Cenotes: A Wonderful Adventure
While vacationing on the Riviera Maya, you must take the time to visit the ancient limestone sinkholes filled with freshwater, called "cenotes". Millions of years ago these were the main source of water for the Maya people and their cities were built around them. A good example of this natural phenomenon is the archeological site of Chichen Itza, where you can visit the Cenote of Sacrifice. People were thrown into this cenote following their religious rituals and it was believed these huge pools were the gateways to the underworld.
Nowadays, the cenotes are extremely popular with tourists and cave divers alike and can be found throughout the Riviera Maya. They are all magnificent, exciting spots, perfect for spending a fascinating day out.
There are four different types of cenotes: those that are completely underground, the ones that are semi-underground, those that are at land level like a lake or pond, and those that are open wells. Many of them are accessible for swimming and cave diving and others are now dry cave systems that can be explored. Some cenotes have stalactites and stalagmites that seem natural works of art while in others, holes in the ceiling allow the sunlight to filter in creating magical and amazing atmosphere.
There are several cenotes to visit in and around the Riviera Maya, most of them with basic facilities, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, parking and usually the entrance fee is not expensive. If you plan a vacation to these lands then don't miss the opportunity of visiting the following magical freshwater systems: Tres Bocas, Cristalino, Cenote Azul, Cenote El Jardin del Eden, Cenote Xunaan-Ha, Dos Ojos, Cenote Manatee and Gran Cenote. Dos Ojos is famous because the thriller "The Cave" and the IMAX movie "Amazing Caves" were both filmed here. Gran Cenote is located in Tulum and it is a popular spot for cave divers because of its stunning natural beauty. Come and explore them!
