Yucatan Cenotes Tour: Swim, Zipline & Tequila Tasting

Summary

Swim in Yucatan’s sacred cenotes zipline splash taste tequila

You’ll plunge into three wild cenotes near Yucatan with time to swim or zipline, guided by locals who know all the stories. Taste real tequila (with tips from an expert) and snack on traditional Mayan bites before heading back to your hotel — probably still damp but grinning.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t realize how cold cenote water could be until I actually jumped in — it’s like a shock that wakes up your whole body, but in a good way. The first stop was somewhere outside Valladolid (I think), and our guide Ana handed out lifejackets while telling us about the Mayan stories behind these sinkholes. She joked that if we screamed on the zipline, the spirits would forgive us. I did scream, just a little. The light down there is this weird blue-green, kind of otherworldly — you have to see it to get it.

The second cenote had this wooden jumping platform, nothing fancy, but high enough that my knees got wobbly. Some local kids were showing off flips; I just managed a clumsy cannonball and got applause anyway. The air smelled faintly earthy and sweet — not sure if it was the trees or something else. We took our time swimming around; no one rushed us. Ana pointed out these tiny fish nibbling at our toes (it tickled more than I’d admit). The main keyword here is “cenotes tour Yucatan” — but honestly, I was just thinking about how quiet it felt compared to the city.

After drying off (sort of — my hair stayed wet all day), we ended up at this open-air spot for tequila tasting. There was a guy named Luis who explained how you’re supposed to sip slowly and notice peppery notes or something like that; I mostly noticed the burn, but in a fun way. We tried some Mayan snacks too — little corn things with pumpkin seeds? Not what I expected but pretty good. There was even a quick dance performance with bright costumes and loud drums; it felt cheerful and slightly chaotic, which matched my mood by then.

I still think about floating on my back in that last cenote, staring up through tangled tree roots into sunlight. If you’re looking for a “day trip cenotes Yucatan” with pickup and real people running things (not just herding tourists), this one felt right to me. And yeah, my shoes are still muddy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cenotes swimming and tequila tasting

• Pickup from hotel or nearby point
• Travel to Yucatan wilderness
• Swim in first cenote
• Use zipline and jumping platform
• Swim in second cenote
• Swim in third cenote
• Guided tequila tasting
• Enjoy traditional Mayan snack
• Watch Mayan dance ritual

Top questions

How many cenotes do you visit on this tour?

You’ll visit three different cenotes during the tour.

Is hotel pickup included for the cenotes adventure?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Do I need to know how to swim for this Yucatan cenotes tour?

No, lifejackets are provided so all fitness levels can join safely.

Are snacks or meals included?

A traditional Mayan snack is included after swimming.

Is there a tequila tasting on this tour?

Yes, there’s a guided tequila tasting session included.

What should I bring for swimming in the cenotes?

Bring swimwear, towel, water shoes if you have them, and dry clothes.

Are there any age or health restrictions?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

How long do we spend at each cenote?

You’ll have plenty of time at each site to swim or explore at your own pace.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from your accommodation or nearby point, entry to three different cenotes with lifejackets provided for everyone, plus a guided tequila tasting session and traditional Mayan snacks before heading back home again.