Great Riviera Maya cenotes to visit and discover!

Riviera Maya cenotes are something that is unique to our area. Many people want to go and visit one while in Playa Del Carmen or the Riviera Maya. Here are some cenotes that are close by or assessable for you while driving around.

Below is a map of cenotes and a link to articles with more information and photos. We hope you have a great time exploring the cenotes around our area. Let us know below in the comments what your favorite cenotes are. We would love to hear from you.

Riviera Maya cenotes map

Here are many Rivera Maya cenotes to visit and ones nearby that you can go on day trips to see.

Riviera Maya cenotes close to Playa Del Carmen

These three cenotes are some of the most popular of the Riviera Maya Cenotes because they are close to population centers and easier to get to.

Cenote Cristolino

This is one of three cenotes that are good to visit from Playa Del Carmen. All three have crystal clear waters and all three are in a row along the 307 Highway. The cenotes are Cristalino, Azul and El Jardin. To see what makes this one a little different see our article here on Cenote Cristalino.

How to get to Cenote Cristalino

Driving-Take the 307 Highway south. Once you pass Puerto Aventuras you will go for about 4 more minutes. You will see the Barceló Hotel entrance on your left and almost across from it will be the entrance for Cenote Cristalino. You can also take the colectivos here.

Our recommendations

This cenote is a close second behind El Jardin to visit. We recommend you look at all three articles (Cenote Azul, Cristalino and Eden) and the photos and pick one to visit or you can always visit two or all three in one day if you want since they are all in a row.

Cenote Azul

This is one of three cenotes that are good to visit from Playa Del Carmen. All three have crystal clear waters and all three are in a row along the 307 Highway. The cenotes are Cristalino, Azul and El Jardin. For photos of Cenote Azul and more information, see our article here.

How to get to Cenote Azul

Driving-Take the 307 Highway south. Once you pass Puerto Aventuras you will go for about 4 more minutes. You will see the Barceló Hotel entrance on your left and almost across from it will be the entrance for Cenote Azul. You can also take the colectivos here.

Our recommendations

This cenote is a close second behind El Jardin to visit. We recommend you look at all three article and the photos and pick one to visit or you can always visit two or all three in one day if you want since they are all in a row.

Cenote El Jardin

This is a medium size cenote a cenotes go. It is open and surrounded by nice plants. There are platforms and rock ledges to jump off into this cenote.  One end  is pretty deep and overall this cenote is about 15 feet deep. There are a lot of things to see with snorkels here and large rocks in the middle of the cenote where you can sit in the water and rest from swimming. To see photos of this cenote and what makes it different from the others, see our article here.

How to get to Cenote El Jardin

Driving-Take the 307 Highway south. One you pass Puerto Aventuras you will go for about 4 more minutes. You will see the Barceló Hotel entrance on your left and almost across from it will be the entrance for Cenote El Jardin del Eden. You can also take the colectivos here.

Our recommendations

This is always a good option for your first time to a Riviera Maya cenote. We like it because it is open and good for snorkeling, has jump off points clear waters and big rocks in the middle you can sit in. This is also a nice cenote to sit by and there are a few small palapas to sit under.

Tour to a cenote and underground river in Playa Del Carmen

For a cool tour to a Playa Del Carmen cenote that is just outside of town, see our article and video here.

Riviera Maya cenotes near Chemuyil

Cenote Xunaan-Ha

Cenote Xunaan-Ha is a small open cenote with clear water. This cenote is fairly deep and surrounded by big ferns and tropical plants. It is not that well know and a beautiful place to come to. There are local tours that come here about twice a day and some divers, but other then that you have the place pretty much to yourself.

How to get to Cenote Xunaan-Ha

This cenote is in the community of Chemuyil between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. For a map and more detailed directions see our article about Cenote Xunaan-Ha here.

Our recommendations

This cenote is good to visit if you live here or are looking for a less visited cenote on your way to Tulum. Visit here in early morning and late afternoon when there is less chance of the tour groups coming here.

