Xcaret's Xenotes Enigmatic Waters excursion is often cited as one of Grupo Xcaret's most popular tours. The full day excursion involves visiting four exclusive cenotes. This in-depth Xenotes review will detail the good and bad, letting you know if the trip is right for you!
Sometimes referred to as Xcaret's Enigmatic Waters Tour, the Xenotes tour is a full day outing that takes guests around four different cenotes - each cenote represents a different element, and is unique from the others.
The tour is available for no additional cost to guests of the Xcaret hotels including Xcaret Mexico, Xcaret Arte, and La Casa de la Playa. Additionally, guests of Xcaret parks are able to book the tour for an added fee.
In this guide to the Xenotes Tour, I'll tell you everything you need to know to decide whether you want to attend.
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Overview
The Xenotes tour is a full day tour. The bus leaves around 8am and returns around 5pm (depending on your pickup point). At the start of the tour, you will be introduced to your guide, who will tell you which group you're in.
There are usually four tours happening simultaneously each day, with each tour group going to a different cenote so that their paths rarely cross. When Reem and I visited, we were part of the Guacamayas!
This post will tell you everything you need to know about Xcaret's cenote tour from what happens at each cenote to what the bathroom situation is (crucial!).
What are cenotes
Cenotes are naturally forming sinkholes, filled with water. Some are open air, or semi-open, others are underground.
How to pronounce Xenotes
The 'X' sounds translates to a "esh" or "sha", and xenotes is pronounced "sha-no-tays".
Transportation
Transport to and from the various cenotes is provided by Xcaret. Each group will be assigned to a green minivan (you'll always get back on to the same van, and sit in the same seats).
Depending on the size of your group, it may be a little bit of a squeeze in the van.
You're permitted to leave your belongs in the minivan while you visit each cenote but of course, it's an at your own risk type of deal. We left our backpacks (with our spare towels and dry clothes) in the minivan, but carried our phones and cameras with us to the cenotes.
It's worth noting that the road to cenotes is not well developed so parts of the ride can be very bumpy. The tour guide will usually make you aware when these sections are approaching (so that you can brace yourself!), but if you suffer from motion sickness, this may not be for you.
Pro tip: Pick one of the single seats on the van to avoid having to squish on any of the bench seats.
Who you'll be travelling with
Depending on how you book the excursion, you may be travelling with a different group. Typically, guests of Grupo Xcaret's resorts will travel together. While those that booked through Xcaret's website will travel as their own group.
This means that guests from Xcaret Arte may be grouped with guests from Xcaret Mexico or La Casa de la Playa, and vice versa. Therefore, guests of Xcaret Arte and La Casa de la Playa (both of which are adult-only resorts) may end up travelling with children (as Xcaret Mexico is a family resort). This didn't happen on our trip, though we did see kids in some of the other groups.
The four cenotes
Throughout the course of the day, you will be visiting four different cenotes, all inclusive to Xcaret (so you don't have to worry about large crowds). Each cenote represents a different element, and has different activities to do. The order you visit them will depend on which group you're in.
The following is written in the order I experienced as a member of the Guacamayas group:
Ha' Cenote (Water)
Kayaking
There are two activities at the Ha' cenote, the first is kayaking. The kayaking takes place in narrow river formation; you'll get into your two-person kayak, and essentially paddle in a loop. It's not a long activity.
Kayaking is a fun and fairly easy activity. You don't need to worry about tipping over your kayak as these are fairly large kayaks that won't tip easily (as long as you're responsible!).
While the rock walls to our sides were beautiful, and the greenery around us was lush, this was actually the weakest part of the Xenotes tour for us, as the water we were kayaking in was very dirty.
As people who had previously never visited any cenotes, this first impression left us a little worried about what the water that we'd be swimming in would be like! (Thankfully, the water at every other location is much cleaner.)
Snorkeling
Shortly after kayaking, you're taken to a cave entrance that leads into an underground river to snorkel through. Goggles, snorkel, and a mandatory life jacket are provided. This was a lot of fun, though the water was a bit cold. There weren't many interesting fish to see as far as the snorkeling went, but it was incredible to see how deep the cenote actually went.
Iik Cenote (Wind)
The Iik cenote is a large open air cenote surrounded by greenery. There's a zipline on each side of the cenote, and this part of the involves everyone getting multiple zipline attempts on both sides.
