From Secret Caves to Open Lagoons: The Most Beautiful Mérida Cenotes
If you are staying in Merida for a few days, you absolutely cannot miss the spectacular Merida Cenotes.
I mean, they are not right in Merida, although you can find a few private cenotes in the city. Here in this post, I will talk more about the cenotes that are within a maximum of 1 hour’s distance from Merida.
As you may already be aware, the Yucatan Peninsula is gifted with something like 6000 cenotes, many of them are still in their original shape, hidden among trees and lush vegetation, but many others have been cleaned and furnished with stairs, safety cords and protection bars so that we can safely get to the water.
Cenotes are mainly managed by the local communities that own the land. They charge very little compared to the Cenotes of the Riviera Maya, or the Tulum Cenotes, or even the Cenotes near Cancun, and they are much more interesting to visit.
On top of that, while driving around Yucatan and visiting the cenotes I am talking about in this post, the people are much nicer and more laidback than in Quintana Roo. Probably less affected by massive tourism, I guess.
Even though these cenotes near Merida are a little off the beaten track, you can still find tourists, but it is likely that you will have the cenote all for yourself on some occasions.
I will tell you when it’s not the case, so that if you are anything like me, you will avoid those busier cenotes.
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How to visit Merida Cenotes
The best tours to the Merida Cenotes
Ok, although right below this you will read how I would choose a car rental, I have to admit that sometimes I love to stay comfortable and put myself in the wise hands of a trustworthy travel agent so that I don’t have to think about anything and just enjoy the ride. Besides, I can always benefit from the knowledge of a local certified guide.
Below is my pick among the best available tours to the Cenotes near Merida. Click on the tour you want to read more information about and book your trip. It’s advisable to book a few days in advance to secure your space.
Visit the Merida Cenotes by car
Guess what I am going to tell you!
Of course, my favorite way to visit the cenotes near Merida is definitely by car. Differently from the Riviera Maya Cenotes here, you must forget the public transportation.
(If you don’t want to rent a car, worry not, I will share other ways to visit Merida cenotes in this post)
In fact most of the time you will need to drive through small villages and take back dirt roads to reach the most beautiful ones.
It is different for the cenotes of Humun and Cuzama, where you can reach the village by bus and have locals take you to all the cenotes by their motor tricycles, which is fun. I will tell you all about it in a bit.
But if you want to explore other areas, you must rent a car or hire a taxi, or join an organized tour, which is also a great option.
Below, I am sharing the best-rated tours before listing my favorite cenotes that I have personally explored by renting a car in Merida.
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Visit Merida Cenotes by bus
The only cenotes near Merida that are accessible by bus are the ones in Cuzama and in Homun. That is because you can get to each of those towns by colectivo, which you can board in Plaza San Juan in Merida.
Once you get to Cuzama or Homun, you will find local motor-taxi drivers and guides who will take you to visit all the cenotes for as little as 300 MXN. So if you love some adventures, this is the way to go to Homun.
You can also stay a couple of days, as there are quite a few hotels and cabañas available.
Merida Cenotes around Abalà (Southeast of Merida)
1. Cenote Yaal Utzil
Opening hours – 9 am to 5 pm
Entry fee – 60 Mxn (includes changing room and lifevest if needed)
This cenote is one of the few open cenotes in the area. You will find 2 platforms from which to jump, one of 10 mt and 3 mt if you feel adventurous.
The cenote is 10 mt deep, so you don’t have to worry about crashing on the bottom. 🙂 I would still be scared to jump through.
In this cenote, you can go diving if you book your trip with a dive center. Otherwise, you can also snorkel, but you must bring your own equipment.
You can park your car in a nearby space for 50 mxn, where you can also use the toilet. Otherwise, you can leave the car on the road. However, there is no toilet at the cenote.
Important information – sometimes the cenote Yaal Utzil is mentioned as the Hacienda Mucuyche, but it’s not accurate. The hacienda has a different cenote and separate access (and is more expensive). I will talk about it below.
2. Cenote Hacienda Mucuyche’
Hacienda Mucuyche is a spectacular old hacienda with a restaurant and 2 restructured cenotes inside.
Although they did a fantastic job and kept the natural feel of the two cenotes, they are connected by a river, which is clearly artificially made.
I always prefer to visit more natural cenotes with less man-made construction, but many people seem to enjoy this kind of structure, which is basically a park, and that’s why I thought I would include it in this list.
