Swim in two underground cenotes of turquoise water, stalactites and hanging roots, just 7 km from Valladolid.
Cenote Dzitnup is the name travellers use for the pair of underground cenotes in the Maya village of Dzitnup, just outside Valladolid, Yucatán: Cenote Xkeken (also written X'kekén, and historically called Cenote Dzitnup) and Cenote Samula (Samulá).
Both are natural limestone caverns filled with crystal-clear fresh water. Xkeken is a closed cave hung with enormous stalactites; Samula is lit by a single opening in its roof, where tree roots drop all the way to the water and a beam of sunlight turns the pool electric blue.
Whether you're exploring Valladolid, on your way to Chichén Itzá, or coming from Cancún, Tulum or Mérida, this is one of the best cenotes in Yucatán to swim in – and one ticket covers both.
Two very different caves, a three-minute walk apart.
The classic Dzitnup cenote: a domed cavern roughly 30 × 20 m, dripping with stalactites, lit by a tiny hole in the ceiling. Legend says it was discovered by a farmer searching for his lost pig – k'éek'en means "pig" in Yucatec Maya.
Discover Cenote Xkeken
A vast cave with a round opening in its roof. Long tree roots hang down to the water, and around midday a column of sunlight lights up the turquoise pool – one of the most photographed sights in Yucatán.
Discover Cenote SamulaTickets are sold at the entrance – no reservation needed.
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult – both cenotes | $226 MXN | Entry to Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula, mandatory life jacket |
| Child – both cenotes | $200 MXN | Entry to both cenotes, mandatory life jacket |
| Lockers | Small fee | Paid separately on site |
Prices in Mexican pesos, as listed 9 October 2026: verify before visiting. Prices can change without notice — please confirm at the ticket booth. Bring cash in pesos: card payment at the booth is not guaranteed and vendors usually take cash only.
| Monday – Sunday | 08:00 – 17:00 |
|---|---|
| Recommended arrival | Before 10:00 for the calmest water, or 11:00–14:00 for the light beam in Samula |
| Last entry | Arrive at least 1 hour before closing to enjoy both cenotes |
Tip: tour groups from Chichén Itzá usually arrive late morning to mid-afternoon. Come at 8:00 for a quieter swim.
Everything you need for a comfortable swim.
Included with your ticket and required for every swimmer.
Trained staff watch the water in both cenotes.
Rinse off before you swim – it protects the water.
Rent a locker for your valuables (small extra fee).
Clean bathrooms near the entrance.
Snack stands and local food near the parking area.
Local artisans sell embroidery, hammocks and souvenirs.
On-site parking for cars, motorbikes and bicycles.
Cenotes are fragile ecosystems and the source of the region's drinking water. Help us keep them crystal clear.
8:00–10:00 for calm, nearly empty water. 11:00–14:00 on sunny days for the light beam in Samula. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, Easter week (Semana Santa), July–August and Christmas holidays.
Allow 2–3 hours for both cenotes including swimming, photos and changing. Combine it with Valladolid's colonial centre, Cenote Zací or a day trip to Chichén Itzá or Ek Balam.
A cenote (from the Maya word ts'ono'ot, "well") is a natural sinkhole that forms when the limestone bedrock of the Yucatán Peninsula collapses and exposes the groundwater below. Thousands of cenotes are scattered across Yucatán, connected by the largest underground river systems in the world.
For the ancient Maya, cenotes were the main source of fresh water and sacred gateways to Xibalbá, the underworld. Today they're among the most magical places to swim in Mexico – and Dzitnup's cave cenotes show the full drama of stalactites, roots and filtered light.
Carretera Valladolid – Dzitnup, 97760 Dzitnup, Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico. About 7 km west of Valladolid's main square, off the old highway to Chichén Itzá.
| From | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Valladolid | 7 km | 10–15 min |
| Chichén Itzá | 40 km | 35–40 min |
| Tulum | 105 km | 1 h 30 |
| Playa del Carmen | 150 km | 2 h |
| Cancún | 160 km | 2 h |
| Mérida | 165 km | 2 h |
A combined ticket for both cenotes, Xkeken and Samula, costs $226 MXN for adults and $200 MXN for children (price as listed 9 October 2026; verify before visiting). The mandatory life jacket is included. Lockers cost a little extra.
Yes. The standard ticket gives access to both cenotes, which are a 3–5 minute walk apart inside the same park. Ask at the ticket booth if you only want to visit one of them.
Both cenotes are open every day from 08:00 to 17:00. Arrive at least an hour before closing so you have time to swim in both.
Yes. Life jackets are mandatory for every swimmer, whatever your swimming level. They are handed out at the entrance and included in the ticket.
Please don't. Sunscreen, repellent and lotions pollute the cenote and harm the fish and the underground water that local communities drink. You'll be indoors, underground, so you won't need it. Showering before you swim is required.
In the village of Dzitnup, about 7 km (4 mi) west of Valladolid, Yucatán, just off the old highway towards Chichén Itzá and Mérida. GPS: 20.66077, -88.24261.
It's a 10–15 minute drive, a 30–40 minute bike ride on the dedicated cycle path, or a short taxi ride (about $100–150 MXN each way). See our full directions guide.
Come at opening time (8:00) for the fewest people. For the famous beam of sunlight in Samula, visit between roughly 11:00 and 14:00 on a sunny day. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and Mexican holidays.
Open every day 08:00–17:00 · 7 km from Valladolid