Cenote Ik Kil

Nearly all excursions to Cenote Ik Kil are combo tours that include a visit to Chichen Itza, as well as possible stops at archaeological sites such as Coba or Ek Balam, or at towns such as Valladolid. (Tours typically last eight to 14 hours given the number of sites visited.) Unlike other cenotes in the Yucatan region, Cenote Ik Kil is open to the sky without a cave cover, giving the natural pool an ethereal feel with sunlight streaming down into the water. Part of Ik Kil Archeological Park, the cenote features vines hanging down from the rock walls. To get in the water, you must climb down 85 feet (26 meters) of steps. The pool is 196 feet (60 meters) wide and about 130 feet (40 meters) deep.

• The cenote can be difficult to access for those with limited mobility.

• A restaurant and changing rooms are located on-site.

• To access the cenote, you must pay the admission fee for Ik Kil Archeological Park.

Cenote Ik Kil lies inland from Mexico’s Caribbean coast, roughly 125 miles (200 kilometers) from Cancun, 115 miles (186 kilometers) from Playa del Carmen, and 90 miles (145 kilometers) from Tulum. Private tours and transportation are available for those who want a more intimate experience without the hassle of driving.

If you wish to visit the cenote on your own, arrive in the morning to beat the crowds.

On the Yucatan Peninsula, cenotes and Maya culture go hand in hand. Archaeological sites featuring ancient Maya ruins abound, but the biggest and most popular destination is Chichen Itza, set just three miles (five kilometers) from Cenote Ik Kil. Once one of the largest Maya cities, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its vast Great Ball Court and El Castillo, a step pyramid nearly 100 feet (30 meters) tall.

There are two different diving platforms within Cenote Ik Kil: One is approximately 17 feet (5 meters) high, and the other is slightly lower, at 14 feet (4 meters) high. During competitions, professional divers jump from its rim, roughly 100 feet (30 meters) up—though that option’s not open to tourists.

Cenote Ik Kil, just minutes from the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá, was regarded as a sacred landmark—its name means “The Place of the Winds.” Human sacrifices were made to the Maya god of rain in the cenote, and artifacts and bones have been found in its depths.

Cenote Ik Kil has significant depth. The swimming hole measures around 158 feet (48 meters) deep—more than the length of two passenger buses stacked on each other. It has been used for professional diving contests, and it’s recommended to wear a life jacket when you paddle around.

Yes, it's safe to dive and swim at Cenote Ik Kil. The cenote offers several platforms for jumping and diving, some of its most popular activities. Lifejackets are also provided for those who aren’t strong swimmers or would be more comfortable wearing one rather than extensively treading water.

Be sure to bring a comfortable bathing suit when visiting Cenote Ik Kil. The cenote has changing rooms and showers on site, as well as lockers so that you can tuck away your dry clothes for after your swim. You can also rent a lifejacket on-site.

It is forbidden to wear both sunscreen and insect repellent if you plan to enter the water at Cenote Ik Kil. That policy is in place here and at other ecosystems to protect the pure water and fragile ecosystem within the cenote. All visitors must shower before diving in.