The Cenotes in Merida and surroundings are some of the most beautiful cenotes that you will enjoy in Yucatán. If you are looking for good information about cenotes, you came to the right place.
We are great in love with these natural wonders, we have a cenotera soul. What are the cenotes, how to go, how many cenotes are there, prices of the cenotes? We present you an informative map of the cenotes of Mérida and Yucatán so that you can discover them on your own. We hope that the blog helps you to know the panorama of cenotes.
In the years that we have been living in the Peninsula, the rise of the cenotes has been considerable. The cenotes are spaces that have been revalued in part thanks to tourism. As we humans know, we tend to have a negative impact on nature, so we must take care of them.
What are cenotes?
The word cenote is born from the Yucatecan Mayan word ts'ono'ot or dzonot (well with water). The Spanish were the ones who started using the word cenote, not pronouncing it correctly. dzonot.
When we talk about cenotes we are referring to the holes that allow us access to the water, to the water table. These holes in the floor are produced naturally by the collapse of the roof.
When the sea level is low, the caves are full of air. This is when most collapses occur due to lack of support.
The topic of how cenotes are formed, what they are, what types of cenotes there are, etc. is very broad. If you are interested in the subject, we leave you an article so you can dive into the cenotes and enjoy them.
Discover what they are and how the cenotes in Mexico
How many cenotes are there in Yucatan
Thousands of cenotes have been counted in the Yucatán Peninsula, between the states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Campeche. There are numbers between 5000 and 8000 thousand cenotes in different publications. There are an awful lot of holes, it is very difficult to have an exact census of cenotes.
The Government of Yucatán maintains a census of cenotes in which it estimates that in the state of Yucatán there are about 3000 thousand cenotes. This census is made through the Sustainable Development Secretariat (SDS). One good thing is that despite the political changes, the project has not stopped. This allows us to approach a more or less approximate figure of cenotes in Yucatan.
In the words of Guillermo de Anda, underwater archaeologist and widely recognized voice in the world of cenotes, his estimate is about 8000 thousand cenotes in the whole of the Peninsula. The other state where there are thousands of cenotes is Quintana Roo, in the Mexican Caribbean. Campeche has far fewer cenotes, after a while we understand why.
The best cenotes in Riviera Maya
Most cenotes are lost in the dense jungle, others on private land, ranches or houses. Only a hundred of these thousands of cenotes are what we call tourist cenotes.
Cenotes in Yucatan to visit
- CENOTE TURÍSTICO is one that is open to the public and has been conditioned for people to access. These cenotes are a source of income, they are used as natural pools, entertainment places to spend the day. They are maintained and cleaned by administrators, and offer services from restrooms, showers and many restaurants. In a few you can stay to sleep in cabins or camping. Cenotes are advertised on the roads of the Peninsula, follow any indication to cenote, so you discover on your own and you are surprised. There are cenotes that have preserved them in a more natural way, for example putting a simple wooden staircase as access. On the other hand, others break the natural charm by adding more cement and modifying the environment. Personally we like the most natural, but that is according to each one.
- NON-TOURIST CENOTE is the wild, natural cenote. Some are on private property, others in the middle of the jungle. Despite knowing cenotes in a completely natural state, on the blog we do not collect them because they would lose the spirit that takes you to them. You always have to leave magic for the road.
Where we found the cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula
Cenotes are found especially in the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatan. 90% of the Yucatan peninsula is less than 200 meters above sea level, the maximum elevation being close to Uxmal, the so-called Ticul mountain range, with 300 meters above sea level.
The only river system that exists on the Peninsula is in Río Hondo, border with Belize. Due to the gradient and elevation with respect to the sea of the Peninsula, in the state of Campeche there are hardly any cenotes.
These flooded caves that are seen in the graphic, give you the idea of how the fresh water in the Yucatan Peninsula flows in the water table. Quintana Roo, the state of the coast of the Caribbean Sea, are going to empty many of these waters, in the area of Tulum. There are hardly any dry caves in this area, they are flooded.
Graph from the western side of the Peninsula to the Caribbean coast, of the different formations of cenotes and caverns, water level relationships, underground connections, etc. Source
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Cenote prices in Yucatán
There is a big difference in prices between cenotes, the main reason is tourism. The most expensive cenotes are found in Quintana Roo, where mass tourism is concentrated in the Riviera Maya.
Many of these cenotes have been converted in adventure parks, where they offer zip lines, quad tours, rappel, kayaking or horseback riding. Personally I enjoy Yucatan much more with the cenotes.
CENOTE PRICES:
- C pricesenotes in Yucatan and the rest of the Peninsula: from 5 pesos in very local places, with a usual price paying from 70 pesos to 200 pesos, up to 1400 pesos for Los 7 Cenotes, where they offer a 7-hour tour with a guide.
Cenotes in Mérida city that you can visit
Did you know that there is Cenotes in Merida city? If you visit the beautiful colonial city you can take the option of visiting the Cenotes in Merida: It is a solution to refresh yourself from the heats that not many know. Information extracted of the UADY
- El Tívoli: it is located at the Commercial Banking Institute, at the intersection of 62 and 45 streets. To know it, you only have to ask for permission at the Institute. It is in good condition. It is one of the most popular cenotes in Merida to visit.
- Tulipanes: it is located at calle 42 N ° 462 x 43-A in the Industrial neighborhood. You can visit it but not swim in it.
- Villa María: the house where the cenote is is called Villa María and is located on calle 27 between 20 and 22, number 202. Its current owners, the Missionary Sisters of María Inmaculada, allow the entry of young schoolchildren and occasional tourists .
