Cenote Ik Kil Photos
Recommended Reviews - Cenote Ik Kil
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Absolutely stunning. Pretty crowded but everyone seemed to be respectful of the space. There are lockers nearby that you can rent to store your items. Life vests are required- once you step foot off the ledge, you're plummeting down into 150 feet of water. Gorgeous views- the hanging vines, birds and bats make it a sight you'll never forget!
One of the things I was most looking forwards to when coming to Cancun was to explore the cenote scene which are natural sinkholes that have collapsed overtime filled with groundwater. I was super excited to visit one after looking at all photos on the internet. The entrance fee was around $10 a person which includes a locker space which you will need as they don't allow outside bags into the area as well as a life jacket. It was fairly easy to find the locker rooms and to get ready. I was also excited, walking through the area, that I was finally at a touristy spot where someone isn't constantly trying to haggle me to buy things that I simply cannot carry back to the States. The facilities were all very clean. The cenote itself is actually quite small which I was a bit surprised about. The place really is just this one hole in the ground which when you look up, you can see all these beautiful vines hanging downwards and birds and butterflies flying around in circles in the area. At the cenote, you can "cliff jump" into the water which had a bunch of fish swimming around. Once you're inside you can just float around, talk to your friends, enjoy the wildlife, etc. The place is absolutely beautiful but one my "problem" with it was that there was just too many people there. We came in the afternoon on a Monday thinking we could have the place more to ourselves but the cenote was completely full and packed. Overall, wonderful and easy experience. Would definitely recommend to come to Cenote Ik Kil but do be mindful that there will probably have a lot of people there so don't expect to take some amazing Instagram photos unfortunately. Also, even those who can't swim can enjoy this place as everyone is required to wear a lifevest, although it may be mentally daunting to come as the cenote is quite deep.
Cenote was my final stop on my tour from Cancun to Chicen-Itza. I looked at photos and reviews, prior to my trip to Mexico, so I thought I knew what I was in for. It's a beautiful scenic sinkhole. It was $6USD for a locker and a live vest. You will be asked to take a quick shower before entering and then you can make your way inside. Warning: the ground surface is very slippery and the walk down to the Cenote could be a little scar, as it's very narrow and folks are walking on both sides of the staircase. I did not know how deep the water was (I overheard a few people talking and they said 10 feet) however,I do not know how to swim, and I had an incident as a teenager, where I almost drowned, so I was very careful about easing myself inside the water. Once I was in the water, I got a little afraid because I couldn't feel my legs touching the ground and even with the live vest, I didn't feel comfortable. I quickly exited after about five minutes, but stayed around to watch the folks have a ball and leap off the top. My biggest regret was inability to swim and not enjoy to the fullest extent. I'd definitely say this is a worthwhile experience excursion, while visiting Mexico.
Fun stop after Chichen Itza. It is on the way to Chichen Itza from Playa Del Carmen, Tulum or Rivera Maya. It is pretty commercialized with good bathrooms and lockers included in admission price (approx $9usd). You have to shower before walking down to the cenote. It is quite large and you are allowed to swim. They also have a spot to dive in from. The cenote walls are covered with vine and it's cool looking. Tip: not handicapped accessible and it has steep and somewhat slippery steps. Would not recommend for people with mobility issues
It is about 6 kilometers from Chichen Itza. Very good cenote. It is a part of a hotel but I suppose it is open to the general tourists as well. Great place to take a dive in and enjoy the swim. There are showers and changing rooms just a few steps from the entrance from where you can also get the life jackets in case you don't know how to swim or just want to be safe. The cenote is about three levels down. There are three levels to take a dive - the first one isn't actually much of a dive (just stepping down from the ladder into the water) but the second and third ones are at two different heights. So, someone enjoying the dives would enjoy it here. There is some parking space outside and a restaurant for refreshments. Overall, a great place to enjoy cenotes that this area is famous for.
Great little cenote! Highly recommend going there super early for great pictures. Highly recommend going right when they open so you have the cenote all to yourself. It does get crowded around 10:30/11:00 when all the tour buses start to arrive. We went right before checking out Chizen Itza and timing was perfect!
