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CONTENTS
THE HISTORY OF CENOTE IK KIL 🇲🇽
Swimming in Cenote Ik Kil 💧 is a sacred experience you could almost call mystical. The Maya believed cenotes were pathways to the afterlife. The word “cenote” comes from the Mayan dz’onot, meaning “sacred well.”
Cenotes are natural phenomena: sinkholes that formed when the roof of a water-filled cave collapsed. By some estimates, there are around 10,000 of them on the Yucatán Peninsula 🇲🇽! For the ancient Maya civilizations, they were the main source of fresh water, and the site of many offerings, in the form of valuable objects… or human sacrifices.
👉 Planning your trip? Also read our 10 things to know before visiting Mexico.
THE MAP OF OUR MEXICO ROAD TRIP 🗺️
To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve gathered every place from our 30-day road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽 on an interactive map: cenotes, Mayan sites, beaches and stopover towns, from Yucatán to Quintana Roo. Click on each pin to discover the place in detail 📍. And to keep it handy during your trip, open it in Google Maps: you’ll find it easily on your phone 📱.
Our itinerary
Our trip to Mexico
1 month8 stops2 states: Yucatán & Quintana RooCar + ferry to the islands
The stops, in order
- 1
Cancún
1 night
Arrival by plane, then last night before the flight home
- 2
Holbox
3 nights
Beaches, sunsets and a timeless vibe
- 3
Valladolid
5 nights
Suytun, Oxman, Ik Kil, Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam
- 4
Mérida
3 nights
Uxmal and the 3 cenotes of Cuzamá
- 5
Bacalar
5 nights
The lagoon of seven colors and its cenotes
- 6
Tulum
4 nights
Ruins, Coba, Sian Ka'an, Cenote Azul and Calavera
- 7
Cozumel
4 nights
Scuba diving and snorkeling
- 8
Isla Mujeres
3 nights
Jet skiing, beaches and the end of the road trip
OUR VISIT TO CENOTE IK KIL, OUR VERY FIRST CENOTE 😍
Cenote Ik Kil was the very first one we visited when we arrived in Mexico. We’d been to Chichén Itzá just before: it’s a great idea to see one of the 7 Wonders of the World, then cool off here on the way back. This cenote is really worth it, it’s incredible 😍! There are many others around Valladolid that are just as beautiful, like X’Canché, Suytun, Hubiku or Oxman. Ik Kil sits in a gorgeous park with lots of exotic vegetation 🎋 and plenty of wild birds, like toucans and parrots.
It’s very touristy, but it’s worth the stop 😉. Everything is set up to welcome you as well as possible, even if facilities like the restaurant take away a bit from the place. When we visited, the life jacket and the locker padlock were included in the price (still, bring a padlock just in case). As in every cenote, showering is mandatory 🚿!
To reach the water, you go down about 26 m of stone stairs (very slippery), with balconies along the sides to admire the beauty of the place, before reaching the swimming platform 😛. We saw lots of catfish there. The water is about 48 m deep (sources vary from 40 to 50 m) 😰, and 60 m across. What strikes you most is how rich the wildlife and plant life are: this Mayan cenote is truly extraordinary 💙.
👉 If you’re in Mexico, don’t miss it on your trip!
HOW TO GET TO CENOTE IK KIL? ⏳
Cenote Ik Kil is just 3 km from Chichén Itzá, on Highway 180.
FROM CHICHÉN ITZÁ
It’s a 5-minute drive. Without a car, a taxi costs about 250 pesos (agree on the price before you set off).
FROM VALLADOLID
About 40 km, or 40 to 45 minutes on the free Highway 180: no need to take the toll highway, it doesn’t help on this route. We were staying in Valladolid with our rental car. There are also Oriente buses from the Valladolid station and colectivos (about 35 pesos).
FROM MÉRIDA, CANCÚN OR PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours from Mérida and 2.5 hours from Cancún or Playa del Carmen. On these routes, the 180D toll highway is much faster and worth it.
👉 For us, the car was essential: it let us do Chichén Itzá and Ik Kil back to back without relying on public transportation. Feel free to check out my article on renting a car in Mexico.
