Exploring Cenotes Near Cancun
Being trapped with a thousand spring breakers at an all-inclusive resort is exactly the opposite of how Aaron and I wanted to experience Cancun. Thanks to a bit of research and an eagerness to explore off the beaten track, we turned a last-minute trip into an absolutely unforgettable experience. Since we couldn’t find much information on La Ruta De Los Cenotes when we discovered it, we wanted to write a guide for others to find cenotes near Cancun!
What is La Ruta de los Cenotes?
The Yucatan Peninsula was once entirely covered by water; over the centuries, the seas receded, leaving underground rivers running below the surface. Cenotes are natural pools that are revealed when the limestone bedrock collapses and these waters are exposed. There are hundreds of cenotes scattered all over the Yucatan, but if you’re based out of Cancun then La Ruta de los Cenotes is an easy way to see several in a single day.
La Ruta is a 20-ish km route that leads to over a dozen cenotes. Each cenote is privately owned, so they range from a single swimming hole with one guy collecting entrance fees (our favorites!) to big adventure parks with multiple pools, ATV rides, and even a roller coaster (we generally skipped those). Just follow the route and stop at whichever cenotes catch your fancy!
How to take a day trip to La Ruta de los Cenotes
» Rent a car. We rented a Jeep from Alamo for a day and made the 30-minute drive from Cancun to the start of the route, near the lovely little town of Puerto Morelos. Take highway 307 and watch for the sign for Leone Vicario – that’s the turnoff for La Ruta. After the turnoff, the first cenote is about 12 km in. Keep an eye on your odometer and watch out for signs by the roadside to alert you that a cenote is nearby. (FYI the jeep was super fun because we could take the top off, but we returned a couple years later in a compact car and had no problem making our way even on the unpaved side roads.)
Rent a car! There’s no reason to be scared to drive in Mexico, we promise.
» Pack lunch. On our first visit to La Ruta in 2015, it was pretty far off the beaten path. If we hadn’t packed snacks we would have gone hungry! On our recent visit, we found several cenotes to be more built up with restaurants on site. But if you want to save a few bucks, pack a lunch and plenty of water for the day.
» Leave the sunscreen and insect repellant at home. Did you know that most sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that pollute the water and even damage coral reefs? Many cenotes have crystal-clear water and they’re all connected to each other underground – so if you pollute one, you pollute them all. On our recent visit, some cenote owners were requiring visitors to shower off before they entered the water. You’ll often be protected from the sun anyway, since many cenotes are under the cover of caves.
» Bring cash. Each cenote costs between 200 and 400 pesos per person. We listed the prices of the cenotes we visited below, but be aware that they might change. Prices increased quite a bit between our first visit in 2015 and our return in 2019.
Our favorite cenotes along La Ruta:
» Cenote La Noria
This cenote is almost entirely underground, accessible by a small opening far above the water. You can descend the wooden staircase to enter the otherworldly cave below, or if you’re brave you can jump from the high rock ledge. Royal blue water reflects rays of sun back as you stand on the floating wooden platform and peer into the shadows beyond. Stalactites hang from the ceiling in fascinating formations, and little bats swoop from one crevice to another. There’s even a zipline and a rope swing to help you enjoy the water!
Cost: 200 pesos
» Verde Lucero
Cenote Verde Lucero was a completely different vibe from quiet La Noria. This cenote is open air with beckoning bright green waters. It makes the perfect playground, complete with a zipline, a rope bridge, paddle boards, and a high cliff perfect for jumping. In our experience Verde Lucero is pretty popular, so don’t be surprised to find a crowd.
Cost: 300 pesos
» Bocas del Puma
Bocas del Puma contains two cenotes. One is open (meaning it’s uncovered) and the other is closed (meaning it’s inside a cave). You’ll walk a few minutes through the jungle to a small pool of brilliant green surrounded by a stone wall and a wooden walkway above. It’s complete with a zipline with a wooden seat attached (Warning: it really launches you at the end!). Both times we’ve visited here we’ve had the place to ourselves, which puts it high on our list.
The other cenote at Bocas del Puma is inside a cave, with crystal clear water. You can swim beneath the low ceilings to explore offshoots of the cave, some of which have openings in the ceiling where the sun shines through.
Cost: 250 pesos
» Las Mojarras
We arrived at Las Mojarras late in the afternoon, certain that nothing could top the places we’d already seen. We were greeted by the friendly owner, who showed us to the largest open cenote yet. On our first visit, we had the place to ourselves and took full advantage of the ziplines, rope bridge, and two diving platforms. We dove and frolicked until we were exhausted, then retired to the hammocks strung up on the shore to enjoy a beer or two as the sun went down. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
On our more recent visit, the cenote was busy with families and large groups, so it seems that the secret may have gotten out!
Cost: 200 pesos
The magic of La Ruta de los Cenotes was so unique and unexpected that we still reference it today whenever we’re searching for an off-the-beaten-track to experience: “You know, something like La Ruta,” Aaron will say, and we’ll lapse into reminiscing about what an awesome day that was.
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