This cenote is very large and very deep. First, you must take a shower before getting in and then they give you a life jacket - there are lockers to store your things. The entry here was included in our tour to Chichen Itza. It seemed like that was the case for many people as there were easily about 100 people at the cenote at the same time we were there. It was a definitely a nice stop during the tour. However, if you want to enjoy and relax at a cenote without large crowds, this place is to be avoided. There are plenty of others that are not so touristy.
Great for quick dive, very popular among tourist due to tours and travel agency We did our chichen Itza tour from 13baktun tours and after chichen Itza, we came here. It was great, though I did not go into the water as a swimmer I can feel this. this Cenote is a big hole about 150 feet in the ground. Water was very clear, and you can see people diving down the water. There is locker room at a reasonable rate and they give you the life jacket. Stairs are there all the way to the down. But again, I guess if tour buses don't come here, it won't be that much crowded and, in that way, it can preserve its beauty. There are souvenir shops, restaurants, and park and you can pass your time here. Donno why our bus halted here more than 1.5 hr.
This was one of the pit stops after seeing the Pyramids. We didn't get the chance to swim in it though, but I'm kind of glad because the water didn't seem so clean and there were a bunch of kids in there already. Pretty cool place to check out though.
This Cenote is beautiful!! When I come back to Mexico I definitely want to check out more but since we were short on time, this was still a great stop despite lots of people! Cenotes are sink holes that result in natural swimming holes and beautiful caves! We definitely wanted to check at least one while we were here on our short little vacay. This one is pretty close to Chichen Itza (about 5 minutes) so it's definitely worth a stop after your visit to the ruins! Because it's near the popular Mayan ruins.. it'll most likely be crowded... but despite the crowds... you don't have to worry about lines unless you want to jump off the platforms into the pool. Otherwise just step right in! They have their own parking lot and plenty of it. There is an entrance fee.. which is included in most tours, but it's quite inexpensive and with bathrooms and showers included and also lockers. Once you walk inside, you're greeted with dancers and you can take your picture with them. Pretty sure they expect tips. Restaurant There is a buffet style restaurant, which was included in my tour. Food was ok! I was starving when I got there so I thought everything tasted pretty good. There's another restaurant with more food and alcohol as well. Swimming 50m deep (150ft) Various jump platforms to jump from Tips Shower is mandatory to swim Life vests were required Around 91 steps to get down to swimming area. No clue if it's up and down or 91 steps one way but it wasn't hard. Get views from the top and the bottom!
I want to give 5 stars because the Cenote was so neat but the place is such a crowded tourist trap and they charge for every little thing and it seems so chaotic with all the people I have to only give 4. That being said it was super cool to be able to jump in and float around this beautiful natural creation. The water was a cool 70 degrees and a bit chilly for me. I think everyone should experience it once.
As is the case with most people here, I ended up stopping here during a day long excursion to Chichen Itza. I've read a lot of reviews, both on here and TripAdvisor, where reviewers complained about ridiculous crowds. I was lucky enough to not have that problem. When our tour bus stopped by here it was already late in the afternoon and the place was empty! Sweet! I opted not to swim in the Cenote, but if you wish to they have showers available so that way you don't bring your sweat, nastiness, and funk into the water with you. I'm no germaphobe, but it still sounded a little too "funky" for my liking, showers or no showers. With all that said, it is a beautiful site! The long stringing vines and deep blue waters are quite the site, especially from above. They have three different viewing spots above the top of the water of the cenote. From what our tour guide said, this cenote is 161 feet deep, so don't jump in unless you are an experienced swimmer. A little research on Wikipedia and I found out that the Mayans used to use these natural sinkholes as places to offer sacrifices to the "rain gods". In the early 1900's they actually found precious metals, artifacts, and human remains! Whoa! What a trip! lol Even though I did not swim in the cenote, I am glad to have had an opportunity to check it out! 4 stars. Yay! I'm a fan.
Popular, deep, and beautiful Ik Kil may be the most famous cenote in the Mexican Yucatán. Its convenience to the nearby Mayan archeological ruins at Chichen Itza makes it a regular part of many bus tours from Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Our tour group stopped here on the way to Valladolid and I have to admit that Cenote Ik Kil was the most professional/organized cenote we have visited in Mexico. Compared to most cenotes, Ik Kil offers many facilities for visitors including a store, changing rooms, restaurant, and cottages. Three times in recent years, Ik Kil was the site of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Guests aren't allowed to dive into the cenote from the opening at ground level which is probably a wise thing since the water is 85 feet (26m) below the surface. Instead, there are carved stairs down to a swimming platform at water level. Along the way down. there are a few view points to look out through the natural vines that stretch from the sky towards the water. The cold aqua pura of Ik Kil is refreshing and a bit intimidating since the cenote is 130 feet (40m) deep. The experience at Ik Kil is definitely more touristy and sterile than most cenote in the region which also makes it one of the best for providing a family-friendly, safe, and refreshing experience at one of Mexico's most famous, beautiful, and popular Cenotes.
