The cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula are truly a geological wonder. If you’re visiting the region then the chances are you’re going to want to see one or two for yourself. But what about the kids? Can kids swim safely in cenotes? Can you take a toddler to a cenote? Which are the best cenotes for kids?

My answer is yes, you can take kids, and even toddlers, to a cenote, we certainly did.

This article will explain how to visit cenotes safely and then offer a selection of some of the best cenotes to visit with kids in Mexico.

I’ve been exploring cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula with my family since the kids were 2 and 4 years old. When we arrived here we knew we really wanted to experience cenotes but we just didn’t know how safe it would be with our tiny kids. We asked around, we tried asking tour guides and in dive shops but no one seemed able to give us a helpful answer. We tried reading reviews from others who had come to the region but nothing really answered our questions or allayed our concerns.

So, here’s the article I wish we’d found in 2016. You will find a list of great kid-friendly (or nervous-swimmer-friendly) cenotes for three regions on the Peninsula: Merida, Valladolid, and the Riviera Maya.

What is a cenote?

The word cenote (pronounced se-no-té) comes to us, via Spanish, from the Mayan word dzonot, ‘sacred well’. Geologically speaking, a cenote is a sink-hole caused by collapsing limestone bedrock, exposing the groundwater below. The Yucatán Peninsula is covered with cenotes.

Cenotes were used by the Maya as sources of fresh water, and as such they would build their cities near them. They considered the cenotes to be both water sources and an entrance to the underworld.

Did you know that there is a cenote in the Mérida Costco carpark? You can visit it but it’s only for admiring, not for swimming.

There are thought to be as many as 6000 across the peninsula but barely half have been officially explored and documented. Every cenote is different so don’t assume that because you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. You’re never done!

There are broadly four types of cenote

➡️ Open Cenote – these are the most ancient cenotes and often resemble lakes and ponds. They are generally near ground level.

➡️ Semi-Open Cenote – these cenotes may have already lost most of their cave roof or may still be caves but with openings in the roof through which beams of light illuminate the water below.

➡️ Deep Open Cenote –  where cave roofs have fallen in, leaving the cenote walls and water exposed.

➡️ Closed/Cavern Cenote – these are the youngest of all cenotes and they offer full cave experiences with deep blue or emerald green waters

While most cenotes are deep and require visitors to descend a staircase to reach the water, some are shallow and have easier access and are perfect for a day out with young children. Many have stalagmites and often you’ll see tree roots working their way down to the precious water below. Some are populated with fish, others not.

_{There are affiliate links in this article. If you click and make a purchase I could make a small sum at zero cost to you. Thank you!}

When visiting cenotes with children, especially small children,  we should also consider

⭐️ how the cenote is cared for, has it been commercialised?

⭐️ If it’s a deep cenote, how do we get to it?

⭐️ Can we rent life-jackets on-site or do we need to have our own?

⭐️ If there are mobility issues it helps to know about access in advance too.

➡️ Let’s talk safety in Yucatán for a second. Yucatán is Mexico’s safest state, making it a perfect spot for a vacation. If you’re interested in reading more about whether Yucatan is safe and how to look after yourself while in Yucatan, you know I’ve got you covered!

⭐️ Wherever you’re going in Mexico with kids, our packing list for Mexico with kids will come in handy.

How to visit cenotes with kids

You know your kids; you know what they’ll be able to handle. In 2016, my two-year-old was more willing to jump into a cenote than her four-year-old brother who could already swim. Some kids are cautious, some daredevils!

If you’re nervous, it’s perfectly possible to find a good tour to visit cenotes. If you’re happy going alone but just aren’t sure which cenotes are good for kids, then read on!

Unless our kids can stand absolutely everywhere in a cenote, we insist they wear a life jacket. Both are strong and confident swimmers but cenotes are not swimming pools. They are a natural phenomenon (cenotes, not my kids), we know there can be strange currents (rare but they do happen) and it is not yet fully understand how cenotes are linked via a complex system of underground rivers across the Peninsula.

People do make mistakes and injure themselves in cenotes. There are even occasional deaths. I don’t want to scare you or put you off taking your kids to visit cenotes but it’s important to have all the facts. Injuries tend to come about when not taking enough care on slippery rocks or wooden steps (you’ll see below that I mention entry points for this reason). Rope swings and big jumps can also cause injury if you land wrong or let go of a rope at the wrong moment. And, yes, about one person a year dies. Usually, they’re mucking around and not looking after themselves.

