A Guide to Cenote Zaci in Valladolid, Mexico
Cenote Zaci is located in the center of the beautiful city Valladolid in Mexico. It's one of the best cenotes in the area, and swimming in its crystal clear waters is one of the top activities to do in Valladolid. Read our travel guide on visiting Cenote Zaci, including information on how to get there, entrance fee, opening hours, and where to stay.
Valladolid is a wonderful city on Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Except for the picturesque historical center, colorful houses, and great ice cream, Valladolid is for many travelers a base for visiting some of the top attractions in the area.
One of them is the famous Chichen Itza, but there are many more ruins, cenotes, and cities to visit, that you can easily spend in Valladolid a week before getting bored.
That was actually our case, and we really liked that the city became our base for a while, as we were getting tired of sleeping every day in a different location.
One of the best things to do in Valladolid is Cenote Zaci - we were walking around the entrance to this cenote every day, but you know how it is like with places that seem too accessible.
We always thought we had plenty of time to visit Cenote Zaci, that only one day before our departure, we realized that it is actually our last chance.
It was actually great timing because this region is very hot in late April, and we were looking forward to cooling down a bit.
If you plan on traveling around Mexico, we are pretty sure you've already read about cenotes.
They can be found almost anywhere, but the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the best places in Mexico to enjoy this natural landmark.
These limestone sinkholes filled with underground and rainwater are not only amazingly refreshing, but their strikingly blue water is very photogenic.
And also the importance of cenotes for the Maya people make from these natural swim holes one of the must-see things in Mexico.
Well, good news. Cenote Zaci in Valladolid is quite cheap, easily-accessible, and it provides travelers with a relaxing atmosphere even though it is close to the center.
We've put together this travel guide, where you can read more practical information about Cenote Zaci, such as how to get there, how much things cost, or what you can expect from your visit.
IS CENOTE ZACI WORTH A VISIT?
So, is Cenote Zaci worth your time? Even though it was not the most beautiful cenote we've seen in Mexico, it makes a lot of sense to visit it.
There are many reasons to visit Cenote Zaci. You can take here a dip after all day sightseeing, sunbath on the shore, and more active travelers can even jump from the edge to the wonderfully blue water.
Plus it has a hard to beat location.
VISITING CENOTE ZACI: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Once we paid the entrance fee, the well-trodden path led us directly to Cenote Zaci. This cenote is semi-open.
It is quite cool that it is possible to walk around the entire edge because a narrow path encircles the pool.
From the very first sight, we loved the watercolor, but later we noticed it is a bit murkier than in other cenotes we've visited.
This might be the result of the popularity of this site, and also because many people jump in with sunscreen on.
As a consequence, Cenote Zaci is not great for snorkeling. Either way, this fact did not worsen our entire experience.
We found a spot on the sun, where we left our stuff, and it was time to cool down finally.
There are stairs on each side of the cenote, that ensure safe access to the water for everyone. There's also a rope in the middle of the cenote, so you do not have to swim all the time.
What can you do here except for swimming and sunbathing?
Well, Cenote Zaci is perfect for cliff jumping because of the depth that varies between 25 and 100 meters.
There are several spots that vary by height, so you can choose the height you are comfortable with, and enjoy the rush of adrenaline.
It is important to know that there is no lifeguard - never overestimate your strengths, and if you travel as a family, watch your kids all the time.
How much time do you need for visiting Cenote Zaci?
We would say that an hour to an hour and a half is more than enough, but you can spend here even longer, in case this is your day off.
There's an onsite restaurant serving drinks and meals for a reasonable price - they even claim that if you spend more than 100 Mx, you will get the entrance to the cenote for free.
WHERE IS CENOTE ZACI
The location of the Cenote Zaci is perfect. The main entrance is on Calle 39, and because it is the true Valladolid's attraction, this cenote is well-marked on every map or GPS.
So it is impossible not to find it.
Cenote Zaci is less than 10 minutes walk from the main town's center, and it is only up to you how you decide to get there.
HOW TO GET THERE
For us, the most natural way on how to get to Cenote Zaci was on foot, because the cenote was right in the middle between the center and our hotel.
Another option is to rent a bike, take a taxi from the center, even though we think this alternative is quite pricey when you take into account the location of the cenote.
Last but not least option is getting to Cenote Zaci by rental car, but it only makes sense in case you are road tripping Mexico and Valladolid is on your Mexico itinerary.
Parking is available and free of charge.
ENTRANCE FEE
The entrance fee to Cenote Zaci is quite cheap, 30 Mx per person.
All other similar attractions such as Coba cenotes near Coba Ruins were much more expensive.
Once you pay for the ticket, you will get a wristband that entitles you to walk in and out all day, so you can easily go to Cenote Zaci in the morning, and then later in the evening.
OPENING HOURS
Cenote Zaci is open every day between 9 AM and 5:30 PM while the last entry is allowed by 5 PM.
It is good to know that there are no lockers inside, so keep your valuables in the hotel.
There are changing rooms and toilets for an additional 5 Mx, so it is better to change into a swimsuit in your hotel room.
WHAT TO PACK
Except for the obvious swimsuit, we took our waterproof dry bag , which proved to be a great item for activities like this one.
Also, bring a towel, water bottle, and in case you are into photography, either travel camera or GoPro is a must-have.
SAFETY
In case you bring valuables, keep an eye on them.
We felt completely safe here, but as the place can get often busy, it is better to be safe than sorry.
It is good to know that there are no showers, so it is better to come without a sunscreen applied on your skin.
Or you might want to try this eco-friendly sunscreen.
This attitude is more considerate of the water quality and environment.
In case you are not an experienced swimmer, bring a life jacket, or you can rent one on the spot for a small fee.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHEN TO GO
Valladolid in Mexico is an all-year-round destination.
Even though the rainy season lasts between May and September, it usually does not rain all day long, and it is very likely to experience at least a few hours of sunshine almost every day.
That's being said, it means that Cenote Zaci can be visited every day in every month of the year.
When it comes to the time of the day and week, it is a bit different, though.
Cenote Zaci is super-popular not only with travelers but with locals as well, so you can expect crowds especially later in the afternoon or on weekends.
If you can, try to avoid these times and plan accordingly, to make your visit as pleasant as possible.
WHERE TO STAY IN VALLADOLID
Valladolid is a cool place to stay for many reasons.
In case you decide to spend here more nights than only one or two, make sure you pay attention to the selection of your accommodation.
Most of the hotels and hostels are close to the center and bus terminal, which is very convenient.
We've handpicked the best three hotels in Valladolid for every type of traveler
Budget | Hostal Guacamayas - A small hostel with a cool place to hang out, well-equipped kitchen, close to the city center, and no bunk beds, that all for a cheap rate!
Mid-range | Casa Valladolid Boutique Hotel - Great value for money. The centrally-located hotel offers spacious rooms, garden, small pool, and tasty breakfast.
Luxury | Hotel Zentik Project & Saline Cave - Beautifully appointed rooms and peaceful atmosphere are the main reasons why to stay here. Guests can enjoy two pools in the property, and one of them is inside the cave with hot and salty water.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation via Hostelworld.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
