Top Things to do in Yucatan
10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Yucatan That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Yucatan, Yucatan Peninsula including Homun Cenotes, Xkopek Parque Apicola, Earth Connection Center, Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun, Mangroves of Dzinitun, Parque Natural Ria Lagartos, Granja de Cocodrilos Itzamkanac, Manglares de San Crisanto, Cenote Agua Dulce, Cenote Palomitas.
Restaurants in Yucatan
1. Homun Cenotes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada
I visited five amazing and unique lesser known cenotes in the town of Homun which is an area of the Yucatan known for its many cenotes. I didn't use a tour to go here and just figured out a DIY version on my own, which was a fun adventure in itself! I started off by taking a colectivo van from Merida to Homun, which took around an hour to arrive. The colectivos were located on Calle 67 across from the Noreste Bus Terminal. The drivers were often yelling out Homun, so just confirm with the driver that this is where they are going before getting in. The one-way ride was around 30 pesos. I had told the driver that I wanted to see cenotes, so he dropped me off on the edge of town at the corner of Calle 19 and the Restaurante El Cenote. I followed the gravel road a short ways which led to two beautiful cenotes (Cenote Pool Uinic and Cenote Tza-Ujun-Kat), which appeared to be located on a local family's property. The family came out and was eager to show me to the first cenote - Cenote Uinic - as I was their first visitor of the day. The mother of the family led me down a gravel pathway which led to the entrance of the cenote. There was a small hole in the ground with a large tree growing out of it and the entrance to the cenote was down a steep set of stairs down a second small hole. The stairs led to an open area with a few more steps leading further down to the completely closed cenote in a small cave area with a small pool of crystal clear freshwater to swim in! It was absolutely beautiful and so refreshing. The second that I visited, Cenote Tza-Ujun-Kat, was located directly across the road from the first one. The stairs led to a large circular platform in the cenote that was surrounded by water. In the centre of the platform were tropical plants and trees reaching up to the small hole above them in the rock ceiling. I once again found myself alone in this cenote and it was lovely! There were lots of stalactites hanging from the rock ceiling here. After visiting these two cenotes, I found a few moto-taxis (half motorcycle on the back and small cart with bench on the front) waiting along the main road and I hired one to take me on a tour of three more cenotes. The cost was 250 pesos for the local to drive me to the cenotes and wait while I swam, which I thought was pretty reasonable. The final three cenotes that I visited - Cenote Canchunen, Cenote Bal-Mil and Cenote Hool Kosom - were all located along the same bumpy gravel road just outside of Homun, about a 10 minute drive on the moto-taxi. My driver played fun upbeat music on his stereo as we bounced along through the jungle to these off the beaten path, hidden cenotes. All three cenotes were close to one another and they were all partially closed cenotes, with only a small hole at the top. The entrance for all of them was 35 pesos. Accessing these cenotes consisted of a steep metal staircase through a small hole in the ground to a rocky platform at the bottom. Each cenote was very quiet and there were only a couple of locals there when I visited. It was almost a completely private experience which was great! I loved how these cenotes were not built up for tourism at all and they maintained a natural, authentic, simple and rugged feel. Each of these cenotes was beautiful and unique. I loved swimming in all of them. Cenote Hool Kosom was my favourite though, as it had interesting white rock on the walls of the cenote with small holes scattered throughout. It was absolutely the most stunning! The cost to enter each cenote ranged in price from 25-35 pesos (super cheap). This was in addition to the cost of the moto-taxi guide. After my tour of these cenotes, my moto-taxi driver dropped me off at the colectivo stop in the centre of Homun (across from the main plaza on the main road through town), where there were benches for waiting. I didn't have to wait long before a van showed up and brought me back to Merida for another 30 pesos. Overall, I felt safe in Homun as a solo female traveler on this DIY adventure. Homun is a very peaceful and friendly town and the locals are proud of their cenotes and eager to show them to you. I would highly recommend visiting some of the many cenotes in and around Homun! It's an easy day trip from Merida that you can do on your own without a tour. This is a really authentic and off the beaten path adventure, as these cenotes have a more natural feel which I loved.