2 months ago
Second stop of our day tour. Hubbers and fam-in-law mentioned maybe going to a cenote during our Merida visit. I felt like it was a daily discussion. Me? Had NO idea what a cenote is, so like a normal person, I googled it. And once I found out what it was, I agreed that we have to check one out. When Hubbers booked the day tour, he made sure a cenote was one of the stops. He's never been to one either, so it'll be a first run for both of us! We paid ahead of time and given our bracelets while we were still on our way, so we didn't waste any time lining up to buy tickets. (We were allotted only an hour for this stop, so that was a plus.) We got our assigned lockers, changed into swim wear and locked up our belongings. There are strict instructions once we got there: you must rinse off thoroughly (loved those rinsing stations, the water pressure was heavy and strong!) then you have to claim your vest, and other than water shoes, no footwear is allowed at the cenote. (They have a store selling them for around $20US.) We made our way to the main attraction and what a sight a cenote is! It's a bit of a trek going down to the water and for a few minutes, I regret not paying for the shoes, but once we got to the bottom, I'd quickly forgotten about the inconvenience. It's an absolute wonder this whole place is. It was almost overwhelming, but in a good way. Water was cool, but we welcomed it most especially after being in the heat the whole day. There's a line to do that high jump, but it went by fast. Jumping off is the best way to get in (for me, at least) and I gotta say that was exhilarating! And fun! We made sure to put our timers on since we were on a time crunch, but we enjoyed every second we were in the water. We could have spent the whole day just being one with nature. It really is like nothing else. TIPS: 1) Bring water shoes. Walking barefoot to the stairs and then going up and down them was a bit of a challenge. Some parts were slippery. So those shoes will be very handy. We had to climb and descend those stairs very slowly while holding on to the rail for safety. 2) If you're on a time constraint (like we were), having your swim gear on before getting there will save you a ton of time. The bathroom and changing stations can get busy and there could be a wait. You would rather spend that time in the cenote. I learned there are thousands of cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula. This first run was amazing. I wouldn't mind coming back to this particular one but will most likely check out others first before coming back. One more tip: not all cenotes allow swimming, so plan accordingly. We loved it. Highly HIGHLY recommending. read more
1 month ago
Beautiful Cenote and location. Tickets can be bought for general admission or general admission and buffet. If you don't select the buffet, their Jade restaurant is delicious. If you drive, there will be stops where people will attempt to sell you tickets. Just know tickets can be bought directly on sight or online, no need to stop along the road. You can only wear water shoes into the Cenote, no sandals. If you don't bring water shoes you will walk barefoot. You will only be allowed to bring your cellphone into the Cenote. I recommend a water proof cell phone case. read more
almost forgot that this was the whole point omggg the water was sooo warm (100+ ft below too so wear your life vests!) and you have to store your belongings in a locker of course. an experience i hope everyone can view one day to see this with my own eyes... after only being able to see this online... humans saw this and decided to create corporate life D; one of the most beautiful places i have ever been to read more
Absolutely stunning. Pretty crowded but everyone seemed to be respectful of the space. There are lockers nearby that you can rent to store your items. Life vests are required- once you step foot off the ledge, you're plummeting down into 150 feet of water. Gorgeous views- the hanging vines, birds and bats make it a sight you'll never forget! read more
3 years ago
One of the things I was most looking forwards to when coming to Cancun was to explore the cenote scene which are natural sinkholes that have collapsed overtime filled with groundwater. I was super excited to visit one after looking at all photos on the internet. The entrance fee was around $10 a person which includes a locker space which you will need as they don't allow outside bags into the area as well as a life jacket. It was fairly easy to find the locker rooms and to get ready. I was also excited, walking through the area, that I was finally at a touristy spot where someone isn't constantly trying to haggle me to buy things that I simply cannot carry back to the States. The facilities were all very clean. The cenote itself is actually quite small which I was a bit surprised about. The place really is just this one hole in the ground which when you look up, you can see all these beautiful vines hanging downwards and birds and butterflies flying around in circles in the area. At the cenote, you can "cliff jump" into the water which had a bunch of fish swimming around. Once you're inside you can just float around, talk to your friends, enjoy the wildlife, etc. The place is absolutely beautiful but one my "problem" with it was that there was just too many people there. We came in the afternoon on a Monday thinking we could have the place more to ourselves but the cenote was completely full and packed. Overall, wonderful and easy experience. Would definitely recommend to come to Cenote Ik Kil but do be mindful that there will probably have a lot of people there so don't expect to take some amazing Instagram photos unfortunately. Also, even those who can't swim can enjoy this place as everyone is required to wear a lifevest, although it may be mentally daunting to come as the cenote is quite deep. read more
