During our 5 day trip in Riviera Maya we visited the most gorgeous cenotes that this part of Mexico has to offer.
But what's a Cenote?
Cenotes ‘Dz'onot’ is a Mayan word that means “cave with water”.
The cenotes are water deposits of great depth, filled with the filtration of water from underground rivers and streams. These sinkholes have their origin millions of years ago during the last Ice Age, when the Yucatan Peninsula was covered by seawater.
Today, there are still many undiscovered cenotes and over six thousand different ones in the Yucatan Peninsula alone.
You can book private tours that pick you up in your hotel. However, during our stay we decided to rent a car and drive from Cancun to Tulum in order to ask locals where to go (we thought that this was the most authentic way to do it) and we didn’t want to stay in a resort in Cancun, which is what most people do.
Watch the full video here:
My recommendations:
Bring a change of clothes when visiting cenotes
Bring your own aquatic shoes because surfaces are very slippery
Carry a waterproof cover for your phone or better yet a GoPro
Pick and choose the cenote depending on your level of adventure
Don’t expect security, or lifeguards to be available (you are in Mexico!)
These were my top favorites:
1- Cenote Azul
Located mid way from Puerto Morelos to Tulum. It’s a little crowded because it’s open to the public (no charge). Easy access and there’s parking outside. The water at first will be cold but when you're inside it will be very refreshing in Cenote Azul.
2- Cenote Cristalino
These beautiful sinkhole is the result of collapsing limestone bedrock that exposes the groundwater underneath. The Cenote Cristalino has gorgeous caves inside and snorkeling gear available to rent. The rock formations will leave you speechless and the color of the clear water only gets more beautiful as it touches the light.
3- Cenote Ik Kil
Maybe the most breathtaking one is Ik Kil on the way to Chichen itzá.
This cenote is open to the sky and there's a stairway down to the swimming platform. There are vines that reach from the opening all the way down to the water, along with small waterfalls. Cenote Ik Kil is sacred to the Mayans and they use this for both relaxation and ritual services.
Which ones are your favorite cenotes in Mexico?
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