Cenote Xkeken (Cenote Dznitup) Valladolid: Ultimate Guide (2023)

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Cenote Xkeken, part of Cenote Dznitup, is a cave cenote close to the city of Valladolid. Located deep underground, Cenote Xkeken has some incredible rock formations and swimming under its sprawling stalactites is a magical experience.

Having visited Cenote Xkeken, these are our tips and guide to visiting Cenote Xkeken to help your plan your own visit.

Cenote Xkeken
The sprawling stalactites at Cenote Xkenen

Cenote Xkeken

Cenote Xkeken is an underground cave style cenote set in a closed limestone cave. Huge stalactites hang down into Cenote Xkeken creating a magical effect.

Located in the town of Dzntiup, Cenote Xkeken is often referred to as Cenote Dznitup and is part of a complex of two cenotes. Its neighbor, Cenote Samula, is famous for the light beams which shine into the cave through the opening in its roof.

Cenote Xkenen tip: you can visit Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula together or just visit one of the two. There are single and double cenote ticket options available at the entrance.

Cenote Samula
Cenote Samula is part of the same complex as Cenote Xkeken

What are Cenotes?

A cenote, pronounced seh-NO-tay, are water-filled sinkholes that naturally occur in limestone rock when an underground cave collapses in on itself and exposes the groundwater underneath. There are thousands of cenotes dotted around the Yucatan Peninsula and many of the cenotes are extremely popular with locals and tourists alike.

The water in the cenotes tends to be cool as the water comes from underground so they are great for a refreshing swim to cool off from the hot Mexican sunshine.

Cenotes near Tulum
Cenote Zacil-Ha near Tulum

In Mayan times a number of the cenotes were used for sacrificial purposes and objects such as gold, pottery and even human and animal remains have been found at the bottom of some cenotes.

The cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula are a mix of open, semi-open or underground:

  • Open cenotes: these are caves which have completely collapsed in on themselves and are exposed to the sky. These are our favourite as you can swim under the blue skies, the water is a pleasant temperature and there are usually lots of areas to relax by the water. The Ek Balam Cenote Xcanche is open air. Our other favorite open cenotes are Cenote Azul, one of the best Playa Del Carmen cenotes, Gran Cenote and Cenote Carwash in nearby Tulum and Cenote Oxman near Valladolid.
Cenote Carwash Tulum
Cenote Carwash
  • Semi-open cenotes: these cenotes are mostly underground but have small openings in the ceiling where light and fresh air come in.  These cenotes can be particularly beautiful as the light beams illuminate the crystal clear water below. Our favorite semi-open cenote is Cenote Ik Kil which can be visited as part of a day trip to Chichen Itza and Cenote Samula, a cenote near Valladolid.
Renting a car in Cancun
Cenote Ik Kil
  • Underground cenotes: these cenotes are completely underground in a cave system and have no natural light to illuminate the cenote water. The three cenotes near the Coba ruins (Cenote Choo-Ha, Multum-Ha and Tamchach-Ha) are amazing underground cenotes you can easily visit from Playa Del Carmen on a longer stay.
Cenote Azul Playa del Carmen
Cenote Choo-Ha near the Coba ruins

Visiting Cenote Xkeken

Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula share a ticket office which is located adjacent to the car park for both cenotes. After paying the entry fee ($80 pesos for one cenote, $125 pesos for both), Cenote Xkeken is a short walk across a quiet road to the far side of the cenote complex.

The path starts from the fountain area beside the main entrance and is signposted for Cenote Xkeken.

Cenote Xkeken
The fountain at the entrance to the cenotes

The path to the cenote passes a shopping area with stalls selling everything from souvenirs to food.

Cenote Xkeken
The stalls at Cenote Xkeken

There are bathrooms, showers and changing rooms on the way to the cenote. Make sure to shower before you enter the cenote : a shower is required at all cenotes to protect the water and the fragile ecosystem from harmful chemicals.

At the back you’ll see the bathrooms and the entrance to the cenote is out this way and to the left.

Cenote Xkeken: it took us a few minutes to find the path to the cenote. Keep an eye out for the small ‘cenote’ sign on the toilet building!

Cenote Xkeken
Take a left for Cenote Xkeken!

You will soon reach the steps which lead down into Cenote Xkeken.

Cenote Xkeken
The path to Cenote Xkeken

The stone stairway to Cenote Xkeken is quite steep and uneven and can be slippery so be careful when descending down into the cenote.

Cenote Xkeken
The steps to Cenote Xkeken

The steps lead directly down to the cenote waters.

Cenote Xkeken

Swimming in Cenote Xkeken

The turquoise waters and sprawling stalactites make swimming in Cenote Xkeken a unique experience. Its waters are refreshingly cool in the hot and humid cave and, if you take a pause to admire the rock formations, expect the resident fish to have a nibble on your toes!

Cenote Xkeken: there are no jumping platforms at Cenote Xkeken. There is a guide rope crossing the cenote which you can hang onto during a break from swimming. Life guards are on duty during opening hours.

Cenote Xkeken
Swimming in Cenote Xkeken

Tips and FAQ for Visiting Cenote Xkeken

Below are our tips to help you make the most of your time at Cenote Xkeken.

1 | How to get to Cenote Xkeken

Located 10 kilometers south of Valladolid, Cenote Xkeken is easily accessible from the city.