This was a lot of fun! There are a few different types of zipline grips so that meant you could zipline down in different positions, from a standard hanging on a monkey bar, to the Spider-Man (upside-down), to standing, or my personal favorite, the Princess (sitting on a hammock!).
The zipline ends in water, and you swim your way out.
For people that have been on many ziplines, this isn't the most hardcore zipline experience (it doesn't even match some of the ziplines at Xplor Park). It is however a fun experience, that's not so intimidating that most people would be afraid to try it.
This cenote is also the one that seemed to encourage the most discussion and mingling between the people in our group.
Lu'um Cenote (Earth)
Assisted rappel
Lu'um Cenote is a wonderfully unique experience. The activity begins by everyone getting geared up to rappel, and then queuing to reach the top of a large wooden structure from which you will begin an assisted rappel into a large cavernous cenote.
Assisted rappel in this case means that you'll be strapped into the rappel system, but you will not be controlling the pulleys. The staff will lower you in safely, and your hands will be free to pose for photos (or wave to anyone waiting for you below).
Pro tip: The rappel itself is not very long (25 meters), and if you begin at the back of the line, it can take quite a while until it's your turn to descend (the majority of the time being spent on hooking you to the rappel). I'd recommend getting to the front of the line (I know, it might seem scary, but it's worth it), so that you can get the cenote almost completely to yourself. It also means you'll have more time in the cenote as those at the back of the line don't get as much time to swim around or explore.
Underground cenote
Lu'um Cenote is honestly breathtaking in its magnitude with hanging vines and sunlight peeking in from its entrance above. The water is an almost-unreal turquoise blue. And you'll have a few opportunities to jump into it from different heights. It's even fun just swimming around the large cave.
Warning: The water here is colder than any of the other cenotes by far.
K'aak' Cenote (Fire)
This gigantic open cenote was our final stop (and in my opinion is perfect as your final stop). There are three activities at K'aak', and they are done in a specific order: water slide, zipline and swim, and the Mayan sacrifice.
Water slide
The first activity at k'aak' cenote is a water slide for which you will line up with your group. The queue can be a little slow but the water slide is fun (though not very long). At the end of the water slide, you'll have to swim yourself to some nearby steps and queue up for the next activity.
Pro Tip: Make sure to swim away from your landing spot as soon as you're off the water slide...unless you want the person behind you to land on your head!
Zipline and swim
From the starting point as the water slide, you'll zipline hanging off a monkey bar (no choices this time around) into the warm cenote water. Here you'll have the option to climb out and walk to your next activity, or leisurely swim/float through the beautiful cenote water.
I highly recommend staying the water as you'll swim past some beautiful scenery, including some small waterfalls! This is the most peaceful and relaxing activity you'll do during the Xenotes tour.
Mayan Sacrifice
The optional final activity at X'aak' cenote is a high(-ish) cliff jump that's called the Mayan Sacrifice. You can do the jump multiple times, and it's a fun way to end your time at the cenote!
Food
There are two meals provided during the Xenotes tour. These are included in the tour and there is no extra cost involved.
First meal
The first meal is provided at the end of the first cenote. I wouldn't describe this as a very filling meal or a full breakfast. You get an apple, a small pastry, a cup of coffee or Mexican hot chocolate, and juice.
We didn't particularly enjoy this meal, and were glad that we had eaten a quick breakfast at Xcaret Arte before beginning the trip.
Second meal - The Jungle Picnic
The second meal is provided at the end of the third cenote. This is a much more substantial meal and works as a lunch. It's a small buffet with the ability to build your own sandwiches - this includes choosing your bread, toppings, and sauces from a fairly decent selection.
There are a limited number of sides, and a small dessert option as well. Additionally, wine, beer, and soft drinks are available alongside bottled water.
We enjoyed this meal much more than the first. Don't worry about eating before going to the next cenote, there will be a drive as well as a set up period at your next cenote allowing plenty of time for the food to settle.
Quick drink
Water and soft drinks are available at the final cenote.
Bathrooms and changing rooms
A legitimate concern you may have is the accessibility of bathrooms and changing rooms during the Xenotes trip. Thankfully, there are clean, well-maintained bathrooms, changing rooms, and showers at every cenote (you'll actually be asked to shower before entering the cenote waters).