Cenote was my final stop on my tour from Cancun to Chicen-Itza. I looked at photos and reviews, prior to my trip to Mexico, so I thought I knew what I was in for. It's a beautiful scenic sinkhole. It was $6USD for a locker and a live vest. You will be asked to take a quick shower before entering and then you can make your way inside. Warning: the ground surface is very slippery and the walk down to the Cenote could be a little scar, as it's very narrow and folks are walking on both sides of the staircase. I did not know how deep the water was (I overheard a few people talking and they said 10 feet) however,I do not know how to swim, and I had an incident as a teenager, where I almost drowned, so I was very careful about easing myself inside the water. Once I was in the water, I got a little afraid because I couldn't feel my legs touching the ground and even with the live vest, I didn't feel comfortable. I quickly exited after about five minutes, but stayed around to watch the folks have a ball and leap off the top. My biggest regret was inability to swim and not enjoy to the fullest extent. I'd definitely say this is a worthwhile experience excursion, while visiting Mexico. read more
Fun stop after Chichen Itza. It is on the way to Chichen Itza from Playa Del Carmen, Tulum or Rivera Maya. It is pretty commercialized with good bathrooms and lockers included in admission price (approx $9usd). You have to shower before walking down to the cenote. It is quite large and you are allowed to swim. They also have a spot to dive in from. The cenote walls are covered with vine and it's cool looking. Tip: not handicapped accessible and it has steep and somewhat slippery steps. Would not recommend for people with mobility issues read more
It is about 6 kilometers from Chichen Itza. Very good cenote. It is a part of a hotel but I suppose it is open to the general tourists as well. Great place to take a dive in and enjoy the swim. There are showers and changing rooms just a few steps from the entrance from where you can also get the life jackets in case you don't know how to swim or just want to be safe. The cenote is about three levels down. There are three levels to take a dive - the first one isn't actually much of a dive (just stepping down from the ladder into the water) but the second and third ones are at two different heights. So, someone enjoying the dives would enjoy it here. There is some parking space outside and a restaurant for refreshments. Overall, a great place to enjoy cenotes that this area is famous for. read more
Great little cenote! Highly recommend going there super early for great pictures. Highly recommend going right when they open so you have the cenote all to yourself. It does get crowded around 10:30/11:00 when all the tour buses start to arrive. We went right before checking out Chizen Itza and timing was perfect! read more
8 years ago
This cenote is very large and very deep. First, you must take a shower before getting in and then they give you a life jacket - there are lockers to store your things. The entry here was included in our tour to Chichen Itza. It seemed like that was the case for many people as there were easily about 100 people at the cenote at the same time we were there. It was a definitely a nice stop during the tour. However, if you want to enjoy and relax at a cenote without large crowds, this place is to be avoided. There are plenty of others that are not so touristy. read more
Great for quick dive, very popular among tourist due to tours and travel agency We did our chichen Itza tour from 13baktun tours and after chichen Itza, we came here. It was great, though I did not go into the water as a swimmer I can feel this. this Cenote is a big hole about 150 feet in the ground. Water was very clear, and you can see people diving down the water. There is locker room at a reasonable rate and they give you the life jacket. Stairs are there all the way to the down. But again, I guess if tour buses don't come here, it won't be that much crowded and, in that way, it can preserve its beauty. There are souvenir shops, restaurants, and park and you can pass your time here. Donno why our bus halted here more than 1.5 hr. read more
5 years ago
This was one of the pit stops after seeing the Pyramids. We didn't get the chance to swim in it though, but I'm kind of glad because the water didn't seem so clean and there were a bunch of kids in there already. Pretty cool place to check out though. read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