The two cenotes are stunning, especially the second one that you will see, since it’s inside a cave which is lit with special blue light for a special effect.
What I don’t love about this place is that you will only be able to visit in groups, and therefore, you will necessarily be with a whole lot of people.
So they have specific slots that you must book in advance, and you can only visit for a limited amount of time, following the herd of people like kettles basically.
Other than that, it’s a really beautiful place. The hacienda itself is really fascinating, and the entry cost also includes a 30-minute tour around the old hacienda with a local guide.
The hacienda also has a restaurant where you can have a local meal after enjoying the tour.
Mucuyche entry fee
590 MXN ( 30 USD) – includes access to the cenotes and a tour of the hacienda.
How to get to Hacienda Mucuyche
There is no public transportation to get there, so you either rent a car or hire a private driver.
3. Cenote Kankirixche
Entry fee – 100 MXN (80 national)
Opening hours – 8 am to 5 pm
Cenote Kankirixche was one of my favorite ones around Abalà, Yucatan. It’s not very big, but it has transparent water and it rarely has a lot of people.
It has easy access to the water, which is shallow for most parts, but if you don’t feel comfortable, you can rent a life vest for 50 MXN (3 USD).
It’s usually frequented by divers coming with dive shops from Merida for its incredible caves underneath. Or you can snorkel around the cenote, but remember to bring your own snorkeling equipment.
How to get to Cenote Kankirixche
You must have your own car to get to this cenote or hire private transportation.
Or you can join a combined tour and visit Uxmal and Kabah archeological sites + kankirinxche cenote.
4. Cenote Chihuo-Hol
I have included this cenote even though I didn’t make it there. It’s close to the Hacienda Mucuyche but the road to get there although just 4 km short, is very rough and I didn’t really want to risk my small car rental, besides I was alone and I don’t want to be left stranded in the middle of the woods alone.
You will need a 4×4 if you want to get there. Or you can walk, but don’t do it alone. And I would suggest you bring some dog food with you in case you meet any random street dogs. You never know how they would react.
The cenote entrance is free because no maintenance or anybody is looking after it. So if you feel adventurous, here is a tip. But please stay safe!
5. Cenote Sambula (Peba)
Opening hours – 10 am – 5 pm
Entrée fee – 100 MXN
Google Maps (please note that on Google Maps you will find it as Peba, which is actually the name of the closest town, but the real name of the cenote is Sambula, and you will find the sign on the road.
I wasn’t particularly excited about seeing this cenote. It’s very small, and when there are 10 people, it feels overcrowded. That’s kind of small.
Merida cenotes around the Mayapan archeological site
There are more than 28 cenotes around Mayapan, besides all those that haven’t been discovered, and that is one of the reasons the old Mayan city was the last one that disappeared, thanks to the huge water resources that helped the population go through the harsh drought times.
We are, in fact, close to the more famous Homun and Cuzama, but these cenotes are lesser-known and therefore less crowded.
But if you are driving around the Yucatan Peninsula and you want to stop by, you may be lucky and be there on your own.
Mayapan is a spectacular archeological site that you should indeed visit. It’s one of my favorites for its extended number of temples that have been brought to light, and it’s never as crowded as the more popular.
Besides, near Mayapan, there are incredible hidden cenotes that you can visit right after the tour of the ruins to cool off from the heat. It will make a great day trip from Merida.
I actually did it by car, which is the only way to do it unless you hire private transportation.
6. Cenote Nah Ya
The entry fee is 50 MXN
Open from 8 am to 6 pm
Mainly for scuba divers and freedivers for its incredible vertical depth and the spectacular effects of the sunlight.
7. Cenote Su-hem
Access fee 100 MXN
Open from 9 to 18
An open cenote with a 10 mt platform for jumps and 45 mt depth for divers to explore its caves.
The road to get there is unpaved but very well-kept for any kind of car.
Cenotes in San Antonio de Mulix (2 cenotes)
San Antonio de Mulix is a small village in the heart of Yucatan. Just driving through it is worth the trip. You will be able to see the remaining old hacienda and old colonial buildings among local homes surrounded by flowery gardens and manicured vegetation.
Once you get to the Cenote entrance, you will see the sign where you will have to park and pay for the entrance.
There you can read the cenote rules and get something to drink or eat in the nearby restaurant.
