Are there cenotes near Mérida?

Yes — there are dozens of cenotes within 1-2 hours of Mérida. The most famous are the Cuzamá circuit (55 km south), where horse-drawn carts take you to 3 underground cenotes, and the hacienda cenotes at Hacienda Mucuyché and San Lorenzo Oxman. Dzibilchaltún ruins (16 km from Mérida) also has a swimmable cenote right on site.

How do I get to Cuzamá cenotes from Mérida?

From Mérida, take a colectivo to Acanceh (25 MXN, 45 min) then a shared taxi to Cuzamá village (20 MXN), or take a direct tour from Mérida. At Cuzamá, horse-drawn cart drivers wait at the entrance — the standard circuit covers 3 cenotes (Chelentún, Chacsinikché, and Bolonchojol) for 400-500 MXN total per cart (fits up to 4 people). The cart ride takes 2-3 hours total.

What is the best cenote day trip from Mérida?

The Cuzamá horse cart circuit is the most unique cenote experience near Mérida — narrow limestone caves, rope ladders, and no crowds compared to Valladolid cenotes. For ease, the Dzibilchaltún cenote is only 16 km away and combines with excellent Mayan ruins and a small museum. For hacienda atmosphere, Hacienda Mucuyché pairs a beautiful 17th-century estate with 4 swimmable cenotes.

Do I need reef-safe sunscreen at Mérida cenotes?

Yes — all cenotes in Yucatán state legally require biodegradable (reef-safe) sunscreen. Standard chemical sunscreen containing oxybenzone is banned. Most cenotes sell biodegradable alternatives at the entrance if you don't have any. This applies to all cenotes including Cuzamá, Dzibilchaltún, and the hacienda cenotes.

Can I visit Mérida cenotes without a car?

Yes — the Cuzamá circuit is reachable by colectivo from Mérida's central bus station to Acanceh, then a shared taxi to Cuzamá. Dzibilchaltún ruins and cenote is accessible by taxi (150-200 MXN one way) or organized tour. Hacienda cenotes are harder without a car — most require a private transfer or organized tour. Renting a car gives you access to all options in a single day.

Are Mérida cenotes worth it vs Valladolid cenotes?

Mérida cenotes offer a different experience — the Cuzamá horse cart circuit is genuinely unique in all of Mexico, with narrow cave openings and a local village atmosphere impossible to find in Valladolid. Valladolid's cenotes (Suytun, Xkekén, Samulá) are more polished and easier to visit without a car. If you're based in Mérida, Cuzamá is worth the half-day; if you have a car, combining Uxmal with hacienda cenotes makes an excellent full day.

Best Cenotes Near Mérida 2026: Cuzamá, Cepeda & Day-Trip Guide

Mérida sits on one of the world’s largest systems of underground rivers. The entire Yucatán Peninsula is honeycombed with cenotes — freshwater sinkholes that collapsed to reveal underground pools. Within 90 minutes of Mérida, you’ll find everything from narrow cave cenotes reached by rope ladder to open-air hacienda pools on 17th-century estates.

This guide covers the 8 best cenotes near Mérida with 2026 entry fees, honest transport instructions, and day-trip combinations that make the most of your time.

At a Glance: 8 Best Cenotes Near Mérida

Cenote	Distance	Type	Entry 2026	Best For
Cuzamá Circuit (3 cenotes)	55 km	Cave (underground)	400–500 MXN/cart	Unique horse-cart adventure
Cenote Xlacah (Dzibilchaltún)	16 km	Open-air	95 MXN (ruins+cenote)	Easy + ruins combo
Hacienda Mucuyché	60 km	Open-air + cave	300–500 MXN	Hacienda atmosphere, 4 cenotes
Cenote San Antonio Mulix	45 km	Cave	100 MXN	Pristine, less visited
Cenotes 360°	65 km	Cave + open-air circuit	150–200 MXN	Multi-cenote loop near Cuzamá
Cenote Yokdzonot	85 km	Open-air	60 MXN	Community-run, very affordable
Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman	160 km	Open-air (hacienda)	150 MXN	Near Valladolid, day-trip extension
Cenote Tzabnah (Tekax)	105 km	Cave	50 MXN	Off-the-beaten-path

