Cenote Samula - The Underwater Cave in Valladolid (Mexico)

After visiting the Mayan site Chichen Itza in the morning we drove back to our hotel, checked out and after that our journey continued to the east. Our current destination is the city of Tulum on the Gulf Coast of Mexico.

Day

of our Trip around the World

Table of contents

Our current route

On the way to Tulum we stopped at the Cenote Samula. It is about 30 minutes away by car from Chichen Itza. From the cenote it is then again about 90 minutes to Tulum.

The Cenote Samula in Valladolid

Admission to the Cenote costs 60 pesos per person, i.e. just under 3 euros. There is a large free car park. In the complex itself there are toilets, changing rooms and also lockers. The special feature of this cenote is that the cave ceiling has only partially collapsed and through a small opening the roots of a tree grow into the interior and the sun rays radiate directly onto the water of the cenote. The sight was really beautiful.

The entrance to the Cenote Samula

Down the stairs to the Cenote

The cenote from the inside

The Cenote Samula in Mexico

The Garra Rufa cleaning fish in the Cenote Samula

So we quickly put on our bathing suits and jumped into the crystal clear water – that was refreshing. And by the way, there are many of the “Garra Rufa” cleaning fish here. Just swim in the middle of the cenote and put it on a stone and it doesn’t take long for the plaster columns to lay their feet and do their work diligently.

A short stop in the town of Valladolid

After our visit to the Cenote Samula we made a short stop in the town of Valladolid. The main attraction is the colonial cathedral on the main square.

The road to Valladolid

Cathedrals in Valladolid

Mexico

Our Hotel in Tulum

After we checked in at the hotel iTour Mexico, we went to the beach for a short time and enjoyed the last rays of sunshine of the day.

The guesthouse has only six rooms, but all are completely individually decorated. For example, we had the room “Speedy Gonzalez” including plush figures and a small painted mousehole on the wall. Really a great idea 🙂 The staff are all very nice and also give tips for the surroundings. Bicycles can be rented free of charge at the guest house. We drove to the Mayan site Tulum, about 2 km away, which was great. So you don’t have to look for a parking space and can park the bike relaxed at the entrance. Free parking is available right in front of the house. A large supermarket is also not far away. The breakfast was included in the price and was very tasty. (1 hot drink and a sandwich or croissant). Next time we will certainly stay here again – highly recommended.

Our room at the iTour Mexico Hotel

The room "Speedy Gonzales"

Signs at hotel iTour Mexico

All travelogues from Yucatan (Mexico)

For Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula we put together a nice self-drive route, which we could drive on our own with a rental car. We absolutely wanted to see the many famous Mayan sites like Chichen Itza, Tulum, Uxam, Edzna or Kohunlich, get to know some cities like Merida or Campeche and finally relax a few days on the beach in Cancun. All in all, a beautiful route of over 1,400 kilometres, which can be ideally explored in 10-14 days.