Captivating Cenotes of Riviera Maya

Ancient Mayan ruins. Lush jungles with exotic inhabitants. Miles of stunning white sand beaches. Crystal-clear tourmaline waters. These are just some of the many enchanting features of Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

But one of our favorite things to do in this area of the Yucatan is to explore its mystical, magical cenotes, numbering in the thousands and ranging from tiny to massive. Each time we travel here, we add at least one more.

Sacred to the ancient Mayans, cenotes (cen-o-tays) means sacred wells. These rare geological freshwater caves and sinkholes formed thousands of years ago when collapsed limestone exposed underground reservoirs. These were a critical source of water especially during times of drought. They were also believed to be secret entrances to the underworld. But whatever they represent culturally and spiritually to Mayans past and present, to those of us blessed to visit them, they are magnificent, awe-inspiring, and utterly unforgettable.

Having a local guide like Eduardo Gonzalez from Experience Mexico Tours makes all the difference, providing the opportunity to explore private cenotes visitors would otherwise never have access to. 

Here are some of our favorites located in the vicinity of the Yucatan city of Tulum and its Mayan ruins.

Dos Ojos

Translated as “Two Eyes,” this unique cenote nestled in a nature preserve is shaped like a pair of goggles connecting into a large cavern that’s part of one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world. The crystal-clear azure waters are refreshingly cool and pure, creating the perfect setting for cave diving and snorkeling. Calm waters are ideal for swimming and its dry cave area is fun to explore.

Yax-Muul

Even before entering this cenote in a nature park, guests must partake in a Mayan ceremony requesting the gods to bless our visit. The plays of light in these waters are stunning from outside openings allowing the jungle’s exotic birds to flit in and out of the cenote that winds its way through a series of caverns, each one more fascinating than the last. Stalagmites and stalactites here are so impressive, it’s hard to describe their grandeur.

The water is crystalline, cool, and fresh reflecting a variance of blues and greens against stone backgrounds. The cenote is especially popular with scuba divers who come to further explore its deepest caverns.  

Nohoch Nah Chich

The Mayan name of this stunning cenote means “giant bird cage” and it’s an absolute perfect moniker as birds and bats have made this cavern their home. Birds build nests into the limestone ceiling, and it’s absolutely fascinating. Jungle-y vines have made their way into cavern openings.

One of the most beautiful underwater cave systems, it’s located on private land. We entered the cenote through clear multi-hued waters with our guide, then headed to darker areas in the rear the cavern lit only by flashlight. Even National Geographic Diver has featured this cenote in their magazine. We clearly understood why after our amazing exploration here. 

After our cenote adventures, our group of friends all said we can’t wait for our next trip to Riviera Maya, if for no other reason than having the chance to explore another of its mystical, magical cenotes with their underground sacred rivers.