Best cenotes to visit with kids

Best cenotes for kids around Mérida

El Corchito

This is actually an eco-reserve just outside Progreso. It’s accessed only by small boat and has three open air, ground level cenotes on site. The first is small and more like a child-friendly pool. The second is a bit bigger (called Cenote El Corchito) and would make a great entry point for kids who want to discover cenotes and wild swimming. The third (El Pajaro) is larger but still not intimidating. You can rent rubber rings, enjoy paddling around and even jump in.

Note: You cannot take food or suntan lotion into the eco-reserve.

• Facilities: Drinking water available. Rubber rings for hire.
• Life jackets: Not required in the smallest cenote. Available for hire on site. Lifeguard rings by sides of cenotes.
• Bathrooms: Before the boat across.
• Entry/Exit: Easy access. All cenotes accessed from ground level by sturdy wooden steps.
• Stair Safety: Not applicable here.
• Depth: First one adults can stand. El Corchito, 2.5m, and El Pajaro, no more than 3 metres.
• Fear Factor: (for parents and kids!): Because they’re outdoors, the bottom of the cenotes can be muddy.
• Address: Second roundabout along Calle 27 outside Progreso.
• Cost: $35 pesos per adult and $20 pesos per child over 5.
• Open: Daily 9 am – 5 pm.

If you’re going to El Corchito then be sure to head into Progreso for lunch and beach fun after.

Cenote Xlacah: Dzibilchaltun – in 2024 this cenote remains closed.

Located just outside Merida, the archaeological site of Dzibilchaltun has a small, fully exposed, cenote on site. This is the closest swimmable cenote to Merida. One end is around 50cm deep while the other is far deeper.

• Facilities: Close to the cenote, there are no facilities but the site itself has bathrooms and a restaurant (not recommended by MexicoCassie).
• Life jackets: Not available to rent.
• Bathrooms: On-site, not near the cenote.
• Entry/Exit: The cenote is entered via the rocks. I remember my small son taking his time to work up the courage to get in here. Not the simplest entry and exit and some kids might need assistance. Water is not deep at one end though so it is doable.
• Stairs: The cenote is at ground level.
• Depth: Under 1m at one end and very deep at the other.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): Little fish may nibble gently. One end is deep. I wouldn’t let my kids in the deep end without a lifejacket and supervision.
• Address: Dzibilchaltun.
• Cost:$145 pesos (for access to cenote, museum and archaeological site). Kids are free. Parking is $20 pesos.
• Open: 8 am – 5 pm daily.

My kids love running around the Maya ruins of Yucatan as much as they love diving in the beautiful cenotes. 

Telchaquillo

There is a tiny little cenote slap bang in the middle of the pueblo of Telchaquillo. We discovered it after a hot and sweaty exploration of the archaeological site of Mayapan, some five minutes drive away. You might not believe there’s actually a cenote here as there is no mention of it anywhere. But truly, drive into the pueblo, park on the main square opposite the church and simply wander over to the fenced-off areas in the middle of the square. Someone will come and take your money and open the gate for you.

• Facilities: It’s a pueblo so there are small stores if you need snacks. There’s also a playground on the square.
• Life jackets: No. But it’s very shallow. They aren’t needed here.
• Bathrooms: No. But at a push I’m sure the church opposite would let you in.
• Entry/Exit: Down a few concrete steps and then slide/jump in.
• Stairs: Proper staircase down. No accessibility worries.
• Depth: Very shallow. 1.5 m (my estimate)
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): None.
• Cost: $5 pesos per person.
• Open: Daytime as long as there is someone there to open it for you.
• Address: Plaza of Telchaquillo

Santa Cruz

This is one of the Homun cenotes. Homun is famous for its ring of cenotes. Santa Cruz is also called Kili’ich Y’aaxche and the people who run this place are delightful. Not only is there a small cave cenote here, but you can also zipline, have a good meal and even have a temazcal, a traditional Mexican sauna experience.

• Facilities: Yes. Restaurant and nice grounds.
• Life jackets: Yes.
• Bathrooms: Yes.
• Entry/Exit: solid wooden steps with handrail
• Stairs: Solid and wooden. Good condition.
• Depth: Mostly extremely shallow. One point towards the very back where an adult can’t stand.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): It’s in a deep cave but it is well lit and the stairs are good.
• Cost: $30 pesos each
• Open: 11 am – 6 pm daily
• Address: Homun. Calle 10 driving away from Homun and Merida, it’s on the left-hand side.

