Santa Barbara with Tour in Izamal

This tour pairs the Santa Bárbara cenotes with the town of Izamal, and its stated aim is to let you see the three types of cenote found on the Yucatán Peninsula: open, semi-open and closed. In the afternoon you visit Izamal, a magical village full of history. The listed duration is 570 minutes, so expect a full day.

The route begins with a trip of about an hour to the meeting point you have chosen and on to the Santa Bárbara cenotes. There are four of them. Cascabel, written Rattle in the listing, is a closed cenote inside a grotto. Chacsinkín is semi-open, with a 10-meter vault and crystal-blue water. Xooch is semi-open too, with turquoise-green water and stalactites. Pool Cocom is open, with easy access and an exclusive lift.

On arrival you have time to put on your swimsuit, and a certified guide gives the instructions for entering each cenote. When you have swum in all four, you change and go to the restaurant to taste the dish of your choice, ordered à la carte. The listing gives about five hours for this stretch, and lunch is included. Then you set off for Izamal, about one hour away.

In Izamal you have a stop of about 90 minutes: about 20 minutes of guided tour and 40 minutes of free time, according to the description. The itinerary mentions climbing the Kinich Kak Mo temple, one of the largest of Maya culture in Mexico, and visiting the Convent of San Antonio de Padua, where you can take photos and try marquesitas. The listing also notes that bicycle use is included. After the visit, the trip back to Mérida takes about an hour.

The operator lists the tour as wheelchair accessible and suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The schedule details are a bit uneven, so it is worth confirming the times with the operator when you book.

Included are a life vest, in-vehicle air conditioning, lunch a la carte, bicycle use, entrance to all the cenotes and the visit to Izamal. Drinks and gratuities are not included. No meeting point is listed, so ask which pickup location applies to you.