Santa Barbara Cenotes & Restaurant
Santa Barbara Cenotes & Restaurant
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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10 within 3 miles
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15 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- LuvdesunPort Rowan, Canada47 contributionsLively and refreshing cenotesThe 4 cenotes are very different, 2 caves, one partially open and one new cenote open. Ride by cart or bike to the first and walk to 2nd and 3rd. Each one unique. Life jackets are mandatory, so although we brought mask and snorkel, wearing a life vest makes these pretty useless so we didn't use. Wearing water shoes was good but not necessary. You can bring your "stuff" with you into each cenote. Lots of room on platforms for your flip flops, cameras and towels. At 4th cenote thete is an elevator to make it more accessible. Cost was $350 pesos for non national. Don't know if different prices for national. Meal was $120, lockers included. Bathrooms and changerooms available.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 17, 2024
- Paula V3 contributionsBeautiful. Super recommendedBeautiful. It's worth going. Everything very well organized, with excellent attention and service. The life guards in each cenote are super friendly, they explain things to you and take photos. The complex allows you to visit several types of paradisiacal natural cenotes in one day. We drove on our own and it was very easy.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 22, 2024
- PattySoundTraveler54 contributionsWe spent an unforgettable afternoon here – you should do the same!We came to Santa Barbara Cenotes as part of a day tour from Merida. We were pleased to see such comfortable and clean facilities. There are changing rooms, restrooms, a tasty restaurant, lockers, beautiful grounds and, of course, the 4 beautiful cenotes! Here are a few tips to enjoy your visit: Travel lightly and wear water shoes. Leave most of your belongings behind. Bring a small towel. If you want to bring your camera/smartphone, I think it would be ok as you can keep an eye on your bag while swimming. However, we left ours behind to travel lightly, and it’s easy to get photos online for your photo album. You have 4 choices of transport between cenotes (3 are fairly close together and a little distance from the main entrance. 1 is close to the main entrance) – walking, bicycling, riding a van, or riding on a small flatbed horse-drawn carriage on rail. Definitely take the horse ride at least one direction – it was surprisingly fun. Make sure you go to every cenote, preferably in order. They are all different and lovely. Enjoy your day here!Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 26, 2024
- luvthesune178 contributions4 cenotes worth viewing.This was a very nice, tourist friendly cenote destination. Drove ourselves there bypassing street vendors. Bike or ride on cart to the cenotes as there are 1 km away. Change rooms, bathrooms available. Lockers as well. We did bring snorkel and masks but hard to snorkel when wearing life vest which is mandatory. Each cenote very different; 2 caves, 1 partially open and one totally open with elevator. Enough room inside the cenotes to bring your towels, cameras and equipment, we didn't need lockers. Lots of room for non swimmers to view as well. $350 pesos.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 29, 2024
- Severine B56 contributionsSo exotic!4 different cenotes in 1 entry 1 closed, 2 semi-open and 1 open Cart, shuttle or bike to get there Locker rooms at the entrance Downside: The restaurant is not the best - maybe try a small local restaurant on the road?! The photos speak for themselves: magical!Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 7, 2024
- Elena K4 contributionsBest trip and great foodThis was a wonderful tour. Our driver Julio was attentive, helpful and very involved in our activities. He made our trip to cenotes and the time there absolutely fantastic! The food in the restaurant was also great, very fresh and delicious. Thank you very much.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 9, 2024
- Andrea P25 contributionsworth visitingThis is a wonderful place to visit, its very beautiful and very well organized. The cenotes are a very special force of nature and it is pleasure to be able to swim and enjoy these underground streams. You can imagine being back in time. Also the showers and changing rooms are very clean and well kept. I definately recomend spending a day here. The resturant had good food that we were happy to eat after visitingg the 3 cenotes.Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 29, 2024
- Segar ChandramohanLondon, United Kingdom99 contributions3 types of Cenotes in one goI visited Chichen Itsa in the morning from Valladolid then drove here. It took around 2 hours and we reached here around 2pm. Homun and surrounding villages are very pretty. There were a lot of cars parked outside, but it wasn't crowded inside. I paid 350 pesos which included 3 Cenotes, transport to the centres and life jacket. Changing rooms are very clean nice showers outside. The 3 compartment vehicle took us to the 1st cenote Cascabel, a small , beautiful closed cenote inside a cave. Afterwards I walked to Cenote Xooch, a semi opened Cenote, with an entrance via a tiny tunnel. It was clean and pretty inside. The lifeguard There was a nice guy who took sime amazing photos / videos for me and others. He didn't aak for money, but I tipped him. Afterwards, there was van which took me back to the starting point where there was an fully open cenote. I thoroughly enjoyed swimming in all 3 cenotes and it was a wonderful experience. For an extra 170 pesos, you could include a meal option, but I didn't opt for that. It's a place where you can spend a good few hours and it wasn't that crowded even in the afternoon. Many people went around in bicycles which was part of the package.Visited December 2024Traveled soloWritten January 5, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
139 reviews
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lui💙
San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico221 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The 3 cenotes are very beautiful, the entrance fee has a different cost if you pay with food.
