One Of Mexico's Most Photogenic Cenotes Offers Bright Turquoise Water And Ethereal Limestone

Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula is most well known for its gorgeous beaches, and most tourists who visit the area don't stray far from the glamorous all-inclusive resorts in popular cities like Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. The coastlines are gorgeous, with swaying palm trees, expansive beaches with soft white sand, and plenty of lively beach clubs where you can spend all day soaking up the sun and sipping on margaritas. It's easy to spend a week or more lounging and relaxing at your hotel or resort, but if you're looking for an adventure, you shouldn't miss exploring Mexico's famous cenotes.

A cenote is a large naturally occurring sinkhole or pit that is naturally filled with fresh water. They're formed when the roof of large limestone caverns cave in, revealing the water within. Many cenotes in the Yucatán are millions of years old and they're home to countless species of plants and animals — some of which are only found within the cenote ecosystems. There are thousands of cenotes scattered across the region, but it's hard to find one more beautiful than Cenote Suytun. If you're looking for an unforgettable day trip, consider booking a guided tour during your Mexico vacation.

Suytun is one of the best cenotes to visit during your trip to Mexico due to its natural beauty. It's located just under two hours from Cancun near the picturesque town of Valladolid which is known for its colonial architecture. It's one of the Pueblo Mágicos, or "magic towns" in Mexico. Cenote Suytun is cherished by the Indigenous people of Mexico. Over the years, many ancient artifacts have been discovered there, which archeologists and historians believe were used for ceremonial and spiritual purposes. Cenotes were considered sacred to the Ancient Maya who saw them as a symbol of the transition between life and death. The liminal spaces were believed to be portals to the afterlife, but they also served as a crucial source of freshwater. Their god of rain, Chaak, is also associated with cenotes.

Today, Cenote Suytun has become a popular spot for tourists looking to score the perfect Instagram-worthy shot. It's incredibly photogenic with a long stone walkway and platform that extends over the weather into the center of the cavern. There is an opening at the top of the cavern which allows the light to pour in and illuminate the platform at certain times of day. The cenote itself is more shallow than most, with a maximum depth of about five meters. Around the cave you'll see stalactites that have formed over millions of years. Tourists are welcome to swim and snorkel and swim in the crystalline water and observe the life that dwells beneath the surface.

The easiest way to experience Cenote Suytun is via a guided tour. Viator offers some fantastic options that include transportation, so that you can enjoy your day worry-free. One of the bestselling Viator experiences is a day trip that takes you to Cenote Suytun, Chichén Itzá, and another popular cenote called Ik-kil. It's a full day experience that takes around 12 hours. You'll be picked up from your resort or hotel in Cancun or the surrounding area at around 7 a.m in a comfortable shuttle with a group of other travelers.

The first stop is the iconic Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, which is a must-visit site for history buffs traveling to Mexico. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After an hour-long guided tour, you'll have an additional hour to explore the ruins before you depart for Cenote Suytun. The cenote is located about 45 minutes away from the ruins, and once you arrive you'll have around two hours to swim and explore. Afterwards, a complimentary buffet style lunch is served at a nearby restaurant. You'll then depart for the final stop, Cenote Ik-kil, before returning back to your hotel on the shuttle. Complimentary bottled water is provided throughout the tour, which had a solid 4.5 stars at the time of this writing.