Cenotes are spectacular but they can also be daunting and nerve-wracking if you haven’t seen one before. They’re an unknown quantity, they’re magical, they are a place of calm and rejuvination. The ancient Maya thought of them as entrances to the underworld. Today, cenotes are a popular attraction for tourists, there are multiple tours and experiences on offer; you can camp by cenotes, eat traditional food at cenotes, dive the cenotes and even kayak in them.

If you’re exploring Yucatán, you may be wondering what you need take with you when visiting cenotes, especially if you’ve never been to one before.

Let me help you with this: my family and I visited our first cenote in 2016 when our kids were two and four years old. We’d heard about cenotes but really didn’t know much about them, what they were, if they were suitable for kids or even us. We took a leap of faith (also known as a tour!) and headed to our first cenote and since then, we’ve never looked back. We’ve visited as many cenotes across Yucatán as we possibly can and I like to think I’ve become something of a cenote expert!

Mexico Cassie’s Cenote articles for all your cenote needs

➡️ Cenotes to visit from Mérida

➡️ Cenotes to visit from Valladolid

➡️ Cenotes to visit from Izamal

➡️ The best cenotes to visit after Chichén Itzá

➡️ The best cenotes for nervous swimmers / children

➡️ The best cenote tours from Mérida

➡️ The best cenotes to visit in Homun & Cuzama

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What to take when Visiting a Cenote

So what should you pack for your cenote tour or day trip? Obviously, I’m not going to insult you by reminding you to pack your swim suit and towel as clearly, you’re not an idiot. My list assumes that you’ve already put your swimming stuff in the bag.

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

🤿 Snorkel and Mask/Goggles

TOP TIP: Be sure that your mask/goggles are clear because when it’s dark underwater (as cenotes tend to be), you won’t see a thing with tinted goggles.

Some locations have masks for rent, but most do not so if you’re at all interested in what’s going on below the surface of the cenote, take masks with you. We all own full-face snorkel and masks that we bought when we swam with whale sharks in Cancun. They have been fabulous for cenote expeditions.

🩴 Water Shoes

Most of the fully open cenotes and some cave cenotes are reached by walking down wooden steps. Others are reached by walking over rocky ground. Many people prefer to wear shoes to walk around a cenote but then you’re always looking for somewhere to leave your shoes while you swim. Water shoes are the perfect solution. I’m a bit of a fan of quick-drying water shoes that I can also wear as regular shoes rather than the old-school water shoes.

📸 Go-Pro or Underwater Camera

I generally take most photos on my Samsung phone these days because the quality is phenomenal. Whil I know most phones are waterproof but I’m still not willing to take my expensive camera-phone into water deliberately. I own both an Olympus Waterproof Camera and a Go-Pro that I can use in water. Both are good in their own way although I do love the accessories that come with the Go-Pro (I have the funny dome thing that lets you take in-and-out water photos, it’s so fun).

TOP TIP: If you’re going to be in cave cenotes that aren’t well lit then I highly recommend buying this add-on Go-Pro flash because the Go-Pro generally is an outdoor camera and doesn’t do so well without oodles of light. This fixes the problem right up.

 

🛟 Life Jacket

Not everyone needs or wants a life jacket at a cenote but I’m guessing many do.

✅ Children should be in life jackets around cenotes.

❌ Armbands, floaties and rubber-rings are not safe in cenotes.

It really is necessary for children to use life jackets. When our kids were smaller we always carried our own life jackets for them as we couldn’t be sure cenotes would have anything to fit them. Now they’re bigger we’re not so worried. By 2023, the vast majority of cenotes you’ll visit alone or on a tour will provide life jackets.

📌 If your children (or you) are at all nervous about cenotes then check out this article about small or gentle cenotes.

The Don’t Forgets

📌👂🏽 Ear Protection

Swimming in cenotes is incredible but the water isn’t always entirely bacteria free. After a few ear infections we discovered Earol, an oil based spray that protects the inner ear. We spray it in everyone’s ears before swimming and we haven’t had an ear infection in the family in years.

📌 💦 Water bottle

Seriously, anywhere you go in Yucatan, you need to have water with you. It is incredibly hot here. I’ve already drunk about four litres of water just sitting in the shade, under a fan, writing this article today.

My family loves to use our Contigo bottles.

Few of the more remote cenotes have restaurants or cafes attached so it’s important to ensure you have water with you. We often also take a cooler with ice and other drinks if we’re out for an entire day.

📌🎒 Waterproof Bag

If there aren’t lockers (and only the more 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.

📌💰 Cash

Because cenotes aren’t free. There’s always a charge, whether it’s $150 pesos at a big and well-maintained cenote like Santa Barbara near Homun or $30 pesos for a barely visited cenote like Koh-Mozon close to the Mayapan archaeological site. Cards will not be accepted at the non-touristy sites.

📌🥨 Snacks

Because cenote swimming can be tiring and many cenotes don’t come with nearby food options. Seriously, you’ll thank me as you snarf down apples and chips.

Now Where Are The Cenotes?

🗺 Cenotes near Mérida are often more relaxed and are very often cave cenotes

🗺 Cenotes near Valladolid are often more expensive and more majestic, looking like the cenote you might see on Instagram – those full open cenotes with huge long vines hanging down into the water. There are specific cenotes that people tend to visit when at Chichén Itzá.

🗺 Over in Quintana Roo the cenotes are generally open but not deep cenotes.

Wherever you are though, the cenotes are bound to block your socks off and offer you an experience you’ll never forget.

I hope you’ve found this article useful. Do leave me a comment to tell me about your favourite cenote. And if you’ve enjoyed it, please do share on social media and even maybe use the paypal button below to buy me a coffee or shot of tequila!.