It includes the use of life-saving vests and use of lockers. You can also approach the cenotes by bicycle or horse.
There is no time limit in Cadacenote
It includes the use of life-saving vests and use of lockers. You can also approach the cenotes by bicycle or horse.
There is no time limit in Cadacenote

Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1Ruthandboaz
Maine27 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This was well worth the trip from Merida. The entrance fee was $250 pesos and lunch was $120 pesos. The entrance fee includes a life jacket which is mandatory. There are three different cenotes each one better than the last. The property is well maintained and the friendly employees scattered about the property direct you where to go on each trail. The horse drawn “truck”, a wooden flatbed on rails, takes you into the woods and picks you up after you are done. The restaurant serves very good food and is a good value. Try to arrive when they open at 9am and you will have the place to yourselves until the crowds arrive a few hours later.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sabrinadefry
Melbourne, Australia25 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
A great afternoon spent at the Santa Barbara cenotes, such a beautiful experience..
All 3 cenotes were beautiful and special in there own way, so peaceful, beautiful caves with stalactites and tree roots pouring down from above; such a display of nature as the birds, bats & iguanas also enjoyed the spaces
The staff and management at this property go a great job with the maintenance and preservation of the cenotes and grounds in general; life vests are included with the entry fee, and you can choose whether you travel between each cenote on a bicycle or a horse-drawn cart.
Both modes are a lovely option, but we had a great time on the bikes!
Staff are friendly and helpful, meals in the restaurant are great and very reasonably priced. Great guest facilities throughout the property.
All of this for only $250 peso entrance fee! (Meals excluded)
We have visited cenotes in the Tulúm QR region and have paid much more for very average cenotes and very average experiences…
I highly recommend Santa Barbara cenotes and would definitely visit again if we are in the area - I only wish we had more time on the afternoon of our visit!
All 3 cenotes were beautiful and special in there own way, so peaceful, beautiful caves with stalactites and tree roots pouring down from above; such a display of nature as the birds, bats & iguanas also enjoyed the spaces
The staff and management at this property go a great job with the maintenance and preservation of the cenotes and grounds in general; life vests are included with the entry fee, and you can choose whether you travel between each cenote on a bicycle or a horse-drawn cart.
Both modes are a lovely option, but we had a great time on the bikes!
Staff are friendly and helpful, meals in the restaurant are great and very reasonably priced. Great guest facilities throughout the property.
All of this for only $250 peso entrance fee! (Meals excluded)
We have visited cenotes in the Tulúm QR region and have paid much more for very average cenotes and very average experiences…
I highly recommend Santa Barbara cenotes and would definitely visit again if we are in the area - I only wish we had more time on the afternoon of our visit!
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sharpshot201
London, UK40 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We got a colectivo here from Merida which took about an hour - they dropped us right outside the entrance.
Entrance fee was 250 pesos and included a life jacket. We didn't realise there were lockers at the right of the entrance so took all our bags with us and just left them on the steps to the cenotes.
We much preferred these cenotes compared to Ik Il near Chichen Itzah, especially the more enclosed cenote.
Only negative was the horses that pulled the tram to the cenotes didn't seem that well cared for sadly.
Entrance fee was 250 pesos and included a life jacket. We didn't realise there were lockers at the right of the entrance so took all our bags with us and just left them on the steps to the cenotes.
