We didn’t visit twenty cenotes in Yucatán. We chose six places that fitted in with our itinerary, and each one was completely different. From a small hotel cenote to a deep, open chasm near Chichén Itzá.

This is therefore not a ranking of the objectively most beautiful cenotes in Mexico. It is our ranking of the places where we actually went for a swim.

Before setting off for Mexico, I knew that cenotes existed and wanted to visit at least one.

In the end, they turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had on my travels. They really are magical places!

A quick comparison and distances

Order and cenotes	From Tulum	From Valladolid	From Cancún	Local time
1. Suytun	95 km	9 km	165 km	45–60 minutes
2. Aktun Chen	27 km	125 km	110 km	2.5–3 hours
3. Gran Cenote	5 km	100 km	135 km	60–90 minutes
4. Ik-Kil	155 km	40 km	200 km	45–60 minutes
5. Tuuch at the Shibari Hotel	8 km	110 km	135 km	Included in the stay
6. Hacienda Oxmán	110 km	7 km	165 km	1–2 hours

Please note the time difference: Cancún, Tulum and Akumal are in the state of Quintana Roo, where the time is one hour ahead of Valladolid and the Suytun, Ik-Kil and Oxmán cenotes in the state of Yucatán.

You’ll gain an hour when travelling from the coast inland. You’ll lose it again on the return journey.

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1. Cenote Suytun: the biggest surprise

I’d mainly expected a queue at Suytun just to take an Instagram photo. But the reality exceeded our expectations.

The enclosed cave had a magical atmosphere, and at 10.00 there were fewer people here than there were later at Ik-Kil or Oxmán.

Yes, the stone path and the lighting are modern additions. If you’re looking for the most natural cenote possible, choose Gran Cenote.

However, the modifications didn’t spoil the experience for us, and I’d definitely include Suytun again on a trip via Valladolid. Without a doubt.

It really was one of the most unique places I’ve ever visited.

• ℹ️ Prices and our detailed experience
• 🛌 Accommodation: best in Valladolid – view hotels on Booking.com
• 🚍 Organised tours – compare offers on GetYourGuide

2. Aktun Chen: the most interesting programme

Aktun Chen isn’t a cenote for a quick dip.

First, we walked through a dry stalactite cave with a guide, and then we went snorkelling in another underground section teeming with fish.

Of all the places, it offered the most varied experience.

However, make sure you set aside at least 3 hours and, when booking, check that you’ve reserved both the cave tour and the swimming. These are two separate activities.

I liked Aktun Chen precisely because of its variety and also its proximity to Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

• ℹ️ Prices and our detailed experience
• 🛌 Accommodation: ideally in the Akumal area – view hotels on Booking.com

3. Gran Cenote: the most natural

Gran Cenote was our first cenote and struck us as the most natural.

Here, open water alternates with low caves; there are fish swimming here and, above all, lots of little turtles.

The downside is the high entrance fee. However, if you’re staying in Tulum and want to visit the only easily accessible cenote, this is definitely the one I’d choose first.

• ℹ️ Prices and our detailed experience
• 🛌 Accommodation: ideally in Tulum – view hotels on Booking.com
• 🚍 Organised tours – compare offers on GetYourGuide

4. Ik-Kil: the biggest ‘wow’ from above

Ik-Kil was exactly what I’d imagined a real Mexican cenote to be. A large circular chasm, dark blue water and long roots hanging down to the surface.

It’s very touristy, but I wouldn’t miss it for that reason. Many articles describe the Ik-Kil cenote as an unnecessary stop, but combined with nearby Chichén Itzá, it makes for an excellent combination.

I certainly wouldn’t miss out on Ik-Kil; despite the crowds, I really enjoyed it there.

• ℹ️ Prices and our detailed experience
• 🛌 Accommodation: Hotel Doralba Inn Chichen, directly opposite Ik-Kil
• 🚍 Organised tours – compare offers on GetYourGuide

5. Cenote Tuuch: best as part of the hotel

Compared to other cenotes, Tuuch is a small lake.

However, it’s not just for swimming that it features in our list. It lies right in the middle of the Shibari Hotel, and we particularly liked the combination of stylish accommodation, greenery and its very own cenote.

In fact, it was precisely thanks to this cenote that the Shibari Hotel was one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in.

• ⭐Our review of the Shibari Hotel with our own photos
• 🛌 Check prices and availability on Booking.com

6. Hacienda Oxmán: nice, but it wasn’t to our taste

Objectively speaking, Hacienda Oxmán is impressive. The open chasm is lined with long roots, and you can jump into the water from a rope swing.