This Cenote is beautiful!! When I come back to Mexico I definitely want to check out more but since we were short on time, this was still a great stop despite lots of people! Cenotes are sink holes that result in natural swimming holes and beautiful caves! We definitely wanted to check at least one while we were here on our short little vacay. This one is pretty close to Chichen Itza (about 5 minutes) so it's definitely worth a stop after your visit to the ruins! Because it's near the popular Mayan ruins.. it'll most likely be crowded... but despite the crowds... you don't have to worry about lines unless you want to jump off the platforms into the pool. Otherwise just step right in! They have their own parking lot and plenty of it. There is an entrance fee.. which is included in most tours, but it's quite inexpensive and with bathrooms and showers included and also lockers. Once you walk inside, you're greeted with dancers and you can take your picture with them. Pretty sure they expect tips. Restaurant There is a buffet style restaurant, which was included in my tour. Food was ok! I was starving when I got there so I thought everything tasted pretty good. There's another restaurant with more food and alcohol as well. Swimming 50m deep (150ft) Various jump platforms to jump from Tips Shower is mandatory to swim Life vests were required Around 91 steps to get down to swimming area. No clue if it's up and down or 91 steps one way but it wasn't hard. Get views from the top and the bottom! read more
I want to give 5 stars because the Cenote was so neat but the place is such a crowded tourist trap and they charge for every little thing and it seems so chaotic with all the people I have to only give 4. That being said it was super cool to be able to jump in and float around this beautiful natural creation. The water was a cool 70 degrees and a bit chilly for me. I think everyone should experience it once. read more
As is the case with most people here, I ended up stopping here during a day long excursion to Chichen Itza. I've read a lot of reviews, both on here and TripAdvisor, where reviewers complained about ridiculous crowds. I was lucky enough to not have that problem. When our tour bus stopped by here it was already late in the afternoon and the place was empty! Sweet! I opted not to swim in the Cenote, but if you wish to they have showers available so that way you don't bring your sweat, nastiness, and funk into the water with you. I'm no germaphobe, but it still sounded a little too "funky" for my liking, showers or no showers. With all that said, it is a beautiful site! The long stringing vines and deep blue waters are quite the site, especially from above. They have three different viewing spots above the top of the water of the cenote. From what our tour guide said, this cenote is 161 feet deep, so don't jump in unless you are an experienced swimmer. A little research on Wikipedia and I found out that the Mayans used to use these natural sinkholes as places to offer sacrifices to the "rain gods". In the early 1900's they actually found precious metals, artifacts, and human remains! Whoa! What a trip! lol Even though I did not swim in the cenote, I am glad to have had an opportunity to check it out! 4 stars. Yay! I'm a fan. read more
8 years ago
Popular, deep, and beautiful Ik Kil may be the most famous cenote in the Mexican Yucatán. Its convenience to the nearby Mayan archeological ruins at Chichen Itza makes it a regular part of many bus tours from Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Our tour group stopped here on the way to Valladolid and I have to admit that Cenote Ik Kil was the most professional/organized cenote we have visited in Mexico. Compared to most cenotes, Ik Kil offers many facilities for visitors including a store, changing rooms, restaurant, and cottages. Three times in recent years, Ik Kil was the site of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Guests aren't allowed to dive into the cenote from the opening at ground level which is probably a wise thing since the water is 85 feet (26m) below the surface. Instead, there are carved stairs down to a swimming platform at water level. Along the way down. there are a few view points to look out through the natural vines that stretch from the sky towards the water. The cold aqua pura of Ik Kil is refreshing and a bit intimidating since the cenote is 130 feet (40m) deep. The experience at Ik Kil is definitely more touristy and sterile than most cenote in the region which also makes it one of the best for providing a family-friendly, safe, and refreshing experience at one of Mexico's most famous, beautiful, and popular Cenotes. read more
8 years ago
