VALLADOLID, Mexico — Cenote Xkeken, near Valladolid, is one of the prettiest of the 10,000 or so underground cenotes scattered across Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
If you’ve ever driven inland on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, you’ve no doubt noticed how straight and flat the roads are. There aren’t many hills, and the few that are there aren’t very tall.
That’s one of the things that encouraged the Maya to build pyramids in their cities — the tops of them towered over anything nearby. And you might also have noticed that there aren’t any major rivers. At least not ones that you can easily see. Those two things are both because most of the peninsula is made up of a massive plain of porous limestone.
There is, in fact, quite a lot of freshwater nearby, even rivers up to 95 miles long, but you won’t see them on the surface — they’re underground, channeling through the twists and turns and underground caverns of the porous limestone.
The Yucatan is in fact pockmarked with thousands of sinkholes filled with freshwater. The Maya called them dzonot. The Spanish transliterated that as cenote. And there are an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula, of which about 6,000 to 8,000 are in Yucatán state alone.
For some stunning photography from Mexico’s magical cenotes, check out the work of underwater photographer Martin Broen. There are some online here and many more in his book.
But it was this abundance of readily-accessible underground freshwater was one of the things that supported the many large Mayan cities that were scattered across the Yucatán in pre-Columbian times.
Some of them, like the ones at Chichen Itza, look basically like small, open-top quarry holes that are filled with water. The Maya used them both as a source of fresh water and, apparently, as a site for religious sacrifices. But some of them are far more visually striking, among them Cenote Xkeken (often referred to as Cenote Dzitnup after the small town nearby), which is just a few minutes out of the colonial town of Valladolid in the center of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Cenote Dzitnup / Cenote Xkeken
Cenote Dzitnup (or, more accurately, Cenote X’keken) is one of the best to visit. It’s also one of the prettiest, with limestone formations arching over the water. It makes for a fun, refreshing place to visit to see a very pretty little natural underground oasis.
It’s set in a limestone cave with a single opening in the ceiling providing the perfect opportunity for rays of sunlight to show off the natural beauty of the water. The cavern itself is humid and steamy, but the water is cool — most of the waters fresh waters under the Yucatan stay at a constant 76 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) year-round — and stunningly clear. With small bats nesting on the ceiling, small black fish in the water, and limestone formations overhanging the water, it’s a unique and atmospheric place for a refreshing dip to escape the Yucatán’s heat.
From the photos, you might think that the colors are artificial, something like the gaudy light shows of Ruby Falls in Tennessee. But they’re really not. The water, in particular, really does show up that blue from the sunlight streaming through the small hole in the ceiling. There is some artificial lighting for the very sensible reason of being able to see, but it’s not colored for dramatic effect. The camera’s sensor manages to make better use of the low light than the human eye, bringing out some details and colors that aren’t as clearly apparent, but the colors are pretty much as you see them.
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Cenote Dzitnup these days is used as a swimming hole. Two ropes have been extended across the water, presumably for the less confident swimmers, and a wooden walkway has been built across one side to provide access. And there’s a lifeguard on duty whenever the cenote is open to visitors.
Photos of Cenote Dzitnup
VALLADOLID, Mexico — A high-resolution panorama captures Cenote Xkeken (also known as Cenote X’keken) with its crystal-clear turquoise waters within an underground limestone cavern. This closed cenote, part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex located approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid, formed through karst geological processes over millennia. Stalactites extend from the cavern ceiling toward the cenote’s waters, which maintain a constant temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius year-round. The cenote served as a sacred site for the ancient Maya, who considered such formations portals to Xibalba, the underworld. A small opening in the 20-meter-high ceiling allows natural sunlight to illuminate the underground pool, creating the distinctive blue coloration. The site operates as a community-managed tourist destination that preserves both the natural karst ecosystem and Maya cultural heritage. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyVALLADOLID, Mexico — Cenote X’keken (also known as Cenote Xkeken), part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex, features crystal-clear waters within a limestone cave chamber approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid. The underground cenote displays dramatic stalactite formations hanging from its ceiling and receives natural light through a small opening above. This closed cenote, formed through karst geological processes, served as a sacred site for the ancient Maya who considered cenotes portals to Xibalba, the underworld. The site operates as a community-managed destination with safety protocols including mandatory life jackets for all swimmers. X’keken maintains a constant water temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius year-round and supports a unique aquatic ecosystem. The cenote forms part of the vast network of subterranean waterways beneath the Yucatan Peninsula that provided essential freshwater sources for Maya civilization. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyAlamyVALLADOLID, Mexico — Cenote X’keken (also known as Cenote Xkeken), part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex, features crystal-clear waters within a limestone cave chamber approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid. The underground cenote displays dramatic stalactite formations hanging from its ceiling and receives natural light through a small opening above. This closed cenote, formed through karst geological processes, served as a sacred site for the ancient Maya who considered cenotes portals to Xibalba, the underworld. The site operates as a community-managed destination with safety protocols including mandatory life jackets for all swimmers. X’keken maintains a constant water temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius year-round and supports a unique aquatic ecosystem. The cenote forms part of the vast network of subterranean waterways beneath the Yucatan Peninsula that provided essential freshwater sources for Maya civilization. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyAlamyVALLADOLID, Mexico — Cenote X’keken (also known as Cenote Xkeken), part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex, features crystal-clear waters within a limestone cave chamber approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid. The underground cenote displays dramatic stalactite formations hanging from its ceiling and receives natural light through a small opening above. This closed cenote, formed through karst geological processes, served as a sacred site for the ancient Maya who considered cenotes portals to Xibalba, the underworld. The site operates as a community-managed destination with safety protocols including mandatory life jackets for all swimmers. X’keken maintains a constant water temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius year-round and supports a unique aquatic ecosystem. The cenote forms part of the vast network of subterranean waterways beneath the Yucatan Peninsula that provided essential freshwater sources for Maya civilization. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyAlamyVALLADOLID, Mexico — A high-resolution panorama captures Cenote Xkeken (also known as Cenote X’keken) with its crystal-clear turquoise waters within an underground limestone cavern. This closed cenote, part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex located approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid, formed through karst geological processes over millennia. Stalactites extend from the cavern ceiling toward the cenote’s waters, which maintain a constant temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius year-round. The cenote served as a sacred site for the ancient Maya, who considered such formations portals to Xibalba, the underworld. A small opening in the 20-meter-high ceiling allows natural sunlight to illuminate the underground pool, creating the distinctive blue coloration. The site operates as a community-managed tourist destination that preserves both the natural karst ecosystem and Maya cultural heritage. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyAlamyVALLADOLID, Mexico — Cenote X’keken (also known as Cenote Xkeken), part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex, features crystal-clear waters within a limestone cave chamber approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid. The underground cenote displays dramatic stalactite formations hanging from its ceiling and receives natural light through a small opening above. This closed cenote, formed through karst geological processes, served as a sacred site for the ancient Maya who considered cenotes portals to Xibalba, the underworld. The site operates as a community-managed destination with safety protocols including mandatory life jackets for all swimmers. X’keken maintains a constant water temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius year-round and supports a unique aquatic ecosystem. The cenote forms part of the vast network of subterranean waterways beneath the Yucatan Peninsula that provided essential freshwater sources for Maya civilization. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyAlamyVALLADOLID, Mexico — Limestone stalactites hang from the ceiling of Cenote X’keken (also known as Cenote Xkeken), an underground cenote located approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid in Yucatán state. The cenote forms part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex, which comprises two distinct underground limestone caverns formed through karst geological processes over millennia. These closed cenotes served as sacred water sources for the ancient Maya, who considered them portals to Xibalba, the Maya underworld. The crystal-clear waters maintain a constant temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round. Natural sunlight enters through a small opening in the 20-meter-high (66-foot) ceiling, illuminating the cenote’s turquoise waters. The site operates as a community-managed tourist destination that preserves both Maya cultural heritage and the unique karst hydrology of the northern Yucatán Peninsula. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyAlamyVALLADOLID, Mexico — Limestone stalactites hang from the ceiling of Cenote X’keken (also known as Cenote Xkeken), an underground cenote located approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid in Yucatán state. The cenote forms part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex, which comprises two distinct underground limestone caverns formed through karst geological processes over millennia. These closed cenotes served as sacred water sources for the ancient Maya, who considered them portals to Xibalba, the Maya underworld. The crystal-clear waters maintain a constant temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round. Natural sunlight enters through a small opening in the 20-meter-high (66-foot) ceiling, illuminating the cenote’s turquoise waters. The site operates as a community-managed tourist destination that preserves both Maya cultural heritage and the unique karst hydrology of the northern Yucatán Peninsula. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:DirectlyAlamyVALLADOLID, Mexico — A high-resolution panorama captures Cenote Xkeken (also known as Cenote X’keken) with its crystal-clear turquoise waters within an underground limestone cavern. This closed cenote, part of the Dzitnup cenotes complex located approximately 7 kilometers south of Valladolid, formed through karst geological processes over millennia. Stalactites extend from the cavern ceiling toward the cenote’s waters, which maintain a constant temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius year-round. The cenote served as a sacred site for the ancient Maya, who considered such formations portals to Xibalba, the underworld. A small opening in the 20-meter-high ceiling allows natural sunlight to illuminate the underground pool, creating the distinctive blue coloration. The site operates as a community-managed tourist destination that preserves both the natural karst ecosystem and Maya cultural heritage. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelLicense this image at:Directly
What to know before you go to Cenote Dzitnup
Getting to Cenote Dzitnup is easy. It’s only a few minutes’ drive outside Valladolid and easy to find. Or if you prefer, it’s also an easy bicycle ride along straight, flat roads. From the parking lot, it’s only a few dozen feet down a narrow passageway carved out of the rock into the main cavern. I’ve been there a couple of times now and never found the place crowded, although the size of the parking lot suggests that it can get busy.
There is a fee to enter, but it’s minimal. That also means it’s closed after hours.
The water is refreshing, but the air inside the cave can get hot and humid.
There are stairs to enter that require some bending. It’s not accessible with wheelchairs or strollers.
The rocks can get slippery. So mind your step! (And watch your head — there are some low-hanging rocks in some places.)
Most of the light comes from artificial lighting. The only daylight you’ll see is from the hole in the cave’s ceiling.
There are gift shops and some basic snack options next to the parking lot.
Don’t leave valuables in your car.
Yes, those are fish in the water. No, they won’t hurt you.
More about Cenote Dzitnup
A natural sinkhole filled with crystal-clear freshwater
Also known as Cenote Xkeken or Cenote Samula
Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock
Features stalactite formations and a small opening in the ceiling
Cenote Dzitnup is the popular collective name for two adjacent cenotes near Valladolid: Cenote X’kekén and Cenote Samulá. Both are natural underground pools in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It was made by the fall of limestone bedrock, which exposed the groundwater. The pool is filled with clear fresh water and has impressive stalactite formations. There is also a small opening in the ceiling that allows the sunlight to come through, creating a beautiful light and shadow display when the sun is out (or even when it’s not).
Cenotes are a crucial part of the Yucatan’s land and have played a significant role in the history of the region, especially for the ancient Maya civilization. They were considered sacred places and were frequently utilized for rituals and events.
I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »
