Top Things to do in Mexico
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10 Caverns & Caves in Mexico That You Shouldn't Miss
With 26 UNESCO-declared world heritage sites, charming colonial towns and dozens of thrilling cities, there's plenty to explore in this country of 109 million. Outside the cities, stunning Pacific beaches, stark deserts, mangrove swamps and swimming holes provide all you need for a relaxing, romantic or adventurous vacation. Captivating, cosmopolitan and chaotic Mexico City and the 32 states offer an incredible abundance of experiences, from laid-back and leisurely to upbeat to adrenalin-charging.
Restaurants in Mexico
1. Cenotes Sac Actun
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,633 reviews
Underground water paradise in the Riviera Maya, this visit will certainly be a unique experience like no other, mystical and extreme, you can snorkel or dive in the cavern full of formations.
Reviewed By StefR - Brooklyn, United States
After reading about so many cenotes, I was a bit overwhelmed as to which to choose. So we let our tour guide make this recommendation. It just so happened he had worked as a guide at this cenote for several years before becoming a tour guide so we just got lucky. This cenote is amazing! After parking and picking up lifejackets, we headed down the stairs and into the mouth of the cave. Our guide didn't really describe what we were about to do so it was a bit of a surprise to find such a huge cave system before us as we swam around. He knew his way around and we had such a great time seeing this natural wonder. We were there for 2 hours before seeing another soul. We had the whole place to ourselves for almost the entire time. There seemed to be endless tunnels and caves to explore so we were very happy to have a guide as we would have gotten lost very easily. Can't recommend this site enough! Definitely get a guide, bring a waterproof camera (or waterproof case for your phone) and enjoy!
2. Cenote Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 693 reviews
Friends, if you are calling us and we don't answer your calls it is because we don't have good reception. We work only with previous reservations that can be made on our website or direct to our E-mail. We will answer you as soon as possible, we apologize for the inconvenience. Eco-friendly tours. Our excursions are groupal, private and personalized. “We invite you to live an awesome and fun adventure, enjoying the wonders that the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer, its heavenly beaches, Cenotes, Natural Reserves and archaeological sites. We are focused on sustainable, educational and recreational tourism in order to get the maximum and closest experience with the local communities, getting to know the flora, fauna and regional culture.”
Reviewed By jlwilm - Madison, United States
We were told that the Cenote Santa Cruz is a “must see” and we were not disappointed. We were 4 people picked up at our condo by Juan Pablo (JP) and it was immediately obvious that he has a passion for Mexico and the natural beauty. He made us very comfortable and alleviated any apprehensions. He explained everything and told us so much history of the surrounding area. JP kept insisting that this was “our” tour and we could take as much or as little of his time as we needed. The Cenote is breathtakingly beautiful with cool, clear water and we felt like we were in another world. This was not my first visit to a Cenote in Mexico but this was by far, the best, most informative and most beautiful one. I highly recommend Cenote Santa Cruz.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. Parque Nacional Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
These interconnected caves feature 20 huge halls that once were a hideout for runaway Indians.
Reviewed By castleg85 - Mexico City, Mexico
This was a last minute trip and I have to say...WOW! The cave is huge! The walk is about 2hr and about 4 miles 2 in and 2 out, we bought the whole experience including the underground cave tour, if you take that tour make sure you know how to swim (90% recommended as the there are some high spots where you either climb or take the small river). Make sure to take non-slip shoes as the rocks as pretty slippery and if you will get in the water i would suggest that your phone be water resistent so that you can record your tour and at the end of the underground cave you get jump into the river about 10-15 feet off but IT IS FREEZING COLD!
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. Aktun Chen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,063 reviews
An underground cave with spectacular rock formations.
Reviewed By jordyguth - Logan, United States
We thoroughly enjoyed our day at this unique and authentic site. It was fun to be off the beaten path in a relaxed setting that hasn't been overrun by tourists. It is a very well run establishment, and the entire staff was friendly and accommodating. The guides were upbeat and patient with us, as well as being very knowledgeable about the caves and the ecology. The prices were very reasonable, and we got a package deal when we went to the Tulum ruins that included a guided tour of the Tulum ruins plus the Aktun Chen cave tour and cenote swim for around $54/each (3 adults, two teens, and two 12 year olds). We tacked on the zipline for a discounted price. We spent all day and enjoyed every aspect of the experience, including the restaurant (reasonable prices and good local fare) and the animals (mostly animal rescues in a semi natural enclosures). We also saw several native butterflies (blue morphos and black/orange longwings) in their natural jungle setting. The absolute highlight was swimming in the underground cenote among the cave formations, fish, and the clearest water I have ever seen. It is incredibly dramatic with the natural light from above through holes in the limestone ceiling. All of the guides we had were wonderful and seemed to love their "office" setting. I would definitely rank our day at Aktun Chen as one of the main highlights of our trip! Thank you for a wonderful experience.
8. Grutas de Garcia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 911 reviews
Stunning and dramatic caves dating back more than 50 million years ago.
Reviewed By 182tmd - Houston, United States
This was as nice a cave as Carlsbad, NM. It helps if you know Spanish because I didn't know any. I was stuck in Monterey and this is one of two places I visited. You begin on a cable car ride. You look up and see this isn't you typical ride, it's high, all the way to the top of the mountain. Once you get going you think, wow this is Mexico, I hope they do maintenance on this. The ride was nice and we made it. You come to a steel door on the side of the mountain. The tour guide opens it and inside is a huge and took a couple of hours to complete. Although I didn't understand a thing they said, I knew about the minerals and the shells. I was told this is a place a painter named Garcia use to come to. I don't know if that's true or not. I would do this again if I felt safe going back to Monterey/Mexico.
9. Gran Cenote
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,137 reviews
Grand Cenote has 140 square meter for swimming, there is one big cave, a cavern and 100 square of wooden platforms where you can walk, chill with the nature and take pictures .
Reviewed By A7473SDmatthewk
If you are in Tulum, you have to experience the cenotes and in my opinion the Gran Cenote is one of the best. A quaint cenote that you can snorkel and see stalagtites and stalagmites as well as bats and small turtles. Water is clear with a little chill. Also, pretty inexpensive. Shouldn’t cost you anymore than $20 USD per person.
10. Rio Secreto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,530 reviews
Mexico reveals its newly-discovered underground river: Very few places in the world boast conditions that make it possible to witness the extraordinary beauty of an underground river. Rio Secreto is a fantastic journey into a unique system of underground rivers and ancient caverns that reveals both the astonishing interaction of time within the interior of our planet and the miraculous existence of our lives. Come and experience this magical journey with us on your next vacations in Mexico.
Reviewed By Matina28 - Laval, Canada
Secret River My husband and I visited Río Secreto on November 4. For me, enter to those caves was something magical, what a beautiful place, I hope they keep it as it is, a natural jewel. Our guide Joshua was excellent, he gave us a lot of information about the place, besides being patient, kind and attentive to each one of the group. Eduardo (the little one) our photographer is an excellent professional. The photos were beautiful. I liked everything, the rappel, the visit to the river on the Alegria road, and the visit to the dry route. It is a trip to wonderful place. Visiting these caves with stalactites, stalagmites and swimming in that crystal clear water is something we should experience even once in a lifetime. The buffet at the end was very good. I congratulate the staff of Rio Secreto for taking care of this place and for making the visitor aware of how important it is to keep this place in its natural state.