This is quite a beautiful cenote on the way to Chichen Itza. Being part of the tour to Chitchen Itza, you stop by here for lunch and some playtime in the water before heading to the pyramids. The food at the restaurant was whatevers. Buffet style, but the flavors and tastes were just lacking. Alcohol not included in the tour price. After you're done eating you can goto the cenote. Before you get in the water there's a changing area and showering area where you can also rent a life jacket if you dont float well. The stairs leading down to the cenote can be treacherous. Being dimly lit, wet, and varying in size and length of the stairs, just be careful when going up and down the stairs. Its amazing that you can see through the top to the sky. And there's vines and roots from the trees hanging down from the top. The water is crystal clear and extremely deep. There's a ledge where you can jump from, about 20 feet up which is a great picture moment. Only thing I didn't like is how rushed you feel. Arriving and leaving all within 1.5 hours or so. But the views are spectacular, seeing how this is a naturally made body of water. And to cool off before you get to Chichen Itza. It's a must visit. read more
VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE!! I had booked a package via my hotel for the Classic Chichen Itza...and they allow you to not only visit, but also swim in the cenote Whats a cenote? Its a natural sinkhole. By bus, this place is about 2 hours away from the hotel strip close to the Mayan ruins. They have a restaurant which serves pretty good buffet style food, but the service was blech. Had to ask 3 people just to get a fork. After you eat, you rinse off your body oils and head down the steep limestone staircase into the cenote. Be careful, the floors are wet and slippery! For those who can't swim, they do rent out lifejackets for $15 I believe. Once downstairs, you can wait in the "diving" line or go down via stairs. Overall, the place is beautiful and unlike anything I've seen before...minus the crowd...I only didn't like the lack of time (an hour to eat, change, and swim) because everything felt so rushed! read more
11 years ago
This was a surprising, refreshing stop for our little group of 4 after touring Chichen Itza. What's a Cenote? A natural sinkhole that exposes groundwater underneath. This particular one is about 130 ft deep (so deep that they've done Red Bull Cliff Diving here). I guess there can be crowds, but the stars aligned and when we arrived there were only 4 people there and they left, so we had it all to ourselves. Awesome. There's a restaurant, drinks, gift shop, clean showers & bathrooms here. They rent life jackets, but that confuses me if you know how to swim. 70pesos to get in. Jumped off the swimming platform into the cool water and was immediately refreshed. Plus, there's black catfish swimming with you. Mayans had used this for rituals; however, no human sacrifice at this cenote. An incredible sight & swim. read more
10 years ago
Dare I say one of, if not the.most.magical.experiences.of.my.life! Ik Kil is something exquisite! I knew without a doubt this was the one cenote that was a "must" on our visit to Mexico and I didn't care that we were staying 2 hours from it. Visiting Chichen Itza is something special all in itself but following that visit with Ik Kil just left me in complete awww. I've never seen such a beautiful natural creation that I can think of. Being here and sharing this experience with my son and boyfriend has to hands down be one of the nicest moments I can recall. Pictures and videos do not do this place justice, in the least. You have got to experience it for ourselves, although it wasn't very crowded when we first arrived. I'd say the earlier the better. I'd love to return when it's near empty and have the place to yourself. I love birds and spotting some I've never seen before was so much fun. I was terrified to jump off the platform. My son laughs since I have no problem jumping out of a plane 15k feet above the ground but trembled and turned away quite a few times before taking the plunge on 3 with him! We of course didn't wear life vests, no offense to those that do - but it's just not my style. We are both fairly strong swimmers and I can't think of many instances where I'd ever opt for such a thing unless my life was seriously in danger. Experience this place without it. Be free! There are life guards on duty. If you can't swim then I have no idea why you'd be here, other than to I guess take a peek at what swimming in magic looks like. We did get caught in a few very strong storms when arriving and leaving, but that was super fun too! Absolute magic. read more
9/16/2016 - My first cenote (natural sinkhole) experience and it doesn't get any better than Ik Kil. We came here on an excursion (Xcaret Experience) that was heading to Chichen Itza. We stopped here first. The package included a wonderful buffet at their restaurant. It did not include drinks but that was ok. The buffet offered quite a bit of protein items, pastas, rice, plantains, bread and desserts. After we decided to go into the cenote. They have a bathroom area with dressing rooms at the end. You can rent life jackets, lockers and towels at very affordable prices. Before you get in, you have to shower on their outside showers. WARNING: They are freezing. Walking down to this natural beauty, you could just tell it was going to be something spectacular. They have a few viewing spots as you walk down the stairs. Some people were jumping off the stairs and some were walking down the other side of stairs. Once inside it is just magical. The water is cold but you are so mesmerized by its beauty that you forget all about it. read more