- The Huolpoch cenote: located in the 510 C building on 39 street, just at the intersection with 62-A
The best 8 cenotes near Merida that I wouldn't miss
The work of the blog is always in the works of expansion and improvements because we are continually getting to know cenotes, and I assure you that this has no ceiling. It is difficult to make a list with the best cenotes, but as we know they are useful, we have done it.
It's all about personal taste. Our list is defined by the tourist cenotes that, in addition to being wonderful in beauty, preserve their most natural appearance, we like them rustic and that the accesses are safe.
8 best cenotes in Mérida less than 130 km from the surroundings
1- CENOTE NOH MOZÓN, PIXYAH
Beautiful cenote open in the town of Pixyah that meets the delights of divers and bathers. Its somewhat remote location and the dirt road means that not so many people venture here. The place is incredible.
FACILITIES: there are rustic bathrooms and showers, a parking area and a palapa where divers are equipped. There is a place to camp and make a bonfire. Access to the non-invasive cenote with the natural environment. It is a cenote managed by people from the community.
COMPLETE INFORMATION cenote Noh Mozón
2- CENOTE KANKIRIXCHÉ, ABALA
The Kankirixché cenote is a semi-cave: wooden stairs lead you to a cavity with crystalline waters that seduces bathers and divers alike. Another rustic cenote that we like a lot?
FACILITIES: there is a restaurant service at the entrance of the cenote. There are bathrooms, showers and changing tables. Good installations. Access to the non-invasive cenote with the natural environment. It is a cenote managed by people from the community.
MORE INFORMATION COMPLETE cenote Kankirixche
3- THE CENOTES OF THE POPULATION OF HOMÚN
Surely the town of Homún is known to you, and thanks to its dozens of cenotes, Homún is a must-see tourist destination for those who like cenotes. They are all beautiful, it is difficult to choose: you can visit them on your own or on a motorcycle taxi tour with local guides.
There are still places to stay in Homún, there is a lot of beauty to visit. Affordable prices. Take a look at everything you can visit in Homún.
COMPLETE INFORMATION Cenotes of Homún
4- PAPAKAL PARADISE CENOTE, CUZAMA
Papakal is a beautiful cave cenote, very quiet cenote where you can marvel at nature. It is located before reaching Cuzamá, a popular town thanks to its cenotes. In addition to enjoying other cenotes in the area, you can visit the beautiful church of Eknakán and the archaeological site of Acanceh, which will surely surprise you.
FACILITIES: it has rustic bathroom and shower services. Non-invasive access to the natural environment. It is a cenote managed by people from the community.
COMPLETE INFORMATION Cenote Paraiso Papakal
5- CENOTE YOKDZONOT, YOKDZONOT
Cenote Yokdzonot is highly visited for its beauty and good location: it is on the Mérida-Chichén Itzá route. It is a beautiful open cenote and has all the services for the traveler. You can also camp. It is also an example of local cooperative administration within the cenotes in Merida.
FACILITIES: offers restaurant services, changing tables, bathrooms and showers. They rappel and zip line, and some other surprises. Good installations. Rustic, non-invasive access to the natural environment. It is a cenote managed by people from the community.
COMPLETE INFORMATION Yokdzonot cenote
6- CENOTE CHUNKUY, CUZAMA
Chunkuy is a beautiful cave cenote with a huge vault, the widest we have seen in this area of cenotes in Cuzamá and Homún. We liked it a lot, we think it deserves to be here, no matter how difficult it is to choose.
FACILITIES: offers restaurant service, changing tables, bathrooms and showers. Good facilities and camping place. Non-invasive access to the natural environment. It is a cenote managed by an individual.
COMPLETE INFORMATION cenote Chunkuy
7- CENOTE LOL HA, YAXUNAH
Cenote Lol Ha is the furthest from this list of cenotes in Merida. It is located in the Yucatecan town of Yaxunah, a place where there is accommodation and activities for tourists interested in Mayan culture and traditions.
FACILITIES: at the Yaxunah Tourist Parador, which is located a few meters from the entrance of the cenote, they offer restaurant services, lodging, bathrooms and changing tables. Rustic, non-invasive access to the natural environment. It is a cenote managed by people from the community.
COMPLETE INFORMATION cenote Lol ha
8- YAAL UTZIL CENOTE, ABALA
Cenote Yaal Utzil is another open cenote in the Abalá area. A place to enjoy the crystalline blues of this land, these wells of water that are tangled in our hearts.
FACILITIES: to date there are no services. At the neighbors' house they sell snacks and local food as well as bathrooms. Non-invasive access to the natural environment. It is a cenote managed by people from the community.
COMPLETE INFORMATION Yaal Utzil cenote
Map of the cenotes in Mérida and surroundings
You can use the map to locate the cenotes and go visit them. As you can see, we like cenotes that preserve their natural environment, with non-invasive access. Cenotes in Mérida where you can enjoy the natural space.
Simple actions to take care of the cenotes in Mexico
We hope to quench your cenote thirst from the blog. In all we put the prices, which with love and work we try to keep updated, if there are news and you let us know we appreciate it. So we help the next traveler on the road camino
In our section of the blog about CENOTES you will find more information about cenotes. If what you have read was useful, share it on your social networks, thank you very much.
The Caverns and People of Northern Yucatan Leon J. Cole. Bulletin of the American Geographical Society Vol. 42, No. 5 (1910), pp. 321-336 (16 pages) Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd.
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Sandra, I'm going to Mérida with my baby and my parents, what nearby cenote do you recommend that is suitable for them?
Hello Cristina, cenote San Ignacio in Chocholá is one of the best for families. I still recommend you go to the town of Homún where you find several possibilities such as cenote San Antonio. Another ideal in X-Batún as it is short and safe. I would choose between these possibilities, I hope it serves you.
I am waiting for you for anything else Cristina.
Good road, enjoy a lot ?
Thank you! Your recommendation will help me a lot ☺️