RENTING A CAR IN MEXICO 🚗
To explore Yucatán and Quintana Roo, we think a rental car is the best option: you’re free to string together cenotes, Mayan sites and beaches at your own pace, without depending on bus schedules or organized tours 🌴.
We did our whole one-month road trip by car, and everything went really well. Here’s the agency we used and recommend, plus an alternative if you’d rather compare 👇
Our rental tip
Renting a car in Mexico
The agency we used, and an alternative to compare.
TouraCancun
Car rental in Mexico
We rented with them for our whole road trip: we recommend them without hesitation!
Our budget€95028 days, insurance included · ~€34/day
- Tested for 1 month
- Pick-up in Cancún
- Our go-to in Mexico
DiscoverCars
Rental comparison site
To compare several rental companies in a single search.
Excellent rating290,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- 1,000+ rental companies compared
- Free cancellation
- 24/7 support
To compare before you choose
Good to know before you rent
- Third-party liability insurance is mandatoryIn Mexico, it's often not included in the price shown online: check before you pay.
- A deposit on a credit cardAn amount is held on your card for the whole rental. Bring a card with a high enough limit.
- Your French driving license is enoughIt's accepted for tourists. The international driving permit is optional: only if you want one.
- Photos and video at pick-upFilm the car from every angle when you collect it, to avoid any dispute when you return it.
- Filling up at the gas stationCheck that the pump meter is at zero before the attendant starts.
- Watch out for “topes”These speed bumps are everywhere, sometimes without a sign: slow down as you enter villages.
CENOTE IK KIL PRICES AND HOURS ⏰
▶️ The site is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m.
THE PRICE AND WHAT’S INCLUDED
💸 When we visited in October 2021, we paid 150 pesos (€6.50) per person. Today, general admission is listed at about 240 to 250 pesos per person, with the life jacket, locker and parking included. This price may change.
The number of daily entries is limited, and online tickets give priority access: these days, it’s best to book ahead, especially in high season. Also bring pesos in cash: read our article Where to withdraw money in Mexico.
THE BUFFET PACKAGE
A package with entry, the buffet and a drink is available: it cost 350 pesos (€15) when we visited and is now around 530 pesos. The restaurant is right on site.
WHEN TO VISIT IK KIL TO AVOID THE CROWDS? 🕘
Arrive right at opening at 9 a.m. Tour groups usually show up between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and weekends are busy with local visitors. When we visited in October 2021, there weren’t many people, and we could swim around freely.
COMBINING CHICHÉN ITZÁ AND IK KIL IN THE SAME DAY 🏛️
That’s what we did, and it’s ideal: Chichén Itzá right when it opens at 8 a.m., before the heat and the crowds, then a swim at Ik Kil to cool off, just 5 minutes away by car. If possible, avoid arriving at the cenote between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
DISCOVER THE NEARBY MAYAN SITES 🦎
Explore the Mayan sites near here through nearly 40 articles about the Yucatán and Quintana Roo 🌍. Discover our best tips, itineraries, history, reviews and much more to make the most of your travel experience and dive 100% into discovering Mexico! It’s the perfect time to carefully plan your vacation ✈️.
DISCOVER THE NEARBY CENOTES 🧐
Now’s the time to explore the cenotes near here on my Mexico travel blog to make the most of your stay 🌟! You’ll find details on the history of these cenotes, our honest review, and captivating photos of your future discoveries 🌍. These articles will be essential resources for planning your trip to Mexico! 🗺️📸
RULES AND PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING IK KIL 🥰
As always in our articles, here are a few tips for visiting Cenote Ik Kil:
- A buffet restaurant on site 🍽️.
- Don’t touch the vines (they’re sacred).
- Come early in the morning to avoid the crowds ☺️.
- Book ahead if you can: daily access is limited.
- Parking included and guarded 🅿️.
- Jumps are made from the stair platforms (about 3 to 5 m), under supervision: we did several. Jumping from the top is forbidden.
- The water temperature is around 25 degrees.
- Life jacket mandatory 🦺 (in some cenotes, it’s only recommended).
- Showering is mandatory, and avoid sunscreen and bug spray before swimming.
- Water shoes come in handy: the steps are slippery.