We much preferred these cenotes compared to Ik Il near Chichen Itzah, especially the more enclosed cenote.
Only negative was the horses that pulled the tram to the cenotes didn't seem that well cared for sadly.
Written November 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Analyn
8 contributions
Dec 2022
This was one of the funnest experiences in our trip! We got to visit 3 beautiful cenotes, all closely located to one another. You could even pick your mode of transportation to get there: a little trolley pulled by a horse or bikes! There is also a little restaurant where you can eat at the end and it was one of the best places we ate at, no joke. It was 5 dollars per person and the cochinita pibil was so tender and flavorful! All in all, super fun experience!
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deanorama
London, UK5 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Brilliant day out. It costs 470 pesos per adult including lunch or 350 without lunch. Kids up to 10 cost less c.320 with lunch.
You can’t wear sunscreen or insect repellant and shower before your first cenote . They provide a life jacket which you have to wear. Take goggles if you have them. There are 4 cenotes (we were expecting 3) so pace yourselves as depending on what you like they get better as you go! The first 3 you can reach by a free bike which you pick up after paying. The 4th is back at the entrance. The first 2 are caves and the last 2 open. They are all wonderful! And as others have reviewed, lunch was delicious and great value. I suggest wearing beach shoes so you don’t have to put shoes back on wet feet as you bike between cenotes.
Thoroughly recommend.
You can’t wear sunscreen or insect repellant and shower before your first cenote . They provide a life jacket which you have to wear. Take goggles if you have them. There are 4 cenotes (we were expecting 3) so pace yourselves as depending on what you like they get better as you go! The first 3 you can reach by a free bike which you pick up after paying. The 4th is back at the entrance. The first 2 are caves and the last 2 open. They are all wonderful! And as others have reviewed, lunch was delicious and great value. I suggest wearing beach shoes so you don’t have to put shoes back on wet feet as you bike between cenotes.
Thoroughly recommend.
Written January 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susie b
Vancouver, Canada176 contributions
Dec 2022
3 amazing Cenotes. All were very unique. About 1 hr from Merida Centro (1500 pesos taxi ride) We spent 3hrs there and could have stayed longer if we took the lunch option.
Once you pay, you change, grab life jacket and store your belongings in a locker. You then have an option to use 2 modes of transportation 1) bike or 2) trolley to each Cenote. We chose to bike and it was an easy (slightly bumpy) ride to cenotes...just a couple minutes of riding if that. We would spend on average 30-45min at each cenote.
Life jackets are mandatory.
This is appropriate for kids but some cenotes involve a darkish climb down stairs so caution must be exercised. Some cenotes are completely below ground and equipped with manmade lighting. The last cenote is an open one as pictured on other guests reviews
Once you pay, you change, grab life jacket and store your belongings in a locker. You then have an option to use 2 modes of transportation 1) bike or 2) trolley to each Cenote. We chose to bike and it was an easy (slightly bumpy) ride to cenotes...just a couple minutes of riding if that. We would spend on average 30-45min at each cenote.
Life jackets are mandatory.
This is appropriate for kids but some cenotes involve a darkish climb down stairs so caution must be exercised. Some cenotes are completely below ground and equipped with manmade lighting. The last cenote is an open one as pictured on other guests reviews
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zandyy
London, UK177 contributions
Dec 2021
First, there seems to be a lot of confusion here on which cenotes are covered by which review. There are quite a lot of different cenotes in the Cuzama area but these seem to be the most popular. There is more than one place though that covers several cenotes under one ticket and has horse carts bringing you to and from the cenotes so quite a confusing picture.
For us this was the perfect one because all 3 cenotes were perfect for young kids. The cenotes were clearly 'modified' by some fittings and drilling, the last one even had a tunnel dug so that you can access it from the side, so as such these are not the most authentic cenotes you can fine, but it does make them very convenient to use, and quite photogenic too.
The restaurant is a restaurant, not sure why so many here mention it unfavourably. It's a tourist restaurant serving canteen-style food and does a reasonable job at it; come with the right expectations and you won't be disappointed.
For us this was the perfect one because all 3 cenotes were perfect for young kids. The cenotes were clearly 'modified' by some fittings and drilling, the last one even had a tunnel dug so that you can access it from the side, so as such these are not the most authentic cenotes you can fine, but it does make them very convenient to use, and quite photogenic too.
