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 natural sinkhole 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!

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 and even turtles, others not.

Other MexicoCassie cenote articles

How to visit cenotes with kids

You know your kids best; you know what they’ll be able to handle. In 2016, my not yet swimming 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! However, here are some important things to know before you go:

⚠️ Cenotes are not swimming pools. They are a natural phenomenon. If a cenote is not open to the public, do not swim in it. It is not yet fully understand how cenotes are linked to each other via a complex system of underground rivers across the Peninsula but it is clear that the currents can, and do, move water through these systems.

People can 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 is 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, approximately one person a year dies in a cenote.

🛟 Unless kids can stand absolutely everywhere in a cenote, they should be wearing a life jacket. It is absolutely not safe to put little kids in rubber rings or armbands in cenotes.

👂🏽 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, we never had problems again.

Best cenotes to visit with kids

Best cenotes for kids around Mérida

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 (note that in 2026 Mayapan site remains closed to visitors).

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
• Open: Daytime as long as there is someone there to open it for you
• Address: Plaza of Telchaquillo

Cenote Santa Cruz

This is one of the Homún cenote circle cenotes and it’s a great spot for a day’s adventuring with kids.

Not only is there a small cave cenote here, but you can also enjoy playing on the ziplines, rent quad bikes, have a good meal and even have a temazcal, a traditional Mexican sauna experience. There are also cabins for rent should you wish to stay the night.

• 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
• 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

Cenote San Antonio is also in Homún. This is a slightly larger cenote where you can also rent a kayak and have some fun paddling around (photo above is not of San Antonio, it’s Sac Aua near Valladolid but I don’t have a good photo of San Antonio).

This cenote starts with a gentle shallow slope and gets deeper towards the back. There is also a second section that’s only accessible by swimming through a small and narrow channel. 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

Cenote Chulul

Also in Homún, 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 ancient handprints on the cave wall.

Our kids noticed that there are three pools in this cenote although one is not accessible to swimmers. 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

Santa Barbara

The famous Santa Barbara site has four cenotes open to visitors. These 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.

Kids love the horse drawn carriage ride between the cenotes and the entrance (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. cenotes. The fourth cenote 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 where there are 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. The water is a maximum of 10m deep in this fully closed cenote.

Cenote Chaksikín is much bigger and has more swimming space and a wonderful jumping platform. 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 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
• Open: 9 am – 6 pm
• Address: On the way to Homún, just past Cozumá on the right-hand side

El Corchito

This is 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. It’s also possible to rent kayaks from here.

Cenote Xlacah: Dzibilchaltun – in 2026 this cenote remains closed

Located just outside Mérida, the archaeological site of Dzibilchaltun has a small, fully exposed, cenote on site. This used to be the closest swimmable cenote to Mérida but it looks unlikely that the cenote will be opened for swimming again.

Best cenotes for kids around Valladolid

→ You can read more about this magnificent beauty in the MexicoCassie guide to cenotes near Valladolid

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, basic 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
• Open: 9 am – 5 pm
• Calle 39, centro

Cenote 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. 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 Cenote Ik-Kil). Older kids will particularly love this cenote as it’s good for jumping.

• Facilities: restaurant, changing rooms, play area, pool
• 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
• Open: 9 am – 6 pm
• Address: Calle 20, Yokdzonot

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.
• 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
• Depth: 35 metres at its deepest
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): Higher than anywhere else on this list due to depth
• 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 the older children for sure.
• 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 (Coba)

This was my family’s very first cenote when the kids were two and four. We visited it after enjoying a few hours at 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 is 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
• 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.

Cenote Azul

This cenote gets great child-friendly reviews. 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
• Address: Just south of Puerto Aventuras on the 307 Signposted from the road

Cenote Nicte Ha

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. It is just like a lake with clear blue waters and lillies everywhere, surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation. The stairs can be a bit steep and slippery and the water quite cold for little ones. 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 can get slippery
• Stairs: Not applicable
• Depth: 8.5 m
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): None. There’s a rope across the water if you get tired
• Address: Right near Cenote Dos Ojos on 307 from Tulum
• Open: 9 am – 4 pm.

Gran Cenote

Just outside Tulum you’ll find Gran Cenote. This 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. Keep to the right-hand side and had no fear factor for anyone
• Open: 8 am – 4.45 pm
• Address: Along the 109 on the way out of Tulum towards Valladolid

Cenote Dos Ojos

^{Photo taken by Catherine and used with permission}

“Dos Ojos is 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.” (Catherine’s account of visiting with her little kids)

As you might expect, there are 2 cenotes, here, Ojo 1 and Ojo 2! Ojo 2 is bigger and – more importantly – free of vegetation. (Ojo 1 had leaves and such in it, and the rocks underfoot were kind of slimy.) 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!
• 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. Both my kids 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.
• Open: As part of the tour.
• Address: Tour begins in Akumal

Carwash Cenote / Aktun Ha

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. The cenote is filled with lily pads, and turtles and small fish can be found here too. 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
• Bathrooms: Yes
• Entry/Exit: Easy access
• Stairs: Not necessary
• Depth: Under 20m
• Fear Factor (for parents and kids!): None unless you don’t like fish or lily pads
• Open: 9 am – 5 pm
• Address: 9 km from Tulum on the road to Coba

Cenote 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
• Open: 10 am – 4 pm
• Address: On the 109 near Cenote Carwash

General 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!

🍿 Take water and snacks for after as many cenotes don’t have an attached restaurant. Cenote swimming can be exhausting.

🤿 If you’re interested in what’s below the surface, take your snorkel gear (ensure your mask is clear or it’ll be hard to see what’s under the water).

🎒 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 waterproof 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.

🛟 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.

🩴 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.

📸 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.