooden staircase. It’s a descent of about 25 meters. There’s a wooden platform to access the cenote. On one of the cenote walls, there’s a small wooden platform from which you can jump into the water. Great fun!
WHAT WE LIKED MOST: The impressive descent down the 25-meter staircase is awesome!
WHAT WE LIKED LEAST: We found nothing negative.
A LITTLE SECRET: It’s one of the least visited cenotes in Valladolid.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: The cenote is dark, so it’s best to use a tripod to shoot at a slow shutter speed and capture the depth of the place with a closed aperture (like f/16/22/32) with complete sharpness. You can keep the ISO low to avoid noise. Be careful; anyone walking on the wooden walkway will cause the tripod to move. It is important to visit during peak sun hours, from 11 to 3, depending on the time of year.
PERSONAL OPINION: It’s one of our favorite types of cenotes, due to a number of characteristics we greatly value: it’s naturally lit, the materials used for access to the cenote are wood and stone (which aren’t so intrusive in natural spaces), it’s managed by a Mayan community, it’s not as well-known as other cenotes around Valladolid, the facilities are well-maintained, you’re required to shower before entering the cenote, and besides, the cenote cavity is simply breathtaking.

Category – Family/ Jump/ Natural

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ 5/5

How to get to Cenote Xux Ha

Cenote Xux Há is located 23 kilometers from the center of Valladolid, a 20-minute drive. There are several options in Valladolid for renting motorbikes. And of course you can get it in private taxi or tour.

HOW TO GET TO CENOTE XUX HA BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From Valladolid, shared taxis depart for Chemax (between 41st and 38th streets). You can get off the shared taxi near the cenote entrance. To return to Valladolid, you’ll need patience and have to wait on the highway for a combi or taxi heading back (the return trip is always more difficult as they tend to be full halfway through).

3- CENOTE CHOJ HA

Cenote Choj Há is often described as the Sistine Chapel of Valladolid’s cave cenotes, and it’s easy to see why. Its enormous cavern is filled with spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and towering limestone columns, creating an almost otherworldly landscape. Stepping inside feels like entering another planet.

The vast cavern also has a dry section, adding another fascinating dimension to the experience.

What to Know About Cenote Choj Há

ENTRY FEES CENOTE CHOJ HA: 150 pesos per person. Children under 5 years old enter free. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment can be rented for 30 pesos.
FACILITIES: There are bathrooms, changing tables and showers; the facilities are rustic.
ABOUT ITS NAME: Translated from the Mayan language, it means “falling drop of water”.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CENOTE CHOJ HA: It’s a large cavern, partly filled with water and partly dry. The sheer size of the place allows you to feel the vastness of the underground, the grandeur of nature and the passage of time. Caves are our wrinkles in history.
ACCESS TO THE CENOTE: Behind a small entrance, you can’t imagine what lies within. After your eyes adjust to the darkness, you can begin to enjoy this extraordinary cavern. Comfortable, hand-carved stairs lead you down to the water.
WHAT WE LIKED MOST: The beauty of the place, its stone formations, colors, sounds… this cenote is a temple of nature to admire. The crystal-clear water is yet another of its attractions.
WHAT WE LIKED LEAST: The facilities might seem too rustic to some people. We think they’re fine.
A LITTLE SECRET: Being far from Valladolid, it’s isolated between Valladolid and Cancún, which means it’s not very crowded. If you get up early and arrive by 9, you’ll most likely enjoy it all to yourself. An ideal cenote for bringing a snorkeling mask.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: There are some very beautiful places where it’s more difficult to take a good photo if you’re a photography enthusiast: Cenote Choj Há is one of them. We recommend going with a tripod because the place is dark, and you’ll need a long exposure time. Artificial lights make it harder to get a good shot.
PERSONAL OPINION: We have a special connection with this cenote and its people. We’ve known them for many years, watched them grow, and admire their hard work. We’ve visited the cenote dozens of times and always recommend it.

Category – Natural & Nature / Familiar

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

How to get to Cenote Choj Há

The Choj Há cenote is located in X-Can: from Valladolid, it’s about a 50-minute drive. From Cancún, it’s 1 hour and 40 minutes. You must take the free road, not the toll road.

HOW TO GET TO CENOTE CHOJ HA BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: It’s difficult to get there by public transport, especially to return to Valladolid. You’ll need to take two consecutive shared taxis. The first one takes you to Chemax (it leaves from Calle 41 in Valladolid), and the second one leaves Chemax for X-Can. Ask the driver to let you off at the cenote entrance, and from there it’s about a 400-meter walk to the cenote along a dirt path.

4- CENOTE SAC AUA

Sac Aua is one of our favorite cenotes around Valladolid, and it’s absolutely beautiful. The local caretakers have preserved it within its natural surroundings, making it a truly stunning place.

Cenote Sac Aua became popular after some beautiful photos of it went viral. It’s now known as “the cenote with the island” (that’s how it appears on Google). We absolutely love this place—the combination of the surrounding nature and the cave makes it really special.

