What to do in Tecoh, Yucatán: Cenotes, Caves and Haciendas

Tecoh, the Yucatán Municipality That Truly Has it All

Are you familiar with matrioshkas, those Russian nesting dolls that hide one inside another? Well, to me, Tecoh is something like that—but in a very Yucatecan version. You think you’ve seen it all, and suddenly another “doll” appears: another cenote, another experience, another place you never saw coming. It may sound strange, I know, but give this Yucatecan nesting doll a chance… and keep reading.

But let’s take it one layer at a time. Tecoh, whose Maya name can be interpreted as “place of the puma or jaguar,” is about 35 minutes from Mérida and has 10 comisarías (submunicipalities) that greatly expand what there is to discover in the area.

Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

One of the best-known attractions is Hacienda Sotuta de Peón, an almost obligatory stop if you want to experience several Yucatán essentials in one place: a hacienda, a cenote, and a healthy dose of history. At this 19th-century henequén hacienda, the past isn’t simply something to look at—it’s something to step into.

On its henequén tour, one of several experiences offered here, you’ll explore the main house, machinery, and henequén fields, gradually discovering why this fiber was once known as “green gold.” You might even take home a sample. And just when the heat starts to catch up with you, there’s the perfect finale: Dzul Ha Cenote. Peaceful, accessible, and ideal for cooling off before continuing your adventure.

The Heart of Town

But Tecoh doesn’t stop at the hacienda. Remember: layers. Take a stroll through the town center and give yourself a moment to get into its rhythm: the lively market, people coming and going, and the municipal palace that’s hard to miss.

Be sure to step inside the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption. I found the exterior lovely, but the interior surprised me even more. The main altarpiece houses four paintings attributed to Miguel Cabrera, one of the great painters of New Spain (that’s México under Spanish rule). The curious part? Nobody always knew they were his. It wasn’t until 1985 that INAH identified the works.

Tzabnah Caves

Just when you think your time in Tecoh is going to be a leisurely affair, the town reveals its most intense layer: it’s time to head underground and explore the Tzabnah Caves. And yes, come prepared with comfortable clothes—or clothes you’re not particularly attached to—and, underneath, a swimsuit. Trust me, you’ll be glad you brought it.

There’s not much of a preamble here. You’re given a helmet, a lamp, and a reminder to move carefully, because you’ll have to crouch, crawl, and adapt to the terrain. But all of that fades from your mind once you realize what awaits below.

The entrance is little more than a hole in the ground, but as you descend, the light disappears and the atmosphere changes completely. Tzabnah means “palace of the king” in Maya, and as you make your way through the caves, it really does feel as though you’re walking through something grand—even though you’re surrounded by darkness.

The roughly hour-and-a-half journey passes through 13 underground cenotes. Along the way, you’ll spot fossilized shells embedded in the rock, ceiba roots reaching down to unexpected depths, and formations that local guides have given wonderfully descriptive names, including the Tree of Life, the Virgin of Candelaria, and the Hand of God. Others look like enormous drinking straws hanging from the ceiling.

It isn’t always a comfortable journey. There are stretches that will test your patience, your muscles, and perhaps a little bit of your pride. But that’s exactly why the ending feels so rewarding: you’ll eventually reach a huge, silent cenote filled with crystal-clear water. Cooling off in it feels like the perfect reward for everything it took to get there.

The caves are open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. One important thing to know: you cannot enter on your own (also: why would you want to?). The caves are managed by the community as part of a community-based tourism project, so a guide is mandatory. You’ll find guides directly at the entrance, or you can contact Don Abdon Pool at 999 995 2185.

Suhem Cenote

If you’re still craving more water, don’t worry: Tecoh has cenotes to spare. In the community of Pixyá, you’ll find several favorites, including Noh Mozón, Nah Yah, and Suhem. The latter is an open cenote, about 12 meters high, and a true gem. Without exaggerating, it’s one of the prettiest cenotes I’ve visited.

There’s a rest area, showers, bathrooms, changing rooms, a camping area, a fire pit, and even a rope swing inside the cenote, where you can channel your inner George of the Jungle and launch yourself from heights of 2, 4, or 12 meters. Of course, timing your release just right is an art in itself… one I’m still perfecting.

You can also turn your visit into a more complete experience. Reserve ahead at 999 749 2458 and they’ll prepare freshly made Yucatecan snacks such as chayitas with hard-boiled egg, cheese empanadas, panuchos, and more. People like Doña Nancy start preparing everything early in the morning, and you can taste the care in every dish. Suhem Cenote is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

George of the Jungle and Pájaro Toh Cenotes

Apparently, George of the Jungle has been setting trends around here, because you can also visit the George of the Jungle Water Park and Pájaro Toh Cenote Tourist Parador. This is a great option if you’re looking for something more relaxed without giving up the charm: there’s a restaurant, swimming pools, palapas, and hammocks where you can easily spend the day.

The star, however, is the enclosed Pájaro Toh Cenote. Carefully designed lighting highlights the many stalactites hanging from the ceiling—far more than you might expect when you first walk in.

Several admission packages are available depending on what you’d like to do, and the site is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

Xcanchacán

And to bring our journey toward an end—because yes, there’s still another layer—it’s worth making your way to Xcanchacán. Here, two very different but equally fascinating experiences come together: a henequén workshop and traditional Yucatecan cuisine, two aspects of our state’s culture that you won’t want to miss.

At the workshop, run by local women with Doña Soledad at the helm, you can see the entire process up close: how the fiber is “combed” in the machine, how it’s worked according to the piece being made, and how natural dyes are produced—even using achiote—over wood fires and in enormous vats. Almost everything is done by hand, and it takes time. Even the waste fiber is put to use, becoming little figures such as birds. If you like, you can try part of the process yourself and see how you measure up.

Then it’s time for the table. With advance reservations at 999 296 8977, you can enjoy dishes prepared from scratch by a traditional cook such as Doña Isabel. Her menu includes escabeche prepared with different recados, among other options. Take your time and savor it all, and you’ll realize something simple: when food is made by hand and with heart, it tastes different.

So, have I convinced you of my Yucatecan matrioshka conspiracy theory? I’m sticking with it. Layer by layer, Tecoh keeps revealing itself: the hacienda, the town, the caves, the cenotes, the food, the crafts. Together, they create a destination with its own way of telling its story—and spoiling you along the way.

This isn’t a place you can exhaust in a single visit or through a single experience. You’ll have to discover one doll at a time. Before you know it, you’ve been underground, shared a meal, tried your hand at a traditional craft, taken a dip in a cenote… and found something that feels much bigger than a simple getaway.

And now the question is yours: where will you go next?

• A Getaway to Tecoh and its surroundings in two days
• Discover Yucatán: A Getaway to Tekit and Tecoh in two days

First published on the Yucatán Today website in August 2026.