Chichén Itzá Cenote

4.4(2,618)

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From happy customers

Loved by 46 million+
Jurgita Laugale
GB

Jurgita

United Kingdom
Dec 2025
5/5
We did really enjoy the tour. Professional team. Our tour gide was Jonathan and he was amazing. We highly recommend Amigo Tour!
Merdad Meraban
US

Merdad

United States
Dec 2025
5/5
Excellent driver and tour leader. Clean bus with AC running all the time. You need a small blanket or a light jacket to keep you warm when going toward destination but coming back is ok. Buffet food is cheap but sad quality. Time spent for lunch was too long. Be prepared to pay tips.
Lina

Lina

Sep 2025
5/5
Early access is SO worth it. Our guide made the history come alive. Bus was modern, even had USB ports. Bring extra water.
Rocio

Rocio

Sep 2025
4/5
Family trip. Guide was friendly, answered all our questions. Early start is a must to avoid the crowds. Bring your own snacks.
Chloe

Chloe

Jul 2025
5/5
We booked this as a family of 5 (kids ages 7, 10, 15). The early start was rough, not gonna lie, but WORTH IT. Our guide, Miguel, kept the kids engaged with Mayan stories and riddles, and even my teenager was impressed by the ball court at Chichen Itza. The climb at Ek Balam was a highlight for my husband and son. The cenote swim was EPIC – bring water shoes if you have them! Only thing: pack snacks, lunch is late. Would 100% recommend for families!
Zoe

Zoe

Jul 2025
4/5
Good tour. Long day though, be prepared. Our guide, Juan, was very knowledgeable but it was hard to keep up sometimes because of the heat (it was like walking in a sauna). I loved Ek Balam more than Chichen Itza, less crowded and the view from the top is crazy. The cenote was amazing, but changing rooms are a bit basic. Bring a big bottle of water and sunscreen!
Symone Carina Sequeira
CA

Symone

Canada
Jan 2026
5/5
Had a great experience visiting Chichen Itza! Our tour guide Jorge explained the Mayan history in great detail as well as answered all the questions we had during our one and a half hour tour. Would highly recommend booking this tour as they cover all the important points around Chichen Itza.
Sabine

Sabine

Aug 2025
5/5
Amazing tour. Our guide, Raul, was so knowledgeable and friendly. Early access was key, saw everything before the crowds.

Chichén Itzá Cenote - A geological wonder in a Mayan city

The Chichén Itzá cenote is one of the most intriguing highlights in the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá. More than just a natural sinkhole, it holds centuries of mystery, blending geological wonder with cultural significance. For the ancient Maya, cenotes were lifelines, providing water in a landscape with no rivers. But at Chichén Itzá, the sacred cenote was far more than a water source; it was a portal to the underworld, a site of offerings, and even human sacrifices.

All Chichén Itzá tickets include access to the cenote, allowing you to get up close to it and find out about its unique history.

Book Chichén Itzá tickets & tours

Things to know before booking tickets to the Chichén Itzá cenote

  • All ticket options, from skip-the-line rockets, guided tours, and day trips from Cancun and Playa del Carmen, include access to this attraction. 
  • However, one key detail is that the Chichén Itzá cenote isn’t meant for swimming. Your day trips from Cancun and Playa del Carmen include a dip in a cenote, but keep in mind that this will be at a site that’s designated for swimming. 
  • If you want to understand the cultural significance of the Chichén Itzá cenote, the nature of the sacrifices held, and the countless archaeological finds discovered here, booking a guided walking tour is your best bet. 
  • Have a whole day to spend? Take a day trip from Cancun that gets you access to the Chichén Itzá cenote, the entire site, a tour of Valladolid, and a delectable Mexican lunch. 

Why visit the Chichén Itzá cenote?

  • Must-see highlights: The cenote is a natural sinkhole formed by collapsed limestone. They were critical to providing a source of freshwater to the Maya. Their crystal clear waters are a sight to behold. 
  • Current use: The cenote is not used in any way today, but serves as a critical reminder of the importance of water to the Maya, along with its role as a site for rituals, sacrifice, and a portal to the underworld. 
  • Unique facts: Besides retrieving pottery, jade, and jewellery, Spanish chroniclers reported rituals in which maidens and captives were cast into the waters as offerings to Chaac, the rain god.

Your ticket options to visit the sacred cenote

Skip-the-line ticket Guided tourDay trips

Is sacred cenote access included?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Why go for it?

Saves time

Guided experience with a local expert

Guided experience with round-trip transfers

Starting price

From $75 USD

From $20 USD

From $46.90 USD

What will you see at the sacred cenote?

At the sacred cenote in Chichén Itzá, you’ll stand before a vast sinkhole framed by towering limestone cliffs and lush greenery. This dramatic setting once echoed with ancient Maya rituals, where offerings and sacrifices were cast into the depths. As you gaze into the dark waters, you can almost see the glint of gold, jade beads, and pottery, and sense the weight of the human stories hidden below.

Know before you go to the Chichén Itzá cenote

Timings 

  • Opening hours: Every day from 8am to 5pm
  • Last access: 4pm 

Location 

  • Swimming is prohibited at Chichén Itzá’s sacred cenote. This is because it isn’t designated for swimming, and is considered a sacred offering site for the Maya. 
  • Littering the cenote is strictly prohibited, as is the rest of the site.

Frequently asked questions about the Chichén Itzá cenote

Is access to the Chichén Itzá cenote included in all the tickets?

Yes, all tickets to Chichén Itzá, including skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day trips, include access to the cenote.

Why is the Chichén Itzá cenote famous?

The Chichén Itzá cenote was a spiritual passageway for the Maya. It was a site for offerings, with the people praying for good rain and harvests. It was also a site for ritual sacrifices.

Do I need to book tickets in advance, or can I get them on the day of my visit?

Getting tickets to Chichén Itzá and its cenote will prove to be challenging at the last minute. The site sees about 6,000 to 7,000 visitors on the average day, and this number can go up to 10,000 during the peak season. Your best bet is to book tickets online at least 4-5 days before your visit.

How much time should I allocate to exploring the Chichén Itzá cenote?

You can set aside about 5 minutes to visit the Chichén Itzá cenote. You’ll be able to soak in its limestone cliffs and its scale as you imagine a time when the site was used for offerings and sacrifices.

Can I swim in the Chichén Itzá cenote?

No, the cenote at Chichén Itzá isn’t open for swimming, as this site was meant for offerings by the Maya people.