[1] In the view of modern researchers, the ancient builders of Dzibilchaltún may have chosen the site of the city to be as close as possible to the coastal salt-producing region (about 22 km (13.7 mi) away), while still being located on a reasonably fertile and habitable terrain.

[2] The site has been continuously occupied for thousands of years, although it has expanded into a mid-sized city and contracted back to a small town more than once in its long history.

It is about 30 minutes north of Mérida, and about the same distance south of the location of the impact site of the meteorite that killed the dinosaurs in Chicxulub.

[2][3] While traditionally the cenote was used as a swimming hole by local residents and tourists year round, it is currently closed, apparently for maintenance although there is evidence that it is now polluted by waste water from surrounding residential developments.

Similar to Chichen Itza, a large number of archaeological pieces like carved bones and wooden objects, but mainly vases, have been found in the cenote.