Top Things to do in Yucatan
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Yucatan, Yucatan
Discover the best top things to do in Yucatan, Yucatan Peninsula including Homun Cenotes, Xkopek Parque Apicola, Zazil Tunich, Cenote Jardin del Eden, Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun, Cenote Zaci, Cenote Ik kil, Mangroves of Dzinitun, Cenote Xkeken, X'Canche Cenote.
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. Zazil Tunich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 193 reviews
AN EXPERIENCE IN THE MAYAN UNDERWORLD Over millions of years, nature has sculpted works of art in Zazil Tunich Cave that the world can marvel at today. Twenty meters underground, a passage leads for 200 meters into the depths of the cave. Along 80 meters of the path, you’ll see stunning stalactites and stalagmites then you’ll enter XIBALBA where there is a sacred cenote with shallow, crystal-clear waters. Before you reach the pool, you’ll pass through the Crossing of the BESO MAYA (Mayan Kiss) formed by the capricious tilt of a giant stalagmite and the CUEVA DEL ALUX (Guardian of the Caves), next to the platform of the LORDS OF XIBALBA, the Mayan Underworld. You are embarking on a journey, an unforgettable experience in the Maya Underworld that is full of tranquility, mysticism and awe at nature’s creation. Caves and cenotes were holy places in Mayan mythology and considered gateways to the home of the gods.
Reviewed By Mykatravels
Our trip to Zazil Tunich was worth every penny! The tour itself provided the most historical and spiritual context I’ve encountered thus far. The cenote itself was large, with many unique formations and plenty of room to swim. Even the grounds outside of the cenote were impeccably maintained. However, the highlight was truly the staff. I was having trouble with booking online, but was able to connect with the staff through WhatsApp and they had our tour scheduled within minutes. I could’ve asked for a better all around experience, and would recommend Zazil Tunich to anyone traveling the area!
4. Cenote Jardin del Eden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
Beautiful, crystal-clear lagoon surrounded by lush rainforest and containing underwater caves: a great destination for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Reviewed By MVD68 - Somerset, Canada
My wife and I just returned from the Mayan We absolutely love this area of Mexico!!! We always try new Cenote’s when we are here. We just took our rental car from Playacar to Eden We find it’s much more relaxing then going with a tour It was very nice and actually not that busy. Very cheap if you just pull up on your own and explore I think it was like only 150-200 pesos per person It’s an open Cenote with a rock ledge to dive or jump off. Lots of fun I highly recommend going to Eden.
5. Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun
6. Cenote Zaci
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 932 reviews
Underwater cavern filled with a beautiful blue pool.
Reviewed By Go09917
Visited twice --- nice Cenote and 30 pesos entrance fee or you can enjoy a meal at the restaurant associated with the property and enter that way -- life jackets and rope safety lines if you want those, and an awesome water stream that feeds into the Cenote with water pumped from their -- very nice place to enjoy an afternoon.
7. Cenote Ik kil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,102 reviews
The cenote is open to the sky with the water level about 26 metres (85 ft) below ground level. There is a carved stairway down to a swimming platform. The cenote is about 60 metres (200 ft) in diameter and about 50 metres (164 ft) deep.There are vines which reach from the opening all the way down to the water along with small waterfalls. There are black catfish which swim in the cenote. The cenote is part of a larger complex of a restaurant, store, changing rooms, and cottages for rent. There is also a Mayan ruin on the site. Red Bull Diving Competition Ik Kil was a stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2010, 2011 and 2014
Reviewed By patriciarB5851BY - Targu Mures, Romania
We had a go at the cenote after visiting Chichen Itza și it was a welcoming relief from the heat. The water is cold and the scenery breathtaking, however there are large tourist crowds and people jumping from one of the ledges so that cuts down from the enjoyability. As for the venues built around the cenote, bathrooms, changing rooms and lockers, they are clean, well maintained and apart from the lockers free if charge. You do pay an entrance fee at the cenote, but it is worth it's price. As for the lockers, it's 30 pesos for the whole day.
8. 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
9. Cenote Xkeken
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,024 reviews
Reviewed By davidbQ4798XN - Kent, United Kingdom
The stalactites and rock formations make this cenote really special. It is entirely covered apart from a small natural window in the cave ceiling that lets in a shaft of sunlight. It wasn't too busy when we arrived around 12:30 though we may just have been lucky as it is get a little busier as we were leaving. Well worth visiting - and the entrance fee allows you access to the smaller Sumaya cenote across the road. There are a lot of souvenir shops by the entrance and people trying to sell you a photo of yourself with parrots/lizards, which made the whole thing seem very commercialised and a bit unpleasant. Push on past this and just enjoy the beauty of the cenotes.
10. X'Canche Cenote
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada
I visited Cenote X'Canche on February 29, 2020 after spending time exploring the nearby Ek Balam Ruins during the morning. The entrance for this cenote was located at the entrance to the Ek Balam Ruins, so it was perfect to pair them together for a day trip during my stay in Valladolid. I took a shared taxi from Valladolid to Ek Balam (from the corner of Calles 44 and 37). The entrance fee for the cenote (plus my bike rental) was 170 pesos and there was the option to walk, rent a bicycle or take a bicycle taxi along the 1.5 km gravel pathway to the cenote. I rented one of the colourful bicycle cruisers and began the journey. I loved cycling along the quiet path through the jungle! Upon arriving at the cenote, you could park bikes against trees and they were watched by the staff. There was an open-air changing room area, bathrooms and outdoor showers to use before entering the cenote. The cenote itself was surrounded by jungle and was a beautiful, large, deep cenote that was open to the sky. There was a very steep and narrow wooden staircase leading down into the cenote. I suggest going down backwards as it makes it a little easier and is less scary! There were spaces on the rocks along the side of the cenote to leave your belongings and there was a staff member in the cenote keeping watch. The cenote was absolutely gorgeous! The water was a beautiful turquoise colour and was so clear. There were lots of black little catfish swimming around, tree vines hanging down from the ground level into the water, and a wooden boardwalk and small bridge around the perimeter of the cenote to explore or take photos from different angles. The water was so refreshing and lovely! I visited during the morning and there was hardly anyone else there, which was amazing. There were platforms for jumping into the water (I didn't do it) and a zipline across the cenote that you could pay extra to do. Having visited many cenotes in the Yucatan during this trip and previous ones, Cenote X'Canche is definitely in my top five! Would recommend visiting here after exploring Ek Balam as the water is that much more refreshing! Getting back to Valladolid was easy and there were shared taxis waiting in the parking lot of the ruins.