2. Xkopek Parque Apicola
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 188 reviews
Xkopek, a natural area, is located just 10 blocks south of the historic center of Valladolid, offers experiences, products and services that arouse the visitors interest in the fascinating world of bees. The Mysticism of a natural Rejoyada immerses visitors in the culture and tradition of the people of the Mayab. Store honey, Mayan cuisine, apiculture tour, museum, farm, camping area... Daily Bee tour at 10 am.
Reviewed By 823maryannem
After a morning at Chichen Itza, I took this one-hour tour in the afternoon. Gerardo was a fantastic English-speaking guide. He talked about the plants and trees, the birds, the dry cenote and its bees, the roles these all played in traditional Mayan culture... We saw bees in the dry cenote and in the more usual boxes. Then we finished with a honey tasting and learning about the various medicinal things created by the bees. The medicines and honeys are all sold there too. Don't forget lots of bug spray, as the mosquitoes are voracious in the cenote. A phenomenal education!!
3. Earth Connection Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Eco-Tours - 2 hour tour then a swim in the private Cenote Tsunul and then Lunch at Mother Earth’s Restaurant: Spirit Warrior Package Mx$ 590, US$ 33 • Introduction to Meditation • Walking meditation and nature connection exercises • Seeing the sacred • Meditation at a sacred archeological site Cacao Workshop Mx$ 590, US$ 33 Learn to prepare Sacred Cacao and make Chocolate! Eco-Solo Packages: $95 Private Cenote and access to Nature and Archeological Trails $220 Camping in the Jungle! Bring your own tent or rent one of ours! $50 single tent, $150 double tent Mother Earth’s Kitchen $95 homemade vegetarian meals Deep Relaxation Therapy Mx$500/hr, US$28/hr Using a combination of healing modalities takes you deeply into a relaxed state where your body will heal itself. Reiki Restorative Yoga Meditation Massage Yoga Nidra Ashtanga Yoga Martial Arts Fb EarthConnectionCenter
4. Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun
5. Mangroves of Dzinitun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Reviewed By JKozma86
With my girlfriend we took the kayak tour through the mangroves and our guide was Eliseo. Eliseo is a local and very knowledgeable about the whole area. He was one of the people involved in the restoration of the whole mangrove. 15 years there was a lot less of the mangrove and through the hard work done by Eliseo and others, the mangrove is healthy and flourishing, with tons of birds and other wildlife. Very impressive!! Went we went, there were unfortunately no flamingos to see, but through clear and prompt communication with Jose we were aware of this beforehand. The kayak tour took a little bit more than an hour and Eliseo spotted lots of birds for us (incl. an owl [we were apparently lucky to see one], an eagle that caught a snake, woodpecker and others). Going through the mangroves was very fascinating and once we were out in the open we had a bit of a workout as the wind was against us. But we did not mind one bit :) Overall, good fun, very insightful and definitely worth a visit!! Eliseo also gave us some tips on a nature park in the area as well as great restaurant in the area
6. Parque Natural Ria Lagartos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 548 reviews
Reviewed By ruthwV7218UB - Winnipeg, Canada
it was a sight to behold! all the flamingos !! the pink lake was awesome we stopped many times along the drive to see other birds like the Yucatan Wren .. wow.. what a cute bird! love the song our guide, Joel, was excellent !! if you're looking for a guide - send him an email - [email protected]
7. Granja de Cocodrilos Itzamkanac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By 987anao - Ljubljana, Slovenia
This was a unique experience. The staff is extremely helpful and keen about their work. You get a chance to see the whole life cycle of crocodiles, hold a baby crocodile and feed the big ones from the close distance or even touch them. It is a little bit difficult to find them because navigation doesn't find this address. You need to look for UMA - cocodril.
8. Manglares de San Crisanto
9. Cenote Agua Dulce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By nathanbluetree - Seattle, United States
We stumbled upon this while on a route to Coba ruins but got off track. So glad we did! This cenote is incredible and hardly anyone there. Be SURE To go early in the day though... maybe 10-noon is ok as the light streaming through is key for photos and the vibe. Friendly staff and easy parking/walk to cenote. Looks like they are building up a lot of structures for more of an adventure park soon.
10. Cenote Palomitas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By Melco360 - Switzerland, null
When we visited the place we had it for ourselves, what an experience! It is really a place worth a visit and spending time.