Cenote San Antonio

San Antonio is also in Homun.  This is a slightly larger cenote where you can also rent a kayak.  This cenote does get deeper towards the back and it has a second section that’s only accessible by swimming through a small and narrow channel but it would be perfectly easy to just splash around safely here in life jackets. Although it is slightly more interesting than some of the other small cenotes, it is in no way overwhelming.

• Facilities: Restaurant, small shop and kayak hire.
• Life jackets: Yes, for hire.
• Bathrooms: yes.
• Entry/Exit: Wide rock steps
• Stairs: Sturdy wooden steps
• Depth: Close to the entry point it’s nice and shallow but does get deeper.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): None as long as you stay near the entry point. I wouldn’t expect anyone to swim through the small tunnel to the next cave.
• Cost: $30 pesos per person over 2. $50 per kayak for 30 minutes

If you’re the type of family who enjoy adventure, you may also revel in taking an overnight tour of a modern Mayan village.

Chulul

Also in Homun, Chulul is a deep cenote but it’s small and very accessible for kids. The steps are sturdy, there are lifejackets to hire and you can even see some potentially ancient handprints on the cave wall.

Our kids noticed that there are three pools in this cenote although one is not accessible. Of the two pools, one is chilly and the other much warmer.

• Facilities: None.
• Life jackets: Yes, for hire.
• Bathrooms: No.
• Entry/Exit: Sturdy steps into water.
• Stairs: Sturdy wooden steps.
• Depth: Close to the entry point it’s nice and shallow but does get a little deeper.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): none.
• Cost: $30 pesos per person over 4.

Beaches in Yucatán are some of the most family friendly in all of Mexico. The kids will just love running around Las Coloradas, the famous pink lakes of Yucatan. And afterwards, why not head to El Cuyo, one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches? For a full run down of Yucatán’s incredible beaches, check this article.

Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara site has four cenotes open to visitors. They are a step up from all the other cenote options above in that adults and more experienced kids can truly enjoy them too. I include them here because it’s a fairly touristy site, there are lifeguards everyone is required to wear a life jacket (in theory. In reality, many adults don’t).

The entry fee here (depending on the paquete you choose) includes all cenotes and transport between the entrance and the cenotes by horse-drawn cart. Kids are guaranteed to love it (unless they’re like my son and randomly decide to be terrified of losing a shoe whilst sitting on the damn thing).

Three cenotes are accessed via stairs and all are deep water. It is required to wear life jackets in these cenotes (provided). The fourth cenote (opened in 2023) has stair access but also offers an elevator for people with reduced mobility.

Cenote Cascabel is a closed cenote that is well lit, you can swim in a circle around a platform with some shallow areas. Getting into the cenote is probably the hardest of the three as you have to duck under a tree to reach the stairs. I’ve been multiple times and have seen people opt not to enter this cenote but never fear, the other two are far more accessible. The water is only 10m deep in this fully closed cenote.

Cenote Chaksikín is much bigger and has more swimming space and a wonderful jumping platform. There are lifeguards around. This water is too deep for an adult to stand in most spaces (16m max) but it never feels unsafe due to the sturdy nature of the wooden platform and the clarity of the water.

Cenote Xoch’ is huge, fully open to the sky and has a platform from which you can swim. We always have a great time jumping into the water from the platform. The water is astoundingly clear and very deep (40m). While this may not be a first timer cenote, it is incredibly beautiful and well worth it if your kids are getting braver.

Cenote Pool Cocom – this newly opened cenote in 2023 is a fully open cenote. The water is 15m deep and there are always lifeguards on duty. Diving is prohibited. Children will love the artificial waterfalls and the brand new and amazing water play/splash pad by the new snack bar.

• Facilities: Restaurant, small shop, changing area, transport.
• Life jackets: Included in price.
• Bathrooms: At entrance.
• Entry/Exit: Each cenote has sturdy and well-maintained steps into the water.
• Stairs: All stairs on this site are safe. In Cascabel you need to duck under a tree to enter. In Chaksikin the stairs down are wooden and sturdy. In Xoch’ it is wide stone steps.
• Depth: None are especially shallow.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): These cenotes are deeper than others I’ve recommended but they’re well maintained and a great next step as the kids start to feel more confident.
• Cost: $150 pesos per adult. $75 pesos kids over 5.
• Open: 9 am – 6 pm.
• Address: On the way to Homun, just past Cozuma on the right-hand side

If you like the thought of cenote hopping with kids, you may just find my article about the best water activity vacations in Mexico for families, to be interesting. 

