A trio of connected cenotes—Chelentún, Chansinic'che, and Bolonchoojol—reached by a rustic horse-drawn cart ride along abandoned henequen railway tracks from the village of Cuzamá. Each cenote has a distinct character, from a wide open cavern to a narrow, deep hole reached by ladder.
The Cuzamá cenotes are reached in a way found almost nowhere else in Yucatán: a small horse-drawn cart, running on narrow rails once used to haul henequen from surrounding fields, carries visitors several kilometers across open scrubland from the village of Cuzamá to a cluster of three connected cenotes. Chelentún is the most open of the three, a wide cavern with a partially collapsed roof letting in daylight and easy platform access into the water. Chansinic'che is smaller and more enclosed, requiring a short climb down, while Bolonchoojol is the deepest and most dramatic, reached by descending a wooden ladder into a narrow, cave-like opening before the space widens into a deep pool. The cart ride itself, exposed to the sun as it rattles along the old rail bed, is as memorable as the swimming, offering open views over the flat countryside between stops. A full visit to all three cenotes with cart transport takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, most of it split between the ride and swimming at each stop. Because the cart tracks are open with no shade, mornings are markedly more comfortable than midday, both for the ride and for avoiding the busiest window when several tour groups converge on the same route.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8AM-5PM daily (cart tours depart throughout the day)
- Best time
- Morning to avoid the midday heat during the open cart ride
Location
Cuzamá, Yucatán 97430
20.8306, -89.2586 View on map
Highlights
- Horse-drawn cart ride on repurposed henequen-era rail tracks
- Three distinct connected cenotes: Chelentún, Chansinic'che, and Bolonchoojol
- Ladder descent into the deep, cave-like Bolonchoojol cenote
- Open cart views across the surrounding countryside
- A rustic, community-run alternative to more developed cenote parks
Tips for visiting
- Go in the morning before the open cart ride becomes uncomfortably hot
- Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a change for the dusty cart ride
- Bring cash, as cart and cenote fees are typically paid in person to local cooperatives
- Water shoes help on the ladder descent into Bolonchoojol
- Allow at least 2.5 hours for the full three-cenote circuit
When to visit
Morning, to avoid the midday heat during the open, unshaded cart ride.
Accessibility
The horse-drawn carts and cenote entry points involve narrow platforms, ladders, and uneven natural terrain, making the site largely inaccessible to visitors with mobility limitations.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Cuzamá cenotes take?
About 2.5 to 3 hours covers the cart ride and swimming at all three connected cenotes.
Are the Cuzamá cenotes worth it for kids?
The cart ride is popular with children, though the ladder descent into Bolonchoojol and open water depths call for close supervision.
Is photography allowed at the cenotes?
Yes, photography is unrestricted throughout the cart ride and at each of the three cenotes.