We have been visiting cenotes in Mexico for over 20 years. These are wonderful places to explore and relax, swim and take photos. If you visit Mexico, make sure you take the time to visit a cenote!
If you aren’t familiar with cenotes, Wikipedia defines these as:
A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. The regional term is specifically associated with the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.
When we first visited Mexico to get married, we had the chance to check out a couple cenotes. Since then, we have visited many more with our kids. Every cenote is a little different, from completely open cenotes, to those that are more enclosed.
Here are some tips for visiting cenotes that we have learned along the way!
Many places do not accept credit cards, especially if you are in a less touristy area, so be prepared with cash. We usually go to Chedraui (a large store, which I would compare to Walmart), to get cash when we arrive in Mexico. You can exchange money before your trip or at a bank in Mexico. Even if you go on an arranged tour, you still may want some spending money in cash for small items like snacks or souvenirs.
Also, be prepared to pay extra for things like drones. Many places charge for GoPros, drones, and so on.
Mandatory pre-shower at Cenote Cristalino
Don’t wear sunscreen
Most cenotes don’t allow you to wear sunscreen, and they also usually require you to shower first. Skip putting on any kind of sunblock, even if it is reef safe.
Bring a rash guard
If you are worried about getting a sunburn considering sunscreen is not allowed, bring along a rash guard. You can bring along other sun protection, like a hat or sunglasses as well.
Bring a good camera
We love taking pictures when we travel, and we have lots of great underwater shots! We have seen many different kinds of fish when we go swimming in the cenotes. Cenotes are usually amazing places to take a variety of photos.
My daughter snorkeling in Cenote Cristalino, Tulum
Bring snorkeling equipment & water shoes
If you enjoy snorkeling, bring along your snorkel gear. Some places rent gear, but we prefer to bring our own. I also recommend water shoes for a lot of cenotes. While the water is usually very deep, there may be slippery surfaces around the cenote as well as parts where you need to climb in that could be rough on your feet (or slippery). Chances are you are bringing water shoes for the beach anyway, so it is helpful to bring them to the cenote as well.
Bring a towel
Most cenotes don’t have a lot of facilities, and it is good to be prepared with your own supplies. I recommend bringing a beach towel from your resort, or if your hotel doesn’t provide towels, bring a microfiber towel, which usually folds up small and dries quickly.
We don’t really enjoy crowded cenotes, and so you’ll want to be strategic. The earlier the better, and weekdays are usually quieter. In recent years, the Yucatan coast has been plagued with sargassum seaweed, driving people away from the beaches and to pools and cenotes. Keep this in mind when you plan your visit. Weekdays are also generally quieter as well.
We often look for cenotes that have features like a zip line, rope swing, or jumping platforms. Plan accordingly and do your research before heading out, so you can make the most of your trip!
Check out our other Mexico blog posts and tips HERE.
This looks incredible! I also had no idea there were rules banning the use of sunscreen. Makes sense though I just never knew it affected reef life. Very interesting!
Reading this makes me miss exploring different places! I will take note of Cenotes and plan my travel accordingly when I can already travel back normally. I would love to experience Rope swinging!
Good tip on bringing cash. We get so used to paying everything with a card that it surprises us or can catch us off guard when we can’t use it. Love the pics.
I didn’t know about not wearing sunscreen but it makes good sense. I always used cash more in Mexico, it was just easier to bring around than card and more practical. Great tips on visiting the cenotes.
Your article on visiting cenotes is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to these natural wonders. Your tips are well-written and provide valuable insights that will surely enhance the experience of readers.
Cenotes in Mexico looks lovely but with all of the strange stuff happening over there with Americans being kidnapped and such… I think it will be some time before I cross the border again. I will add Cenotes to my bucket list for when. that changes 🙂
There are so many good tips in this article! I never carry cash, so it is really good to know that I would need some. I would also, totally, put on loads of sunscreen – so it’s good to know to skip that. What a beautiful place to explore.
Viewing Cenotes in Mexico through your eyes and words, seems to be an incredible place to visit, thank you for taking me there.
That place is so beautiful, and we will definitely follow these tips once we visit this place.
No wonder you keep visiting this place, it’s very beautiful! I’d love to go there someday! It looks very calming and adventurous at the same time.
This looks incredible! I also had no idea there were rules banning the use of sunscreen. Makes sense though I just never knew it affected reef life. Very interesting!
Great tips, I loved seeing the cenotes when I was in Mexico, they are so beautiful!!
Helpful tips in visiting Cenotes. this is a good place to relax and communue with nature. We nned this for our mental health.
These pics are so beautiful and I so want to visit someday…Thanks for sharing about it..
It looks so beautiful! I would love to visit!
Reading this makes me miss exploring different places! I will take note of Cenotes and plan my travel accordingly when I can already travel back normally. I would love to experience Rope swinging!
This vacation spot looks terrific. I love the fish too.
Cenote Casa Tortuga, Tulum looks amazing! I will definitely add Mexico in my list. Maybe after the pandemic?
This place looks absolutely beautiful. Would love to visit one day.
Mexico has many beautiful places to explore. These vacation spots alook amazing
I agree with bringing along your snorkel gear and water shoes. It’s better than renting in the place
I always bring a good camera when travelling. Thanks for the tips
These are all so gorgeous! What an amazing experience.
Nature is stunning. I haven’t been here yet but will, thank you..
Good tip on bringing cash. We get so used to paying everything with a card that it surprises us or can catch us off guard when we can’t use it. Love the pics.
Wow. I live in California but have never been to Mexico. Looks like an unbelievably beautiful experience.
Wow! These are some really beautiful photos. I cam see that you had a lot of fun. I pray I get the chance to visit Mexico sometime.
Beautiful place to spend time. Nice pictures to feel refreshing.
I don’t know what to say, the place is gorgeous!!!! I would love to spend a few weeks there.
I had no idea that sunscreen wasn’t allowed, but it does make sense so great tip about rash guards. The cenotes look gorgeous x
It’s nice when you love a place so much that you continue to go back. I’m glad you get to take your kids now too.
Your photos are absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing this experience with us and for all the practical tips that you have shared!
Wow! If it’s me, I will never get tired of coming back to this place too so beautiful. Looks like so an unreal and calming place.
I didn’t know about not wearing sunscreen but it makes good sense. I always used cash more in Mexico, it was just easier to bring around than card and more practical. Great tips on visiting the cenotes.
It’s a good habit to always bring cash when traveling, not just in Mexico but anywhere. Thanks for the expert tips.
Oh wow! This is stunningly beautiful. We don’t really have anywhere quite like this in the UK. Looks like I need to go to Mexico.
All your adventures in Mexico makes me want to go. There are some lovely spots to check out and explore…plus you cant beat the food and weather!
This is so amazing!!! I would love to visit Mexico. Relaxing and beautiful scenery for sure and what a way to chill out xx
Your article on visiting cenotes is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to these natural wonders. Your tips are well-written and provide valuable insights that will surely enhance the experience of readers.
I’ve never heard of a cenote before but it sounds like a great thing to explore on holiday
Cenotes in Mexico looks lovely but with all of the strange stuff happening over there with Americans being kidnapped and such… I think it will be some time before I cross the border again. I will add Cenotes to my bucket list for when. that changes 🙂
This seems like a wonderful place to get married. You are fortunate to be able to visited it frequently.
There are so many good tips in this article! I never carry cash, so it is really good to know that I would need some. I would also, totally, put on loads of sunscreen – so it’s good to know to skip that. What a beautiful place to explore.