7 Best Cenotes near Cancun for Families: 2023 Guide

Cancun is famous for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, active social and nightlife scene, big luxury resorts, fine dining, great food, and big parties.  

Cancun is also an excellent destination for a memorable family vacation as the city has something to satisfy each and every taste. Now no trip to Cancun can be complete without a visit to the hidden gems of the Yucatan; the mysterious and majestic Cenotes. 

Read Next:

• Best Cenotes near Tulum for families
• Best things to do in Cancun with kids

Our family of four, has been visiting Cancun and the Yucatan for the past 6 years and these are the Favorite and Best Cenotes near Cancun for Families and children:

1. Cenote Zacil-Ha

– Activities: families with kids, swimming pool style cenote, fun activities like ziplining

For our family, Zacil Ha Cenote is the ultimate family destination in the Yucatan.  This open-air cenote boasts such pristine and crystal-clear waters that it’s sure to surpass any other swimming pool you’ve ever been to. Every time we return here, there’s nothing short of extraordinary and breathtaking!

Let your kids take a daring leap into the sparkling waters below or, if they’re feeling particularly brave, have them soar across the cenote on a thrilling zip line before plunging in from above! If you’ve had enough adventure, rent yourself and your little ones some hammocks (at the entrance) to relax for hours as you explore its wonders.

Cenote Zacil-ha is blissfully situated next to another stunning cenote (Cenote Carwash- up next on our list!). You can easily experience both worlds within a single day!

How to get to Zacil-Ha: Taxi or rental car. It’s a short trip

Entrance Fee: 200 mexican pesos ($10 USD) and 10 pesos ($0.5c USD) for the zipline

2. Cenote Carwash

– Activities: swimming, diving, easy access, and a relaxed and unwinding cenote experience

Get ready for a remarkable adventure at the captivating Cenote Ak Tun Ha, also known as the Carwash Cenote. This open-air cenote was previously an actual car wash and is now a must-visit sire for families!

Its big swimming pool is ideal for adults and children – giving you a unique opportunity to submerge yourself in this majestic underwater world filled with marvelous rock formations, and vibrant sea creatures such as fish, turtles, and much more! Visiting this cenote is for sure going to be remembered by your family as an extraordinary experience.

Don’t forget to bring your snorkeling so you can explore and discover what lies beneath the surface of this magical cave.

How to get to Cenote Carwash: With a taxi or rental car. It’s a short trip

Entrance Fee: 300 mexican pesos ($15 USD)

3. Cenote Azul

– Activities: families with kids, swimming, snorkeling, relaxing in the crystal water, and fun jumps

Cenote Azul is a paradise for families and adventurers alike. This is a lush open-air paradise that offers a great opportunity for relaxation and exploration. The cenote splits into two sections, with one side offering shallow waters perfect for kids to splash around in while the other offers divers an exciting journey through the fascinating underwater caves. Make sure you bring your snorkeling gear – both you and the little ones will be delighted by what lies beneath!

Cenote Azul is very popular, as it is located in close proximity to Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Make sure you head there early for the best experience possible!

How to get to Cenote Azul: With a taxi or rental car. It’s a short trip. 

Entrance Fee: 150 mexican pesos ($8 USD)

4. Cenote Oxman

Activities: swimming, relaxed experience

Cenote Oxman is a breathtaking cenote located with hanging vines and towering cave walls that will leave you mesmerized during your whole journey into this majestic site.

The Cenote is near Valladolid within and it has an incredible pool and also a restaurant! Spend the day here with your family discovering what this cenote has to offer.

Getting to Cenote Oxman: Taxi, rental car. It’s a 2 hour and 20 minute drive from Cancun.

Entrance Fee: 

• Option 1: $70 pesos. Simple entrance to the Oxman cenote. 
• Option 2: $100 pesos. Entrance to the cenote and $50 pesos credit for food/drink/beer credit.
• Option 3: $150 pesos. Entrance to the cenote and a $150 peso credit for food and beverage, as well as full usage of the pool area.

5. Cenote Jardin Del Eden

– Activities: swimming, snorkeling, and diving

Cenote Jardin Del Eden (otherwise known as Cenote Ponderosa) is incomparable in beauty. The cenote is surrounded by towering cliffs, lush green jungle vegetation and the cenote pool has crystal-clear and transparent waters. Stepping into the Garden of Eden open-air pool area will truly take your breath away – its magnificence is truly unmatched!

Take a plunge into the inviting waters and explore what lies under the surface with your snorkeling gear. 

Unsurprisingly, this magestic cenote has become immensely popular on social media platforms such as Instagram. Visiting this stunning paradise should be a must on any traveler’s list!

How to get to Cenote Jardin Del Eden: With a taxi or rental car. It’s a short trip.

Entrance Fee: 200 mexican pesos ($10 USD)

6. X’Canche Cenote

Activities: swimming, sunbathing, leaping into the water, zipline

Cenote X’Canche, is a stunning open-air cenote near Ek Balam Archaeological Site. You and your family will definitely enjoy visiting this cenote. Take a leap and immerse yourself in the clear blue waters and take advantage of its spacious deck for sunbathing. For the thrill-seakers make you bravely take on the short zipline – designed to give you an amazing feeling as you zip across the cenote!

Getting to X’Canche Cenote:  Taxi or rental car. It’s a 2 hour and 25 minutes drive from Cancun.

Entrance Fee X’Canche Cenote:  $150 pesos ($8 USD)

7. Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido

– Activities: relaxing and laid back experience 

If you are looking for a tranquil and peaceful cenote experience, look no further than Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido! These two open-air cenotes are situated just south of Tulum town on the opposite sides of the road with an underground tunnel connecting the two cenotes.

Our family loves Cenote Cristal and always has so much fun as the amazing wooden platforms are just perfect for kids to jump off and into the sparkling blue waters below—a truly unforgettable adventure!

You can access both locations with the same entrance ticket.

How to get to Cenote Cristal and Escondido: With a taxi or rental car or a short bike ride from Tulum.

Entrance Fee: 150 mexican pesos ($8 USD)

Is there Uber in Cancun, Tulum, Valladolid or Playa del Carmen?

Unfortunately, no. Even though the app is functional there has been a lot of push-back from the local taxi-mafia and some violence so for your safety, we would suggest against using it.