Riviera Maya cenotes close to Tulum

Cenote Angelita

Cenote Angelita is a deep cenote just south of Tulum. It is frequented more by divers but you also can go here to swim. What makes this cenote so interesting is the fact it is nearly 60 meters deep. On your way down you will pass through the halocline layer. To read more about going to Cenote Angelita see our article here.

Cenote Encantado

This cenote looks like a large lake and you might be fooled if you did not know better. It is dark in color and a good place to swim but you cannot see too deep in it. This cenote is not visited as much as at the far south end of the Hotel Zone in Tulum. It is on the back of two properties and only a few people stop by here for a dip. For photos of this cenote see our article here.

How to get to Cenote Encantado

Drive down the beach road in Tulum through the Hotel Zone to about KM. 10 You will see signs on your right for it. See the article above for a map.

Our recommendations

This cenote is for people that do not want to fight for space in the other cenotes near Tulum. This is not a crystal clear cenote but is a large place to swim and enjoy a little tranquility. If you are in Tulum and want to explore a different place after knowing the more well known and nicer looking cenotes, stop by here for a cheap swim.

Cenote Zacil-Ha

This small cenote is on the road from Tulum to Coba. This cenote looks like a swimming pool and has crystal clear water. Around this cenote are pavilions and people come here to relax with their families. There is a small store for soda and chips and a restaurant is open sometime.

How to get to Cenote Zacil-Ha

Cenote Zacil-Ha is on the Tulum/Coba road. It is about 8.5 kilometers from Tulum. You will need a car to drive here. If coming from Tulum the cenote will be on your left. For a map and photos of Cenote Zacil-Ha, see our article here.

Our recommendations

This is not the largest cenote and looks like a swimming pool, but that is what makes it so nice. The color of the water is light blue and this cenote makes for a nice place to have a picnic and lay around. Grand Cenote just outside of Tulum is larger and nicer but gets a lot of tourist.

Casa Cenote

This cenote is one of the most crystal clear water cenotes. It is also right next to the ocean. This cenote is also called Cenote Manti. For more on visiting Casa Cenote see our article here.

How to get to Casa Cenote

Drive south on the 307 Highway. Casa Cenote is about 60 kilometers south of Playa Del Carmen. You will actually pass the entrance on your left because you will need to turn around when there is a break in the divided highway. Look for the signs by the road for Pavo Real and Tankan Inn by the entrance. See the instructions for the entrance road below.

It will be about 50 minutes from Playa Del Carmen to Casa Cenote. For more instruction see the link to our full article.

Our recommendations for Casa Cenote

This cenote is a little less visited and that is good. It is smaller but does extend a ways back into the mangrove. We do recommend renting a life jacket or kayak if you are going to explore. It is large and there are not good places to rest. Be sure to snorkel here because the water is so clear.

After swimming a good beachfront restaurant is just in front of this cenote.

Cenotes of Coba

These are three cenotes near the community of Coba and the Mayan ruins. Each of the three are different and offer  swimming or looking at a cenote. All of these cenotes are underground in caverns.

How to get to the cenotes of Coba

You will pass through the town of Coba and around the lake. There are some signs that point you in the direction. A new paved road take you to these. A good map and further directions are in our article about the cenotes of Coba here.

Our recommendations

These cenotes are good if you have driven yourself to the ruins in Coba and now want to cool off. They are affordable priced and less visited then ones closer to Tulum.

It is best to choose one and just pay for that one. Each one is different, one for swimming, one for looking at and one is better for kids.

Cenote Muul Ich

Cenote Muul Ich is a cenote near Coba but much less visited. It has just recently been discovered by some private tour companies and they now visit this beautiful cenote. The cenote itself is down a dirt road.

This cenote is enclosed and you must decent by a wooden spiral staircase. The water crystal clear and fairly deep. There is a small wooden platform in the center which you can use for entering the water.

For more about visiting Cenote Muul Ich see our article here.

Cenotes near Valladolid Yucatan

The cenotes near Valladolid are different than the Riviera Maya cenotes because they get much less tourist and more locals. There are some very unique cenotes to visit and they are basically all available to visit with a day trip.

