Where is Cenote Suytun
Cenote Suytun sits at kilometer 8 of the Valladolid Cancun highway (Calle 49 east of town). From Valladolid central Plaza Principal it is a 15 minute drive east. From Chichen Itza it is 45 minutes east. From Cancun it is 2 hours west via Highway 180D toll road.
How to get there
- Rental car: easiest. Free parking on site, 15 minutes from Valladolid
- Taxi from Valladolid: about $5 each way. Negotiate a wait and return
- Colectivo van: $1 to $2. Departs from Valladolid bus station, ask for Suytun
- Guided tour: Most Chichen Itza day tours from Cancun, Playa or Tulum stop at Suytun. Easiest if you are not staying overnight in Valladolid
The famous photo
The Suytun photo is the cenote with the central rock platform and a single beam of sunlight hitting it from a circular hole in the cave roof. The beam appears between approximately 11am and 1pm in dry season (November to April). On cloudy days or outside the window the beam does not appear. Arrive 30 minutes early because there is usually a queue to step onto the platform for your photo.
What to expect on site
The cenote is in a covered cave, you walk down stone steps into a chamber with the underground pool. Water is shallow at the platform edge, deeper in the center. Snorkel and swim are allowed. Showers are required before entering the water. There is a small restaurant and bathrooms. Plan about 90 minutes total.
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel
- Water shoes, the stone steps and platform are slippery
- Biodegradable sunscreen only, regular sunscreen is not allowed
- Cash for entry, life jacket rental and locker
- Waterproof phone case for the famous photo
Combos with Suytun
Most travelers visit Suytun as part of a wider day. The four most popular combos are:
- Chichen Itza + Suytun: classic full day from Cancun or Playa
- Ek Balam + Suytun: for travelers who already saw Chichen Itza
- Suytun + Valladolid town: half day from Tulum, includes lunch in Valladolid
- Rio Lagartos + Suytun: pink lakes and flamingos plus a cenote stop
Ready for the sunbeam photo?
Book a Chichen Itza + Suytun day trip from Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Includes transport, guide and lunch.
Preguntas frecuentes
Between 11am and 1pm in dry season (November to April). The sun has to be high enough to drop a beam through the small opening in the cave roof onto the central platform. Cloudy days do not produce the beam. Arrive 30 minutes before to queue for the photo.
Entry is approximately $7 USD per adult. There may be small additional fees for life jacket rental ($2) and locker ($2). Photographer guides on site will offer to take your photo from the railing for an extra tip.
Yes. Suytun is 45 minutes east of Chichen Itza on the way back to Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Most full day Chichen Itza tours from Cancun and Playa stop at Suytun or the similar Cenote Saamal for swimming after the ruins.