Keep in mind that the bathrooms and changing rooms are usually not right next to the cenote activity so make sure to use them when you arrive at the cenote, or before you depart for your next cenote.
Tips
The Xenotes tour is fairly well-organized, but they don't do a great job at telling you how to prepare for it.
Physical ability. The first thing to know is that this tour is not appropriate for anyone with any mobility/health concerns. There are no accessibility options (other than sitting out). You should also be very comfortable swimming/floating. That said, the activities are not very demanding, and during our trip we saw people from a range of ages.
Appropriate gear. Start by reading our detailed post on what to take to the Xenotes tour, but if you're feeling lazy, the bear minimum should be swim trunks, water shoes, and a rash guard/wetsuit top.
Breakfast first. While a light breakfast is available after the first cenote, it's hardly filling (or even satisfying), make sure to grab a bite to eat before heading out in the morning. (Or keep a snack in your backpack.)
No valuables. You'll be jumping into water, swimming, kayaking, and ziplining. These are all activities where it's easy to lose valuables. Leave you wedding rings, earrings, and fancy watches at home. (You are technically able to leave your things in your group's van, however there's no security or lockers, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
No sunscreen. You're prohibited from wearing any sunscreen (including reef-safe sunscreens) at the cenotes - this is to protect the delicate ecosystem of the cenotes. You'll be asking to shower before entering the first cenote you visit to make sure any sunscreen already on you is washed off. The van windows have shades to make sure you don't burn on the drive to and from the cenotes.
Towel and dry clothes. Keep a spare towel and a dry change of clothes in your backpack. Save these until you've finished the fourth cenote so that you can comfortably change and have an extra towel for the trip home. Note: You will be provided a towel at the cenotes, so use that first!
Tipping
Tipping is always a touchy subject. If you're a resident of one of the all-inclusive Xcaret resorts, you may be wondering if you should tip your guide following the Xenotes tour? Is it expected? Is it even allowed?
Tipping is allowed and encouraged on the Xenotes tour. If you're a guest at one of the all-inclusive resorts run by Xcaret, this may catch you off-guard as tipping isn't expected or even mentioned within the resorts.
At the end of your tour, your guide will let you know that you can tip. It's up to you how much you want to tip. The standard is about USD 20-30 per person.
What to do instead of Xenotes?
The Xenotes tour is fun, but it does take an entire day, and you may not want to spend a full day doing things you may have done at other places. Here are some other options where you can experience some of the activities involved with the Xenotes trip.
If you're looking for ideas of how to plan your stay at Xcaret Arte, check out our 7-day Xcaret Arte itinerary.
Cenotes
While the xenotes tour includes four different types of cenote that are exclusive to Grupo Xcaret, there are several other cenotes that can be visited.
Other vendors. There are several cenotes around Mexico, and several options for joining them. Make sure you're opting for a reputable travel group when booking.
Xel-Ha Cenotes. Xcaret also has the Xel-Ha Cenotes combined package. This tour takes you to a cenote as well as to Xel-Ha park.
Xichén tours. Xcaret offers two tours to Chichen Itza, both include a stop at a cenote as well (either Zaci or Xcajum, depending on which tour you join).
Ziplines
Xplor/Xplor Fuego. Xcaret's Xplor Park is possibly the best ziplining experience you'll find in Mexico. If ziplining is your thing, Xplor will give you more opportunities to zip around than the Xenotes tour.
Swimming
If you're looking mostly to swim, check out Xcaret Park or Xel-Ha. Both have some great swimming options (with Xel-Ha providing more options but Xcaret providing more general variety).
Final thoughts
Xcaret's Xenotes tour is a great time. If you're staying at any of Grupo Xcaret's all-inclusive resorts, the tour is included with your stay (you just need to book a spot for yourself), and is a no-brainer if you've never visited cenotes before.
If you're visiting the Cancun area and are interesting in checking out cenotes, this is still a great option. Price-wise it is line with most full day cenote trips with the assurance of the Xcaret brand. The Xenotes tour is also a smaller group, giving it a much more private feel.
But now it's your turn. Have you been to any cenotes? Or the Xenotes tour itself? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.
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