{"id":763,"date":"2021-07-31T07:31:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T07:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/10-of-cancuns-absolute-best-cenotes\/"},"modified":"2021-07-31T07:31:45","modified_gmt":"2021-07-31T07:31:45","slug":"10-of-cancuns-absolute-best-cenotes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/10-of-cancuns-absolute-best-cenotes\/","title":{"rendered":"10 of Canc\u00fan’s Absolute Best Cenotes"},"content":{"rendered":"


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So you\u2019ve made it to Canc\u00fan, spent an entire day (or several) lying on the beach, and you\u2019re looking for something else to do on the Riviera Maya. Luckily, Canc\u00fan is a great base for getting out and adventuring in the area.<\/p>\n

One thing you definitely won\u2019t want to miss out on is visiting the cenotes around Canc\u00fan. A cenote is a limestone sinkhole filled from underground freshwater rivers. They can be closed and cave-like, semi-open with cliff overhangs, or completely open, resembling a pond from above.<\/p>\n

Intrigued? Here are my top picks for the best cenotes that are easily accessible from Canc\u00fan:<\/p>\n

Cenote Chacmool<\/h2>\n
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This cenote is one part of a system of three separate cenotes that open to the same larger body of water and are connected by underground rivers. It\u2019s open on the surface, with rocky cliffs on one side. But it\u2019s the epic underwater caves that attract visitors and make it ideal for divers. Given that, it is not as spectacular if you can only see it from the surface.<\/p>\n

Some dive tours, like this one from AcuatiCaribe, include dives through the two other connected cenotes, Kukulcan and Little Brother. The tour will take you down to see the haloclines and thermoclines, the layers of cloudlike substances where freshwater and saltwater mix and create neat optical illusions.<\/p>\n

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  • Cost:<\/strong> 200 pesos ($10 USD)<\/li>\n
  • Hours: <\/strong>9am to 5pm<\/li>\n
  • When to go:<\/strong> The best time to visit for diving is in the morning. As you go below the surface, the rays of the morning and early afternoon light are spectacular.<\/li>\n
  • How to get there:<\/strong> The inland turn to get to Chac Mool is just about a kilometer after Puerto Aventuras, on the right. If you\u2019re taking public transportation, you can easily get dropped off at Puerto Aventuras and take a taxi to Chac Mool<\/li>\n
  • Pros:<\/strong> The three-cenote system is an amazing place to dive and a great bang for your buck.<\/li>\n
  • Cons:<\/strong> You aren\u2019t allowed to take photos underwater.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Cenote Tajma-ha<\/h2>\n
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    This cenote got its name when cave divers used a clever play on words. Its deep and wondrous caverns had divers referring to it as the \u201cTaj Mahal\u201d of cenotes. As \u201cha\u201d means \u201cwater\u201d in the Mayan language, Tajma-ha sounds like a Mayan interpretation of \u201cTaj Mahal.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Tajma-ha is certainly well suited for divers, especially those who have a lot of experience. It boasts a maze of tunnels, limestone formations, and huge chambers. For more information on diving in Tajma-ha, check out Koox Diving. <\/p>\n

    You\u2019ll find this cenote just 5 kilometers south of Puerto Aventuras; it is easy to access by car or public transportation.<\/p>\n

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    • Cost:<\/strong> 250 pesos ($12.50 USD) to enter; additional costs to dive, depending on which diving company you choose.<\/li>\n
    • Hours:<\/strong> 8am to 5pm daily<\/li>\n
    • When to go:<\/strong> This cenote is only popular among divers, so if you go just for a swim, don\u2019t expect to see too many people there. Anytime of day is fine to visit, so take advantage of the morning sun for a refreshing dip.<\/li>\n
    • How to get there:<\/strong> 3 kilometers south of Puerto Aventuras, take a right on the inland-bound Avenida Tajma-ha. You\u2019ll find a sign for the cenote about 2 kilometers in. If you\u2019re taking public transportation, ask the driver to drop you off at Xpu-ha; from there you can either walk or take a taxi to the cenote.<\/li>\n
    • Pros:<\/strong> It\u2019s one of the best dives in the area. If you\u2019re going for a swim, there won\u2019t be as many people there.<\/li>\n
    • Cons:<\/strong> It is best suited for experienced divers, so if you\u2019re a beginner, this one might not be the best choice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Cenote Chikin-ha<\/h2>\n
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      Chikin-ha is the biggest of three cenotes on the same property. It is open, with underwater caves, making it a stellar location for diving. Throughout the flooded caves, there are several small openings that let light in, changing the color of the water as you swim through.<\/p>\n

