Cenote Ring & Izamal
Mayapán & Cenotes Tour
A Mayapán and cenotes tour pairs a late-Maya walled city with swimming holes in the villages around it, all within an hour of Mérida. It is a shorter, quieter alternative to the big sites. Request a quote and we can arrange pickup in Mérida.
Mayapán & Cenotes Tour: options & departures
This is a compact day for visitors who like less crowded sites, and a Mayapán and cenotes tour gives a bit of history and a lot of swimming. Mayapán was a fortified city, and several of its buildings echo Chichén Itzá on a smaller scale.
A Mayapán and cenotes day trip can be shared or private. A private vehicle works well for families, because the distances are short and the schedule is flexible.
- Half-day tour with Mayapán and one cenote
- Full day with two cenotes and lunch
- Version with a hacienda stop
- Version combined with Izamal on the way back
Full-day itinerary
A typical day from Mérida looks like this; we can lengthen it with a hacienda.
- 8:30 – Hotel pickup in Mérida
- 9:30 – Arrive at Mayapán and walk the site
- 11:30 – Drive to a nearby village cenote
- 12:00 – Swim at the cenote
- 13:15 – Lunch in a village
- 14:30 – Second cenote or village stop
- 15:30 – Drive back toward Mérida
- 16:30 – Drop-off in Mérida
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or an agreed meeting point (where pickup can be arranged) in Mérida
- Air-conditioned vehicle and a local driver
- A local guide where the format includes one (language to be confirmed in your quote)
- Bottled water on board
- Time at one or two cenotes
- A lunch stop in a village
Prices
Prices for a Mayapán and cenotes tour are among the lowest of our full-day trips, because the stops are close to Mérida.
| Format | Typical range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Shared small-group tour | USD 55–90 per person |
| Private vehicle with driver | USD 200–320 per vehicle (up to 4–6 people) |
| Typically extra | Entry fees, lunch and tips |
Why combine these stops
Mayapán lies on the southern side of Mérida, near Telchaquillo, where several cenotes are within a few minutes of the road. The ruins and the swimming holes are in the same village area, so there is almost no driving between them.
The combination also fits the heat: you walk the ruins in the cooler hours and cool off in the water afterwards. It is a good first day outside Mérida for families with children.
What to bring
Bring the basics for a day of walking and swimming:
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (biodegradable if you will swim)
- Cash in pesos for entry fees, snacks and tips
- A refillable water bottle
- Water shoes if you have them
Related tours
FAQs
How long is the drive from Mérida?
About 1 hour each way, mostly on free roads.
Is Mayapán busy?
Generally not, and you can often walk parts of it with few people around.
Do we need to swim well?
Not necessarily. Life vests are normally available.
Is it good for children?
Yes, the distances are short and the cenotes are easy to reach.
Want this trip planned for you?
Tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying. We check availability with local guides and send back a price.