Mexico Guide
The Yucatán
Cenotes Dzitnup
Perhaps the most photogenic swimming hole in the Yucatán, the remarkable Cenote Dzitnup, also called X'Keken (daily 7am–6pm; M$25), is 7km west of Valladolid on Hwy-180 libre. Visitors descend through a cramped tunnel into a huge vaulted cave, where a nearly circular pool of crystal-clear turquoise water glows under a shaft of light from an opening in the ceiling. A swim in the ice-cold water is a fantastic experience, but take a sweater – the temperature in the cave is noticeably cooler than outside. Across the road, at the equally impressive (but smaller and less developed) Cenote Samula (daily 8am–5pm; M$25), the roots of a huge tree stretch down into the pool. While Dzitnup is frequently crowded and plagued by small children asking for tips, you may well find yourself alone at Samula.
Colectivos run direct to Dzitnup from outside the María Guadalupe hotel in Valladolid (M$10; see "Accommodation"). Alternatively, any westbound second-class bus will drop you at the turn-off, 5km from Valladolid; then it's a walk of 2km down a signed track. You could also take a taxi or, best of all, cycle from Valladolid on the paved bike path; the most scenic route is down Calle 41A to San Bernardino, then along Calle 49, which eventually connects to Avenida de los Frailes, then the old highway and the ciclopista.