Rental Car

This is the easiest way to get to all of the cenotes in Mexico. There is a large car park at Cenote Xkeken. We rented a car for our time in the Yucatan and highly recommend it to our readers.

Visit Cenote Xkeken tip: It’s around a 15 minute drive from Valladolid to Cenote Xkeken so it’s very easy to drive

Renting a car in Cancun was very straightforward and driving was easy. The roads are of good quality, the drivers are nice and the traffic is relatively light – check prices now!

Check prices now on RentalCars.com

Bike

A bicycle ride is a popular way to visit the closest cenotes to Valladolid. The trip out takes about 40 minutes by bike.

Taxi

Taxi is also an option given how close Cenote Xkeken is to Valladolid. The journey out should cost around $100 pesos. Expect to pay double on the way back as you will have to call a taxi to come from Valladolid – you will have to pay the fare for both ways of the trip making it double the outward trip.

Colectivo

Shared colectivos depart from opposite the bus station in Valladolid and cost around $35 pesos.

2 | How much does Cenote Xkeken cost

There are a variety of ticket options available at the entrance to Cenote Xkeken which included food, bikes, ATVs and even horse rides! The most popular tickets are:

  • Single Cenote ticket for Cenote Xkeken: $80 pesos ($40 for kids)
  • Double Cenote ticket for Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula: $125 pesos

We recommend having cash (preferably Mexican pesos) with you when visiting all the cenotes in Mexico and Cenote Xkeken is no exception.

Cenote Xkeken
Cenote Xkeken entrance

3 | Cenote Xkeken Opening Hours

Opening hours: Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula are open from 9am to 5pm.

4 | How long to spend at Cenote Xkeken

We spent around 2 hours between Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula.

Cenote Xkeken tip: it’s a short walk between Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula and they share a car park. It is easy to visit both cenotes.

Cenote Samula
Cenote Samula is a short walk from Cenote Xkeken

5 | Best time to visit Cenote Xkenen

Like most cenotes in Mexico, it’s best to visit Cenote Xkeken in the morning on a weekday. This way you avoid the tours and the weekend crowds when locals and tourists descend on the cenote.

Cenote Xkeken tip: we visited on a weekday afternoon and the crowds were high.

Cenote Xkeken
The paths to the cenote can get crowded at busy times

6 | What’s not allowed in the Cenote Xkeken

As we mentioned above, visiting the cenotes is a little different from a traditional swimming pool so there are some different rules to follow when visiting. Cenote Xkeken rules were as follows:

  • Showers – You are required to take a shower before you swim
  • Sunscreen / Mosquito repellent: You are not allowed to wear sunscreen or mosquito repellent before you enter the water at the cenote. This is to preserve the quality of the water for everyone.

7 | Jumping 

There ere are no opportunities to jump or dive into Cenote Xkeken and it is not allowed.

Facilities at Cenote Xkeken

Cenote Xkeken has pretty good facilities

8 | Changing rooms and lockers

There are bathrooms, showers and changing rooms available. Lockers are available to rent at an additional charge. At less busy times you can bring some things down to the cenote.

Cenote Xkeken
Bathroom facilities at Cenote Xkeken

9 | Life Jackets

Life jackets are available to rent before descending the steps down into the cenote.

Cenote Xkeken tip: if you rent life jackets be aware that they can only be used at the cenote where you rent them. They can’t be taken between Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula.

Cenote Xkeken
We noticed many swimmers in life jackets at Cenote Xkeken

10 | Parking

There is a large parking lot shared between Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula.

11 | Food and Drinks

There is a stall selling snacks and drinks at Cenote Xkeken.

What to bring when visiting Cenote Xkeken

Visiting a cenote is a little different from visiting a regular swimming pool and these are some things which we highly recommend taking with you when visiting Cenote Xkeken.

Cash

Many cenotes, especially the smaller cenotes, don’t accept credit cards. If you need to rent a life jacket or buy any snacks or drinks you’re likely going to need cash. Generally speaking, we found it easier to have pesos with us.

Some of the larger cenotes may take credit card for entry, however once inside the cenote area cash is usually the only option.

Towels

Some of the larger cenotes offer towel rental however we found it easier to bring our own large microfiber towels. Microfiber towels are fantastic as they pack small and dry super quick, making them great for the cenotes where you will be hopping back in a car after your swim. We take ours one every trip and we always end up using them – check prices on Amazon!

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Snorkeling Equipment

You can snorkel in most of the cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula and, while you can rent them in some cenotes, having your own is invaluable. It’s also a much cheaper option if you visiting a few cenotes. The crystal clear waters of the cenotes make for incredible snorkeling although Cenote Xkeken wasn’t one of of favorite for snorkeling – check prices now!

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Swim shoes

Swim shoes are great as they give you more grip on the wooden walk-ways around the cenotes. They also help a lot for the shallower entrances at some cenotes where you have to walk on submerged rocks. Make sure to throw them in your bag before you visit the Yucatan!check prices now!

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Sunscreen

While you cannot wear sunscreen or mosquito spray in the cenotes while swimming, you’ll likely spend some time chilling in the sun after your swim.

Waterproof Camera

An action camera such as a GoPro or an Osmo Action is great for snapping photos and video. We loved having our Osmo Action Waterproof camera with us when visiting the cenotes. It allowed us to take some really fun video and photos while swimming in the cenotes – check prices now!

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