Cenotes near Valladolid
Valladolid is the cenote capital of Yucatán. Start with Dzitnup, then explore the best cenotes nearby.
Start with Cenote Dzitnup
With two very different cave cenotes on one ticket – the stalactite cavern of Xkeken and the sunlit roots of Samula – Dzitnup is the best-value cenote visit near Valladolid. It's 7 km from the centre and on the way to Chichén Itzá.
If you have more time, these are the other cenotes worth visiting around Valladolid and eastern Yucatán. Entrance fees vary and change often, so check locally before you go.
More cenotes near Valladolid
Cenote Saamal (Hacienda Selva Maya)
A dramatic open cenote with vines hanging down its walls, set in a colonial hacienda right on the road to Dzitnup. Easy to combine on the same morning.
Cenote Zací
A large semi-open cenote in the heart of Valladolid, a few blocks from the main square. Great if you don't have transport.
Cenote Suytun
Known for its circular stone walkway under a single light shaft – one of the most photographed spots in Mexico. More expensive and very busy.
Cenote Oxman (Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman)
A deep, open cenote in the grounds of an old hacienda, with a rope swing and an optional pool and restaurant.
Cenote Ik Kil
A perfectly round open cenote with hanging vines, 3 km from Chichén Itzá. Combine it with a visit to the pyramid.
Cenote Xcanche
A jungle cenote reached from the Ek Balam archaeological site by bike or bici-taxi, with adventure activities.
Cenote Yokdzonot
A large, quiet open cenote managed by a women's cooperative from the village of Yokdzonot.
Cenote Dzitnup vs. Cenote Suytun
Both are cave cenotes with light beams, but Dzitnup gives you two cenotes for one ticket, better swimming (Suytun's pool is shallow and mostly for photos) and usually a lower price. Suytun's stone platform is iconic for photos; Samula's hanging roots and Xkeken's stalactites offer more variety.
Tips for cenote hopping around Valladolid
- Visit 2–3 cenotes per day at most – you'll shower and change at each one.
- Rent a car or scooter for flexibility, or a bike for Dzitnup, Saamal and Oxman.
- Never use sunscreen or repellent before swimming in any cenote.
- Carry cash in pesos – many cenotes don't take cards.
Cenotes near Valladolid compared
A quick comparison to help you choose. Prices are entrance fees for adults as listed by the sources named, on 9 October 2026; they change often, so verify before visiting.
| Cenote | From Valladolid | Type | Price as listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xkeken & Samula (Dzitnup) | ~7 km | Cave | about 235 MXN (both) per A Dónde Viajar; 226 MXN per other guides |
| Suytun | ~8 km | Cave + platform | 250 MXN adult online, 1+ day ahead (official site); higher at the ticket office |
| San Lorenzo Oxman | ~5 km | Semi-open | 70–150 MXN (A Dónde Viajar); 200 MXN (Cenote Scout) |
| Zací | City centre | Semi-open | about 150 MXN |
| Ik Kil | by Chichén Itzá | Open | about 250 MXN |
| X'Canché | by Ek Balam | Semi-open | about 70 MXN + bike |
| Hubiku | Temozón, ~17 km | Cave | about 100 MXN |
| Yokdzonot | west of Chichén Itzá | Open, community-run | about 150 MXN |
Read our detailed guides to Xkeken, Samula, Suytun and Oxman.
Suggested routes
Half day by bike (no car needed)
Valladolid → Oxman → Dzitnup (Xkeken and Samula) → back to town for lunch. Saamal is on the same road if you still have energy. Start at 8:00 to avoid the heat.
Full day by car
Dzitnup at 8:00 → Chichén Itzá (arrive early, before the tour buses) → lunch → Ik Kil or Yokdzonot → Valladolid for sunset. Or, if you prefer to stay local: Dzitnup → Oxman → lunch in Valladolid → Suytun → Cenote Zací at the end of the day.
With Ek Balam
Ek Balam ruins in the morning, Cenote X'Canché next to the site, then Hubiku on the way back via Temozón.
Cenote etiquette and safety
- Always shower before entering; no sunscreen, repellent or creams in the water.
- Wear the life jacket when it is provided or required. Many cenotes are deep and have no shallow edge.
- Don't touch formations, feed fish or climb on roots.
- Take cash in pesos; card payment is not guaranteed at most cenotes.
- Check the time zone: Yucatán is one hour behind Quintana Roo.
Cave, semi-open or open: cenote types explained
All cenotes are sinkholes in the limestone of the Yucatán Peninsula that reach the groundwater. They are usually grouped by how much of the roof has collapsed:
- Cave (closed) cenotes such as Xkeken and Suytun: an underground chamber with only a small hole in the roof. Cool, dark and full of formations.
- Semi-open cenotes such as Samula, Zací and Oxman: part of the roof has fallen in, so there is more light and often hanging roots.
- Open cenotes such as Ik Kil and Yokdzonot: round pools open to the sky, bright and warm, often with vines down the walls.
Cave cenotes are best in the early morning when they are quiet; open cenotes look their best when the sun is high.
When to visit
Cenotes can be visited all year, and the water temperature hardly changes. The dry season (roughly November to April) brings cooler, sunnier days and more visitors, especially around Christmas, Easter (Semana Santa) and Mexican school holidays. The rainy season (roughly June to October) is hotter and more humid with afternoon storms; the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, and cenotes can close temporarily after severe weather. Whatever the month, arrive at opening time for the calmest visit.
What to bring
- Swimwear, a quick-dry towel and a change of clothes.
- Cash in pesos, in small notes.
- Water shoes or sandals with grip.
- A waterproof phone case or action camera.
- A dry bag for valuables, or coins for a locker.
- Drinking water and a hat for the walk or ride.
- No sunscreen or repellent on your skin when you swim: apply it after.
In town and short on time? Read our full guide to Cenote Zací, the cenote in central Valladolid.
What is the best cenote near Valladolid?
For a first visit, Dzitnup is hard to beat: two different caves on one ticket, 7 km from town. Suytun is the most photographed, Zací the easiest to reach on foot.
Which cenote is in Valladolid itself?
Cenote Zací is in the city centre, a short walk from the main square.
How many cenotes can I visit in one day?
Two or three is comfortable. You need to shower, change and dry off at each one.
Do I need to book cenotes near Valladolid?
Most sell tickets at the entrance. Suytun sells discounted tickets online at least one day in advance and says same-day access depends on availability.
Sources
Prices and hours below were taken from these pages on 9 October 2026. They are as listed there, not verified by us: confirm before visiting.