Best cenotes for kids around Valladolid

Our favourite cenote that we visited when exploring around Valladolid is K’ax Ek, which probably shouldn’t be on a list of kid-friendly cenotes since it’s the only cenote I’ve visited that made me feel scared! It isn’t actually especially deep but it’s the largest cenote on the peninsula and it’s truly huge. Note: Valladolid and the cenotes around are also possible to visit as a day/weekend trip from Mérida.

Yokdzonot

This is a big and deep cenote but since it was the third cenote my kids ever went in, I thought I’d include it in the list. The cenote is run by a women’s cooperative, which I love. There is a small restaurant and play area on site. The cenote itself is beautiful. Sometimes there is the possibility of ziplining and rappelling too. The fact that it is well maintained, particularly the stairs down, made us feel safe here. This is a good option after visting Chichén Itzá. The other very popular cenote that get visited with Chichén Itzá is Ik Kil. I haven’t been as it’s very touristy but if you get there early or late you can enjoy a quiet time.

• Facilities: restaurant, changing rooms, play area, pool (was empty when we were there).
• Life jackets: yes.
• Bathrooms: yes.
• Entry/Exit: Wooden steps from a platform.
• Stairs: Wooden, sturdy and well maintained.
• Depth: Deep.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): Higher than anywhere else on this list due to depth.
• Cost: $70 pesos
• Open: 9 am – 6 pm.
• Address: Calle 20, Yokdzonot.

Cenote Zaci

This is the best known, and easiest visited cenote in Valladolid since it’s right in the centre of the city. It’s popular with locals and visitors including those with small children.

• Facilities: restaurant, changing rooms.
• Life jackets: yes.
• Bathrooms: yes.
• Entry/Exit: Wooden steps from a platform.
• Stairs: Wooden, sturdy and well maintained.
• Depth: Deep.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): good starter cenote despite the depth
• Cost: $30
• Open: 9 am – 5 pm.
• Calle 39, centro.

Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman

This hacienda cenote is best visited last thing when tour buses have left for the day.

• Facilities: food stalls, changing rooms.
• Life jackets: yes.
• Bathrooms: yes.
• Entry/Exit: wooden steps or rope swing (great for brave kids)
• Stairs: 73 steps down the 25 metres to the water level
• Depth: 45 metres at its deepest
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): Higher than anywhere else on this list due to depth.
• Cost: $70 pesos basic entry (other options including hacienda and restaurant entry)
• Open: 8 am – 6 pm.
• Address: Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman

Samulá

With its nice easy incline into the water, Samulá is a good option for children. There are lifeguards on site and lifejackets available to rent.

• Facilities: food stalls, changing rooms.
• Life jackets: yes.
• Bathrooms: yes.
• Entry/Exit: Easy incline
• Stairs:
• Depth: 35 metres at its deepest
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): Higher than anywhere else on this list due to depth.
• Cost: $80 pesos adult, $50 pesos child
• Open: 9 am – 6 pm.
• Address: Dzitnup

Xcanche

This deep and imposing cenote right next door to the archaeological site of Ek Balam is a great place to take older, adventurous kids to cool down after exploring the ruins. Here they can zipline across the cenote, rappel down to the cenote, use rope swings and even take rubber rings into the cenote with them (still in life jackets, of course)

• Facilities: low-key restaurant, changing rooms.
• Life jackets: yes.
• Bathrooms: yes.
• Entry/Exit: Wooden steps
• Stairs: sturdy
• Depth: 30 metres at its deepest
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): It’s large and could be overwhelming. One for bigger kids
• Cost: $70 pesos
• Open: 9 am – 5 pm.
• Address: right next door to Ek Balam

There are more great cenotes around Valladolid listed in my book, Yucatán With Kids.

Multum Ha (Cobá)

This was our very first cenote when the kids were two and four. We visited it after checking out the Coba archaeological site. We were the only people in the cenote and we were nervous but looking back, I see that this was a very gentle cenote and was a great place to start. It was clean, safe, well maintained and not too deep. We were nervous because the kids were small and we had no idea what to expect. The two-year-old jumped right in but the four-year-old (more cautious kid) took some coaxing to get in the water.