However, I’d been expecting a quieter spot and found a rather touristy complex.

What’s more, the lower area felt musty to me and I didn’t feel very comfortable there.

This is purely a subjective feeling, not a comment on the quality of the water. If you’re going to visit a place like Ik-Kil, I’d happily give Oxmán a miss.

Despite this, however, based on what I found out about all the other cenotes before my trip, Hacienda Oxmán is one of the most beautiful. Objectively speaking, that’s certainly true!

• ℹ️ Prices and our detailed experience
• 🛌 Accommodation: best in Valladolid – view hotels on Booking.com

Which cenote should you choose if you only have time for one?

Your plan	Our choice
You’re staying in Tulum and want a straightforward first visit	Gran Cenote
You’ve got half a day and want the most varied itinerary	Aktun Chen
Are you travelling via Valladolid?	Suytun
You’re visiting Chichén Itzá	Ik-Kil
Looking for an exceptional hotel for a couple	Shibari with the Tuuch cenote
Want to try bungee jumping?	Hacienda Oxmán

As far as I’m concerned, there’s no need to visit ten similar cenotes in a single holiday.

It’s much better to choose two or three different types: one enclosed cave, one open-air cenote, and perhaps a longer guided tour.

Why we didn’t visit Río Secreto and Dos Ojos

Dos Ojos and Río Secreto were also on our shortlist.

In the end, we didn’t miss out on either place because they looked any less impressive than the cenotes we’d already visited.

It’s just a different sort of experience, and we didn’t have enough time for it.

Dos Ojos

Dos Ojos is best experienced during a longer guided snorkelling trip or whilst diving. The most interesting cave section, Bat Cave, isn’t part of the standard self-guided swim.

We’d recommend setting aside a few hours for Dos Ojos and booking a guided tour, which will show you what really sets this place apart.

Río Secreto

If we had an extra half-day to spare, we’d choose Río Secreto.

This isn’t just a standard swim in a single cenote, but a guided expedition through an underground system. Part of the route is on foot, part is swimming, and visitors are provided with a wetsuit, life jacket, helmet and head torch. The basic programme takes 3.5 hours and costs 89 usd per adult.

We compare other excursions, underground rivers and guided activities in the article ‘Things to do in the Riviera Maya’.

How to fit cenotes into your itinerary

If you’re staying in Tulum: Visit Gran Cenote and set aside a separate half-day for Aktun Chen. I wouldn’t travel from Tulum to Suytun or Ik-Kil without having other plans in Valladolid or Chichén Itzá.

If you’re staying in Valladolid: You can visit Suytun and Oxmán in a single day, along with the town itself. Save Ik-Kil for the day you’re travelling to Chichén Itzá.

If you’re staying in Cancún: None of these cenotes are suitable for a short trip. Combine Ik-Kil with Chichén Itzá. For Suytun and Oxmán, it’s worth staying overnight in Valladolid; for Gran Cenote and Aktun Chen, stay in Tulum or Akumal.

We managed to visit Chichén Itzá, Ik-Kil and Oxmán in a single day. Looking back, I wouldn’t have squeezed Oxmán into the itinerary and would have allowed more time for Valladolid.

Compare trips from Cancún to Chichén Itzá and the cenotes

If you’re going on an organised tour, always check the name of the cenote listed in the itinerary. Many tours to Chichén Itzá stop at a cenote other than Ik-Kil.

What to take to a cenote

Here is the equipment that you won’t be able to hire on site and which you simply can’t do without:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• A change of dry clothes
• Water shoes (not strictly necessary anywhere, just more comfortable)
• Cash in MXN (you can often pay by card, but cash is safer)
• Underwater camera or waterproof case

Life jackets are compulsory in all cenotes and are always provided free of charge on site, as are swimming goggles.

You must have a shower before entering the water. Do not take sun cream or insect repellent into the water. Wash them off in the shower before swimming, even if they are labelled as biodegradable.

Where would we go back to?

Definitely Suytun. This cenote made the biggest impression on me, even though it’s the most ‘Instagrammable’ spot.

And on our next trip? Definitely Río Secreto. I’m drawn to it because of its very active and varied programme.

💬 Have you visited any of these cenotes? I’m particularly interested to know whether Suytun was crowded and whether you found Hacienda Oxmán to be a completely different experience to ours. Share your experiences in the comments.