{"id":6584,"date":"2018-12-07T07:52:50","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T07:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/?p=6584"},"modified":"2023-12-04T23:22:14","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T23:22:14","slug":"cenotes-valladolid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/cenotes-valladolid\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Cenotes In Valladolid (That You Can Bike To)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

August has been filled with some pretty kick-ass activities all over the ever-alluring Yucatan Peninsula<\/a>, and one of my favorites by far has been getting to visit many of the best cenotes in Valladolid, a stunning colonial town lined by quaint and colorful buildings that sits just a short bus ride away from Tulum<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Colorful<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pretty<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Best Cenotes in Valladolid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What are cenotes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cenotes are natural sinkholes created by the collapse of limestone exposing water underneath. They’re found mostly in the Yucatan Peninsula (interestingly, you’ll find most of them around Chicxulub Crater,<\/a> the place where the meteorite that wiped dinosaurs out is found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from their beauty, cenotes were an important cultural aspect of the Mayan culture as they were often used for sacrificial offerings, and artifacts, as well as human bones, have been found by researchers in more than a few cenotes all over Valladolid and the Yucatan peninsula in general. Eek! Check out this article<\/a> on National Geographic if you’re interested in learning more about this aspect of cenotes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seriously, cenotes are so much more than just pretty underground caves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the best cenotes in Valladolid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Going cenote-hopping is one of the best things to do in Valladolid<\/a>. The town’s outskirts are home to thousands of cenotes, so picking the ones you want to visit is no easy task. Luckily for us, Elvia, the co-owner of our hotel gave us some pretty cool pointers when we arrived and we set out to explore some of the best cenotes Mexico has to offer based on her recommendations. The reason we chose to see these ones was that they were so close to Valladolid that we could easily see them all in one day and more importantly, we could get to explore them independently and get to them on a bicycle!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Lorenzo Oxman Cenote<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This should be your first stop on your cenote-hopping endeavors and you can pair up your visit with breakfast at a hacienda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set just four kilometers (2.5 miles) outside of the city center of Valladolid, the cenote is tucked inside a gorgeous hacienda and has a fun rope swing for the brave ones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Lorenzo Oxman Cenote is a bit less popular than the other cenotes in Valladolid. If you manage to be there by the time it opens, you\u2019re very likely to get it all to yourself! We actually ended up at Oxman totally by mistake en route to another cenote when we took a wrong turn, but I am so glad we did because it was the highlight for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential things to know about this cenote:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Opening times:<\/strong> 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily (I recommend getting there by 8 am, otherwise, it tends to get more crowded later on).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost:<\/strong> The entry fee to the cenote is 70 pesos, but they also have a pool-side restaurant and you can book a package for 150 pesos that includes your entry fee + discount coupon of 150 pesos at the restaurant, which was enough for a meal and a drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cenote Inside Selva Maya Hacienda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Time to head back to the main road for the next cenote on the list!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set inside another gorgeous hacienda, this cenote boasts an underground natural pool that will make you swoon! Much like Oxman, they also offer buffet-style breakfast and lunches until five in the afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential things to know about this cenote:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Opening times:<\/strong> 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your trip! As always, I recommend Safety Wing<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> for great prices and coverage abroad. It starts at only $45 USD per month and will have you covered with everything you may need during your trip! Check them out here<\/a>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cenote X\u2019kek\u00e9n & Cenote Samul\u00e1 (inside Dzitnup)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These are two different cenotes that are set in the same grounds and as far as striking natural wonders go, they\u2019re both sure to please. Set completely underground, they\u2019re a totally different experience from Selva Maya and Oxman, so make sure not to miss out on visiting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only downside to X\u2019kek\u00e9n and Samul\u00e1 was that they felt a bit more touristic, with handicraft stand-owners trying to sell you something on the walk to the cenotes and tour guides touting at newcomers. Still, once you get past that, it\u2019s totally worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cenote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Essential things to know about these cenotes near Valladolid:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Opening times:<\/strong> 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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