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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 📰
Mexico offers gorgeous scenery, with one thing that’s truly its own: cenotes! There are tons of them, and after lots of research around Mérida, I discovered the “3 cenotes of Cuzamá” circuit 😉. That day, we were joined by Audrey and Robin, two French travelers we met on social media, who did part of the road trip with us: they were traveling six months in Latin America ✌️.
There are lots of cenotes to do, whether around Mérida or Valladolid, like Hubiku or X’Canché 👊! But the Cuzamá cenotes offer a very unusual outing, and you’ll quickly understand why 🙃.
👉 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
HOW A VISIT TO THE CUZAMÁ CENOTES BY TRUCK WORKS 🚗
We were starting to know cenotes pretty well, and we’re still under their spell 😍! This outing is just 1 hour from Mérida. The road is pretty good, even if there are way too many topes (speed bumps) for my taste ☹️. There’s a big free parking lot. We arrived around 10 a.m.
You visit by “truck,” a small cart pulled by a horse along rails, with a guide who takes you from one cenote to the next. You pay per cart (4 people max): if there can be 4 of you, it cuts the cost considerably 👛. Before going, I’d done a lot of research: you can’t get there on foot, it’s way too far.
CENOTE CHAN UCIL: THE UNDERGROUND CAVE 🪔
The first stop is Cenote Chan Ucil (also found under the name “Chan Uci”). It’s very unusual, set in a cave, as if you were going caving 🔦, with an underground river. A very long staircase takes you down into this cenote, where you can enjoy fairly cool water. It’s pretty rare to find cenotes like this one in Mexico; it’s very original 😉.
CENOTE BOLONCHOJOL: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN OUR OPINION 😍
Between each cenote, there are a few minutes of cart ride. The route has only one track: when you meet other visitors, one of the two guides has to lift their cart off and put it back afterward, which must be exhausting for them in the long run 😨. Another long staircase to go down (stairs like these couldn’t exist in France), and when you reach the bottom, facing that blue water, you’re already smitten 🥰. It’s also an underground cenote, but a few rays of sunlight shine through and leave gorgeous sparkles of light ☀️.
The water is very clear, and we even recovered a tourist’s mask from the bottom 🤿. This second cenote is truly beautiful and very authentic.
CENOTE CHACSINICCHÉ: FISH AND DEEP WATER 🐅
To finish, the third cenote, Chacsinicché (Chac-Sinic-Che). In the first two, we had the scenery to ourselves 😊; at this one, there were a few more people, though it was still totally fine. Clear, deep water, with lots of fish… and a jump of about 10 meters (33 ft) 🙈. I did it: it was incredible, and just scary enough, but it’s a must!
HOW TO GET TO THE CUZAMÁ CENOTES FROM MÉRIDA ⏳
The Cuzamá cenotes are about 1 hour southeast of Mérida. To get there:
- By car 🚗: by far the easiest. Allow about 1 hour from Mérida (via Acanceh), 2 hours 10 minutes from Valladolid and 4 hours from Cancún or Playa del Carmen. We were staying in Mérida with our rental car: in Mexico, having a vehicle really makes all the difference for this kind of outing. Feel free to check out my article on renting a car in Mexico.
- By bus or colectivo 🚌: there are few connections. From Mérida’s Noreste terminal, buses and colectivos run to Cuzamá (or Acanceh, then a shared taxi), before you finish by mototaxi to the cart departure point (about 3 km). Double-check the time of the last return.
- On a tour 🗺️: day tours from Mérida now exist, with transportation included.
👉 For us, the car was essential during our trip: it let us be 100% independent and visit the Cuzamá cenotes, the Calcehtok caves or Uxmal 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! 🗺️📸
CUZAMÁ CENOTES: PRICES, OPENING HOURS AND WHAT’S INCLUDED ⏰
▶️ The site is open every day, from about 8 a.m. to 4-5 p.m. depending on the source, with the last cart around 3 p.m.: arrive early. We got there around 10 a.m.
💰 During our visit in October 2021, we paid 600 pesos per cart (4 people max). Recent sources now give between 400 and 800 pesos per cart depending on the cooperative: the price may change, so confirm it on site. Payment is in cash: read our article Where to withdraw money in Mexico.
The price includes the round-trip truck ride, the guide-driver and access to the 3 cenotes. A life jacket is usually included, but not required. The tip for the guide isn’t included. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours for the full circuit.
