Top Things to do in Yucatan
What to do and see in Yucatan, Yucatan: The Best Caverns & Caves
Discover the best top things to do in Yucatan, Yucatan Peninsula including Homun Cenotes, Cenote Xux Ha, Zazil Tunich, Parador Ecoturistico Cenote Yaxcabaltun, Cenote San Antonio, Hacienda Chukum, Tsukan Santurio de Vida, Cenote Zaci, Grutas de Lol-Tun, Grutas de Tzabnah.
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. Cenote Xux Ha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By finesilver - Denver, United States
My tour guide took me there. I loved it. Clean, no-one really there, easy access from the road and a short hike to the entry, easy steps all the way down, a small intimate cenote, run by a local Mayan family. Quite picturesque also and a small opening above of course. Well worth seeking out and then checking out.
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. Parador Ecoturistico Cenote Yaxcabaltun
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The ecotourism parador yaxbacaltun cenote is a place that involves the coexistence with nature, making a combination of tourist activities, adapted to the environment in which it is, offering recreational activities, generating a place for harmonious and familiar coexistence itself Which seeks to promote the conservation of flora and fauna of the place.
5. Cenote San Antonio
6. Hacienda Chukum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Ricardo - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Just had a great afternoon at the cenote called Hacienda Chukum ! It is for me the best one in this area ! The cenote is just amazing ! Huge cave ! There is a zip line ! So much fun for the kids and adults ! After that there is a great buffet with local favorite Cochinita Pibil and More ! Our group of 12 was really happy with tje experience ! Richard
7. Tsukan Santurio de Vida
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By christophemS8209PQ - Aix-en-Provence, France
The place is beautifully, everything was made by the hands of the community. Very private cenote with brand news facilities: park with plants and traditional houses, showers and bathroom, floating vest, lifeguard, ... The entrance looks like an Indiana Jones movie. The place is amazing, quiet, and not crowded.
8. 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.
9. Grutas de Lol-Tun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
The largest cave in the Yucatan features Mayan cave drawings and fantastic rock formations.
Reviewed By TravelGipsy - Naples, United States
An incredible experience , beautiful grotto, stalactites and stalagmites. A guide takes you through different path sites.