VISIT CENOTE IK KIL ON A TOUR
Many of you aren’t sure whether to book ahead or on the day. For 90% of our outings, we didn’t book online because we had the rental car, which let us be 100% independent. Here are a few tours of Cenote Ik Kil and Chichén Itzá that could come in handy if you’d rather not have to think about it and have a guide during your trip 🌐.
OUR TAKE ON THIS MARVELOUS CENOTE 💭
It was one of our best experiences, especially since we’d just done Chichén Itzá! Coming from France 🇫🇷, places like this just don’t exist, and when you discover the cenotes, you’re instantly smitten 😍. We were lucky, there weren’t many people: we could swim around freely, do some jumps and admire the place. There’s no time limit. Staying in Valladolid for a few days lets you explore all the spots around it, including Cenote Ik Kil and Chichén Itzá.
For a super touristy cenote, the price is still reasonable compared to others. And for food, our tip: instead of the on-site restaurant, drive on to Restaurante Ahumados (Ahumados Especialidades de la Región), an incredible spot, the same one we recommend near Suytun 😋.
👉 What about you? What do you think of Ik Kil?
FAQ: YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CENOTE IK KIL ❓
These are the questions people often ask before visiting Cenote Ik Kil. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, and I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
General admission is listed at about 240 to 250 pesos per person, life jacket, locker and parking included. In October 2021, we paid 150 pesos. This price may change.
The cenote is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. We recommend arriving right at opening.
It’s not mandatory, but it’s now recommended: daily capacity is limited, and online booking gives priority access. In 2021, we didn’t book.
Yes, it’s mandatory for swimming and comes with your ticket. Lifeguards supervise the swimming area.
Showering is mandatory before getting in the water, and it’s best to avoid sunscreen and bug spray before swimming to protect the water. The easiest thing is to put them on afterward.
About 48 m (sources vary from 40 to 50 m), and 60 m across. You go down about 26 m of slippery stairs to reach the water.
From Valladolid, allow 40 to 45 minutes on the free Highway 180 (the toll highway doesn’t help on this route). The cenote is 3 km from Chichén Itzá, a 5-minute drive or a taxi ride of about 250 pesos.
Yes, that’s what we did: Chichén Itzá in the morning, then a swim at Ik Kil to cool off. If possible, avoid the 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. window, when the groups arrive.
Yes, it’s included in the ticket and guarded. As a precaution, don’t leave anything visible in the car.
Yes, there’s a buffet restaurant on site (package around 530 pesos). Our tip: drive on to Restaurante Ahumados, an incredible spot.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO 🏨
During our one-month road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽, we stayed in 8 different towns, alternating between Airbnbs and hotels. And we were always very happy with where we stayed 😇.
We deliberately avoided “All Inclusive” packages. It’s not our idea of travel: we’d rather be in the heart of towns and villages, eat local and discover the country at our own pace 🌮.
OUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE TO STAY
- 📅 Book ahead in high season: the best places go fast and prices climb.
- 🚗 Private or secure parking if you’re traveling with a rental car. You’ll see, it’s not always available, but depending on the town it can be really worth having.
- ❄️ Air conditioning: essential in Yucatán and Quintana Roo, where it’s hot all year round.
- 🏊 A pool: up to you whether you want one at some of your stays, because it can quickly push the price up.
- 📍 A place close to the center: so you can do everything on foot in the evening. That said, if you like places outside town and you have the car, nothing forces you to stay near the center
- ✅ Free cancellation, to keep your itinerary flexible.
AIRBNB OR HOTEL IN MEXICO?
Both have their advantages. An Airbnb is ideal for more space, a kitchen and living like a local. A hotel is more convenient for one or two nights passing through, with a reception desk and often breakfast included. As for us, we liked both. It all depends on what you want, whether you’re with family, solo or as a couple, and how you like to travel.
HOW MUCH DOES ACCOMMODATION COST IN MEXICO?
There’s something for every taste and every budget. We paid between €40 and €100 a night for two. To be completely transparent with you: €1,800 for 29 nights, or about €62 a night on average (that was in 2021, prices may have changed since).
👇 Here are the 8 places where we slept during our road trip, with our review of each one.
Tested during our road trip
Our 8 places to stay in Mexico
AirbnbHotel
-
AirbnbHolbox
An incredible room, with the pool right next door to cool off. Just perfect!