1. Cuzamá Horse Cart Circuit — The Most Unique Cenote Experience in Yucatán

Underground cave cenote at Cuzamá Yucatan, accessible by horse-drawn cart on old railway tracks

Distance from Mérida: 55 km south (1 hour by car, 1.5 hours by colectivo + shared taxi) Entry: 400–500 MXN per cart (holds up to 4 people) — negotiated with the driver at the village Hours: Daily 8 AM – 4 PM (last cart departure ~3 PM) Best time: Weekday mornings, November–April for best light and water clarity

The Cuzamá cenote circuit is unlike any other cenote experience in Mexico. Horse-drawn carts run along old henequén plantation railway tracks, through jungle and sisal fields, to three underground cenotes — Chelentún, Chacsinikché, and Bolonchojol. You descend into each by wooden ladder or rope, swim in cool underground chambers, then ride back to try the next one.

This isn’t polished tourism. The village is small, the experience is genuinely local, and you’ll likely have the cenotes to yourself on a weekday morning.

The three cenotes:

Chelentún — Deep open-well cenote, natural light shaft, excellent for swimming
Chacsinikché — Cave cenote with tight entry, dramatic rock formations
Bolonchojol — Most remote, clearest water, worth the extra 15-minute cart ride

How to get there:

By car: Drive south on Highway 18 to Acanceh, then follow signs to Cuzamá village. 55 km, 1 hour. Park at the village entrance (free).
By colectivo: From Mérida’s Noreste terminal, take a colectivo to Acanceh (25 MXN, 45 min). From Acanceh, take a shared taxi to Cuzamá village (20 MXN, 20 min). Total ~45 MXN each way.
By tour: Full-day tours from Mérida including Cuzamá + Uxmal cost 800–1,200 MXN per person from most Mérida tour operators.

What the price covers: The 400–500 MXN per cart is the full cart cost — negotiate at the village entrance with the cart drivers who wait there. One cart holds 4 people comfortably. Split between 4 people, it’s 100–125 MXN each — excellent value for a 2.5–3 hour experience. Life vests included.

What to bring: Biodegradable sunscreen (required), water shoes (slippery steps), cash only (no card readers in the village).

2. Cenote Xlacah at Dzibilchaltún Ruins — Easiest Cenote Near Mérida

Cenote Xlacah at Dzibilchaltún archaeological ruins near Mérida Yucatán, crystal clear swimming

Distance from Mérida: 16 km north (20–25 minutes by car or taxi) Entry: 95 MXN total — includes Dzibilchaltún ruins, the small INAH museum, and the cenote. No separate cenote fee. Hours: Daily 8 AM – 5 PM

Cenote Xlacah is right inside Dzibilchaltún archaeological site — you can swim in an ancient Maya sacred cenote while exploring 4,500-year-old ruins around you. The cenote is 44 meters deep (18 meters visible, the rest drops to dark), warm, and clear year-round.

Dzibilchaltún is also famous for its equinox alignment: on the spring equinox (around March 21), sunrise light passes perfectly through the doorway of the Temple of the Seven Dolls. If you’re visiting in late March, this makes an early-morning double experience.

What makes it special: Only 16 km from Mérida’s city center — closer than many Cancún hotel zones. Combine with ruins exploration, the INAH museum (7 Mayan figurines found at the site, unusual for the region), and the swim in a single 3-hour visit.

How to get there:

Taxi: 150–200 MXN from central Mérida, 20 minutes
Car: Head north on Highway 261 toward Progreso, take the Dzibilchaltún turnoff (well signed)
Tour: Most Mérida city tours include Dzibilchaltún as a stop

What to know: The cenote is large enough for a proper swim but not ideal for snorkeling — visibility drops off quickly. The ruins circuit takes 45–60 minutes. Good café on site.

3. Hacienda Mucuyché — 4 Cenotes on a Working Henequén Estate

Open-air cenote at historic Hacienda Mucuyché Yucatán with colonial building in background

Distance from Mérida: 60 km east (1 hour by car) Entry: 300–500 MXN depending on access level (cenotes only vs. full hacienda tour) Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM Best for: Couples, families, those who want atmosphere over adventure

Hacienda Mucuyché is a beautifully restored 17th-century henequén estate with four distinct cenotes on the grounds — two open-air and two cave cenotes. It’s a dramatically different experience from Cuzamá: manicured gardens, preserved colonial architecture, kayaks and paddleboards available, and a restaurant serving traditional Yucatecan food.

