Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Borneo orangutan
Malaysia • 12 days, 11 nights
Wild Borneo: Secrets of an Ancient Rainforest
from
Pastel de nata
Portugal • 8 days, 7 nights
Portugal: A Culinary Adventure from Porto to Lisbon
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Mexico Valladolid Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman

Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman

Found down a long dirt road, a sacred Mexican cenote and 18th-century hacienda remain hidden.

Valladolid, Mexico

Added By
Amber Snider
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Amber C Snider / Atlas Obscura User
  Amber C Snider / Atlas Obscura User
  Amber C Snider / Atlas Obscura User
  Amber C Snider / Atlas Obscura User
  Mathias Van de Velde / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Scattered by the thousands across Yucatán, freshwater cenotes are must-see sites in Mexico. They’re the result of collapsed earth that exposes underground rivers which flow throughout the region, all connected by a labyrinth of underground tunnels.

Cenotes were sacred to the Mayans who would use these freshwater rivers as primary water sources, as well as perform rituals and sacrifices to the Gods. There are over 6,000 of these sacred sites in Yucatan alone.

After entering the cave entrance of the Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman, a winding staircase takes visitors down to the rocky ledge, where a swinging rope allows swimmers to indulge in the green-blue waters below. The collapsed limestone cave drips with cool water, sunlight, and long, hair-like roots of the ancient trees above skim the water’s edge. It is said that tree spirits guard each cenote entrance and that the ancient Mayans knew a cenote by sight of these guardian trees.

This particular cenote is notable for the nearby Hacienda San Lorenzo, which dates back to the 18th-century. After entering the archway replete with flowers and greenery, visitors move through the pink-orange high arches of the hacienda to purchase tickets for 30 pesos per person (less than $2). The old world, tranquil glamour of the house alone is worth seeing.

Related Tags

Cenotes

Know Before You Go

If you’re staying in Valladolid, the best way to get there is by bicycle down the long, dirt and gravel road. It’s roughly a 20-25 minute ride from the city center or you can always take a cab.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Oaxaca: Markets, Mezcal & Home-Cooked Meals

A Culinary and Cultural Journey Through Oaxaca.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Amber C Snider

Edited By

Mathias Van de Velde

  • Mathias Van de Velde

Published

April 16, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman
Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman
Calle 54
Valladolid
Mexico
20.667828, -88.229796
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Cenote Xkeken

Dzitnup, Mexico

miles away

Cenote Ziiz Ha

Valladolid, Mexico

miles away

Museo de Ropa Étnica de México (Mexican Ethnic Clothing Museum)

Valladolid, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Valladolid

Valladolid

Mexico

Places 6

Nearby Places

Cenote Xkeken

Dzitnup, Mexico

miles away

Cenote Ziiz Ha

Valladolid, Mexico

miles away

Museo de Ropa Étnica de México (Mexican Ethnic Clothing Museum)

Valladolid, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Valladolid

Valladolid

Mexico

Places 6

Related Places

  • Mérida, Mexico

    Cenote Ka' Kutzal

    A cenote sitting in the middle of a parking lot shows the Yucatán Peninsula at its most urbanized.

  • Cenote Ziiz Ha

    Valladolid, Mexico

    Cenote Ziiz Ha

    A cenote filled with Colonial era artifacts whose waters cannot be accessed.

  • Cenote Hubiku.

    Temozón, Mexico

    Cenote Hubiku

    This popular cave pool is truly magical, despite the crowds.

  • Maya ruins can be seen in the background.

    Mérida, Mexico

    Cenote Xlacah

    One of the few places where you can visit a cenote and Maya ruins at the same time.

  • A view from the entrance.

    Yalcobá, Mexico

    Cenote Palomitas

    Take a dip beneath the stalactites in this amazing cenote.

  • Xcalacoop, Mexico

    Cenote Ik-Kil

    A magical sinkhole on the Yucatán Peninsula is adorned with mini waterfalls and hanging vines.

  • Entrance to Bolón-Chohol

    Mexico

    Cuzamá Cenotes

    Three sinkholes filled with warm, crystal-clear water reached by a horse-driven cart on an old train track through the jungle.

  • Underwater at Cenote Angelita

    Chumkopó, Mexico

    Cenote Angelita

    A flooded Mexican cave that hides a river beneath the water.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.