- Room
- Pool right next door
- Incredible room
- Hotel
Valladolid
A stunning setting and a super spacious room, ideal for catching your breath between two cenotes.
- Very spacious room
- Pool
- On-site massages
- Airbnb
Mérida
A whole house just for us, with a small pool to relax.
- Whole house
- Small pool
- A bit out of the way
- Hotel
Bacalar
A gorgeous place right in the town center, with a superb pool.
- Hotel
- Superb pool
- Town center, far from the lagoon
- Airbnb
Tulum
A whole place with a pool, but very far out: you'll need the car.
- Whole place
- Pool
- Far out, car essential
- Airbnb
Cozumel
A clean, well-located studio, so you can do everything on foot from the town center.
- Studio
- Clean and well designed
- Close to the center
- Hotel
Isla Mujeres
A beautiful seafront hotel with a magnificent pool.
- Hotel
- Magnificent pool
- Seafront, a bit out of the way
- Hotel
Cancún
Right next to the airport: perfect for the first or last night of the trip.
- Hotel
- Close to the airport
- Ideal for the 1st or last night
MY MUST-HAVE TRAVEL GEAR 🧳
It’s a question that comes up a lot when preparing a trip “What should I bring?” That’s why you’ll find below some essential travel accessories to set off on vacation with peace of mind (your documents kept safe) 🛡️ . Planning ahead and getting these items in advance helps you save money and avoid paying for some of them on the spot, where they’ll cost you much more 💸 These are the accessories we took to Mexico and still use for every destination we travel to 👇.
Our road trip checklist
What to pack for Mexico?
Most of these items came with us throughout our 30-day road trip.
0 / 12 in my suitcase · check what you already have
- Essential
ElectronicsUniversal travel adapter
In Mexico, outlets are the American type: French chargers won't fit.
- Essential
ElectronicsPower bank
Long days between ruins and cenotes: your phone lasts until evening.
- Essential
Health & protectionBiodegradable sunscreen
Mineral and biodegradable, kinder to cenotes and reefs.
- Essential
Health & protectionMosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are everywhere, especially in the evening and near the jungle.
- Essential
Cenotes & beachWaterproof phone pouch
To film in cenotes and at the beach without any risk.
- Recommended
Health & protectionFilter water bottle
Tap water isn't drinkable in Mexico: filter it and avoid plastic.
- Recommended
Health & protectionTravel first-aid kit
Band-aids, painkillers, anti-diarrhea meds: enough to handle small issues.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWaterproof bag
Papers and keys kept dry on boats, at the beach or by the cenotes.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWater shoes
For slippery cenote steps and rocky seabeds.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachMicrofiber towel
Light and quick-drying: perfect for swim after swim.
- Bonus
Travel & securityTSA lock
To lock your suitcase on the plane, with no risk of it being broken at security.
- Bonus
Travel & securityAirTag
To track your suitcase if your luggage is delayed or lost.
OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS IN MEXICO 
During our 30-day road trip in Mexico 
, we filmed everything! From Holbox to Cancún, by way of Valladolid, Mérida, Bacalar, Tulum, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, we take you along with us step by step in our vlogs.
You’ll discover the cenotes we swam in, the Mayan sites we explored, the beaches that made us dream, our places to stay, our favorite spots to eat… and above all our honest take on each place: what amazed us, and what disappointed us a little 
.
If you’re planning your trip, or simply dreaming of getting away, these videos will give you a real glimpse of Mexico, far from the tourist brochures.
Our road trip on video
Our YouTube videos in Mexico
Now watching: Episode 1 · Discovering Mexico & Holbox
21 minEpisode 1Discovering Mexico & Holbox- 17 minEpisode 2Cenotes & Mayan cities
- 9 minEpisode 3Mérida, Uxmal, Cuzamá & the bats
- 13 minEpisode 4Bacalar, a hidden paradise
- 12 minEpisode 5Tulum, Coba, Sian Ka'an & Cenote Azul
- 12 minEpisode 6Cozumel, diving & snorkeling
- 17 minEpisode 7Isla Mujeres, jet skiing & the end of the road trip
21 min
17 min
9 min
13 min
12 min
12 min
17 minTHANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
Thanks for reading this article all the way to the end 🙏! We hope it helps you plan your trip.
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