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Cenote Maya

Cenote Maya: Our most recommended tours and activities

Valladolid: Cenote Maya Native Park Admission Ticket

1. Valladolid: Cenote Maya Native Park Admission Ticket

Spend 2.5 thrilling and adventure-filled hours at the Cenote Maya Native Park. Descend into the region’s most impressive cenote which reaches 60 m (196 feet) in diameter with an almost perfect circular shape. Admire the stunning crystal-clear waters and geological formations which make this swimming hole a great natural jewel. Ascend from the underworld through a tunnel or use the large wooden staircase. Take part in optional included adventure activities including swimming, diving, traversing "trepachanga" (ropes),  swinging on Tarzan-style vines, and rappeling down 26 m (85 feet) into the water.  After that, participate in an authentic Mayan ritual. Delve into the natural world and witness a blessing ceremony carried out by a Mayan shaman of the community and scented by copal, a tree resin used for incense. Finally, enjoy a traditional meal made with organic orchard supplies and handmade tortillas.

From Riviera Maya: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

2. From Riviera Maya: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

Explore the archaeological site of Ek Balam, a top regional attraction that has been recently restored. You’ll also visit the mysterious Cenote Maya, a natural pool that features beautiful rock formations. Your full-day tour begins at the Cenote Maya Park, where you’ll descend into the region’s most impressive cenote by a large wooden staircase built using ancient Maya techniques. Experience a range of optional adventures at the park, such as swimming in the cenote, diving, rappelling, swinging on a Tarzan vine, and more. Visit a small, colorful handicraft market, where your purchases of locally made items benefit Maya artisans. See a Mayan ritual, and be part of an authentic blessing ceremony performed by a shaman. Enjoy a Mayan buffet of traditional dishes such as lime soup, chaya tamales, beans, vegetables, rice, chicken, handmade tortillas, fruits, and flavored water. Next on the itinerary is visit to the Ek Balam site. Dating from the 11th century, this is one of the most impressive ceremonial centers of the Yucatan peninsula. Admire the temples and plazas and unique high-relief sculptures.

From Cancún: Chichén Itzá & Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

3. From Cancún: Chichén Itzá & Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

Start your day with pick up from your hotel in the Riviera Maya or Cancun between 6 AM-7:30 AM. After arriving at Chichen Itza between 9:30-10:00 AM, start your 2-hour and 15-minute tour of the archaeological site. The name, Chichen Itza means “water well of the Itzan people” and it was the capital of the Maya area and its most revered center of worship. Walk through remarkable buildings and get detailed explanations provided by your expert guide during the tour. Arrive at Cenote Maya Native Park at approximately 1:30 PM and spend approximately 2.5 hours in the park.  Visit and refresh yourself at Cenote Maya and descend into the region’s most impressive cenote. Its crystal-clear waters and geological formations make it an impressive natural jewel. Ascend from the underworld through a tunnel or use the large wooden staircase.   Optional activities include swimming, diving, and rappelling. Delve into the natural wonders and participate in an authentic ceremony of blessings carried out by a Maya shaman. Enjoy a traditional menu made with organic orchard supplies and handmade tortillas. At the end of the day, relax with drop-off back at your hotel at approximately 6:30-7:00 PM.  

From Quintana Roo: Ek Balam Mayan Ruins and Cenote Day Trip

4. From Quintana Roo: Ek Balam Mayan Ruins and Cenote Day Trip

Take a day trip to the Ek Balam Mayan ruins and explore its impressive structures. Experience a spiritual Mayan ceremony and enter a cenote, sacred to Mayan culture. Rappel and slackline through geological formations and swim in picturesque waters. Depart from your hotel in Cancún or Riviera Maya and head to Ek Balam, an ancient Mayan complex thought to be a sacred city. Visit the "White House of Reading," constructed by the Maya ruler Ukit Kan Le'k Tok'. View its symbolism with themes relating to the underworld. Experience a shaman-led Mayan ceremony to ask for permission to go inside the cenote. Enter the cenote and enjoy activities such as rappelling, slacklining, or swimming. Have fun with Tarzan-like vines and cool off in crystalline waters.

From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

5. From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

Visit the ruins of Ek Balam and explore the incomparably beautiful Cenote Maya. Join us on this unforgettable journey that explores the natural beauty and intriguing history of the Yucatan. Start your day with a visit to Cenote Maya, the largest naturally-covered cenote on the Yucatan Peninsula and enjoy swimming in, zip lining over and rappelling into its crystal clear waters surrounded by hundreds of ancient rock formations. Learn about the Maya traditions of this region as you participate in a traditional Maya ceremony, stroll through their fruit & vegetable orchards and visit a typical Maya house. Savor some delicious regional food, including our famous “chayitas” and freshly flavored water drinks. After your visit to this unique place, enjoy a guided tour to Ek Balam, considered the intellectual center of the ancient Maya. Enjoy a guided tour that visits the chapel, Oval Palace and ballcourt. Wrap up this fun-filled day with a climb to the top of the amazing Acropolis temple from which you will be able to view an endless sea of subtropical rainforest. ITINERARY - FULL DAY TOUR Arrival at NativePark Yucatan (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes in this site). - Maya orchard visit - Rappel (optional) - Rope activities (optional) - Zip line (optional) - Cenote swim - Maya ceremony Transfer to and arrival at the archaeological site of Ek Balam (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in this site). - Guided tour - Free time Please note that the order of these activities may vary due to daily logistical planning.

Other Sightseeing Options in Cenote Maya

Want to discover all there is to do in Cenote Maya? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Cenote Maya

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 39 reviews

This was a great tour! Our guide, Eli Eduardo, was very knowledgeable and professional. Things didn’t feel rushed, although I wish we had more time at the Cenote. It is the experience of a life time. Ideally you would do Ek Balam before the Maya Cenote because it would be nice to refresh in the cool water after walking around the ruins and before the long drive home. Be prepared to drive for a while, it is worth it. A note to the tour operators: consider breaking the drive back from Ek Balam up with a stop somewhere for people to stretch their legs and get a drink. A note to tourists: you have to drive a similar if not longer distance to get anywhere so this trip really isn’t much different than others you might do in the area. Book it, you won’t be disappointed!

We were first in EkBalam - where we looked at the Maya temples and were also allowed to go up (which is no longer a matter of course) - great view from the top too. After that we went to the cenote, where we had a ritual with a kind of "shaman" and then we could either walk into the cenote or rappel down from above. In the cenote itself there was also a zipline - so all in all a unique experience that we can only recommend. Then there was a great lunch on site before we started our way back.

Pepe was an excellent guide, very passionate about the history and local cultural traditions. He was considerate when answering our questions and was genuinely having fun along with us. Great guide, and the driver was excellent as well! We never felt rushed, able to experience the sites fully.

Amazing trip!! Chichen itza was brilliant and the mayan cenote experience was incredible! 100% recommend. A lot of driving to and from areas so be prepared

It was a great day . Pepe looked after us perfectly throughout the day and we had a lot of fun! An unforgettable experience.