• Facilities: showers and changing rooms.
• Life jackets: yes.
• Bathrooms: yes.
• Entry/Exit: Good wooden steps from a large wooden platform.
• Stairs: Sturdy but can be slippery if there are lots of people around.
• Depth: 8m.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): guide ropes across the cenote. No fear factor for us here once we got used to being in a cave.
• Cost: $55 pesos.
• Open: Google claims open 24 hours but I doubt this. I’d guess 9 am – 5 pm.
• Address: Carrertera Principal Km6, Coba.

There are two other cenotes near Coba but we didn’t visit them as the kids were tired. The other two are Tankach-Ha and Choo-Ha. Both look similarly well kept. Choo-Ha, I believe is quite shallow.

Best cenotes for kids: Riviera Maya

The most popular spots on the Rivera Maya are Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. I’ve spent time in all three and have visited cenotes from all three locations. I find that the cenotes on this side of the peninsula tend to be open cenotes that are gorgeous to look at but they are generally more expensive than the cenotes further inland. There are many fabulous options for activities for adventurous kids from Cancun, and Playa del Carmen and Tulum. 

Cenote Azul

This cenote gets great child-friendly reviews. I believe it has a number of separate pools, plenty to swim and explore. Although it’s deep in areas, there are also shallow sections for smaller kids. Likewise, there are some great jumping spots but also some nice low entry points. Again, this is a fully open cenote, so there is no worry about taking kids down into caves that could scare them.

This is a popular cenote with locals so it can get crowded on holidays and at the weekends. It might be wise to plan accordingly.

• Facilities: Snack shop on site for human and fish food. Changing rooms. No lockers
• Life jackets: To hire.
• Bathrooms: Yes.
• Entry/Exit: Wooden platforms.
• Stairs: Not applicable as it’s an open cenote.
• Depth: 26 metres at deepest point (shallow water to the left of the walkway, deep to the right)
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): Keep the little kids to the left-hand side of the walkway for shallow water! I’d recommend life jackets here in case kids stray into the deeper areas.
• Open: 9 am – 5.30 pm
• Cost: $100
• Address: Just south of Puerto Aventuras on the 307 Signposted from the road.

Nicte Ha

I haven’t been to Nicte Ha, which is just outside Tulum, but I knew that Alina from The Happy Kid has been with her son so I asked her to tell me about it.

“Located next to the highway that links Playa del Carmen with Tulum,  Nicte Ha is a great stop after you visit Tulum ruins. It is the perfect place to refresh after walking a few hours in the sun! Nicte Ha is an open cenote, which makes it great for kids. My son hated to bathe in caves but loved this sunny cenote, full of water lilies. It is just like a lake with clear blue waters, surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation. The stairs were a bit steep and slippery and the water quite cold, but still we enjoyed swimming here.  Another great thing about Nicte Ha is that it is not that popular and  no tour buses stop here, so it is not crowded.”

• Facilities: Changing rooms but no lockers
• Life jackets: Yes
• Bathrooms: Yes
• Entry/Exit: Ground level cenote. Steps in that Alina says can get slippery
• Stairs: Not applicable.
• Depth: 8.5 m
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): For Alina, none. Better for her three-year-old than cave cenotes. There’s a rope across the water if you get tired.
• Address: Right near Dos Ojos on 307 from Tulum.
• Cost: $100 pesos.
• Open: 9 am – 4 pm.

Gran Cenote

Just outside Tulum is Gran Cenote. Despite being called “Big Cenote”, it really isn’t. It was one of the very first we visited with our kids and it wasn’t at all overwhelming for them, in fact it was perfect. We went when the kids were two and four and we were living in Tulum and studying Spanish.

We enjoyed exploring the different areas of the cenote and by the time we left here the kids were feeling brave enough to swim through the small cave-roofed over area on the right-hand side to the shallow section where they could splash around a bit more. There are guide ropes in the water here too.

The kids also enjoyed looking at the turtles on site.

