Ik Kil cenote was the most stunning and memorable cenote that we visited while in Mexico. It's a must visit.
We visited some stunning Cenotes in Mexico that transported us to another world with their unique and stunning beauty. The word “Cenote” is pronounced, see-no-tay and is derived from a Mayan word that means 'sacred well.' Read about all the Cenotes we visited here.
The official definition of a cenote is a limestone sinkhole that exposes a body of water. The best way I can describe it is as whimsical body of crystal clear water, surrounded by some of the most unique and interesting scenery you can imagine. There are tons of cenotes in Mexico, and no two are the same as they all offer completely different experiences.
My favorite cenote that we visited was Ik Kil. This one is located right near the Chichen Itza ruins, so it was a no-brainer to stop here for a dip after a day of exploring the hot ruins. The drive between these two locations is only 10 minutes, so you can chose to go either before or after you visit Chichen Itza.
Ik Kil
This is one of the more crowded cenotes so you will find it gets busy mid-day.
To access Ik Kil, you walk down stairs a long set of stairs that take you 85 feet below ground level. The most magical part about Ik Kil are the vines that reach from the opening all the way down to the water. There are also several small waterfalls, and black catfish swimming around. We really had a great time here, as there are some areas around the cenote that you can jump in from. I took the plunge a few times from the highest point and had an absolute blast.
I can see why this Cenote is so sacred to the Mayans, as you feel like you have been transported to another world.
Travel Tips
List of Services
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Day TrippinList Item 1
This cenote is located only about 15 minutes from Chichen Itza, so definitely stop by here for a dip and some adventure after wandering around the hot ruins.
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Park It HereList Item 2
They have a huge parking lot, so parking is not a problem! There are also many tour buses that you can book to come to this cenote.
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Jump In
Don't worry about bringing your snorkel gear here, the water isn't as clear as some of the other cenotes. Also, there are showers, bathrooms and lockers here for you to get ready to take the plunge.