Mexico
Valladolid
Today is all about discovering the magical cenotes near Valladolid. These stunning limestone sinkholes are a must-see in the Yucatán, each offering something unique.
Cenote Oxman
Start your morning at Cenote Oxman, which opens bright and early at 7 AM. Think of it as a quieter version of the popular Ik Kil near Chichen Itza. The open, circular pool gives it that classic cenote feel with a bit of an edge: there’s a rope swing that’s perfect for some easy thrills if you’re feeling brave! The birds flying around just add to the peaceful vibe here, making it feel like paradise so early in the morning. Get there early, and you’ll likely have the place to yourself. What we also really appreciated was the fact that access to the upstairs pool is included in the ticket. The pool is nice and clean, and provides just the right amount of variety on site. It’s also where you can pick up a small breakfast or some cocktails (but probably keep that for later during the day).
Cenote Samula
Next up, head to Cenote Samula, one half of the Samula and Xkeken pair (more on that one later). Samula has a small opening above that lets in a beam of light, bright enough to shine beautifully on its 15-meter-deep blue waters. The swimming area is on the smaller side, but the depth and color of the waters make it a sight worth seeing. And since you’ll arrive pretty early, you probably don’t have to worry about sharing the cenote with a lot of other people 😉
Cenote Xkeken
This was hands down our favorite out of the two! Cenote Xkeken feels more like a hidden cave filled with water, complete with stalactites hanging from above and a few friendly bats. The lighting here is subtle, coming from a small hole in the cave’s ceiling that gives it a moody but magical vibe. You can swim just about anywhere, though be mindful not to touch the stalactites. This cenote has a unique beauty that you really don’t find in the more open pools. When we visited on a Saturday, we had the whole place to ourselves for about one hour!
