Puuc Hills & the South
Calcehtok Caves Tours
A Calcehtok Caves tour lets you explore one of the longest cave systems in the Yucatán with headlamps and a local guide. It suits adventurous travellers who are happy to get dusty and duck through tight passages.
Calcehtok Caves tour options
Calcehtok is also called Xpukil and is run by local guides at the entrance. Routes vary from short to long, and the route you choose changes the price and the time needed.
There are two common ways to do a calcehtok caves day trip: join a small group, or book a private car and guide. Small groups are the budget choice; private trips suit families and photographers who want flexible timing. For a Calcehtok Caves tour, the quote form is the quickest way to confirm timing and pickup.
- Shared small-group trip from Mérida
- Private tour with your own driver and guide
- Calcehtok with Oxkintok ruins in the same morning
What you'll see in Calcehtok Caves
The cave consists of large chambers, narrow crawlspaces and formations of stalactites and columns. Local guides lead you along marked routes using headlamps, pointing out features and stopping where bats roost.
Unlike Loltún, Calcehtok is wild and uneven, with minimal lighting or railings. Expect to stoop, climb and scramble in places. There are lookout points where daylight spills in through ceiling openings.
- Big chambers and columns
- Bat roosts
- Skylight openings
- Narrow crawlspaces
Sample Calcehtok Caves tour itinerary
A sample schedule to use as a starting point for a quote.
- 8:30 Pickup in Mérida
- 10:00 Arrive at Calcehtok and meet your guide
- 10:15 Cave route with headlamps
- 12:00 Clean-up and lunch in Maxcanú
- 13:30 Oxkintok ruins
- 15:30 Return to Mérida
Calcehtok Caves tour prices
As a guide, shared Calcehtok Caves departures from Mérida commonly cost about US$65–100 per person, and a private vehicle with a guide for two about US$220–310. Cave entry and guide fees are paid at the site, usually in cash.
Request a quote for a Calcehtok Caves tour to see the exact figure.
| Option | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small-group tour | US$65–100 per person | Shared van, fixed schedule |
| Private car and guide (2 people) | US$220–310 | Flexible start and stops |
| Boat or entry costs | Varies by route; confirm on site | Check whether included in your quote |
Best time to visit Calcehtok Caves
The caves have constant, cool temperatures so any season works, but heavy rain can make floors muddy. The dry season from November to April is best.
Choose a route that matches your fitness. Children and anyone with claustrophobia may prefer the shorter option.
Getting to Calcehtok Caves
Calcehtok is about 80 km southwest of Mérida, roughly 1 h 15 min, near Maxcanú. A private car is the easiest approach.
We can plan a route that links the cave with Oxkintok and lunch in Maxcanú.
What to bring
A short checklist for the day: Planning a Calcehtok Caves tour around the weather and your energy makes the day easier.
- Old clothes and closed shoes with grip
- Gloves for scrambling
- Small backpack with water
- Cash for guide and entry fees
- Change of clothes for the ride back
Calcehtok Caves tour FAQs
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.