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Cenotes in Photos – Discover Mexico’s Extraordinary Underground Caves

Home Β» Mexico

Updated: January 17, 2021 by Matthew Karsten

Cenotes in Photos – Discover Mexico’s Extraordinary Underground Caves

A beautiful collection of Mexico’s Cenotes in photos featuring the magnificent cenotes of the Yucatan

Cenotes are located all around Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and a few Caribbean islands as well. It’s estimated that there are well over 6000 of them in the area.

Mexico’s Cenotes in Photos

What is a Cenote?

What exactly is a cenote? It’s a freshwater sinkhole usually connected to an underground river system that flows through limestone passageways in the earth.

Cenotes come in many different shapes & sizes. Some are completely underground, others are semi-underground with small openings that let in sunlight, and some have no cave ceiling at all — exposed to the outside world.

samula cenote mexico
Tree Roots Suck up Water at Samula Cenote

The water here is crystal-clear and perfect for swimming.

Snorkeling and SCUBA diving in a cenote are other popular activities, as there is a lot to see down there.

Underwater stalactites, stalagmites, blind fish, cave fossils, and sometimes even ancient human remains are found in them.

cenote photos mexico
Colorful Limestone Walls at Grand Cenote

These unique water-caves are considered sacred to the Mayan people who believed them to be entrances to the underworld. They were also once used for ritual human sacrifice!

Mexico in Photos – Cenotes of the Yucatan

photos of cenotes in Mexico
Getting Some Sun at Xcanche Cenote

Many of Mexico’s most popular cenotes are located on private land, but you can often visit them for the day after paying an entrance fee of $2-$10 US and create your own memories of Mexico in Photos.

Cenotes are truly magical places, and should be a must-see while traveling through Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. Here are some of my favorite shots of Mexico in Photos, particularly Cenotes. Enjoy!

cenotes in photos
Cave Divers Prepare to Submerge at Pit Cenote
photos of cenotes
Lily Pads Cover the Water at Kuzan Cenote
cenotes photos
Interesting Stalactites Inside Dos Ojos Cenote

Read More:

Rio Secreto – Mexico’s Most Magical Cenote

10 Things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula

10 Must Places to Visit in Mexico

Escape to Mexico – 8 Day Trips from Cancun

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About Matthew Karsten

Matthew Karsten is a full-time vagabond & adventure junkie who's on a mission to inspire others to get out there and explore the world. Enjoy more photo essays like this one as well as travel advice, crazy stories, & entertaining videos on his adventure travel blog.

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Categories: Mexico

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Comments

  1. Ben says

    March 31, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    This is pretty awesome!

    Reply
  2. Asa says

    February 25, 2018 at 10:22 pm

    Awesome! this place reminds me of Jhonny Depp Movie “Pirates of Carribean”..so Beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Trip says

    February 25, 2018 at 10:18 pm

    One day I will definitely visit this place

    Reply
  4. Simppy patni says

    February 22, 2018 at 6:33 am

    I always follow your articles, and you write terrific but this post mexicos extraordinary cenotes in photos is fantastic. Keep writing like this, keep working keep going
    I also have an excellent blog about travels and mystery lovers.

    Reply
  5. Blondetheroad says

    May 13, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    These places are amazing, I visited a few ones on my trip to Mexico and really worth it! Stunning views.

    Reply
  6. icoSnap says

    September 25, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Awesome photos! I feel like going to Mexico πŸ™‚

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    September 8, 2012 at 11:49 pm

    The moment I saw your pictures, I was really amazed and I even shouted “wow”. It’s really a must-see when visiting in Mexico

    Reply
    • debndave says

      September 16, 2012 at 8:21 am

      The Cenotes are definitely a must see in Mexico indeed.

      Reply
  8. Serena Star Leonard says

    August 21, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    About 8 years ago my 7th ever dive was in Grand Cenote and my 8th was in Cenote Angelita. These dives sealed the deal with my passion for diving and the Angelita one was one of the best things I have ever experienced. In November I arrive back in Mexico to dive as many as possible in my time there and I can’t wait!

    Thanks for reminding me visually what I have been so looking forward to!

    Reply
    • debndave says

      August 30, 2012 at 1:53 pm

      That’s amazing. We dove in Mexico at Cozumel for a week but never made it to the Cenotes. Next time for sure.

      Reply
  9. Beth Campbell says

    August 16, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    wow, what a fabulous place! when I’ve got enough friends and money together, ill be sure to take a visit. the pictures just jumped at me when i saw them. absolutely amazing, without a doubt! keep up the good work. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  10. Rico says

    July 23, 2012 at 8:15 am

    The photos are stunning! Diving in Cenotes is one of the biggest tourist attractions on the Mayan Riviera. Thanks for the post! Cheers, Rico

    Reply
    • debndave says

      July 27, 2012 at 1:01 pm

      They are stunning aren’t they! When we go back to Mexico, this is the first thing on the list. When we went diving in Cozumel, we regret not taking a trip to the Cenotes. We should have. Oh well, a great excuse to go back.

      Reply
  11. Jonas Wynn says

    July 19, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Honest to god ..without even the slightest exaggeration I literally whimpered when I saw these pictures. I want to see these places so badly it’s mind boggling. I’ve been talking with friends about going cave exploring here in Ontario ultimately wanting to see spots even remotely similar to this…backpacking the riviera maya is too expensive:(

    Reply
    • Matthew Karsten says

      August 4, 2012 at 7:32 am

      With street food, hostels (or Couchsurfing), and colectivos for transport, you can spend a month down there for less than $700.

      Reply
  12. Gunnar E. Todal says

    July 18, 2012 at 3:35 am

    Nice pictures. I like the crystal-clear water. It will be wonderful to swim there. It is a pure place.

    Reply
  13. Armands Balodis says

    July 16, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    The caves has always fascinated me. These ones look just like from the movies.

    Reply
    • Matthew Karsten says

      July 17, 2012 at 5:41 pm

      Actually the last photo, Dos Ojos Cenote, was featured in the horror movie “The Cave” as well as an IMAX movie “Journey Into Amazing Caves”. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. Dean says

    July 16, 2012 at 3:45 am

    Beautiful! Looks like a great place to take a dip.

    Reply
  15. Christena Liitle says

    July 15, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    From Kaycie Little (11), what kind of animals do you see cave diving? I want to go cave diving.

    Reply
    • Matthew Karsten says

      July 16, 2012 at 7:09 am

      Hi Kaycie! You can see bats, cave swallows, and a few different types of fish.
      If you look closely at the first photo (with the purple lights), you’ll see a bunch of little black things in the water. Those are black fish!
      There are even some fish that don’t have eyes, because they don’t need them in the dark. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  16. Andi of My Beautiful Adventures says

    July 15, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous!!!! I heart cenotes. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  17. Victoria says

    July 15, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Wow, what beautiful photos. I had never heard of cenotes before but will now be sure to visit some when we eventually get to Mexico. they look so idyllic.

    Reply
  18. Camels & Chocolate says

    July 15, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    LOVE all these photos! Being an avid diver, I’m dying to dip into a cenote myself.

    Reply
  19. Wandergirl says

    July 15, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  20. Alberto Rojas says

    July 15, 2012 at 9:09 am

    I sincerely enjoy your great articles about this wonderful world!

    Reply

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Hi we’re Dave and Deb, a Canadian adventure couple who left our careers in the film industry 10 years ago to travel the world. We’ve been to 115 countries on all seven continents and were named one of the top travel influencers on earth by Forbes.

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