best cenote near ek balam

2021/05/21

It is only possible with a car since there is no public transportation options available nor taxi. You just will need to drive here since there is no public transportation. Bug Spray Heading into the jungle to explore Mayan ruins practically guarantees a few mosquito bites, but you can avoid the worst of it with bug spray! Note: As of my last visit in fall 2021, Cenote Zaci was temporarily closed for renovations. Just trying searching Instagram for cenote and youre likely to pull up thousands of photos (far better than my shot above) from the many influencers around the world who flock to Cenote Suytun to get the gram. We typically focus on travel in the USA and Europe (especially in our beloved Italy), but feature destinations across the world! This cenote is a little further from Valladolid (about a 40 minute drive). You can even imagine being back in time with the same corn fields planted by locals nearby. Check out my full guide to the best Valladolid hotels to find the right one for you! cenote hubiku yucatan Plus, perhaps because of the (relatively) high entrance cost and distance from Valladolid, we even had the cenote all to ourselves! Cenote Suytun is undeniably the most beautiful cenote in the Valladolid area, though be advised that sometimes the line on the stairs to take a shot can back up during peak periods. There are other packages which include the one zip line across the top and rappelling. This is a great place to visit after the ruins to swim and cool off. Though you can swim in Cenote Suytun, just be aware this is really more of a photo spot than anything else. Its an easy, mostly shady walk down a straight gravel road, and we chose to walk in both directions.

Honestly, I did find the buffet a little paltry (especially given the price). Wondering what to bring with you when heading out on a day trip to Ek Balam and Cenote Xcanche? This cenote opened to the public in mid 2017. If you want to sample some local specialties, Carnes Concepcion is one of the best places. Most Instagrammable Cenote in Valladolid (Underground Cenote), Google Maps | Distance from Valladolid: 8 km | Entrance: 120 pesos | Hours: 9 am 5 pm daily. There are so many incredible and affordable hotels in Valladolid to choose from, most of them locally owned. Theyre located less than a 3-minute walk from the cenote. Its one of the easiest cenotes to access, as the stairs down to the surface are well paved. What did you like about this post? Nestled in a quiet corner of Mexicos Yucatan peninsula, far away from the crowds of Chichen Itza and the Riviera Maya, sits the stunning Mayan city of Ek Balam and its gorgeous next-door neighbor, Cenote Xcanche. If you happen to be staying in Valladolid, its incredibly easy to grab a taxi for Ek Balam (there are several taxi stands in the city, but the one right in front of the cathedral in the Zocalo is probably the easiest to find, and almost always has a few drivers around). Opening a business in Playa Del Carmen -is it for you? Overall, Cenote Oxman is a great choice if you also want the benefit of the swimming pool, the large hammocks, and the decent drinks from the bar. His travel advice and musings have been featured in high-profile publications like NBC News, Lonely Planet, Mic, and many more. Since this cenote is large and very beautiful, infrastructure has been added that will allow larger groups to visit at one time. There are also more fully covered underground cave cenotes, which give off the vibe of something in an Indiana Jones movie. This is the other Dzinitup cenote, and Cenote Xkeken is definitely my favorite of the two. Finally, if you dont mind a little exercise, some cenotes (especially the Dzitnup cenotes and Hacienda Selva Maya) are fairly easy to access via bike trails from Valladolid, Mexico. Ready to visit Ek Balam? The entrance booth is located just past the first grouping of souvenir stalls that you pass after buying tickets for Ek Balamor theres a more direct path you can take from the parking lot, too. Conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the city square, Cenote Zaci is a gorgeous oasis offering a relaxing way to quickly retreat into a bit of nature. Cenotes are regulated in Mexico and are generally very safe to swim in. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Or how can we improve it to help you travel better? Open Cenote With Excellent Pool & Restaurant, Google Maps | Distance from Valladolid: 33 km | Entrance: 150 pesos (cenote only) or 500 pesos (day pass including pool & restaurant) | Hours: 10 am 5 pm daily. If youre headed to Ek Balam, considering adding in a stop to Cenote Hubiku along the way. Google Maps | Distance from Valladolid: 6 km | Entrance: 80 pesos | Hours: 9 am 6 pm daily. We also have a guide to great restaurants in town. Temozon is known for its smoked meats and handmade furniture. My friend Christopher and I visited during a rainstorm, which made for a pretty special experience as water poured down through the narrow opening in the cenote opening. Comfortable Day Bag We currently usePacsafes sleek anti-theft backpackand love it, but if you dont want to shell out the cash for this trip, thats totally understandable. Never fear, because Im a Valladolid travel expert. Most cenotes require the use of life jackets, and personal flotation devices are a good idea even when they dont in order to minimize your risk.

The Dzitnup complex is located close to Hacienda Selva Maya, and so a lot of tourists come through these popular cenotes. On the far side you can see the area where they rappel. If youre visiting Valladolid from Cancun, check out this highly rated cenote tour from Viator. There is an easy-to-use, expansive parking lot onsite that you can use for access to both the ruins and the cenote. Most cenotes that you can swim in are privately owned and carry some sort of entrance fee, though often this is a relatively small fee of as little as 30 pesos ($1.50 USD). After you travel down the trail to the cenote you know you have arrived when you see this sign. There are two sets of stairs that descend into the cenote, one being much steeper than the other. Your best bet is to join this cenote bike tour, one of the few running directly from Valladolid to the nearby cenotes. Youll also have the option of visiting a nearby cave that was recently opened and features various sacred Mayan artifacts nestled amongst the stalactites. This is a large cave cenote, with a small opening to the sky above. Many tourists choose to just visit Valladolid as part of a day trip from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun, often in combination with a tour to Chichen Itza. The menu was limited, but the food was excellent and prices great (80-100 MXN, or between $4-6 USD) for a mealwe paid less there than at an average restaurant in Valladolid. Plus, the stalactites that dangle from the cave roof are pretty dramatic! This cenote is a little further off the beaten path, but work taking the time to get there. When visiting, people also can visit the cenote that is nearby. Required fields are marked *. I am going to have to visit here when I go to Ek Balam. Here on Our Escape Clause, we are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures. If you dont put your things in the locker, you can descend into the cenote and set them on the side. ), 17 Best Things to Do in Isla Mujeres, Mexicos Laid-Back Island Paradise, How to Take a Traghetto (Cheapest Gondola in Venice! Personally, I really think Valladolid deserves at least one night to experience it fully. We saw more than a few fish swimming in the waters. We do have a full guide to Chichen Itza so you can get the most out of your visit there. If it is a hot day and you dont want to walk to the cenote, a bike rental or taxi is recommended.

You can get a combined ticket to enter both cenotes, though annoyingly you have to separately rent a life jacket at each. Cenote Saamal is located in Hacienda Selva Maya, which features solid facilities with lockers and outdoor showers. Even if youre not sure if you want to swim, we recommend bringing itafter sweating through your Ek Balam tour, you might be glad you have it. The entrance fee is cash-only and there isnt an ATM onsite, so be sure to come prepared! You can either take bikes or take the tricycle taxi if you dont want to pedal yourself. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Sunscreen Sunscreen isnt allowed in Cenote Xcanche in order to preserve the fragile environment, but youll definitely want to have some on when visiting Ek Balam! Just see our clickable map below for more ideas.

TravelLemming.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The Ek Balam cenote is officially called Cenote Xcanche. I hope it helps you to find a relaxing cenote to swim in, and I hope you love Valladolid as much as I do. The walks to and from Ek Balam and Cenote Xcanche are fairly shaded, but the ruins themselves are primarily in direct sunlight. It is also one of the top four most visited Mayan ruins from the Riviera Maya. Tips for Visiting Cenotes from Valladolid.

Some tours include Chichen Itza and Ek Balam in one day. If it were closer to Valladolid, this cenote might just top this list. All rights reserved.

Its located in an underground cave but only requires a short flight of stairs to access. This cenote is a little off in the distance from the ruins and in a wooded area. The downside, of course, is that youll be running on someone elses schedule and usually spend a bit more out of pocketbut if youd rather kick back and relax than negotiate with taxi drivers or drive yourself, its the perfect solution. The cenote itself is deep.

This tour covers your transportation from Cancun, tickets to Ek Balam and a cenote (though not Xcanche), and a guided tour, and is a good option. and were thrilled with the choice. If youre staying in Valladolid itself, there surprisingly arent many cenote tours to choose from.