What to Know About Cenote Sac Aua

SAC AUA CENOTE ENTRANCE FEES: Cenote: 150 pesos per person (100 pesos for Mexican nationals) / Cenote + Aktun Maya cave: 230 pesos / Cenote, cave + meal: 345 pesos.
FACILITIES: There are bathrooms, changing rooms, and showers. You can rent kayaks, visit the Aktun Maya cave, and go rappelling. There’s also a local food restaurant (though it isn’t always open).
ABOUT ITS NAME: The name comes from the Álamo tree, whose name in Maya is associated with Aua or Awá. The prefix Sac or Sak means “white” or “pure,” so the name can be interpreted as “pure Álamo” or “sacred Álamo.”
FEATURES OF CENOTE SAC AUA: This spectacular cenote is about 90 meters in diameter, with an island in the middle formed when part of the cenote’s roof collapsed. The walls are around 30 meters high. The water isn’t particularly deep, ranging from 1 to 12 meters.
ACCESS TO THE CENOTE: A wooden staircase provides an easy way down to the cenote’s island, which is surrounded by water.
WHAT WE LIKE MOST: The natural surroundings and lush vegetation. We love how little the area has been altered, allowing you to really enjoy the power and beauty of nature. The trail leading to the cenote is about 300 meters long and makes for a beautiful walk.
WHAT WE LIKE LEAST: The visit to Aktun Maya cave is guided. We think the experience could be more interesting with more in-depth information about the sacred cave and the ancient Maya who used it.
A LITTLE SECRET: Don’t skip the visit to Aktun Maya cave. This is a sacred cave once used by the ancient Maya, and it still contains various archaeological remains. It’s spacious and easy to explore, and it’s just a few meters from the cenote. You can also spot ancient Maya remains along the trail.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Keep in mind that to take the famous photo showing the island from above, you need to climb up one of the cenote’s side walls. And remember to protect your camera from the water!
PERSONAL OPINION: We love Sac Aua. Between the natural surroundings, the beautiful trail, the visit to Aktun Maya cave, the ancient Maya remains, and the opportunity to go rappelling, there’s a lot to experience here. The cenote is managed by a local cooperative, so visiting also gives you the chance to meet and support local Maya families.

Category – Natural & Nature / Rappel

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

How to get to Cenote Sac Aua

Cenote Sac Aua is located about 30 kilometers from Valladolid. By car it takes 40 minutes. In Valladolid, you can rent Scooters by the day; it’s a good option for visiting some cenotes around Valladolid.

HOW TO GET TO CENOTE SAC AUA BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Sac Aua is at Dzalbay, near to Yalcobá, so you’ll need to take a shared taxi on the Valladolid-Yalcobá route. They depart from Calle 41 between Calle 34 and 32. Shared taxis can carry up to four people and leave when they’re full. Once in Yalcobá you must take a moto-taxi (the best local transport in Yucatán😊) to the cenote. It’s actually easier to go in your own transport, by private taxi or on a private tour.

5- CENOTE SECRETO MAYA

The beautiful open-air Secreto Maya Cenote is the perfect excuse to escape into the jungle and enjoy nature in comfortable, intimate surroundings. The facilities and restaurant are thoughtfully run with great care and attention to detail.

They also have charming Mayan-style cabins, making this a lovely nature getaway. You can even enjoy the cenote in complete privacy, which makes experiencing the natural beauty of Secreto Maya feel like a real luxury.

What to Know About Cenote Secreto Maya

ENTRY FEES: 240 pesos per person. Access to the Jaguar Negro cave costs approximately 50 pesos extra, while massages and temazcal ceremonies are priced separately.
FACILITIES: Bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, a swimming pool, and a relaxing area with hammocks. Life jackets are included in the entrance fee. There’s also a cave you can visit. They have a restaurant and comfortable cabins where you can stay overnight, as well as the option to book private dinners in the beautifully illuminated cenote surroundings.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CENOTE SECRETO MAYA: This impressive open cenote is about 50 meters in diameter, surrounded by lush jungle and crystal-clear water. The roots reaching down toward the water and the surrounding vegetation make it even more spectacular.
ACCESS TO THE CENOTE: Wooden stairs lead down into the cenote and have been designed to blend into the surroundings without being intrusive. Along the way, you’ll find different viewpoints and spots where you can relax and take beautiful photos.
WHAT WE LIKED MOST: They’ve created a lovely place where you can enjoy both the cenote and the facilities. Staying overnight here is a great choice, and we highly recommend it if you enjoy sleeping surrounded by nature.
WHAT WE LIKED LEAST: Nothing worth mentioning.
A LITTLE SECRET: This project was created with a genuine love for nature, and you can tell. 💚 It’s run by Mexican siblings who fell in love with the place and have created something really special.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Make the most of the different viewpoints and photo spots, but remember to explore the entire area and look for different angles. You’ll find plenty of interesting perspectives.
PERSONAL OPINION: This is an ideal place to spend a day surrounded by nature while enjoying a comfortable setting and good food. Everything is beautifully maintained. Staying at the Hotel Boutique Cenote Secreto Maya is definitely worth it—we loved it.

Category – Natural & Nature / Photoghenic / Zip line

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

How to get to Cenote Secreto Maya

Cenote Secreto Maya is located about 30 kilometers from Valladolid. By car it takes 40 minutes. In Valladolid, you can rent Scooters by the day; it’s a good option for visiting some cenotes around Valladolid.

HOW TO GET TO CENOTE SECRETO MAYA BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Secreto Maya is near Yalcobá, so you’ll need to take a shared taxi on the Valladolid-Yalcobá route. They depart from Calle 41 between Calle 34 and 32. Shared taxis can carry up to four people and leave when they’re full. Once in Yalcobá, you must take a moto-taxi (the best local transport in Yucatán😊) to the cenote. It’s actually easier to go in your own transport, by private taxi or on a private tour.

Cenote Etiquette

Simple actions of great impact

💡

Think Before Acting

Respect the natural environment; do not harm nature; do not remove flowers or plants. Let’s create awareness together.

💧

Take Care of the Water

Do not use sunscreen, repellents or mosquito products that contain chemicals that can affect the water of the cenotes.

🚿

Shower Before Entering

Wash your skin well with water. When entering the cenote, bring with you the fewest products and chemicals.

🗑️

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.

🍃

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.

Where to stay in General Information & Practical Tips about cenotes

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.
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.

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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 attention to detail, the spacious, 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

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

Our 5 Favorite Cenotes Around Valladolid