Ultimate Guide to Cenote Chukum-Ha: Mexico’s Most Beautiful Cenote?

Ultimate Guide to Cenote Chukum-Ha: Mexico’s Most Beautiful Cenote?

Are you thinking of visiting Cenote Chukum-Ha near Valladolid, Mexico? This recently excavated spot is one of Mexico’s most beautiful cenotes.

Named after the Chukum trees indigenous to the local area, Cenote Chukum-Ha (also known as Hacienda Chukum Cenote or simply Cenote Chukum) is one of Mexico’s most breathtaking cenotes. While the Yucatán Peninsula is home to thousands of stunning cenotes, this one stands out for its massive underground cavern, crystal-clear waters, and unique rappelling opportunity.

Tucked away in the jungle, this cenote was once a natural well used by local communities. It was excavated by Aventuras Mayas and opened to the public in 2019. While it’s been around for a few years, it remains far less crowded than more famous cenotes.

In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting Cenote Chukum-Ha. This includes facilities; prices; what to expect; how to get there, plus my personal tips for making the most out of your experience.

Cenote Chukum-Ha Information

🌿 Cenote Features: Deep blue water, light beams, three diving platforms, zip wire.
💧 Cenote Type: Enclosed, cave cenote
💵 Entrance Fee: $350 MXN per person($550 MXN including buffet, or $800 with rappel). Pay onsite with cash or card.
🌊 Included With Entry Fee: Access to Cenote Chukum-Ha, zip wire and jumping platforms, life jackets, lockers, changing rooms, bathrooms, and grounds.
🍔 Other Amenities: Onsite restaurant and bar, swimming pool, massages
⏰ Opening Hours: 9am-5pm, open daily
🗺 Address: Chiople S N 0.0 chiople yaxche, 97206 Tikuch, Yucatan, Mexico

What to expect at Cenote Chukum-Ha

After driving out into seemingly nowhere, I wasn’t sure what to expect when arriving at Chukum-Ha Cenote. We drove past the entrance gate and pulled into the large car park and I immediately saw that this place was looked after. Chukum-Ha is more than just a cenote. It’s a hacienda with surprisingly extensive grounds!

The entrance passes through the giftshop where you are given a locker key and wristband. You will also be offered the opportunity to rappel into the cenote.

On the other side of the entrance, there are lockers located on the left and the changing rooms and toilets just beyond. Men and women are separated on either side, and it’s all kept very clean.

Your locker key will have a specific number rather than being able to use any locker. The handle to my locker fell off! Make sure to leave everything you don’t need in the cenote behind. I only took a towel and my camera (+ the key).

Round to the left are showers, which you should use before entering the cenote. If you walk directly across, that’s where the buffet/restaurant area is.

Beside showers is a much longer stairway that leads down into the cenote. Looking at it, you wouldn’t have any idea of the beauty that lies within! We also spotted a few iguanas bathing on the rocks here!

The temperature gets immediately cooler once you enter the cave. I was the only person at the cenote when I arrived, so I entered into an eerie silence, where you could hear the echo of the chamber. The chamber is 131m in diameter, so it’s huge! Unlike cenotes in more coastal areas which are often much smaller.

You enter on the upper deck of the platform with views around the whole area. Scattered around are a few information stands explaining the history and geology of the cenote. There’s plenty of space to put any belongings which is handy.

Collect a life jacket from the lower deck area as you enter the cenote. There was a member of staff present to hand them out. You can either climb up to the right to use one of the two parallel zip lines (great fun!) or jumping platforms, or you can go enter the cenote at water level for a refreshing swim.

The water itself is gorgeous. It’s 65 feet deep, so it’s hard to see the bottom. There’s constant water flow which maintains the water’s clear, turquoise colour. You might see a few black fish swimming around too!

If you bring a snorkel, you can take a closer look at submerged cave features and unique rock formations.

Beautiful light beams from any of the 3 openings in the ceiling also shine into the water and illuminate the below. This makes Chukum popular with free divers and photographers. The best time to see the beams is in the middle of the day.

I spent around 2 hours at Cenote Chukum-Ha, but you can easily spend longer here if you want to use all of their facilities.

Rappelling into Chukum-Ha Cenote

One of the most exciting parts of visiting Chukum-Ha is rappelling into the cenote. Few cenotes offer this experience, making it a must-try for adventure seekers

You will be harnessed and lowered into the cenote from a platform above, giving you a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the cavern before you touch the water. Take your time on the way down and absorb the cave cenote from every angle! You’ve got just over 50 feet to drop before you hit the water!

As part of the ‘Xtreme package’ offered by Chukum-Ha, you will be offered photos of your rappel.

Once you reach the bottom, you can enjoy the cenote with everyone else with the feeling that you’ve done something epic!

NOTE: If you’re nervous about rappelling, let the staff know – they’re super helpful and can guide you through the process.

How to get to Cenote Chukum-Ha

Cenote Chukum-Ha is located in the Yucatán Peninsula, about 25 minutes from Valladolid. Here are your best options for getting there:

🛵 Scooter: Rent a scooter for the day and explore the area’s best cenotes! This is probably the best way to do it if you want the freedom to visit several cenotes without paying for a rental car. I recommend using Google Maps for directions.

🚙 Rental Car: You can also drive a rental car if you’re in a bigger group, or if you’re not comfortable driving a moped. The cenote is well-signposted, and there’s parking available on-site. Once again, I recommend using Google Maps for directions.

