Ik Kil is the cenote most people swim in on a Chichén Itzá day, and it lies just a few minutes by road from the site. The pool sits at the bottom of a deep circular shaft, with a stone stairway descending through the rock to a swimming platform and vines hanging down from the opening above. The water is clear and cool, and on a hot day the swim is a welcome relief. Adults normally pay an entry fee of about a hundred pesos at the gate, and there are lockers, showers, a restaurant and changing rooms. There is no standalone ticket here, so the easiest way to include it is a Valladolid and Ik Kil day tour. The busiest times are the middle of the day, so go early or late if you can.
The setting is dramatic. Roots and vines fall fifteen metres or more into the pool, small waterfalls trickle from the walls, and light enters through the open top. Many visitors find the experience more atmospheric than the photographs suggest, particularly in the first hour of the day when the shaft is quiet and the sunlight comes in at an angle.
The practical points matter. A shower is required before you enter the water, a life jacket is usually provided and sometimes required, and the water is deep, so confident swimmers are best placed to enjoy it. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, sandals and a small amount of cash. The site is popular with tour groups at midday, so aim to arrive before the ruins crowds disperse or after them, and expect a short queue for the stairs at peak times.
Because there is no standalone ticket, the usual route is a day tour that combines Chichén Itzá, Ik Kil and Valladolid, which is rated well by travellers. If you travel independently, pay at the gate and make Ik Kil the swim at the end of your ruins visit. It pairs well with a lunch in the on-site restaurant or in Valladolid, and with an afternoon at Suytún if you want a second cenote.
What to expect
The experience
A stairway down a circular shaft to a swimming platform in clear water, with vines hanging from the opening above and facilities at the entrance.
Best time
The first hour after opening or late in the day, when the tour groups have left.
How long
One to two hours including the shower, the swim and a drink at the restaurant.
Tips
Shower before entering, use a life jacket if asked, bring a swimsuit and towel, and carry a little cash for the gate and lockers.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A refreshing swim after the ruins, with a setting that looks like a movie scene.
- Families
- A favourite for children who swim, but the water is deep, so use life jackets and stay close.
- Couples
- Go early for a quiet swim and soak in the light and vines before the crowds arrive.
- Pair with
- Chichén Itzá in the morning and Valladolid in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- One to two hours on site.
Good questions
Can you buy a ticket just for Ik Kil?+
There is no standalone ticket in our selection, so the easiest route is a day tour that includes Ik Kil. Independent visitors can pay at the gate.
How much is entry at the gate?+
Adults pay about a hundred pesos, though prices can change. Bring cash to be safe.
Do I need to shower first?+
Yes, a shower before entering the water is required to protect the cenote. Lockers and changing rooms are available on site.
How deep is the water?+
The pool is deep, so confident swimmers will enjoy it most. Life jackets are usually available and are a good idea for children.
When is it least crowded?+
Early morning and late afternoon are quietest. Midday is the peak when the tour groups arrive from the ruins.
