Discover in the cenotes the best alternative in the Riviera Maya, to immerse yourself and cool off, a great activity besides going to the beach
Beautiful but full of mystery and magic at the same time, thecenotesare the most beautiful jewels of the Yucatan Peninsula. Sheltered by the jungle,swimming in a cenoteis an adventure you cannot miss during your vacation in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, or Tulum.
And you will ask yourself, what are cenotes, and why are they so magical and mysterious? Here we tell you.
Photo; @mari_neizi
What are cenotes?
Thecenotesare deep water wells, which are fed by the filtration of rain and the currents of the rivers that are born in the heart of the earth. That is why when swimming in a cenote you feel so fresh, imagine that the average temperature of its waters is a maximum of 75°F (24°C)!
These wells owe their name to the Mayans, who baptized them with the word Dz’onot, which means ‘cavern with water’, and from there it derived its current name: cenotes.
Types of Cenotes
Thecenotes found in Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Yucatan have different ages and are classified as:
IMPORTANCE OF THE CENOTES IN MAYA CULTURE
Thecenotes for the Maya culturehave been a symbol of duality since they represented life and death. They were a water source for the Maya cities and represented the gateway to the world of the dead: the Xibalbá.
As the beginning of the journey, various rituals took place in cenotes. The first official record of these ceremonies is in thePopol Vuh. In addition, the Aluxes, caretakers of the jungle, and the cenotes are representative. Nowadays, offerings are dedicated to them for the care of the crops, to give clearance to build and to request permission before entering a cenote.
CENOTES IN PRESENT DAY
Thecenotes in the present dayare more important than ever as silent witnesses of the past and invaluable information about the planet development, our species, and even unknown data of the Mayan culture.
They are water sources due to the absence of surface rivers in the Yucatan Peninsula. They are also magnificent sites for nature exploration and archaeological expeditions, finding remains of ancient Mayans and older settlers.
Help preserve it by rinsing off before entering one and using environmentally friendly sunscreens and repellents.
TOP 3 CENOTES IN RIVIERA MAYA
Cenote Dos Ojos | Photo: @nashhagen
1. DOS OJOS
It is called “Dos Ojos” because it is made up of two cenotes connected by a 400m underwater passage.It is part of the largest flooded cave in the world (347km!): Sac Actun.With its translucent water and many corners to explore, it is the ideal place for snorkeling and diving in Yucatan.In the semi-open part of the cenote, the light and colors are really beautiful.
Cenote Chikin Ha | Photo: @micrista
2. CHIKIN HA
Entering this cenote is like entering the center of the Earth through one of its cracks. Quite an experience! Its name means “water of the west” and was given by the location in which it is located. It is a cenote inside a cave that has two entrances and a depth of up to 15 meters. It is one of the favorites among divers due to the cavern system that connects below. The flora and fauna is not as abundant as in the other two cenotes, but the rocky landscape surrounding its crystalline waters is spectacular
3. GRAND CENOTE
Grand Cenote is a place to practice snorkeling and swimming, in a natural environment; The cenote consists of a large cave, a cavern and open parts, to facilitate the visit and enjoy the place it has wooden platforms to walk and enjoy nature.It consists of a series of caves, caverns and an open cenote, connected by wooden walkways and surrounded by exuberant vegetation. With its crystal clear waters and its underground world, this is one of the Cenotes in Tulum Mexico very popular among swimmers, divers and divers.
Source:Xcaret
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