Cenote Zaci

This cenote is right in the center of Valladolid. It only a few peso to enter but is impressive the size and depth of it right in town. Around the cenote is a walkway and you can get good views of it. Cenote Zaci is swimmable but there are no changing facilities here. The water is also not the most clear since it is open and dust and pollen fall into it.

How to get to Cenote Zaci

Cenote Zaci is about 4 blocks off the main square in Valladolid. It is on Calle 36 between 37 and 39.

Our recommendations for Cenote Zaci

If you are visiting the town of Valladolid this should probably be on your list of things to check out. Spend about 15-20 minutes visiting and taking photos.

Cenote Xux Ha

This is a deep cenote where the roof has collapsed. There are steep steps going down into it and a small island in the middle. It is possible to swim here but the water is not the clearest. It is nice to be deep down and see the roots from the trees stretching down to drink. This cenote is run by a rural family and the walk and atmosphere is more remote feeling.

How to get to Cenote Xux Ha

You will need a car to get here. It is off the old 180 road between Chemax and Valladolid. See the map on in our article and more photos of Cenote Xux Ha here.

Our recommendations

This cenote is  not first on anyone’s list but can be a nice little side exploration if driving toward Valladolid on the old 180 road. This is a quiet cenote that is nice for some photos but not the best for swimming. This is a cenote you visit after you already visited the more popular ones and nicer cenotes.

Cenote Cho’o’oj ha

In some of the remotest parts of the area you can find a hidden beautiful spot. Cenote Cho’o’oj ha in Xcan Yucatan is one beautiful cenote to stop in if you are in the area. Since this cenote is more remote, you just might find yourself here with only a few people. To read more about Cenote Cho’o’oj ha, see our article here.

How to get to Cenote Cho’o’oj ha

The cenote entrance is roughly 2.5 kilometers west of Xcan. You will see several signs next to the road on the south side. Turn here and follow the dirt road. The dirt road is about 600 meters long. You will come to a parking lot and see the palapas where the entrance is.

Our recommendations

This cenote is worth the trip because it is stunning. This is an enclosed cenote that is very large and has beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. This cenote also has a very Yucatecan feel to it and very local feel which makes it more special.

Cenote Maya

Cenote Maya is the largest cenote in the Yucatan. This cenote is run like a small park by allTOURnative tour company. Here you can rappel down into the cenote, swim, use a zip line and jump off platforms. The park area is designed very nice and this is a great representation of the Yucatan environment. You can see photos and our video of Cenote Maya here.

How to get to Cenote Maya and book tour

This cenote is on the outskirts of Valladolid in Yucatan State. It is hard to find and best if you go with a tour. The cenote area is a park. You can book a tour here that also includes a tour to Ek Balam. Just click the link below.

Ek Balam Tour from Cancun Including Cenote Maya Park

Our recommendations for visiting Cenote Maya

You can visit here on your own but it is hard to find and you may not be able to do all the activities. It is best to go with allTOURnative tour company and enjoy a full day of exploration.

Cenote Hubiku

This is a large cenote that is often visited by bus groups going to Ek Balam. It is possible to visit here on your own as well. The cenote is in a cavern with a large area to swim. Around this cenote there are many touristy things like tequila tasting and a Mayan village. To read more about visiting Cenote Hubiku see our article here.

How to get to Cenote Hubiku

Most everyone will be coming from the direction of  Valladolid heading north on 295. Once you exit the town of Temozon you will immediately see a dirt road on your right with a small sign. Follow this dirt road for two kilometers. There is a large parking lot surrounded by the buildings.

Our recommendations for Cenote Hubiku

If you are driving around and going to Ek Balam this actually can be an all-in-one stop for you. There are bathrooms, cenote and lunch buffet. This is an interesting and large cenote but not the most charming and the tourist aspect can be off putting to some.

Thanks for reading our article about Riviera Maya cenotes and all the ones close by. What are your favorite cenotes to go to? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.  

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