• Facilities: Showers, changing rooms, lockers, snorkels and masks for hire. Small cafe on site. Nice gardens.
• Life jackets: Yes, for rent down the stairs by the cenote itself.
• Bathrooms: Yes.
• Entry/Exit: Easy via strong steps.
• Stairs: Strong and sturdy.
• Depth: 9m
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): There is one cave on the far left where it’s deep and dark. We didn’t take our kids there. We kept them to the right-hand side and had no fear factor for anyone.
• Cost: $180 pesos per person (I remember our son was measured to see if we had to pay for him or not)
• Open: 8 am – 4.45 pm
• Address: Along the 109 on the way out of Tulum towards Valladolid.

Dos Ojos

My friend Catherine is also a travel blogger. She visited Dos Ojos with her two girls when they were five and three. She agreed to give the low-down on it as a good Tulum cenote to visit with kids. You can read more about her adventures with her kids at toandfromfam.

“Dos Ojos was incredibly kid-friendly. My 3-year-old loved swimming in the cenote so much that when her teeth were eventually chattering, she tried to convince me that’s just how she sounded! She didn’t want to leave, ever. It was our first cenote experience and was a perfect one. My kids didn’t know exactly what to expect (they must have missed all the cenote pictures on Insta, haha!) and were totally wowed.

I much preferred Ojo 2 to Ojo 1, as it was bigger and – more importantly – free of vegetation. (Ojo 1 had leaves and such in it, and the rocks underfoot were kind of slimy.) I loved that the cenotes weren’t crowded, though we did go during a weekday. Entry is quite expensive, though. Make sure you’re not talked into paying for the snorkel tour, as kids really shouldn’t be going on it anyway.”

• Facilities – cafe/restaurant at the entrance
• Life jackets – provided with the entry free
• Bathrooms – yes, toilets only at the entrance – so not next to the swimming spots
• Entry/Exit  – Via stairs covered in a non-slip material
• Stairs – stairs to both cenotes were quite steep but had handrails and the stairs were covered in a non-slip material
• Depth – varied. the overall depth was deep but we could touch on some rocks, which let us rest every so often as we swam
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!) – marginal. the caves aren’t entirely enclosed, so you could see out just about the entire time. there were bats flying overhead occasionally which I thought was amazing but might scare others!
• Cost: $200 pesos per person
• Open: 9 am – 5 pm
• Address:  Cenote Jaguar Road, Quintana Roo

Caverna Los Aluxes

This is the only cenote we have visited as part of a tour. We took a tour because I don’t actually think it’s possible to get to this cenote alone. We took a (hosted) tour with Nature Reserve Indios Tours that took us through caverns and a bit of jungle to get here. It was truly a lot of fun and despite the fact that the cenote itself wasn’t big or deep (remember, my kids are cenote aficionados by now!), both claimed this was one of their favourite adventures ever. Not only did they love the trek to get to the cenote but they also really enjoyed exploring the very back of the cave cenote, something we’d never have done had we not been with a guide.

• Facilities: Basic changing room and bathroom before you start the tour
• Life jackets: Yes
• Bathrooms: As above
• Entry/Exit: Wooden steps into water from a platform
• Stairs: Down into the cafe, very safe.
• Depth: I could stand in much of the cave. Some deeper but not terribly so.
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): It’s an enclosed cave but perfectly safe.
• Cost: The whole tour was $800 pesos a person for three hours.
• Open: As part of the tour.
• Address: Tour begins in Akumal

Carwash / Aktun Ha

Now, I haven’t been to this cenote but it’s very much on my radar as a decent cenote to visit with nervous kids even though it is known that there are teeny tiny crocodiles on site!

Did I scare you? Sorry. It’s true though. There are small ones but they keep away from people.

This is an open-air cenote that used to be used by locals to wash their cars (hence the name). I read that people took their cars there to wash them because the rinsed off soap that ended up in the water always disappeared overnight. It was this occurrence that got people interested in cenotes and how they joined up underground. Just imagine, all that soap in the system and now we’re not even allowed to wear suntan lotion in there (which is obviously a good thing).

The cenote is filled with lily pads, and turtles and fish can be found.  It is sometimes referred to as a pond, so calm is the water.

