No two cenotes are the same. Some have restaurants, shaded lounge areas, lockers, and spots to sunbathe. Others are simple and rustic, with little more than a ladder into the water and the jungle around you. Part of the charm is knowing what you are walking into, so you can pack right and pick the vibe that suits you.
A few things are true almost everywhere:
Most cenotes charge a small entrance fee, and it is usually cash only in Mexican pesos. Fees vary quite a bit from one cenote to the next, so it is smart to carry enough cash for the day rather than counting on cards.
Many cenotes ask you to rinse off before entering and to wear only biodegradable sunscreen, or none at all. This protects the delicate ecosystem and the water everyone is swimming in. Some also provide or require a life jacket, especially at the deeper cave cenotes.
Opening hours are generally daytime, often somewhere around 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, with last entry well before closing. Arriving early is the single best tip we can give you. You get calmer water, better light, and far fewer people.
Bring water shoes if you have them, a towel, and a dry bag for your phone. The rest you can rent on site at many of the larger cenotes.
