Temozon

First found and mapped in the 1980s, the 2.5-square-kilometer area that has been uncovered and preserved is only a small part of what is thought to be around 12 square kilometers. As such, the main plazas of the site are open, along with its most spectacular structures. However, a walk on the trails beyond these areas will lead to more surrounding mounds that have yet to be uncovered. Several s...

The cenote requires climbing down wooden stairs to the water level. Platforms for jumping and equipment such as life jackets for rent are also available, as is a short zip line, where you can glide over the water before dropping in from about 10 feet up. Lockers are available for those bringing their own lock. The area also has a small restaurant, a shaded hammock area, several palapas where gu...

This, however, also tends to be the downside of this cenote: The water is relatively shallow, about 5 meters at its deepest point, and somewhat cloudy, so those visiting typically line up to have their picture taken and make a short visit of the place otherwise. There is a much more commercial feel to this cenote than others in the area, with a cluster of cabañas that rent for the night adjacen...

Cenote Palomitas, along with Cenote Agua Dulce, is one of two breathtakingly beautiful cenotes operated out of the same property reached by traveling several kilometers down dirt roads on the outskirts of the Valladolid area.  Once descending the stairs into the cave, wide platform walkways descend to the water’s edge, where swimmers can jump in or grab a tube and float throughout the wide pool...

The main entrance follows a wide walkway and stairs leading to a wide platform with benches. The other is harder to find, but it descends a narrow spiral staircase that leads to a small platform near the center of the cenote. A couple small openings in the ceiling allow sunlight to illuminate the water and limestone walls. A landscaped waterfall adds another surreal element to the experience. A...

The cenote is part of the Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman complex, a center that as of now is still relatively small but clearly aiming for growth in the near future, with bars, a pool lounge area, and campground all present and active construction going on. However, until the tour busses come flooding in, Cenote Oxman is surreally beautiful, large, and has a jumping platform with a rope swing where...

Reaching the cave and cenote requires a 1-kilometer walk down a level path into the jungle, and guides provide helmets and lights before descending a set of stairs into the cave. Accessing the cenote requires heading down a set of wooden steps. The cenote contains a wide circular opening in the limestone ceiling, and over time an island has formed in the cenote’s center, leaving the swimming ar...

Reaching Cenote Xcanahaltun requires driving several kilometers down quiet one-lane roads, followed by the final kilometer up a gravel road. However, two-wheel-drive passenger cars should be fine as long as they’re not making the trip following very wet weather. Once at the cenote, a small restaurant sits beside the short path to the spiral staircase that descends into the cave. Stairs lead the...

Located in the small town of Piste, about 2.5 hours outside of Cancun, Chichen Itza is a drive to get to, but well worth it! Most people visiting the ruins go with a guide or a tour company, and this is definitely the way to go. Guides have a deep attachment to the site, and provide visitors with impressive knowledge and unique interpretations of the ruins. I know this isn't usually the most ad...