Best Cenotes Near Chichen Itza
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The best cenotes near Chichen Itza are Ik Kil, Yokdzonot, Saamal, Suytun and Zaci. Ik Kil is about 3 km away and the most famous. Yokdzonot, about 20 km away, is community-run and quieter. Saamal near Valladolid suits families, Suytun suits photos and Zaci sits in Valladolid town.
Last checked: . Distances are approximate road guides, not measured routes.
| Cenote | Distance | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Ik Kil | About 3 km | Iconic open cenote |
| Yokdzonot | About 20 km | Quiet, local-run |
| Saamal | About 40 km | Families |
| Suytun | About 50 km | Photos |
| Zaci | About 45 km | In Valladolid town |
For help planning your visit, see the guide to Yucatan cenotes.
Last updated 2026-11-12 · By the local guide team at Maya Explorer Tours
Which cenotes near Chichen Itza suit your day?
Pick Ik Kil for the closest swim, about 3 km from the ruins. Choose Yokdzonot for a quieter stop, Saamal for families, Suytun for photos and Zaci for a swim in Valladolid town.
The Sacred Cenote inside Chichen Itza is a protected viewing spot, not a swim stop.
What other cenotes are worth considering?
Four more cenotes are worth a look, each with a different setting. Cenote Zaci, Oxman and Xkeken and Samula sit near Valladolid, while Yokdzonot lies west of Chichen Itza.
- Yokdzonot: a community-run open cenote a short drive west of Chichen Itza, usually quieter than Ik Kil
- Cenote Zaci: in the center of Valladolid, easy to add to lunch in town
- Oxman: a cenote on the grounds of the old San Lorenzo Oxman hacienda, just southwest of Valladolid, now a visitor stop
- Xkeken and Samula: two cave cenotes side by side at Dzitnup, just west of Valladolid
How far is each cenote from Chichen Itza?
Ik Kil is about 3 km from Chichen Itza and Yokdzonot about 20 km. Saamal is about 40 km away, Zaci about 45 km and Suytun about 50 km.
Which cenote is quieter than Ik Kil?
Yokdzonot is usually quieter than Ik Kil. It is a community-run open cenote a short drive west of Chichen Itza.
What else do visitors ask about nearby swims?
Which cenote is closest to Chichen Itza?
Ik Kil is the closest swimming cenote to Chichen Itza, about 3 km away. It is an open cenote with stone stairs down to the water, and it is the most famous swim stop near the ruins. The Sacred Cenote inside the site is a viewing spot, not a place to swim.