How to get to Cenote Dzitnup
Just 7 km from Valladolid – easy to reach by car, bike or taxi, and an ideal stop on the way to or from Chichén Itzá.
From Valladolid
Cenote Dzitnup is about 7 km west of Valladolid's main square. Head west out of town on the old (free) highway to Chichén Itzá and Mérida, then follow the signs for Dzitnup / Cenotes Xkeken y Samulá.
By car or scooter – 10–15 minutes
The easiest option. Free road, good signage and parking at the entrance.
By bicycle – 30–40 minutes
A flat, paved cycle path (ciclovía) runs alongside the road from Valladolid almost to the cenotes. Bikes can be rented in Valladolid's centre for roughly $150–400 MXN per day. Go early to avoid the midday heat and bring water.
By taxi – 10–15 minutes
Taxis from Valladolid's centre charge around $100–150 MXN each way. Agree on the fare before you leave and arrange a pickup time with the driver, or ask staff to call a taxi for your return.
By colectivo (shared van)
Shared vans heading west from Valladolid on the old highway can drop you at the Dzitnup turnoff. Ask locally for the current departure point and tell the driver "Cenotes Dzitnup". It's the cheapest option but less frequent.
From Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Mérida & Chichén Itzá
Driving times are approximate and depend on traffic and stops.
| From | Distance | Driving time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valladolid | 7 km | 10–15 min | West on the old highway (libre) towards Chichén Itzá |
| Chichén Itzá | 40 km | 35–40 min | Federal highway 180 (libre) east towards Valladolid |
| Ek Balam | 30 km | 30 min | South to Valladolid, then west to Dzitnup |
| Tulum | 105 km | 1 h 30 | Highway 109 via Cobá to Valladolid |
| Playa del Carmen | 150 km | 2 h | Highway 180D toll road (cuota) via Valladolid exit |
| Cancún | 160 km | 2 h | Highway 180D toll road (cuota), exit Valladolid |
| Mérida | 165 km | 2 h | Highway 180D toll road (cuota), exit Valladolid / Chichén Itzá |
By bus
ADO buses run frequently from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mérida to Valladolid's bus station in the city centre. From there, take a taxi, rent a bike or catch a colectivo to Dzitnup.
On a tour
Many day tours from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mérida combine Chichén Itzá, Valladolid and a cenote. If Dzitnup is important to you, check that the itinerary specifically includes Xkeken and Samula.
Suggested day itinerary
- 8:00 – Cenote Xkeken. Arrive at opening time for a quiet swim in the cave.
- 9:00 – Cenote Samula. Swim, then relax at the snack stands.
- 10:30 – Chichén Itzá (40 min drive), or stay for Samula's light beam around midday.
- Afternoon – Valladolid. Lunch, the colonial centre, Calzada de los Frailes, the San Bernardino convent and Cenote Zací.
Driving tip: roads around Valladolid have many speed bumps (topes). Drive during daylight and keep cash for tolls on highway 180D.
Colectivos, taxis and bikes: prices as reported
Local transport prices are informal and change, so treat these as a guide only. They are as reported by travel guides on 9 October 2026; confirm locally.
| Option | Reported price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colectivo (shared van) | about 20–60 MXN per person (sources disagree) | Departs from around Calle 44 near the ADO bus station; leaves when full |
| Taxi | about 100–150 MXN each way | Agree the fare first; arrange the return pickup |
| Bike rental | about 100–150 MXN per day reported; some shops charge more | Ciclovía (bike path) for most of the way |
| Car / scooter | fuel and parking only | Parking at the entrance |
Time zone tip: Yucatán is one hour behind Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum). If you drive over from the coast, opening times here are in Yucatán time.
Cycling to Dzitnup from Valladolid
Cycling is the most popular way for independent travellers to reach the cenotes. The route is flat and a bike path runs alongside the road for most of the way. Go early: by late morning the heat is intense and there is little shade.
- Bring water, a hat and a lock for your bike (there is space to leave bikes near the entrance).
- Check brakes and tyres before you leave the rental shop.
- Use lights or reflective clothing if you might return close to dusk.
- Combine with Cenote Oxman and Cenote Saamal, both on the same side of town, for a cenote loop by bike.
Arriving from the coast
From Cancún or Playa del Carmen the fastest route is the 180D toll highway (cuota) to the Valladolid exit; it has few services, so fill up before you join it and carry cash for tolls. From Tulum the 109 road via Cobá is free but has more villages and speed bumps. Remember that once you cross into Yucatán, clocks go back one hour.
Plan a Valladolid cenote day
With a car, a classic day is Dzitnup at opening, Oxman or Saamal late morning, lunch in Valladolid and Cenote Suytun in the afternoon. Without a car, stay in Valladolid, cycle to Dzitnup and Oxman, and walk to Cenote Zací in town. See all the options in our guide to cenotes near Valladolid.
At the entrance: parking and facilities
The cenotes have a car park next to the entrance. The ticket office, toilets, showers and changing areas are at the entrance complex, and craft stalls and snack stands line the path to the cenotes. Lockers are available for a small extra fee.
Accessibility
Both cenotes are reached by stairs that can be wet and uneven, and Xkeken has a narrow tunnel. Visitors with limited mobility may find the descent difficult; there is no lift.
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.
Is there public transport from Valladolid to Dzitnup?
Yes, shared colectivo vans leave from around Calle 44 near the bus station. They leave when full and the return is less predictable, so many people take a taxi back.
Can I walk from Valladolid?
It is about 7 km each way along a busy road in strong heat. A bike or taxi is a much better idea.
Is it safe to drive around Valladolid?
Roads are generally fine in daylight. Watch out for speed bumps (topes), cyclists and animals, and avoid driving at night on rural roads.
Can I get there from Chichén Itzá?
Yes. Dzitnup is on the Valladolid side of Chichén Itzá, about 35–40 minutes by car, so it fits easily before or after the ruins.
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.