The four cenotes vary in character: one is a bright open-air pool ideal for swimming, another is a cave cenote entered through a tight opening into a cathedral-sized chamber, and two are hybrid semi-cave types with light shafts.

Practical notes:

Advance reservation recommended, especially weekends
Entrance fee structure: cenotes-only (~300 MXN) vs full day pass with tours (~500 MXN)
Lunch on-site is good — cochinita pibil, sopa de lima, fresh aguas
Not accessible by public transport — rent a car or book a tour from Mérida

4. Cenote San Antonio Mulix — Less-Visited Cave Cenote

Swimmers inside cave cenote near Mérida Yucatán with blue-green water and stalactites

Distance from Mérida: 45 km south (50 minutes) Entry: 100 MXN Hours: Daily 8 AM – 5 PM

San Antonio Mulix is a community-managed cave cenote with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, crystal-clear water, and very few visitors compared to the Valladolid circuit. The entry fee goes directly to the local ejido (community cooperative).

The cenote is accessible by rope ladder or wooden steps. No platforms for jumping — this is a calm swimming cenote with long sight lines through the cave. Good for snorkeling, with visibility of 15–20 meters.

How to get there: Highway 18 south toward Ticul, turn at San Antonio Mulix village. Follow signs to cenote. By colectivo: Mérida → Muna (35 MXN), taxi to San Antonio Mulix (shared, ~20 MXN).

5. Cenotes 360° Circuit — If You Have a Car

Open-air Cenote 360 near Mérida Yucatán with circular rim and turquoise water below

Distance from Mérida: 65 km southeast Entry: 150–200 MXN (combined circuit ticket) Hours: Daily 8 AM – 5 PM

The “360°” cenote gets its name from the circular open rim you walk around before descending into the water below. It’s part of a small circuit in the Cuzamá region that includes 3–4 cenotes on a single ticket — a good option if you want variety without the horse-cart experience.

Combine with Cuzamá if you have a car: it’s 10 km from Cuzamá village, making a natural pair for a half-day cenote circuit.

6. Cenote Yokdzonot — Best Budget Cenote Near Mérida

Distance from Mérida: 85 km east (between Pisté and Chichén Itzá) Entry: 60 MXN — one of the cheapest cenotes in Yucatán Hours: Daily 8 AM – 5 PM

Yokdzonot is a community-managed open-air cenote that sits between Mérida and Chichén Itzá — if you’re driving to the ruins, it’s a logical stop. Large, open, good for swimming. Zip line available (extra charge, 50 MXN).

At 60 MXN, it’s significantly cheaper than Ik Kil (180 MXN, 3 km from Chichén Itzá) and much less crowded. The water is equally clear.

Practical combo: Yokdzonot → Chichén Itzá → Ik Kil makes an efficient full-day circuit.

7. Cenote Tzabnah (Tekax) — Off the Beaten Path

Distance from Mérida: 105 km southeast (90 minutes) Entry: 50 MXN Hours: Daily 8 AM – 5 PM

Tzabnah is a large cave cenote in Tekax town — a natural swimming hole that the local community has turned into a low-key attraction. The cave chamber is large, the water dark but clear, and you’ll see local families rather than tour groups on weekends.

Tekax itself is a colonial town worth exploring: the 17th-century Franciscan convent, good local markets, and excellent poc chuc restaurants. Combine with Loltún Caves (15 km away, 95 MXN), the largest cave system in Yucatán.

Transport: Getting to Cenotes from Mérida

Option	Best For	Cost	Notes
Rental car	3+ cenotes in one day	600–1,200 MXN/day + tolls	Full flexibility, easiest option
Organized day tour	Hassle-free Cuzamá circuit	600–1,200 MXN/person	Includes transport + guide
Colectivo + shared taxi	Cuzamá on a budget	~90–110 MXN each way	Doable but time-consuming
Mérida taxi (one-way)	Dzibilchaltún only	150–200 MXN	Too expensive for distant cenotes

Rental car tip: Renting a car from Mérida for a full day costs 600–900 MXN and lets you combine Cuzamá + Hacienda Mucuyché + Uxmal or Uxmal + Puuc Route + hacienda cenote in a single day. Parking at all cenotes is free.