• Facilities: Can dive and snorkel here too. I believe there are lockers available. No refreshments available.
• Life jackets: Yes. $20 pesos
• Bathrooms: Yes.
• Entry/Exit: Easy access.
• Stairs: Not necessary.
• Depth: Under 20m
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): Looks as if it shouldn’t be scary for anyone unless you don’t like fish or lily pads.
• Cost: $50 pesos
• Open: 9 am – 5 pm
• Address: 9 km from Tulum on the road to Coba

Zacil Ha

I haven’t visited this cenote but I have consistently seen it come up in discussions about child-friendly cenotes. I believe it can get busy and that Sundays are a good day to avoid. This is a small, completely open cenote (although it is linked with others via caves under water) that almost looks like a small swimming pool. There is a zipline above (and into) the water and a swimming pool on site too.

• Facilities: Changing rooms, small restaurant, covered areas for relaxing, even cabins should you wish to stay overnight.
• Life jackets: To hire.
• Bathrooms: Yes.
• Entry/Exit: Sturdy steps in.
• Stairs: Not applicable.
• Depth: 3 metres
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): As far as I can tell, very little but always remember that if a cenote is linked to others by underground waterways, stray currents can be unpredictable.
• Cost: $80 pesos
• Open: 10 am – 4 pm
• Address: On the 109 near Cenote Carwash.

Tips for Visiting Cenotes

• Some cenotes will ask you to shower before you enter the water in an attempt to keep the water clean. We have experienced this in a few different cenotes. Please don’t refuse!
• There is no shame in wearing a life jacket if you’re in any way unsure or nervous. I am a very strong swimmer, I was a lifeguard as a teenager and (don’t laugh) did competitive lifesaving as a sport throughout school and university yet I still choose to wear a life jacket pretty often. My reasoning is that a) I want to be absolutely certain I can handle anything my kids might need from me, and b) I don’t know this water. We always carry our own life jackets for our children too. We don’t know what will be on offer even when there are life jackets for hire and I don’t want my kids in something I don’t trust.
• Take water and snacks for after as most cenotes don’t come with an attached restaurant. Cenote swimming can be exhausting.
• If you’re interested in what’s below the surface, take a snorkel and mask. I have never been cenote diving but I imagine it’s an incredible experience given how great it is with just a snorkel.
• Take as little as possible with you if you’re going to a cenote with no lockers. There may, or may not, be anywhere to leave anything. We tend to take one tiny bag with a car key, some money and our waterproof camera. We leave the tiny bag on the side and everything else in the car.
• The water in cenotes is often incredibly deep, in fact, sometimes people don’t really know how deep. It is absolutely not safe to put little kids in rubber rings or armbands in cenotes. Well secured life jackets only. As noted above, freak drownings do happen – around one person a month drowns in a cenote in Yucatan. Please be careful. I wouldn’t let this statistic stop you from having a wonderful time, but be careful.
• As you’ll see if you scroll through any of my articles or photos about swimming, my kids are always in their Scuba Choice Life Jackets. We love them because they are very secure, there’s no way they’re coming off in the water and they can be inflated to exactly the right amount for each child and situation. Handily, they also deflate to almost nothing so they’re super easy to chuck in a bag.

What Should You Take When Visiting A Cenote?

Snorkel and Mask – please be smart and take a clear mask! So many times I’ve shown up with tinted goggles or mask and been able to see precisely zero. My family loves the all in one mask/snorkel sets, they’ve really made it easier for the kids to get to grips with snorkelling.

Water Shoes – a vital part of your packing list for a trip to a cenote. Cenotes are wild so of course can have rough or sharp rocks so foot protection is vital. Even on the beaches, water shoes can be useful since they offer some protection from sneaky rays and jellyfish.

Life Jacket – you’ll almost always be able to find life jackets for adults at cenotes and on boat tours but we like to travel with kid sized life jackets just in case there aren’t any available. We have used this particular brand for years and have always been happy with it.

Ear Spray  – cenotes are great fun but if you’re prone to ear infections (like one of my kids and my dad), an ear protector applied just before getting in can make all the difference. Once we starting using this oil spray on the kids for every cenote visit and we never had problems again.

Go-Pro – I love my Go-Pro and always take it on trips, especially when there’s water fun involved. The main drawback is the lack of flash so in darker, cave cenotes it isn’t much use but in the outdoor cenotes there is a lot of fun to be had with a Go-Pro. I bought the bundle so I got the selfie-stick and extra batteries included. I also bought a dome case, which is an utter joy to play with in the ocean and in cenotes.

Waterproof bag – if there aren’t lockers (and only the most expensive cenotes tend to have lockers) then a waterproof bag for your clothes, phones and keys is always a good idea as you know your stuff won’t get wet on the side of the cenote.