Three underground cenotes-Chelentún, Chacsinikché, and Bolonchojol-are reached by riding narrow rail carts pulled by horses along a former henequen plantation line. Each cenote is entered by wooden ladder or rope into a cool underground chamber, a distinctly Yucatecan alternative to the busier cenotes near Tulum.
The Cuzamá cenotes sit about 45 km southeast of Mérida, roughly an hour by rental car or colectivo to the small rail yard at Chunkanán, just outside Cuzamá town. From there, local cooperatives run narrow-gauge carts along tracks originally built for hauling henequen fiber during the plantation era, now pulled by a single horse along a bumpy but shaded jungle route. The cart stops at three cenotes in sequence-Chelentún, Chacsinikché, and Bolonchojol-each accessed by descending a wooden ladder or short rope through a narrow opening in the ground into a cool underground chamber lit only by a shaft of daylight from above. The water is clear and noticeably cooler than the surface heat, and each cenote has a distinct character, from Bolonchojol's wide, open chamber to Chelentún's more intimate space. The full circuit, including cart rides between stops and swimming time at each cenote, takes roughly three to four hours. Because the cart ride itself has no shade for stretches, visiting earlier in the day avoids the strongest midday sun, and the tracks can be uneven after rain.
Highlights
- Horse-drawn rail cart jungle ride
- Cenote Chelentún
- Cenote Chacsinikché
- Cenote Bolonchojol
- Former henequen plantation tracks
Tips for visiting
- Arrange the horse cart and cenote package directly at the Chunkanán rail yard-no advance booking is needed or generally possible
- Wear a swimsuit under clothing and bring a change of clothes for the ride back
- Bring cash, since the cooperative and any snack vendors do not accept cards
- Visit in the morning to avoid the strongest sun during the exposed cart ride
- Water shoes help on the wooden ladders and slippery cenote entry points
- Budget three to four hours total for the full three-cenote circuit
When to visit
Morning visits avoid both the midday heat on the exposed cart ride and the busiest cenote crowds.
Accessibility
The cart ride itself is manageable for most visitors, but entering each cenote requires climbing down a wooden ladder or rope through a narrow opening, which is not accessible for those with mobility limitations.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors get to the Cuzamá cenotes without a car?
Colectivos run from Mérida to Cuzamá and on to the Chunkanán rail yard, where the horse-cart cooperative operates.
Do all three cenotes require swimming ability?
Access requires descending a ladder or rope into deep water, so basic swimming ability and comfort with confined spaces are helpful.
Is the horse-cart ride safe?
Yes, the carts move at a slow, controlled pace along fixed rails, though the ride is bumpy and open to the sun for parts of the route.
How long does the full Cuzamá circuit take?
Most visitors spend three to four hours total, including cart travel time and swimming at each of the three cenotes.