6 years ago
A must see for anyone in the Yucatan. This is a totally gorgeous spot, and I was so pleased to see that the locals are doing a good job of keeping it from getting destroyed by tourists. You must take a shower before swimming. We paid I think $18USD per person, which included life jacket, locker and swimming. If you want to take pictures I highly recommend putting your phone in a waterproof case and bringing it with you. You won't regret spending the $6. We went early in the morning on Saturday, when it opened at 9AM. This was perfect as their were only about 10 people there for a couple of hours. It happened to be the spring equinox, and we ended up here because Chichen Itza happened to be closed. The two hour drive was not wasted, we loved this place. read more
This place is a convenient 10 minute drive from chichen itza and a perfect end to the hot day spent outdoors. Once we reached there, the cenote looked a little disappointing. Pictures of this place were so nice. Anyway we changed into swimming suits, took a shower and headed to jump in. Once we went down the stairs and got in the line to jump, it all became so exciting!! I was the first to jump in the cenote from my group. The jump was thrilling and the water so cold and nice! All the disappointment went away when I saw the view from the water and the feeling cold water gave me on a hot day. We swam a little in the water and then stepped out. The changing rooms were very clean and nice. We took some pictures and then left. Plan to spend 1.5 hours there if you want to take a dip and go around a little. I had seen some pictures of my friends jumping into the cenote from a diving board of some sort, I guess they changed it now or that was a different cenote. This one is the most convenient and touristy cenote to include in a chichen itza day trip. read more
9 years ago
Prior to coming to Mexico, I had already envisioned Ik Kil Cenote. My imagination did no justice to the beauty of this cenote. It is 85ft below ground with 150 ft of fresh water. It is said to have once been used by the ancient natives for spiritual, cleansing purposes. It was a wondrous sight. I have never witnessed such natural beauty. If you are not comfortable swimming in 150ft deep water the park does have life vests. There is a food buffet as well where you have to sit side by side in very close proximity to strangers but that was ok, lol. I have a personal space issue. Go to Mexico and visit Ik Kil you'll see one of the wonders of this planet. read more
If you are looking for someone around 1:00, chances are you will find them here. Wowzers, starting around 12:30pm, hordes of people came to escape the heat and cool off from their tour of Chichen Itza. There is no doubt that this is a gorgeous Cenote surrounded by immaculate grounds of the resort. We were in "butterfly season" and there were hundreds flitting around...beautiful. In simple terms, this Cenote is a big hole about 80 feet in the ground. In more beautiful terms, waterfalls and long roots drop 80 feet into a clear pool of water. I am in fairly decent shape, but literally had to catch my breath and racing heart once I reached my way back up. I'm glad my 73 year old father sat this one out. There are steps (sturdy and renovated) making the way up and down. Just be careful when it's wet. The water was dark, but I believe it's from being so far down and away from the sunlight. It was clear, since I could see my kids' super white feet dancing around in the water. The fish swimming around were 'ehhh. About 5-6 inch long black catfish. I'm not an Ichthyologist, so don't take my word on it. We were there around 11 and were part of just a handful of people. Around noon, the masses began their descent. Our signal to get out and get lunch. Lunch was a buffet of traditional Yucatán food. Rice, refried beans (black), salads, chicken, steak (like fajitas), pork loin, and pulled pork. There were buttered noodles and bread-rolls. Fruits and flan for dessert. The pulled pork was excellent. Drinks are not included, pay separately from meal. The gift shop is cute. Look around without getting hassled. Many items made by local artisans. read more
8 years ago
Its a very nice cenote, it doesn't get too crowded as people only stay for a couple of hours and leave. They have lockers and vest for rent. I believe 30 pesos each. The place is really nice to take pictures and it is only 5 min away from Chichen Itza. read more
12 years ago
