The ultimate list of cenotes you need to visit while in Quintana Roo!

If you are planning a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula, then you most definitely need to include a couple (or several) cenotes on your itinerary. Choosing which cenotes are worth visiting may be an overwhelming task since there are literally thousands of them around. To make it easier for you, we have compiled a list of the 7 best cenotes in Riviera Maya, that you should definitely not miss!

Cenote Azul or Cenote Cristalino

These two cenotes are actually very similar to each other and are located literally side by side. Cenote Azul (pictured above) has more shallow waters and is, therefore, better suited for families with kids. It is not allowed to dip with fins, only snorkels. Cenote Cristalino has a bit deeper waters, but they are in the end very much alike.

We decided to go to Cenote Azul, which was emptier. We arrived around 9h30 on a weekday and had the place almost to ourselves. The cenote is surrounded by a very green area that opens up to a wide pool of cenote. We really recommend arriving early to enjoy the place with more freedom, around 10h30/11h, it got crowded with tour groups.

Basic information about Cenote Azul

• Price: 140 MXN per person
• Infrastructure: There are toilets available (for 5 MXN) and the paths are quite well marked, with one big wooden deck where people can stay
• Water temperature: nice and warm

Cenote dos Ojos

Cenote dos Ojos is simply one of the best cenotes in Riviera Maya. The best thing about its diversity, offering not only amazing views for occasional visitors like us, but also amazing diving opportunities for more experienced swimmers. Cenote dos Ojos consists of two large caves (hence the name, which in Spanish means “two eyes”) and a third underwater gallery that can only be accessed while scuba diving with a guide.

Speaking of diving, Cenote dos Ojos is one of the main spots for divers near Tulum. The water is incredibly transparent and there is lots of marine life underwater. If diving is something you are interested in doing while in Mexico, you can get a guide and hire full equipment there.

For those who just want to do a bit of snorkeling and swimming in a cenote, it is still an amazing spot. We took our own masks but you can also rent snorkels and masks at the place. There is so much you can see underwater and the cave formations are mind-blowing, even without going too deep. Regarding the time of visit, I recommend going in the morning. We arrived around 10h and it was quite empty and pleasant.

Basic information about Cenote dos Ojos

• Price: 350 MXN per person (both caves) or 600 MXN per person with a guide (3 galleries)
• Infrastructure: big parking lot, restaurant, bathrooms, and even a massage tent
• Water temperature: refreshing, but not so warm

Cenote Calaveras

I’ll admit, we were digitally influenced to visit Cenote Calaveras after seeing amazing pictures on Instagram. At the time, it was a quite new location and, therefore, very unspoiled. What makes Cenote Calaveras special is the entrance: it is basically a hole 3 meters high with a long wooden staircase you can use to climb back up after dipping in the water.

Besides the entrance hole, there is not much light going in the water which means it is very dark, so don’t even bother bringing (or renting) snorkels because you won’t be able to see much. For this very same reason, the water can be quite freezing.

If you want the best pictures, it is best to visit Cenote Calaveras around 12h when the sun is high and shines on the water making it look clearer. However, this can be tricky as this cenote gets quite busy in the afternoon. We visited it between 13-14h and shared it with a significant crowds, if I must be honest.

Basic information about Cenote Calaveras

• Price: 250 MXN per person
• Infrastructure: parking lot located just in the entrance
• Water temperature: cold

Cenote Ik Kil

Cenote Ik Kil may be the most photographed cenote in the whole Riviera Maya, probably because of its location right next to Chichen Itzá. Cenote Ik Kil is quite unique and has a bit of a fairytale vibe to it, especially with the roots of the trees falling into the walls.

Cenote Ik Kil is basically a huge 50m deep pool. Because of this fact, the water is very dark and there is not enough visibility for snorkeling. There is a platform on the side where people can jump from 3 or 4m high. Ps; life vests are now obligatory.

All this description is true but it does not reflect the reality you find when visiting Cenote Ik Kil. The truth is this cenote is always incredibly crowded because every single person that visits Chichen Itzá, also stops here afterward as the tours and tickets are often combined. I don’t even know how to suggest a time when it would be best to visit it. Don’t get me wrong, it is still an amazingly beautiful location, but my favorite thing about going cenote-hunting is the excitement of finding places that look quite untouched, even if they are touristic locations. This, however, was not the case here.

Basic information about Cenote Ik Kil

• Price: 80 MXN (at Chichen Itzá they sell it for 100 MXN)
• Infrastructure: there is everything! Locker rooms, showers, restaurants, stores, parking lot, souvenir shops…. Everything
• Water temperature: quite warm

Check tour options at Get Your Guide:

Cenote Xkeken and Samulá

Cenote Xkeken (pictured above) and Cenote Samulá are both located in the same property, called Cenote Dzitnup. It is located on the same road as Cenote Ik Kil, around 20-30 min away. You can choose to buy the ticket for both cenotes or pick just one – but since you made it all the way there, why buy only one? They are both huge and quite different one from another. Our favorite one was Cenote Samulá.

Once inside, you will pass by several small shops where the locals sell every kind of thing and also rent out masks, snorkels, and vests. But again, both these cenotes are located inside a cave and, therefore, there is not much visibility for snorkeling.

We arrived around 15h and, even though there were still some people, it was still a very pleasant visit as there is so much space, it doesn’t feel crowded. For pictures, the best time is around 12h when the sun is high in the sky and you can see the light beam coming from the hole in the ceiling. However, this is also the peak hour.

Basic information about Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samulá

• Price: 225 MXN per person for both cenotes
• Infrastructure: there is a bathroom with shower in both cenotes
• Water temperature: quite warm

Cenote Suytun

Even though this is the last item on our list of the best cenotes to visit in Riviera Maya, it is only because I listed them in the order that we visited, not any special ranking. As a matter of fact, Cenote Suytun is one of our favorites in terms of views and places for photography. I am sure you probably saw pictures of it online.

Cenote Suytun has a small platform that goes almost to the middle of it. I definitely recommend going down there and looking around – it is one of those places where you feel small in comparison to the nature around you. I didn’t find it an interesting spot for swimming – the water is quite shallow and blurry.

It is worth mentioning that Cenote Suytun is located inside a private property and, to attract tourists, they have a typical Mayan musical presentation. At this time, it is not possible to go down to the platform, you can only watch it from around. To avoid the crowds that come for the show, we decided to visit it at the end of the day and it was amazing and empty. To see the light beam coming from the ceiling, however, you need to be there around 12h.

Basic information about Cenote Suytun

• Price: 150 MXN per person (we actually negotiated with the lady and paid 100 MXN)
• Infrastructure: a place to rent life vests and masks/snorkels & a small shop outside
• Water temperature: refreshing, but not so warm

And this is how we wrap up our list of the 7 best cenotes in Riviera Maya. We hope this list helps you plan the perfect itinerary through Quintana Roo in Mexico.