Hi,
I am posting this for those who may have ended frustrated by the overcrowded swimholes and rip off entrance fees at most better known cenotes. We tried a few and ended up turning around rather than stand in line waiting to jump into the water.
Instead, we decided to try a community tours organization, an hour out of Valladolid, which is called Ta'akbil-Ja, and who took us on a great tour for a very decent price. Best of all, we had a private tour for the two of us, and the 5 people who were involved in it, as our guides and support for the absailing (rappel) into the cenote later on, seemed disappointed when we decided to call it quits, which means they were not rushing us to go home, but we were so tired we could not go on!
We started with the necessary shamanic ritual for the entrance into the underground.
Then tour started by entering a deep cave and the traversing a cool underground river, many cave halls and passages (water shoes and security vests provided, but if you have your water sandals, they will do), where we went slowly, took many photos and enjoyed ourselves until we were cold and had to get out - no rushing whatsoever, no schedule, amazing! We calculated at least 2.5hrs in the cave, a spectacular adventure you will never have the chance to try, unless you are a professional cave diver.
Then we dried up a bit, and moved to a location nearby (you can go in your own car but they provide transport for groups, as well - the road is not good, so drive carefully, in total it is about 12kms in and out), where we had a heart racing absailing activity, straight into a semi-open cenote, 25 m below. I had never done absailing before and it was not without apprehension that I went down the first time, but afterwards it was fine. The operation is safe, the equipment is good and the guys know what they are doing. You can absail as many times you like, nobody calls it quits before you do! If you have any strength left afterwards you can swim in the cenote. If someone cannot conquer their fear of heights and does not want to rappel, by all means there are stairs to the cenote, and they can swim and look up at those who come down the rope.
All this was followed by a hearty lunch at the home of a lady, who owns a house and rents 2 rooms, if you want to stay in the village and perhaps try more adventures any other day.
Honestly, this counts among the 5 best things I have done in my life and cannot recommend them enough! No rush, no schedule, if my body could take it any longer, the guys would stay with us until it got dark. As was, we ended the tour around 4 pm and then had lunch. For large groups they organize camping and night hikes through the woods.
There are facilities and lockers provided, if you need them on site.
If you do not speak Spanish (we barely do) they will provide someone who speaks English, no problem.
You can find more info at their pages: https://www.taakbilja.com/tour, or their facebook
https://es-la.facebook.com/TaakbilJaTurismo/
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Another cenote we tried and were literally alone for good 1,5 hr, when we had to leave, was Agua dulce, which is located some 15-ihs minute drive from Ek Balam site. The cenote is beautiful, water is cold, and we had it to ourselves. Seriously, after our first day got ruined by hitting the overcrowded sites and cenotes, we can hardly believe our luck taking the Ta'akbil-Ja tour and swimming in Agua dulce all by ourselves. Other tourists stayed at the Ek balam cenote, but just a little more patience will get you to the best thing around. The entrance to Agua dulce is 90 pesos, there are changing rooms and facilities, and even a restaurant (did not seem open when we were there). For the best light arrive around 11 and you will get amazing photos with light beams into the water. There are two more cenotes on site, Palomitas and Oasis, but we were so happy with our choice that we did not even go to see them.
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Finally, here is where we discovered information about Ta'akbil-Ja, and some other alternative Maya community activities, some of which we are going to try in the days to come: http://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/second-riviera-maya/
Enjoy Yucatan, there are still places that are pristine and where people are not bussed into.