Cenote Ik Kil is breathtaking. Absolutely stunning, like a piece of history sliced out of time. If you are in the area, you must not skip this. It's about a 7 minute drive from Chichen Itza. There's nothing more amazing than swimming in this clear blue water with fish in their natural habitat. Sweet birds chirp overhead, and thick green vines fall from above into the water. So beautiful! The cenote is about 150 feet deep and 190 feet wide. The facility is great. There's bathrooms and changing rooms with cold water to pre-shower in effort get rid of the oils and sunblock on your body.The lockers and life jackets can be rented for a small amount. FYI: There's 90 steps to get to the cenote with no handrail or handicap accessibility. Once you're in, it's even more breathtaking than seeing it from above. Climb the stairs and jump the 20 foot "Mayan suicide" if you're brave enough. We could have spent the entire day here, budget enough time for yourselves. It gets crowded because it's a popular tourist destination. True story: Lots of people you don't know and don't want to be will be in your pictures. The food at the restaurant here sucks. However, it's a great place to get a nice, refreshing drink which you'll need after being in the cenote. After one jump, your entire trip will be worth it. Seriously! read more
10 years ago
Gorgeous. But crowded! Nothing quite like it, it's probably the one you see in those ads for "Travel to Mexico'... without the people. The sinkhole is almost magical, open-air with vines hanging. And when it is raining lightly like it was when we were there, you just look up, and see the raindrops coming down at you. PRO TIP: Be very careful when walking or climbing the stairs. It can be very slippery, especially if it is raining. It is very touristy, there's even a huge souvenir shop you walk through before you get to the cenote. It has obviously been made pretty and accessible. If you are looking for a 'locals-only' spot, this is definitely NOT it. Come early, as tour buses from Chichen Itza usually come here after as well to cool down. The crowd you see at Chichen Itza? Yep, they'll be here too, so leave before they get there! PRO TIP: Leave Chichen Itza before 10 AM if you want to come here straight after. It is only about 15 mins away. GERMOPHOBE TIP: The life jackets are not the cleanest, but at least the one I wore did not stink of body odor. I had to ask how Cenotes are being cleaned. Do they use chlorine? Apparently, the answer is no, they are not being cleaned, and the water filters out into the ocean. Or something like that. It 'looks' pretty clear, though. So, yeah, just close your mouth at all times. *Visited in 10/2015 read more
12 years ago
This is a wonderful historical experience that requires minimal athleticism due to mankind alternations. Cenotes are natural in form, this one is open aired and boasts dark turquoise water. It was used by the Mayans and I kept wondering how many (if any) virgins or animals were sacrificed here. To get in the stairs were carved into the land, have lighting, rails and lead down to the very base. As long as you can walk, you can enjoy both the top and bottom view. Obviously if you can swim and are daring, you can jump off the HIGH ledge (after waiting in line) and/or just swim in the centoe amongst the others visitors. I'm scared of heights and couldn't do the jump but my sister did and she loved it! The water was cold!! but looking up from the bottom towards the jungle lined rim with countless hanging vines felt like I was floating in a secret swimming paradise! However, it was not a secret, nope, it was jam packed and brilliantly awesome!!! read more
11 years ago
9 years ago
Pretty good little place that near Chichen Itzá. They have a restaurant and gift shop but they close pretty early. Not happy about that. The price is $80 pesos per person. The place looks amazing but I have little to compare to. Parking has a small fee but we arrived at 430 so it was free. We walked around but didn't go in since we didn't have a swimsuit. Looked fun. read more
A swim in the cenotes is a must do for anyone visiting Mexico. For those that do not know a cenote is a natural sinkhole that exposes groundwater underneath. Cenotes were used by the ancient Mayans as a source of water, but also for relaxation and rituals. There are a wide variety of the types of cenotes, however they can be truly breathtaking. During my recent trip to Mexico we booked a tour of Chichen Itzá, which just so happened to include a swim in Ik Kil, which was the perfect way to cool off after spending a busy day in the sun. Ik Kil has a wide opening (about 200ft) about open to the sky with the water level being about 85-100 feet below ground level, many of the natural vines overhang into the cenote and nearly reach the water. Inside there is a walk way carved into the limestone allowing access to the cenote. Once at the bottom you will find several platforms which are perfect for jumping into the cenote, however if you are not that adventurous you can climb into the water with the assistance of ladder. The water itself is cool, which might come as a shock after spending a day in the hot Mexican sun however you get used to it pretty quickly. It should also be noted that Ik Kil was also the home to the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2010, 2011, and 2014. It can get very crowded here, especially with tour buses arriving with tourists so my recommendation is to arrive early rather than later if at all possible. But whatever you do you shouldn't end up skipping because this is an experience like no other. read more
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