Mexico’s Riviera Maya | Cenotes & Chichen Itza

Cenotes:
Aktun Chen | Open 10a - 5p Daily
Admission: 590 Pesos or approximately $33 USD per person. Admission to the Cenote includes a locker and a guide.
This stunning Cenote is located about halfway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum and is located in Aktun Chen Park where there are several more activities available for purchase including zip lines and cave tours. The property also has a small zoo for endangered wildlife. Get there first thing in the morning and you’re sure to have the entire Cenote to yourself for a while. The road inside the property is long and not paved. You do not need 4 wheel drive, but you will need to drive slowly.
Dos Ojos | Open 9a - 5p Daily
Admission: 250 Pesos or approximately $14 USD per person. Admission to the Cenote includes access to two adjacent Dos Ojos Cenotes.
This unique Cenote is about 15 minutes north of Tulum and is located in a park that has access to several other Cenotes as well. Purchasing admittance to Dos Ojos gives you access to the two adjacent Dos Ojos Cenotes. The Second one is shaped like a large outer circle that you can swim around. The outer circle is mostly covered by the Cenote cave ceiling but the inside of the circle is completely open while the Cenote circl surrounds land. The road inside the property is also not paved, but 4 wheel drive isn’t necessary.
Cenote Calavera | Open 9a -5p Daily
Admission: 150 Pesos or approximately $8 USD per person.
This fun Cenote is located off of the 109 Highway to Valladolid about 5 minutes west of Tulum. The Cenote has several holes to jump from, a ladder and one swing. Surrounding the Cenote are plenty of lounge chairs for relaxing and sunbathing and there is a bar with drinks and snacks on the property.
Cenote Tankach-Ha | Open 9a - 8p Daily (Closed on Sunday)
Admission: 100 Pesos or approximately $5.50 USD per person.
This Cenote is about 45 minutes east of Valladolid near Coba. It is dark and deep underground and almost completely enclosed in a huge cave. There are two platforms for jumping off of including one that is nearly touching the ceiling of the cave. There are other Cenotes on the property that you can purchase access to at the main gate. The road inside the property is also not paved, but 4 wheel drive isn’t necessary.
Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman | Open 9a - 6p Daily
Admission: 150 Pesos or approximately $8 USD per person.
This Cenote is about 10 minutes outside of Valladolid. The property also has a pool and restaurant you have access to with your purchase of admittance to the Cenote. The Cenote is deep underground but has a very wide opening at the top for plenty of daylight to shine through and it is quite scenic with all the tree roots reaching down towards the freshwater below. There is a platform for jumping off of and a rope to swing and jump off from.
Playa del Carmen
5th Avenue or Quinta Ave is the bloodline of Playa del Carmen and full of restaurants, bars and shops.
Cancun
Mercado 28 is a large market of souvenir type items of every kind for sale and plenty of delicious restaurants with street style food.
Valladolid
The main square with the fountain next to the San Servacio church is a lively area great for sweet treats from local vendors in the park. There are also many restaurants, bars and shops nearby.
Chichen Itza | Open 8a - 5p Daily
Admission: 571 Pesos or approximately $32 USD per person.
Chichen Itza is about 45 minutes away from Valladolid and means “at the brim of the well where the wise men of the water live.” The ancient Mayan temples are now one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. We recommend hiring a guide to tour the grounds and teach you the rich history of the area, but wait until you are past the turnstiles to hire one because there are unofficial civilians outside of the entrance trying to sell you much more expensive guided tours at 1000 pesos. Official guides inside the attraction charge 600 pesos plus tip for their services. Without a guide we would not have understood any of the ancient petroglyphs and amazing architecture on our own.