Photographer tips – they don’t allow photography with a professional camera. I had my 5D Mark III, and it didn’t let me use it unless I paid 500 pesos.
On their rule sign, it’s written that doing photo shoots has a cost, but they don’t understand the difference between taking your own pictures and photo shooting with a model. Anyhow, it is what it is.
Once you pay your ticket you get a card that you will need to hand over to the first gate a few miles from the office.
The cenotes are at a close distance from one another. They are both small but very pretty and enjoyable.
Below are some pictures.
Opening hours – 9.30 – 17.00
8. Cenote Dzonbacal
The name means Dove hunting ( Dzon= cazeria/hunting and Bakal=paolmas/doves)
It reaches a maximum of 15 mt depth.
9. Cenote Xbatun
This is the prettiest half-open; it is surrounded by alamo trees whose roots are hanging from the limestone wall, waterlilies around the transparent water, and a secular tree lying in the cenote crater, completely alive, thanks to a single root that found its way into the fertile soil when one of the past hurricanes completely eradicated the rest of the tree. Marvels of nature!
Xbatun means embrace of stone (abrazo de piedra in Spanish).
It’s 11 mt deep in its max depth.
Homun Cenotes
Santa Barbara Cenotes and Restaurants (3 cenotes)
It’s a group with 3 cenotes, nicely organized and well maintained, located on the premises of what has been an old hacienda of Yucatan.
You pay 250 mxn to see the 3 cenotes, including the use of the bike, or a ride on the horse chariot, life jacket, which is mandatory for safety reasons and you can include a local lunch for an extra 100 MXN (I didn’t try it so I am not sure about the quality of the food, but I am sure it’s quite basic)
I chose to ride a bike and got to the 2nd cenote first, where I was on my own with the other 4 people only.
You should then move on to the first cenote and lastly to the third because it’s on the way back as you ride on a circuit.
But since they are only 50 mt apart, you can choose depending on how busy they are.
The first cenote was, in fact, overcrowded, so I decided to just take a couple of shots and leave.
I can’t enjoy a cenote when there are too many people. It takes away the magic.
Below are some pics.
Find the Santa Barbara cenotes on Google Maps.
Below I am including some pictures and a brief description of each of them.
10. Cenote Cascabel (Santa Barbara cenotes)
Cenote Cascabel is the #1 on your itinerary, but as I said, you can actually do what you want if you are on your own.
It’s a cave cenote, and you will need to climb down quite a bit of wooden stairs. It’s very easy, although at the beginning you will have the help of a rope to avoid slipping down, as you will need to squat to avoid hitting your head on the rock.
The cenote is very large and quite deep in certain areas. That is why they made the life jacket mandatory and included it in the entrance fees.
No jumps allowed.
11. Cenote Chacksinkin
Opposite the cascabel is the Chacksinkin. Same entrance through wooden stairs, but with more light and a wider platform from where to get into the water, which is very shallow at the beginning, and it gets deeper as you get to the walls of the cenote.
12. Cenote Xooch
Cenote Xooch is my favorite of all the cenotes. The entrance is super easy through man-made rocky stairs and a short tunnel that opens up in a spectacular, rounded cenote with an open ceiling and beautiful Alamo trees with giant roots hanging and reflecting in the water.
This cenote is the best for photography, but the platform is tiny, so you really want to be on your own here.
Also in this cenote, access to the water is made easy with comfortable wooden stairs.
Visiting Santa Barbara Cenotes with a guided tour
If you are not fond of renting a car, but you want to be comfortable and visit the best cenotes in Homun as a day trip from Merida, there are several tours that take you there.
The full package is a little more expensive, but you don’t have to think about all the logistics. Just enjoy the trip!
Cenotes and Hacienda Kampepen (2 cenotes)
The hacienda Kampepen is a great place where you can combine the visit of an old hacienda and get to learn the history of this place, with a cave and two cenotes, plus an altar to the Aluxes (very important too).
They have a self-guided tour (180 MXN) that you can do either on foot or by bike (extra 50MXN); however, if you are average tall, the bikes will be super small.
In fact, I decided to walk and didn’t do the entire tour.
The cenotes are incredibly amazing and here below I will talk about both of them separately.
13. Cenote Kinche’ (Hacienda Kampepen)
It’s located right beyond the Hacienda main building. You can walk down the wooden stairs, and you will find yourself in this incredible cave with blue water and alamo tree roots hanging down. There is an open ceiling, so the water is not completely pristine.