The restaurant is a restaurant, not sure why so many here mention it unfavourably. It's a tourist restaurant serving canteen-style food and does a reasonable job at it; come with the right expectations and you won't be disappointed.
Written January 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel K
6 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We just drove ourselves to the Cenotes from Merida. Easy drive and far cheaper than a tour. It’s a good couple of hours swimming around although it is busy as it is a popular spot and the life jackets annoy me but all in all you won’t be dissatisfied
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mimi B
San Francisco, CA21 contributions
Apr 2021
This place was a fun day out. Great for kids. Very organized. The front desk was very helpful and spoke English (with a great British accent). It was fun to take the horse and have 3 cenotes to visit within a few steps of each other. All of the cenotes were excellent and had easy entrances. They also had lifeguards!
The restaurant experience was pretty awful. My poc chuc was tough and not edible. Service was poor. I’m used to long leisurely lunches in Mexico without a waiter hovering but when 12 waiters are just standing there chatting and my drink is empty on a hot day, (at one of two tables) it’s annoying.
I highly recommend this for families. I did visit during the pandemic so we didn’t have to endure any crowds. If there had been tour busses, that might have changed this review.
The restaurant experience was pretty awful. My poc chuc was tough and not edible. Service was poor. I’m used to long leisurely lunches in Mexico without a waiter hovering but when 12 waiters are just standing there chatting and my drink is empty on a hot day, (at one of two tables) it’s annoying.
I highly recommend this for families. I did visit during the pandemic so we didn’t have to endure any crowds. If there had been tour busses, that might have changed this review.
Written April 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
La combi que se toma desde Mérida, te puede dejar en ma entrada del recinto de Santa Bárbara? O se toma moto taxi?
Written September 21, 2019
No recuerdo a la perfección pero por lo esposo y yo nos cobraron 150 incluida una comida (deliciosa) y el transporte a los cenotes, nosotros usamos las bicis
Written July 11, 2019
es un paquete único de 150 pesos por persona incluye la visita a los 3 cenotes, chaleco salvavidas, estacionamiento gratuito, wifi libre, acceso a las áreas, niños de 5 a 12 años el 50% de descuento, niños menores de 5 años gratis, no se permiten bloqueadores, bronceadores o repelentes.
el otro paquete es de 220 pesos incluye el paseo + una comida de la carta(no incluye bebidas) y los menores tiene un costo de 145.
el horario es de 9:30 am a 5:30 pm
Written July 12, 2019
Hola! Por lo que leeo en tus comenatrios conoces los cenotes de Homun y losde Cuzama. Si solo pudieras conocer losde una rehión, Cuál escogerías?
Saludos y gracias por tu ayuda
Written January 15, 2019
Como varios aquí en el foro, te recomiendo Homun, aunque en un día puedes ir a los dos lugares debido a que se encuentran cerca el uno del otro.
Written January 16, 2019
Hola. Eso depende por completo de tu presupuesto y tu energía. Yo conozco 3 maneras:
1.-Como te han dicho, rentas un auto; es lo más sencillo pero quizá lo más costoso. El poblado de Homún está más o menos a una hora de camino y no tiene ninguna complicación llegar. Abres tu gps, pones cenotes de Santa Bárbara, Homún y listo.
2.- Pide un servicio de transporte privado. Si conoces a alguien que se dedique al transporte que sea de tu confianza pregúntale cuánto te cuesta que te lleve a Homún, te espere unas 4 horas y te regrese a Mérida (en Homún no hay servicio de este tipo por lo que quien te lleve te tendrá que esperar).
3.-Transporte público. En la calle 67 entre la 50 y la 52 en el centro de Mérida hay una terminal de camiones y una terminal de combis. Ambas tienen destino a Homún.
En combi cuesta $30 hace como 70 minutos y sale cada que se llena una. De esta manera le pides al chofer que te deje en la primera parada de Homún y a unos 100 metros están los cenotes de Sta Bárbara. Para regresar le pides al encargado de los cenotes que llame a la terminal para que la siguiente combi que salga la manden con los lugares disponibles que necesites. Son muy gentiles y te pueden ayudar.
Saludos.
Written September 3, 2018
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