🚐 Tour: Several tour companies in Valladolid offer cenote-hopping trips that include Chukum-Ha along with other cenotes like Suytun or Xkeken. I met some backpackers who booked a Chichen Itza tour, which also included stops at Cenote Chukum and Cenote Secreto Maya.

🚕 Taxi: Local taxi drivers will happily take you to nearby cenotes, including Chukum-Ha. Just be sure to ask for the cost in advance and ask them to wait for you (or agree a return time) and give you a roundtrip ride. Sharing a taxi with friends will help you save money!

Travel Tips for Cenote Chukum-Ha

🚙 Arrive early to avoid crowds: Whilst I was lucky enough to arrive when it was quiet, I’ve heard its not always like that, particularly in the afternoon. You’ll beat the crowds if you arrive early. The park opens at 9am but I visited around 11am and there were only a handful of others. As we left, it was a bit busier as tours started passing through (presumably post-Chichen Itza).

☀️ Sunbeams in the early afternoon: The best beams of light occur when the sun is at its highest.

🛟 Expect to wear a lifejacket: Like many other Valladolid cenotes, lifejackets are advised. However, they’re not essential at this cenote.

🚿 Take a shower before swimming: Not surprising, but something to keep in mind!

💦 Be prepared for cold water: As they say in Mexico, the crystal clear water in these cenotes is ‘fresh,’ in other words, cold! It’s not unbearable but just be prepared for a refreshing dip!

🧗‍♀️ Decide early if you want to rappel: Once you’re in the water, you’ll need to go back to the front desk to organise the rappelling.

🪨 Respect the Environment: Avoid touching stalactites and don’t leave any trash behind.

What to Bring to Chukum-Ha Cenote

• Swimming costume: It is such a special experience to swim in this breathtaking cenote, be sure to bring your swimwear. Pack goggles for diving underwater if you want, but don’t expect to see much!
• Dry Clothes: Not essential (my shorts dried out in the sun afterward), but handy if you want to dry off before moving on.
• Travel towel: I love this fast-drying, sand-resistant travel towel. I bring it everywhere!
• GoPro or waterproof phone case: I use my waterproof phone case, but wished I had an action camera. However, it’s tricky to get good photos in here because of the lighting.
• Travel insurance: While it is not a physical item to pack, please don’t forget to purchase travel insurance just in case something happens! I didn’t lose my watch at this cenote, but I did at Secreto Maya Cenote
• Dry bag: You can leave your belongings in the locker or on the standing platform, but a dry bag can be helpful to keep your phone/valuables in just in case!

NOTE: Avoid using sunscreen or insect repellant before swimming in any cenote.

Things to Do Near Chukum Cenote

Cenote Chukum-Ha might feel like it’s in the middle of nowhere. However, there are a few other activities I suggest checking out, should you make the journey out here!

💦 Cenote Suytun: On the way to Chukum from Valladolid, Cenote Suytun is an epic cenote! It’s best visited early in the morning to avoid crowds, so why not visit here before making your way to Chukum!

🛟 Cenote Secreto Maya: Another one of my favourite Valladolid cenotes is Cenote Secreto Maya. It’s an open cenote with a thrilling rope swing and some epic cliff-jumping platforms! You can even stay overnight here and enjoy the onsite pool and restaurant if you wish!

🥾 Ek Balam: Often overshadowed by the famous Chichen Itza ruins nearby, Ek Balam archaeological site is an important ancient Mayan city with temples you can still climb (unlike Chichen Itza)! It is around 40 minutes drive from Chukum, so ideal if you’ve rented a vehicle for the day.

💧 Other Cenotes: There are several other cenotes scattered around the area. Search Google Maps and maps.me to find some more secret cenotes!

Check out my complete Valladolid itinerary for more ideas for your stay.

Cenote FAQs

What is a cenote?

Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with water. They are formed as limestone bedrock collapses over time, which exposes groundwater. There are over six thousand cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula.

There are three types of cenotes:

• Open cenotes: These cenotes look like small lakes or ponds because there are no rock formations covering them. 
• Semi-open cenotes: These cenotes are partly covered, sometimes with a small hole letting in light from above.
• Underground cenotes: These cenotes are underground caves that cannot be seen from land. 

Are life jackets required at the Cenote Chukum-Ha in Valladolid?

Life jackets are not required when visiting Cenote Chukum, however they are handed out. Life jacket rentals are included in your admission fee, so you can pick one up if you want!

Are life jackets required at all cenotes in Valladolid?

No. Life jackets are required at most, but not all cenotes in Valladolid.

How much is Chukum?

Entry to Cenote Chukum is more expensive than most other cenotes. Here’s the full breakdown.

Extra rappel ($15 USD) and extra pictures ($10 USD).

When is the best time to visit Chukum?

Mexico’s dry season (November to April) usually has the best visibility and fewer crowds. Try to avoid visiting after heavy rainfall as this can make the water less clear.

Is Cenote Chukum suitable for children?

Yes, this cenote is suitable for children. It’s a lovely swim, plus the ziplines and jumping platforms make it even more entertaining! Just ensure that they are comfortable in the water and are supervised.

Before you go

Thank you for reading my guide to Cenote Chukum-Ha near Valladolid. If guides, itineraries and travel content like this interest you, head over to my Homepage to find out more.

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Happy travelling!