OUR TIPS FOR VISITING THE CUZAMÁ CENOTES 🥰
As in all our articles, here are a few tips for visiting the Cuzamá cenotes:
- No place to eat right nearby during our visit 🍽️: bring water and a snack.
- Parking is free and large 🅿️.
- During our visit in October 2021, on a weekday, we had two of the three cenotes to ourselves. Weekends and public holidays are much busier.
- Don’t touch the vines or the roots (they’re sacred).
- Lots of fish 🐟.
- You can tip your guide, it’s always appreciated 👌.
- No need to book if you come on your own: you pay on site, in cash.
- A jump of about 10 meters is possible at Chacsinicché: do it carefully!
- The water temperature is pleasant, with the Mexican heat.
- Life jacket not required 🦺 (if you’re like me, swimming without one is so much better).
- No sunscreen or bug spray before swimming, and wear non-slip shoes for the stairs.
SAFETY: STAIRS, DEPTH AND LIFE JACKETS 🦺
You go down into each cenote via long staircases or fairly steep ladders, sometimes slippery, and the water is deep (Chacsinicché is especially deep). Wear non-slip shoes, and take the life jacket if you’re not comfortable in the water. We preferred to swim without one, but adapt it to your level.
CUZAMÁ OR CHUNKANÁN: WHICH CIRCUIT TO CHOOSE?
Several cooperatives run cenote tours around Cuzamá, which can be confusing. We did the “3 cenotes of Cuzamá” circuit (Chan Ucil, Bolonchojol and Chacsinicché). The neighboring circuit, starting from the Chunkanán hacienda, works the same way but includes other cenotes, like Chelentún. Either way, the truck experience is the same.
WHEN TO VISIT THE CUZAMÁ CENOTES? ☀️
The best time is weekday mornings. Avoid weekends, public holidays and Holy Week, when tour buses arrive around midday. And since the last cart leaves around 3 p.m., don’t come too late!
DISCOVER MÉRIDA & THE SURROUNDING AREA 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. For the 3 cenotes of Cuzamá, you don’t need to book ahead, but there are now day tours from Mérida. There are also lots of tours around Mérida if you’d rather keep things simple (you’ve got plenty of choice) 👇
OUR REVIEW OF THE CUZAMÁ CENOTES 💭
If you’re near Mérida, this outing is an absolute must 😊! For one thing, you get a ride through the jungle to discover unique places, untouched by humans. For another, the 3 cenotes are all very different and each one is beautiful. These are landscapes you won’t see just anywhere, and above all, the originality of the outing makes you want to discover them even more 😇!
We really enjoyed it and highly recommend it, especially since we were alone in the first two cenotes, which makes the experience even more incredible 😍! October is a great time to travel to Mexico, since it’s not very touristy, with more affordable prices than in high season.
👉 What about you? What did you think of the 3 cenotes of Cuzamá?
FAQ: YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CUZAMÁ CENOTES ❓
These are the questions people often ask before visiting the Cuzamá cenotes. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, and I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
You pay per cart (up to 4 people), not per person. In October 2021, we paid 600 pesos. Recent sources give between 400 and 800 pesos depending on the cooperative: confirm it on site.
The round-trip ride in the horse-drawn truck, the guide-driver and access to the 3 cenotes. A life jacket is usually included; the guide’s tip isn’t.
By car, allow about 1 hour via Acanceh, then follow the “Cenotes” signs from the village. We went with our rental car, from our place in Mérida. Without a car, there are buses and colectivos from the Noreste terminal, or organized tours.
Yes, by colectivo or bus to the village, then by mototaxi to the cart departure point (about 3 km). Check the time of the last return to Mérida, often in mid-afternoon.
About 8 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. depending on the source, with the last cart around 3 p.m. We arrived around 10 a.m.: it’s best to come in the morning to enjoy the cenotes in peace.
Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours for the full circuit, plus a 2-hour round-trip drive from Mérida.
No, if you come on your own: you pay on site, in cash. Day tours from Mérida are also available if you’d rather have someone take you.
You go down via long staircases or steep ladders, sometimes slippery, and the water is deep. Wear non-slip shoes and take the life jacket if you’re not a strong swimmer. We preferred to swim without one, but adapt it to your level.
Several cooperatives run cenote tours around Cuzamá. We did the “3 cenotes of Cuzamá” circuit (Chan Ucil, Bolonchojol, Chacsinicché); the one from the Chunkanán hacienda includes Chelentún, among others.
Pesos in cash, a swimsuit, a towel, water and suitable shoes. Avoid sunscreen and bug spray before swimming. There was no place to eat right nearby during our visit.
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
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