      Even if you don\u2019t go for the diving, Chikin-ha is next to two smaller cenotes, X\u2019tabay and Ta\u2019ak Bil-ha. X\u2019tabay is an open cenote that is great for swimming, and Ta\u2019ak Bil-ha is a ceremonial one that doesn\u2019t allow visitors to get into the water. All three of these are in a gorgeous jungle setting and definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n

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      • Cost:<\/strong> 350 pesos ($17.50 USD) for all three on-site cenotes<\/li>\n
      • Hours:<\/strong> 8:30am to 6pm<\/li>\n
      • When to go:<\/strong> Get there in the morning to beat the crowds and take advantage of the relaxing atmosphere.<\/li>\n
      • How to get there:<\/strong> Just a couple kilometers after Puerto Aventuras, turn right at the marker for kilometer 265 and follow the road until you get to the entrance. If you\u2019re taking public transportation, let the driver know you\u2019re going to Chikin-ha and you can get out at the turn and walk.<\/li>\n
      • Pros:<\/strong> The diving is incredible and definitely worthy of your bucket list. The close proximity to other cenotes is also a plus.<\/li>\n
      • Cons:<\/strong> This cenote is quite built up, as it\u2019s part of an eco-park, which isn\u2019t everyone\u2019s favorite thing. It\u2019s not a seemingly untouched paradise like other more remote cenotes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Ruta de Cenotes<\/h2>\n

        The Ruta de Cenotes is a stretch of highway between Puerto Morelos (about 30 minutes south of Canc\u00fan) and the community of Leona Vicario. The 40-kilometer stretch of highway goes inland from the coast and has over 60 cenotes along it. Many of these are privately owned and have higher entrance fees than the public ones. They\u2019re also much more built up and have more things to do, such as zip lines, ATV tours, and horseback riding.<\/p>\n

        Here are the best cenotes along the route:<\/p>\n

        Cenote Las Mojarras (aka Loma Bonita Park)<\/h3>\n
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        Named for the fish you\u2019ll find in freshwater cenotes and lakes, Las Mojarras is a large, open cenote with emerald water. It\u2019s one of the biggest on the Ruta de Cenotes and has a six-meter-high platform to jump in from. There are camping facilities on-site, along with bathrooms and changing areas. You\u2019ll also find a fun zip line that goes through the surrounding jungle and over the cenote.<\/p>\n

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        • Cost:<\/strong> 250 pesos ($12.50 USD) to swim, 950 pesos ($47.50 USD) for an ATV tour.<\/li>\n
        • Hours:<\/strong> 9am to 5pm<\/li>\n
        • When to go:<\/strong> Avoid going on the weekends. The best time to go is in the morning on a weekday. I suggest visiting this one first, because it gets more crowded than the others on the Ruta de Cenotes.<\/li>\n
        • How to get there:<\/strong> Las Mojarras is at kilometer 12.5 and is the first cenote on the route.<\/li>\n
        • Pros:<\/strong> The water is gorgeous and clear, so it\u2019s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding jungle makes a picturesque scene, and the ATV and zip line activities are unique to this cenote.<\/li>\n
        • Cons:<\/strong> The price is high compared to others that are similar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Cenote Siete Bocas<\/h3>\n
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          Siete Bocas is a semi-open cenote with seven different access points from above, which allow sunlight to pour into the semi-underground pool. There are ladders leading down to the water, but you can also take a leap through one of the mouths into the depths. There are some massive stalactites in the cenote that are especially neat to check out.<\/p>\n

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          • Cost:<\/strong> 300 pesos ($15 USD). <\/li>\n
          • Hours:<\/strong> 9am to 5pm<\/li>\n
          • When to go:<\/strong> This one doesn\u2019t tend to get too crowded, so you can visit anytime during the day on a weekday and find few visitors.<\/li>\n
          • How to get there:<\/strong> This one is at kilometer 15.5 of the Ruta de Cenotes. From there, follow the sign for Siete Bocas, which will take you 2 kilometers further inland on a dirt road, where the cenote is.<\/li>\n
          • Pros:<\/strong> You may get the place to yourself, because it doesn\u2019t tend to get very crowded, which is always a plus!<\/li>\n
          • Cons:<\/strong> The price is quite steep in comparison with other cenotes in the area, which can be a bit of a deterrent. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Cenote Verde Lucero<\/h3>\n