Ik Kil Cenote – The Cenote You’ve Seen in Posters

You probably won’t find a cenote more iconic than Ik Kil. It’s probably the one that pops into your mind when you imagine a cenote; the one in most posters and brochures; the one you could recognize even if you’ve never been to a cenote. It’s also one of the most crowded in all the Riviera Maya, but that’s no excuse to miss this incredible work of nature.

Why Ik Kil is so crowded

Probably the main reason why Ik Kil is so crowded is because of how near it is to Chichen Itza; one, if not the most visited Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. Many tours there include a stop in Ik Kil. They usually stop at the ruins first, so, if you’re looking to find the least amount of people, it’s probably better to visit this iconic cenote in the morning.

The facilities at Ik Kil

Being such a sought-after place has its advantages. Here you’ll find bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms. A massive amount of lockers and life jackets, both of which are included in your entry ticket, to which you can add a drink for a small extra fee. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, there are several restaurants within the Ik Kil’s facilities as well.

In the waters

To access the cenote you’ll have to descend around 100 feet down a circling stairway carved into the rock, which has several landings from where you can peek at the water below.

Ik Kil didn’t get to be such an iconic cenote just because of its location, though. The view from down here is just breathtaking. Look up at the perfectly circular halo above you, the long vines hanging from its sides, reaching towards the water, and you.

On the concrete platform that circles halfway around the edge of the water there are several spots at different heights from which you can jump to the water. It’s one way to escape the crowds, as there are more people around the water than in it.