The 10 most beautiful cenotes near Cancun

Give a gay man a cenote and he can chill for a day; give a gay man 10 cenotes and he can chill for eternity… or something. First then, in our top 10 list, is Cenote Siete Bocas, the pool of seven mouths. Unique it its formation with seven small entrances into its maze-like cavern system, Siete Bocas is perfect for a lazy day of adventure, allowing you to jump cliffs, swim and explore underground to your heart’s content before picnicking in the area. Surrounded by jungle, this cenote is both quiet and shady, with the opportunity for a cheeky jungle walk for those with a good sense of direction. Cenote Siete Bocas is located inland from Puerto Morelos, 12 kilometres from Highway 307 on the Puerto Morelos Cenote Road, La Ruta de Los Cenotes.

Open to sunlight and providing a choice of turquoise fresh water pools is Cenote Azul, a popular watering hole just south of Playa del Carmen, not far inland from the coastal road. Also in the area are El Jardin del Eden and Cenote Cristalino, making for an ideal day of cenote hopping. What makes Cenote Azul special, however, is its openness; there is no roof, just sunlight dispersing through the jungle canopy high above. Slightly more shallow than its cavernous neighbours, Cenote Azul is good for both children and non-swimmers, while also offering cliff jumping opportunities and wild jungle scenery to keep everyone entertained.

Further inland than we’ve so far ventured, into the colonial city of Valladolid, find Cenote Xkeken, one of many amazing cenotes in the area. While there are no cenotes in Cancun proper, Valladolid is an easy drive and home to a number of cenotes Cancun claims as its own. Located southwest of Valladolid, not too far from ancient Mayan site Chichén-Itzá, is Cenote Xkeken, home to one of the deepest caverns, accessed via a winding stone staircase where inky waters are watched over by a lifeguard. While no jumping is permitted and light is limited, the ambience makes Xkeken worthy of a visit, fed by birdsong and one heavenly beam of light during afternoon hours. At ground level, there is another dry cenote to explore with a cave echoing the melodic sounds of the jungle surrounding.

Also lit by a singular ray of light is Cenote Samulá, where the dramatic lighting serves to highlight turquoise waters embedded with tree roots. Another of Valladolid’s best known and locally-run cenotes, Cenote Samulá offers good infrastructure and services, all yours for a small entrance fee. A little larger than Xkeken and with better lighting, Cenote Samulá has the additional selling point of being open at night, illuminated with purple lighting to give an ethereal club-like feel. Although swimming is not recommended, the views and photo opportunities at Cenote Samulá more than makeup for the fact.

Part of the larger Yum Balam Nature Reserve, Cenote Yalahau is a cooling stop-off point on a day trip of discovery around the mangrove forests and bird refuges surrounding. While the location isn’t the most accessible, with a two-hour journey from Cancun and a boat ride to the preserve, Cenote Yalahau remains a top choice, particularly for nature lovers. Make the most of Yum Balam with an organised boat tour that will stop at several outposts, ensuring one stop is at Cenote Yalahau, where you’ll discover a bubbling cenote fed by spring water and surrounded by a shady boardwalk for drying off. Bring your binoculars (or borrow your tour guide’s!) for a spot of birdwatching from the forest canopy lookout.

As tranquil as they come is Cenote Choo-Ha, inland of Tulum towards the northwest. Set nearby the prominent tourist spot of Cobá, Cenote Choo-Ha is the perfect activity in tandem with a tour of Cobá’s ancient ruins. One of three underground cenotes in the area (the other two being the Tamcach-Ha for cliff jumping and Multun-Ha for scuba diving), Choo-Ha is best for its stalagmite formations in shallow waters that are perfect for non-swimmers. Enter through a small ground-level opening before climbing down a spiral wooden staircase. Once the stairs straighten out, the cave opens up into a large round cavern with high rock ceilings and ultra-clear waters. Both quiet and serene, Choo-Ha is a place to relax in magical surroundings after a heavy day of ruin gazing.

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