Looking for an exciting quest? Living the cenotes experience is the kind of adventure you don’t want to miss.
Often, when you think of travelling to Mexico, the first thought that shows up in your mind is spending your entire vacation lying on a heavenly white-sand beach enjoying the fresh breeze of the sea.
The Caribbean beaches are just great, but there are other fantastic places waiting for you all over the Yucatan Peninsula: a cenote diving and swimming experience.
But what exactly is a cenote and why is it worth visiting? Don’t worry because now we’re going to tell you all the stuff you might require to enjoy the best cenotes experience here in Mexico.
It’s always hard to catch the essence of the Mexican cenotes in just a few words.
Why is the Cenotes Experience so amazing?
Cenotes are natural sinkholes with access to clear and fresh underground water which emerge when some limestone bedrock collapses.
Some of them are exposed to view, while others are hidden deep in the Mayan jungles. Each of them has its own charm and you can enjoy many different activities, like jumping into the water and diving into the depths.
Most of the time, you’ll find many different fish species, interesting rock formations and green lush in the surroundings.
So, whenever you’re exploring a Mexican cenote, you’ll feel that you’re in a real treasure quest.
Cenotes Experience: where should the adventure begin?
The Yucatan Peninsula is dotted with not hundreds but thousands of cenotes. So, wherever you choose to stay during your next trip to the Riviera Maya would be an excellent choice to live your own cenotes experience.
For example, there are several cenotes near Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, which are perfect to spend the day visiting these natural wonders but also enjoying the pleasures of these popular tourist Mexican cities.
However, if you want to live a real adventure, we highly recommend you explore the most secret cenotes around Chichen Itza and other important archeological sites located in the very heart of the jungle.
So now get ready to know our top cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula you cannot miss to enjoy the best VIP cenotes experience.
1. Cenote Oxman
Unlike the more popular cenotes, Cenote Oxman has somehow remained as an undiscovered jewel of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Cenote Oxman is a semi-open type cenote, which means that it has a huge roof hole that lets the sunlight come inside the cave, illuminating the walls and the water below.
In addition, the place is full of tree roots cascades hanging down in the cave and there is also a rope swing waiting for you to make a dramatic splash into the water.
This beautiful deep cylinder sinkhole is located in the Hacienda San Lorenzo, relatively close to the ruins of Chichen Itza, so it makes a perfect match between cenote swimming and diving experiences and an archeological excursion.
Above all, this cenote is one of our favorites because it is really less crowded than others, so it’s excellent for living a truly private cenotes experience with no queues or any distraction.
2. Cenote Chukum-Ha
This is another extraordinary and relatively undiscovered cenote since it was open to the public just two years ago.
Cenote Chukum-Ha owes its name to the indigenous chukum trees which surround the area. It has three openings in the ceiling that create a beautiful display of lights inside the cavern.
This wonderful natural pool is 65 feet deep and is decorated with astonishing rock formations called stalactites and stalagmites.
Here, you’ll also find three diving platforms with different heights from which you can jump inside the turquoise water.
The adrenaline pumping cenotes experience is completed with zip lines, a rope swing and a 50-foot rappelling system which goes from one of the cavern entrances down into the water.
This amazing cenote is also near Chichen Itza and the historical town of Valladolid, so you can easily visit all these tourist destinations just on the same day, picking a private cenotes tour according to your needs.
3. Yal Ku Lagoon and cenotes
Don’t get confused by its name because Yal Ku is also a cenote. Actually, it is one of the largest cenotes in Quintana Roo and it’s located pretty close to the Caribbean coasts, halfway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
If you’re looking for a complete cenotes experience, then Yal Ku Lagoon is the right place for you, as you’ll find there three different kinds of water ecosystems
The first one is the Lagoon itself, an open sky cenote filled with clear and calm waters that will be quite perfect for new snorkelers and the safest choice for young children.
The second stop for you to visit are the semi open cenotes near this beautiful lagoon, where you can jump from a platform into the water or run through a zip-line, flying above the cenote.
Finally, you’ll head deep into the jungle to find a mysterious cenote with no access to sunlight in which you can live a completely unusual experience navigating through a system of underground rivers.
Prepare yourself for the ultimate cenotes experience in Quintana Roo
The magic of Mexican cenotes has everything to offer you an extraordinary swimming adventure off the beaten track.
But, if you want to make the most of your time with your cenotes experience, you’d better book a private cenotes tour.
Our local experts have explored hundreds of these natural pools to lead you straight to the most hidden ones.
That way, you’ll arrive first than other tourists, avoiding crowds and enjoying the charm of the cenotes just at your own pace.
