The Three Types of Cenotes
When people say "cenote," they usually picture a dramatic open-air sinkhole with turquoise water and jungle all around. But cenotes come in three very different forms, and the experience of visiting each is completely different. Understanding which type suits you will make your trip planning much easier.
Open Cenotes
An open cenote has a fully collapsed ceiling — the entire sky is exposed. These are the most photogenic and the most accessible.
What you'll find:
- Natural sunlight throughout the day, often creating dramatic vertical light beams in the afternoon
- Usually warmer water (sunlight heats the surface layers)
- The most comfortable entry and exit, often via a set of stairs or a gentle slope
- More wildlife visible at the surface (birds, butterflies, sometimes bats at dusk)
Who they're best for: Open cenotes are the easiest starting point for first-time visitors. The open sky removes any sensation of confinement, the entry points are usually well-maintained, and the visibility of the surrounding environment makes navigation straightforward. If you're nervous about enclosed spaces, start here.
Best example: Gran Cenote (technically semi-open but with large open sections), Cenote Ik Kil near Chichén Itzá.
Semi-Open Cenotes
A semi-open cenote has partial collapse — part of the original cave ceiling remains intact, and part is open to the sky. This creates some of the most spectacular lighting in all of cenote diving and photography.
What you'll find:
- Alternating zones of cave darkness and sunlit open water
- Dramatic light shafts piercing the water from the open section
- Stalactites and cave formations visible in the covered section
- Often a mix of calm cave-like areas and more open swimming sections
Who they're best for: Semi-open cenotes offer the best of both worlds. Snorkelers and swimmers can explore both the open and covered sections without any scuba certification. They're a natural stepping stone between open cenotes and full cave cenotes. Recommended for those who've already visited a couple of open cenotes and want something more dramatic.
Best example: Gran Cenote, Cenote X'Canche
Closed (Cave) Cenotes
A closed cenote has an intact cave ceiling throughout. You enter through a small opening — sometimes a narrow staircase carved into rock, sometimes a boat landing inside the cave — and emerge into a cathedral of stalactites and perfect darkness beyond your light source.
What you'll find:
- Complete enclosure — no natural daylight in the swimming/diving area (except near the entrance)
- Dramatically clear water with no algae (darkness prevents growth)
- Immense cave formations — stalactites, stalagmites, and columns formed over millennia
- Very cold water (typically 24°C / 75°F year-round, no surface warming)
Who they're best for: Closed cenotes are for the adventurous visitor who's comfortable with enclosed spaces. Snorkelers can explore the cavern zone near the entrance (where natural light is still visible), but you'll get the full experience with a torch or as part of a guided group. For divers, closed cenotes are the primary destination — the clearest, deepest, and most spectacular environments in the Yucatán.
Best example: Cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote Sam Nah Ha
Choosing the Right Type for Your Trip
| | Open | Semi-Open | Closed | |---|---|---|---| | Good for nervous visitors | ✓ | ✓ | — | | Best photography | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ (with lights) | | Snorkeling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (cavern zone) | | Scuba diving | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | | Warmer water | ✓ | — | — | | Most dramatic scenery | — | ✓ | ✓✓ |