Note that Cenote Xcanche does carry a separate entrance fee from the Ek Balam ruins. Wild and wonderful, Cenote Xcanchesometimes referred to as the Ek Balam Cenote because of its very close locationis among our favorite cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula. We mainly recommend taking the package with bike and cenote combined. But, if you dont mind the drive, its well worth a visit! The main feature here is the (artificial) waterfall, which adds to the ambiance when youre swimming in the cenote. The experience is completely different than visiting a highly touristic site like Tulum or Chichen Itza, and it is absolutely magical! This place is on the south end of town as you enter, it will be on your left. Cenote Zaci is a large open cenote that is partially open to the sky. Driving through town, you will notice many places selling both. ), 25 Wonderful Destinations for Winter in Europe (Sun, Snow, or Christmas! Its a reasonably large open cenote that can make for a great way to cool off after a hot morning spent exploring the ruins. You might miss this town if you blink, but there are a few little things of note here. All in all, if youre with a group, Cenote Saamal is a great one to visit. With that said, the Yucatan peninsula is home to literally thousands of cenotes, located in everything from schools to Costco parking lots, so it is possible to find some cenote without an entrance fee. Another option is to simply hire a taxi in town, have them drop you off, and then get their number or arrange for a time for them to come pick you back up. If youre staying on the Riviera Maya, a taxi will set you back a pretty penny, but is technically still an option (though not one wed recommendat that point, youre better off with a tour). When scrambling up 30 meters of sometimes slippery steps to reach the top of El Torre, youll be glad you have them! Be sure to protect yourself from the sun! One is paid to the state, and one to a federal agency. Heres what to know before you (literally) dive in. If you do visit, you will find bathrooms, changing area with outdoor showers, a small restaurant and hammock area. The cenote itself is stunning. It is about 12 feet (4 meters) off the water. Click on a star to rate (you can leave feedback after clicking submit). Google Maps | Distance from Valladolid: 5.4 km| Entrance: 80 pesos for adult & 50 pesos for children | Hours: 9 am 6 pm daily. Here they are: This cenote is popular with many tours to Ek Balam because it is just off the road and is set up for a lot of tourist per day. This is to help protect the fragile ecosystemsimilarly, you should not wear sunscreen or bug spray into the cenote (or any cenote, though some are better about enforcing the rule than others). For more about visiting Cenote Hubiku, see our article here. I recently visited with friends, and we really enjoyed it. What separates this from other cenotes near Valladolid is the island in the middle of Cenote SAC-AUA, which was formed when the cave roof collapsed upon the cenote below. There are several options for entrance fees for the cenote here. ), How to Actually Enjoy Summer in Venice (13 Important Tips! If you have extra time to visit more, here are a few other Valladolid cenotes to add to your list: The best way to visit the many amazing cenotes near Valladolid is to rent a car in Cancun or Merida upon arrival and drive yourself. Its large, with several platforms for taking photos, jumping, or swinging on a rope swing. The only question is: which Valladolid cenotes are the best? One of the newest cenotes to open in the Yucatan, Cenote Chukum is one of the most beautiful cave cenotes Ive seen in all of Mexico. Just politely decline and continue on to the entrance, where youll find lots of parking. Although you might be on a self guided trip and have time to visit the two during your time in the area. Also note that during the rainy summer season, the water levels can sometimes result in Cenote Suytuns platform being submerged and thus inaccessible. Want to avoid dealing with logistics but still see the best of Ek Balam and Cenote Xcanche? He has traveled to 65+ countries across six continents around the world and writes about emerging travel destinations at TravelLemming.com.

If you are traveling by yourself, you can pay 70 pesos for the entrance and walk to the cenote. Dont miss a chance to go swimming in Cenote Xcanche! Google Maps | +52 985 856 0721 | Entrance: 30 pesos or free with meal purchase | Hours: CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS AS OF FALL 2021. What I love about Cenote Oxman is that its located in a hacienda featuring a nice pool, bar, and several little cabana huts. We visited Ek Balam in the late afternoon and loved it! Stairs have been built that lead you down to the water here at Cenote Fantasma. Bathing Suit Dont miss a chance to go swimming in Cenote Xcanche! Cenote Suytun is easily the most famous cenote in Valladolid. Its not only one of the top restaurants in Valladolid, but your cenote entrance ticket will come free with the purchase of a meal. If youre a budget traveler staying in Valladolid, though, they can be a great optionespecially since the collectivos that head to Ek Balam arent 15-passenger vans like in many areas, but compact cars. For more information, check out my guides to how to go to Valladolid from Cancun and from Tulum. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Before you go, be sure to check out my mega guide to Valladolid Mexico its filled with tons of useful information! Mexicos Yucatan peninsula is famous for its cenotes, covered or partially open swimming holes fed by underground springs. Heres what you need to know! Getting Mexico travel insurance is just the sensible thing to do. In all Cenote Samula was my least favorite of the two, though that may have been because there was a very upset child swimming whose cries echoes through the cave walls. There are no shallow areas for young children. There is one rope swing where you can drop into the water. You can find literally thousands of cenotes in the peninsula, but many of the best are the cenote near Valladolid, Mexico. So I snapped a few photos and hiked over to Cenote Xkeken quickly. After several attempts of mustering up the courage, my partner Clara finally gave it a go! Powered by Mai Theme, What to do in Amsterdam in Winter 20 Fun Activities, Mayan people used the cenotes as water sources, If youre not a confident swimmer, you can. If you prefer not to drip-dry (or collapse into a hammock for half an hour to dry) after visiting Cenote Xcanche, youll want to be sure to throw a towel into your day bag. Theres also a small restaurant next to Cenote Xcanchebut more on that below. At times, Cenote Saamal can attract just a few too many tourists for my taste. Today, only a small portion (about one square mile) of Ek Balam is excavated, including the impressive El Torre pyramid. Id suggest coming in the morning, taking a refreshing swim before it gets crowded, then hitting the buffet afterward. Cenote Xcanche is a deep cenote. ), Is a Colosseum Night Tour Worth the Splurge? Cenote Fantasma (or Cenote Ghost as it would be in English) is a relatively newly opened to the public cenote. There are male and female changing areas with lockers, but you need to bring your own lock.

Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, Im working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.