Chichen Itza:
Valladolid is our preferred spot for visiting the ruins. Check out the Chichen Itza page for more info.
Cenote Zaci:
When you’re landlocked on hot days, perhaps the only thing better than having access to a swimming pool in town, is having access to a Cenote, in town. Much larger than we had expected, Zaci is hidden behind a restaurant. Follow Calle 37, and you’ll start to see signs. Besides being in town, Zaci is the cheapest Cenote around, costing only P$15 to enter.
There are plenty of places here for people watching. You can swim, and if you don’t have a fear of heights, there are several walls that you can jump from, ranging from a few feet to more than 30.
And behind the ticket booth to the Cenote is a small Artisan Market. The main traffic here are the tour buses that come to visit the Cenote. Some of the prices are high, but there isn’t a much foot traffic here, and vendors are usually willing to bargain.
More Cenotes:
Located close to town you have several other cenotes that are a short cab or bike ride away.
The closest is San Lorenzo Oxman. It’s also our favorite. Sitting also behind a restaurant, Oxman was surprising empty during our visit. The cost is P$25 pesos, still much cheaper than the next two listed. The main attraction here is the rope swing. Open 9am-5pm.
To get here on Bike:
Head to Calle 54, and follow this road out of town. You’ll see a sign for San Lorenzo/Oxman, directing you to your right at a Y in the road. Take this and you’re there! The distance is 4k (under 3 miles.)
Cenotes Dzitnup and Samula:
These two Cenotes are much more popular than Oxman, and more expensive as well. Each Cenote costs P$59 for foreigners. And while, being cenotes, they are both beautiful and magical, there isn’t anything that stands out about these, other than the price. Open 8am to 5pm.
If you decide to go, here’s how:
Head out of town on Calle 41. When you get to the main highway, you’ll see a bike path to you left. Follow this about 5km. When the path ends, you are close enough to the road for the Cenotes that you can continue against traffic without worries. If taking a bike on a Mexican highway sounds intimidating, there was no traffic at all during our visit.
You’ll see the giant high-way signs for the cenotes. Follow this road to you Left. Head into the main parking area, where you buy your tickets, and there is bike parking here as well.
Also, if traveling in a group and not wanting to bike, if could be cheaper to take a cap to these cenotes.
Tequila!
What better way to end your day. Open until 7pm, Los Tres Toros produces and sells organic tequilas. While the bottles aren’t cheap, the tours are free (tips appreciated). The Los Tres Toros Tequila isn’t made on site, but they have set up models that show the production proccess, from harvesting of Agave, to the distillation. The tour explains how the tequila is made, and the difference between tequila and mescal. The tour takes around 20 minutes, and after you get to sample the different tequilas produced by Los Tres Toros. It’s really wonderful tequila, especially the aged varieties.
Fun Fact: Los Tres Toros ages their Tequila in White Oak Barrels, the same type of barrel used to age bourbons in Kentucky.
Los Tres Toros is easy to find, located on the corner of Calles 41, and 41A (the diagonal street.)
And for even more Tequila, head down Calle 41 towards the park, and there is a second shop that offers tours and tastings. Look for the two giant tequila bottles outside of the entrance.
GETTING // GOING • SLEEPING • EATING • DOING • MAP
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