Here are some pictures.
14. Cenote Noria (Hacienda Kampepen)
The cenote Noria is close to the ticket office, and it’s the most amazing because, being in a cave, the water is crystal clear and very clean. It’s not very deep, so no jumps are possible, but it’s a beautiful place to swim.
Because it’s so deep down into Mother Earth and not much air gets in, it’s super hot and humid, but the water is very chilly.
Other cenotes in Homun
Please note that in the Homun area, there are something like 300 cenotes, of which around 30 are in Homun town. It is my goal to see them all but one at a time. 😆
The cenotes I described on this page are only a very small portion of what is available and they keep finding more.
So I invite you to put on your explorer hat and go find more. I assure you it’s going to be so much fun!
15. Cenote Bal-Min
It means “hidden cenote” in the Mayan language – it’s about 7 mt deep and you can find beautiful giant stalactites and stalagmites formations beside rock paintings.
It’s easily accessible, as two metal stairs are conveniently placed for the descent and ascent, respectively. You can find rustic changing rooms and bathrooms before entering the cenote.
16. Cenote Tzau Jun Cat
This is one of the first cenotes to be discovered in Homun, and it’s public.
It costs 20 pesos only. It’s located right outside town on the way to Cuzamà.
It’s within walking distance of the town center.
17. Cenote Holcosom
Situated on the same unpaved road of Cenote Balmain, it’s smaller and probably less impactful, but it’s still worth a visit. The descent is comfortable on metal stairs.
18. Cenote San Antonio
This is not one of my favorites because they had to build a concrete platform to access it. The entrance and platform are very small. You cannot jump because the deep water is far from the platform.
Here they also have cabañas with hammocks or where you can set up your tent for 80/100 pesos
On another side of the main road, you will find another group of cenotes, two of which are quite remarkable.
19. Cenote Santa Rosa
This other beautiful example of the cenote is relatively smaller but certainly worth a visit. They also have cabañas where you can stay and of course, changing rooms and toilets. When I went to visit it was closed, unfortunately.
20. Santa Maria Caves
They are popular caves where visitors can cover themselves in healing mud. Not sure how healing it is, but it’s sure fun. Once you get there, they explain how it works.
You will walk into the caves in a subterranean river until you bump into a cenote of crystal clear waters.
Maybe if you are a little claustrophobic, consider asking how long the walk lasts.
21/22. 3 Oches (2 cenotes and a cave)
Entry fee – 50 mxn
Opening hours – 9 to 17
The meaning is 3 foxes, which I am not sure how can be related to the cenotes.
There are 3 cenotes anyway. The first is 9 mt deep in the center.
I went back to visit these cenotes recently, as I am updating this post, and they have done a wonderful job to make the descent easier in the first cenote. They are still very natural and kept with their original shape. Here are some pictures.
If you are feeling more adventurous, the local guy, who is the son of the owner, can take you down a small cave. I didn’t go as I am a little claustrophobic, but if you do, please let me know.
23. Cenote Yaxchabaltun
Yaxchabaltun means green “mazorca” on stone – TUN meaning stone in Mayan ( So I was told)
This is close to Homun town, on the same unpaved road that takes you to 3 Ochos and another.
Man-made stairs will take you to a concrete platform from which you can comfortably step down the stairs or jump in the cenote. The cenote is 15 mt deep. Suitable for family and kids.
Where to stay in Homun
If you have the time, it will be a great idea to spend a couple of nights in Homun and visit as many cenotes as possible while relaxing in a nice, comfortable lodging surrounded by the magical nature.
Here are a few hotel options:
► Hameki
Cuzama cenotes
Since the time I was there, they have opened more cenotes. But these are the first three that you could visit in Cuzama.
There has been a debate on whether it’s ethical to visit these cenotes, as access is only available via old caravans trailed by horses that appear to be in poor condition.
And since there are so many cenotes in the area, you really have a lot of options and can skip this one visit until they fix the horse situation.
Having said that, I am going to give you the information just because I went to check it out.
They are all cave cenotes with narrow but easy stairs to take you down into the underworld.
Not so difficult to climb if you are not particularly sensitive to narrow caves.
24. Cenote Chan Ucil
The name means Mosco pequeño = small fly
25. Cenote Chacsinicche
The name means Hormiga roja de madera= wooden red ants
26. Cenote Bolonchojool
The Cenote Bolonchojool has the longest stairs and is completely vertical, but if I did it, anybody who doesn’t suffer from any physical challenge can do it.