Best Cenote Day Trip Combinations from Mérida

Half-day (morning only)

Dzibilchaltún ruins + Cenote Xlacah: 16 km, 20 minutes. Back in Mérida by noon. Works without a car (taxi 300–400 MXN return).

Full day (car required)

Cuzamá circuit + Hacienda Mucuyché: 55–60 km east. Start at Cuzamá (8 AM, 2.5 hours), drive 15 km to Hacienda Mucuyché for lunch and two more cenotes (noon–3 PM), back in Mérida by 5 PM.

Full day (ruins + cenote)

Uxmal + Cenote Mucuyché: Drive south on Highway 261 to Uxmal ruins (566 MXN, 90 min visit), continue to Hacienda Mucuyché (15 km), lunch and swimming. Back to Mérida by 5 PM. 170 km total.

Full day (Chichén Itzá route)

Chichén Itzá + Ik Kil + Valladolid cenotes: Drive east on Highway 180D. Arrive Chichén Itzá by 8 AM (646 MXN). Cenote Ik Kil at 11:30 AM (180 MXN, arrive before tour buses). Valladolid lunch + Cenote Suytun or Xkekén (150–200 MXN). Back to Mérida by 6 PM.

When to Visit Cenotes Near Mérida

Month	Conditions	Notes
Nov–Feb	Best — cool, clear	Peak season, prices slightly higher
Mar–Apr	Excellent — dry season	Semana Santa = crowds at Cuzamá
May–Jun	Hot but good	Water clarity still excellent
Jul–Oct	Rainy season	Some outdoor cenotes murky, cave cenotes unaffected

Semana Santa warning (March 29–April 5, 2026): Cuzamá and hacienda cenotes will be busy. Arrive at Cuzamá before 9 AM or after 2 PM to avoid tour bus peaks. Yokdzonot and Tzabnah stay relatively quiet throughout the week.

Time of day: For cave cenotes (Cuzamá, Xkekén, Dzitnup), the best natural light enters through the roof opening between 11 AM–1 PM — but this is also the busiest time. Weekday mornings (8–10 AM) give you almost empty caves.

Practical Tips for Cenotes Near Mérida

Reef-safe sunscreen: Required by Yucatán state law. Bring your own (20–50 MXN at pharmacies) — cenotes that sell it charge 80–120 MXN.
Cash only: All cenotes near Mérida — Cuzamá especially — are cash only. Bring 500–1,000 MXN per person.
Water shoes: Slippery steps at Cuzamá and cave cenotes. Essential for rope ladder descents.
Lifejackets: Provided free at Cuzamá circuit. Optional at open-air cenotes.
Crowds: Weekdays are dramatically less crowded. Saturdays bring Mérida families; Sundays bring tour buses.
Best light for photos: Cave cenotes (Cuzamá, San Antonio Mulix) — noon light beam. Open-air cenotes — morning light before 10 AM.

Explore More of the Yucatán Cenote Network

Cenotes Near Valladolid — Suytun, Xkekén, Samulá and 7 more with colectivo guide
Cenotes Near Cancún — day-trip options from Cancún’s Hotel Zone
Cenotes Near Tulum — 15 best cenotes from Tulum including Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote
Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen — Chaak-Tun 2km from 5th Avenue
Best Cenotes in Mexico — full national guide (27 cenotes)
Best Cenotes in the Riviera Maya — 20 cenotes ranked from Cancun to Tulum and Valladolid
Day Trips from Mérida — 12 best excursions from Mérida
Things to Do in Mérida — 28 activities in the city
Best Time to Visit Mérida — heat, flamingos and month-by-month guide

Book cenote tours from Mérida on Viator — includes Cuzamá circuit and Chichén Itzá + Ik Kil combos. Rent a car in Mérida for full flexibility across all cenote circuits.