Lovely Hidden Gem - After seeing pictures of this AMAZING cenote online, I couldn't wait to visit. Certainly glad we did. My hubby and I got to visit this lovely spot, as part of a trip to EK BALAM RUINS. We have been to more than one dozen different cenotes over the years in Mexico, but CHICHIKAN was my favorite. Beautiful location, hidden from highway. We visited during SEP2024, so very empty. This establishment is one of the few cenotes where I felt that the management CARED about me. They are very interested in YOUR safety, which is not always the case. After entering, you are directed to the changing area (to put on your bathing suit). Very well organized, with lockers, bathrooms, and showers. After walking down a SMOOTH path, you are directed to take a shower and pick up a life jacket. Then comes the REAL journey. The cenote is circular, open to the sky, with a beautiful waterfall. HOWEVER to get down to the platform, you must walk down a million, tightly wound uneven wooden stairs, SOMETIMES WITHOUT RAILING, all at a very steep angle. You really DO not see this from the website, or any pictures I have seen. There are very few landings to rest; once you commit, it's DOWN DOWN BABY - with no turning back! And going down is MUCH easier than coming back up. Again, this is not a journey for the faint of heart. Several people (older, or with knee/back difficulties) turned back. My own husband, who has severe arthritis, did NOT come down with me. This is NOT a handicap accessible site, or a place for pregnant women. Anyway, once you are down, you find yourself standing on a rubber covered walkway. Not crowded at all, and there are even places to dive/jump into the water. The water is TEEMING with fish: catfish, tetras, and other small freshwater types. Plus tons of aquatic plants, and a BEAUTIFUL WATERFALL. It is truly a magical setting; one I have never seen in any other cenote. If you do decide to venture into the water, IT IS FRIGID! Couldn't believe the water could be freezing 50F maybe, even though it was 105F that day. After a quick hop down the steps- yep steps- came right back up out of the water. And then the daunting journey back UP those horrific winding stairs begins. So stay down for a bit, even if it's just to catch your breath! In the sunlight at the top of the cenote, you can relax for 10 minutes to catch your breath, stop shivering, and then return your life vest. After drying off and changing, most people head to the on-site restaurant. The restaurant was REALLY good; authentic Mecican food (which we were not expecting). Real bar, so you can get a Margarita or Mezcal, if you want. And a wonderful woman hand cooking tamales on the grille. Fresh salads, tortilla soup, tacos, rice pudding - a very nice buffet. After eating, there is a small village to visit, depicting traditional Mexican life, which you can walk through. There are also several stations to observe typical cooking, taste Tequilas etc. Watch native dances. It's not XCARET, but it's cute. So if you are handicapped, pregnant, or simply do not want to go into the water, there are still things to do in the village. There is a small craft shop, and I believe also a spa on site. If you will be at CHICHZEN ITZA, COBA, EK BALAM or even in the area of Vallidolid, this cenote is a lovely excursion.

Highly recommended visit - A wonder of nature. Great facility to access and very good facilities. The food very varied and with great taste

A different experience!!!! - The visit to the Cenote, we loved the park, it is spectacular and we ate a buffet lunch there which was really very good!!! I want to highlight the attention of all the staff, especially the waiter Santos.!!! They know how to serve tourists

Only did the cenote - Our bus tour had this as a stop for lunch. We did a brief, but too long for me, welcome with a Shaman. I live in an area with 50/50 indigenous/ non-indigenous people. The photo ops and ceremony felt awkward for me. At the same time I respect they want to demonstrate their culture. My suggestion would be absolutely have a welcome that is authentic but then provide people an opportunity to learn or explore more about the culture by inviting those interested. The cenote and the change rooms/ facilities were amazing. Lockers included in the price of the life jacket rental. Whoever designed it did a great job. Stairs down were slightly terrifying, but they were sturdy and a few platforms so you could let people by. I am afraid of heights, but it was well worth going down for. I went barefoot and I think a non-slip footwear would have been a better choice. We were amazed by how many people did not plan ahead for the cenote. Bring a plastic bag for wet swimsuits and towels. Many only wore a swimsuit with clothes overtop and then were traveling in wet clothes for the remaining 8 hours! Had I known there was the opportunity for a culture tour I would have preferred it and skipped the Catholic church, as learning more about Mayan culture is important. This is something I will suggest to the tour company.

Do not buy tequila at cenote! Scam! - We bought reposado tequila made by a distillery at the cenote and when got it home it was half water! They packaged it for me to fly home so of course I didn’t open it and when I gave it to my friend as a gift he told me it was very watered down. I paid $75 USD for nothing! Do not fall for this scam. I’m so disappointed!!