The name means 9 agujeros de raton 9 mouse holes
Cenotes Cuzama entry fee
The entrance fee has a minimum of 400MXN for 1 to 4 people.
If you are 5 you would pay 100 MXN each.
5 is the maximum number of people (of average size) that a cart can hold.
Opening hours
Cuzama opens from 8 am to 5 pm every day.
About the tour in Cuzama
You will need to consider that the farthest cenote is at a 40-minute ride and then you will have maximum leisure time for each cenote of 30 minutes.
So I would consider 3 hours and 30 minutes to be on the safe side.
How to get to Cuzama
Visiting Cuzama by bus from Merida
There are “colectivos” (small vans that leave Merida every 20 minutes from Parque San Juan)
Getting to Cuzama by taxi from Merida
That would be a little more expensive. It will cost about 1500 MXN. In this case, if the first two options are not suitable for you and you are flexible on the cenotes to visit you might want to consider joining an organized tour.
Join an organized tour to visit the cenotes in Cuzama’
Not all travelers are happy with going on their own to places, and I get that.
I get it, sometimes it really feels like a job, especially if you don’t know the area very well.
Therefore, I have researched companies where you can actually pre-book your tour if you are like me and want to plan ahead of time.
Click on the link to find the available tours to Cuzama from Merida Please make sure you read in detail what it’s included or not.
If you are in Cancun or on the Riviera Maya, it would be too far to get to Cuzama on a day trip. So I would recommend planning a 3 or 4-day Yucatan itinerary so that you can include some cenotes along the way.
Other cenotes are located a 2-hour drive from Merida
Although it may be quite a trip to make in one day, I did it and it was all worth it. I am talking about the cenotes near Valladolid, there are so many, and they are really beautiful and completely worth the trip.
However, since there are so many things to do in Valladolid, I would suggest you plan around 3 or 4 days in the area to visit as much as you can.
Valladolid hotels are also very cute and charming, and it’s really worth a stay.
If you visit Chichen Itza, check out my guide to the top 5 cenotes near Chichen Itza, so you can combine both visits. Or you can join a tour to the Mayan site from Merida, which always includes a visit to a cenote. Below, I am sharing some of them.
What to pack for exploring the cenotes in Mexico
✔ Shorts and tank top (see below)
✔ Hat (for the strong sun)
✔ Dry bag for your belongings
✔ Snorkeling gear – I know that you can rent it, or if you book a tour, it’s included, but it’s much better if you have your own.
✔ waterproof pouch for your phone
✔ GoPro Hero10 for amazing pictures
✔ Mosquito Repellent (eco-friendly)
✔ Sunscreen (eco-friendly)
Click on the image to shop!
Cenotes’ rules for responsible tourism
As in every natural place, I always like to recommend following some common-sense rules in order to preserve the environment, which I am sure you know already, but a gentle reminder is never in excess.
🔴 Don’t wear any sunscreen or repellent before bathing in the cenotes
🔴 Don’t leave anything that doesn’t belong in the place
🔴 Don’t hang on to stalactites or stalagmites or tree roots
🔴Don’t do anything that can damage the environment
🔴 Don’t shout in the cenote. Remember, it was a sacred place for the Mayan civilization, but it’s still seen as a place of peace and tranquillity. Even if you don’t think so, at least respect others’ silence.
✅ Ask permission from the Aluxes before entering. They are the spiritual guardian of the place and they can get mischievous if they don’t feel respected.
✅ Enjoy!
Merida cenotes FAQ
Does Merida have cenotes?
The short answer is yes. Although in this post I mainly talked about the cenotes near Merida, there are a few cenotes in the city and many in private homes. A small cenote, but not accessible, is located in the Cosco parking lot in Merida. Imagine that!
Another very close one is on the way to Progreso, within the archeological site of Dzibichaltun, and it’s called Xlacah. Unfortunately, they are both closed to the public as I am writing this, due to some conflict of interest between the government and the owners of the land. Hopefully, this will change soon.
How many cenotes are in Merida?
If you count only the ones within the city perimeter, there are about 5.
What is the most beautiful cenote in Yucatan?
This is hard to say with about 6000 cenotes around. I suggest you start visiting them and you’ll let me know which one is your favorite.
Merida cenotes Map (click on the image to open Google Map)
