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CONTENTS
THE HISTORY OF CENOTE OXMAN 🇲🇽
Swimming in Cenote Oxman 💧 is an experience you could almost call mystical. The Maya believed cenotes were pathways to the afterlife; the word comes from the Mayan dz’onot, “sacred well.” These sinkholes formed when the ceiling of a water-filled cave collapsed, and there are said to be about 10,000 of them on the Yucatán Peninsula 🇲🇽!
Oxman is an underground cenote in a large cavern: the hole that lets the light in is said to have formed when the roots of a big tree collapsed 😱.
👉 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 OXMAN 🚗
A CENOTE VERY CLOSE TO VALLADOLID
Cenote Oxman is just a few kilometers from Valladolid, like other very famous cenotes: Ik Kil, X’Canché, Hubiku or Suytun. It’s very touristy, and lots of tour operators stop here 😧: arrive early, ideally at opening time, to have this magical place to yourself 😍! We arrived around 10 a.m. and left around noon.
HACIENDA SAN LORENZO OXMAN
This cenote belongs to Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman, a former hacienda that offers lots of amenities: a restaurant, a bar, a pool with loungers. We didn’t take advantage of them, but it’s a good option for spending the day. As I explain in my other articles, most cenotes don’t belong to the state but to private owners: that really surprised me, since these places are steeped in history and their preservation should be regulated by the Mexican government. What do you think 🗯️?
73 STEPS AND THE TARZAN ROPE SWING
As usual, showering is mandatory before swimming in this sacred place. Then you go down 73 steps into this giant sinkhole. We were incredibly lucky: at that moment, we were alone, even though it’s a very, very touristy cenote 😇.
The highlight is the Tarzan rope swing: you swing out over the water before letting go in the middle of the cenote. We did it, and it was awesome! Today, an attendant manages the turns, and you jump in without going headfirst. The water is beautiful, with lots of fish, and you can take gorgeous photos 📸.
Fun fact: that day, we met some French people from Châteaurenard (Adeline knew one of their brothers): small world 😂! You have to enjoy these unique moments in Mexico.
HOW TO GET TO CENOTE OXMAN FROM VALLADOLID ⏳
BY CAR AND PARKING
The cenote is about 4 to 5 km (2.5 to 3 miles) from downtown Valladolid, 10 to 15 minutes by car. Allow about 2 hours from Mérida, and 2 to 2.5 hours from Cancún or Playa del Carmen. We were staying in Valladolid, at the Hotel Boutique Sayab, with our rental car. Parking is large and free, with an attendant you can leave a small tip for. Feel free to check out my article on renting a car in Mexico.
BY TAXI OR BIKE
From Valladolid, a taxi costs about 100 pesos (€5) one way. Heads up: some drivers may try to inflate the price, so agree on the fare before getting in, and plan your return, since no taxis wait on site. By bike, allow 25 to 40 minutes.
👉 For us, the car was essential: it let us combine the cenotes around Valladolid and Chichén Itzá without relying on public transportation.
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.
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! 🗺️📸
CENOTE OXMAN ENTRANCE FEE AND OPENING HOURS ⏰
▶️ During our visit, the site was open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Today, the hours we’ve found point more to closing around 5 p.m., with the kitchen closing around 4:30 p.m. Check the official Facebook page before you go.
💰 In October 2021, we paid 150 pesos per person (about €6.50). Today, count on about 200 pesos (€9.50) for admission only (cenote and pool). A ticket with restaurant credit is also offered, around 350 to 400 pesos (€17 to €19). There’s no official price list: check these prices on site.
A life jacket is included and mandatory. Lockers are no longer guaranteed: plan to leave your things along the sides. Paying in cash is recommended: read our article Where to withdraw money in Mexico.
OUR TIPS AND THE RULES TO FOLLOW 🥰
As in all our articles, here are a few tips for visiting Cenote Oxman:
- A restaurant on the hacienda grounds 🍽️. Our tip: a few kilometers away, Restaurante Ahumados (which we knew as “Que Café”) is one of our favorite restaurants in Mexico.
- Lots of tour operators stop at this cenote: arrive at opening time.
- Parking is free and large 🅿️.
- Lots of visitors arrive around 10:30-11 a.m.
- 🚿 Showering is mandatory, and no sunscreen or bug spray before swimming.
- Respect the place, its wildlife and its plants.
- No need to book online.
- Have a blast on the Tarzan rope swing!
- The water temperature is about 22°C (72°F).
- Depth: about 45 m (148 ft), nowhere to touch the bottom.
- 🦺 Life jacket required (if you’re like me, swimming without one is so much better, but it’s not possible here).
DISCOVER CENOTE OXMAN ON A TOUR
A lot 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 our rental car, which let us be 100% independent. Here are a few Cenote Oxman tours that might come in handy if you’d rather keep things simple and have someone take you around during your trip 🌐.
OUR REVIEW OF CENOTE OXMAN 💭
What more can I say? It’s a place to see and discover if you’re near Valladolid. Seen from above, this sinkhole just makes you want to go down and jump into the water 😇! The Tarzan rope swing is a real bonus, letting you have fun and share great memories. These are places we don’t have in France, and looking at these photos again makes me want to travel again and discover new countries. Other cenotes like X’Canché, Ik Kil and The 3 cenotes of Cuzamá are just as incredible! Staying in Valladolid lets you enjoy the many Yucatán cenotes around the town. You can even visit several in the same day.
The 150-peso price is pretty reasonable, and if you go in the low season, you’ll get to enjoy Cenote Oxman even more. If you can visit it, go for it 💪!
👉 What about you? What did you think of Oxman?
FAQ: YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CENOTE OXMAN ❓
These are the questions people often ask before visiting Cenote Oxman. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, and I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
We paid 150 pesos per person in October 2021. Recent prices are around 200 pesos (€9.50) for admission only, with pool access. There’s no official price list: this price may change.
The hacienda offers a pricier ticket that includes credit to spend at the restaurant or bar, around 350 to 400 pesos (€17 to €19). Ask at the ticket office for the current option.
Yes, it’s mandatory for everyone and included in the admission price. We’d have preferred to swim without one, but that’s not possible at Oxman.
Yes, the rope is still there and it’s the star attraction: we did it, and it was awesome! An attendant manages the turns, and you jump in without going headfirst.
During our visit, it was open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recent sources point more to closing around 5 p.m. Check the official Facebook page before you go.
The cenote is about 4 to 5 km from downtown, 10 to 15 minutes by car: that’s what we did. By taxi, count on about 100 pesos one way, agreeing on the price before getting in.
Yes, the parking lot is large and free. There’s an attendant, and a small tip is appreciated.
No, sunscreen and bug spray are banned before swimming, and showering is mandatory, to protect the cenote’s water and wildlife.
Bring cash in pesos, preferably in small bills: cards aren’t reliably accepted.
Arrive at opening time: groups show up in the late morning. We arrived around 10 a.m. and were lucky to be alone for a while, even though the cenote is very touristy.
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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