Cenotes Magical Waters

Information

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Cavities with water; these are unique formations in the world, places of fresh water provision in the yucatecan plains where there are no rivers…

They are sacred places for the Mayans:

• Forced step between the human realm and the spiritual realm from the lore of the mayas.
• Sun light filtered by holes between rocks, or crystalline waters reachable by hand, intricate forms…
• The cenotes are like an endless collar that gives rise to ecosystems in almost perfect balance, showing spectacular beauty.

The great metropolis of the Mayan Culture were formed surrounding these natural water deposits, being ancestral object of cult and mysteries.

One of the wonders that we find in Yucatan are the cenotes, since for the Mayas they represented the entrance to the underworld. There are an estimated 3000 distributed over the whole region. In order to facilitate visits, it is important to classify them by their accessibility and activities.

Cenotes de Uso Turístico

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Municipio	Cenote	Tipo de Actividades
Abalá	Kankirixché
	Yaax Ja
Cuncunul	Cuncunul
	Chelentún
	Papakal
Cuzamá	Chakzinikché
	Bolonchoojol
Chocholá	Yaax-ja
Dzilam de Bravo	Elepetén
Homún	Oxolá
	Sajunkat
Izamal	X-kol aak.
Kaua	Chuicab Dzonot
	Ya´ax-ek
Motul	Sambulá
Río Lagartos	Chiquilá
	Petén Tuchja
Sanahcat	Villa 56
	Nayah
	Tanimax
	Noh Mozón
	Calcuch
Tecoh	Tza Itzá
	Xocché
	San Eduardo
Temozón	X Canché
Tinum	Sagrado
	Ikil
Tizimín	Nohoch Dzonot Kikil.
Tunkas	Mumundzonot
	X- Azul
	Lucunchán
Umán	X-batún
	Dzon-Bacal
Valladolid	X-K´eek´en
	Samulá
	Zací
Yaxcabá	Kichkelenchú

History

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One of the attractions that distinguishes the State of Yucatan are the cenotes, whose term comes from Mayan “dzonot”, that means “cavity with water”. The cenotes are unique formations in the world, besides being the fundamental resource of fresh water; these were sacred places for the Mayans, representing the entrance to the spiritual underworld.

The Yucatan Peninsula lacks of visible water rivers, since the ground is limestone and very porous, reason why the rainwater filters directly or penetrates by cracks forming underground caves and rivers, many of them, connected to each other. Frequently that limestone ground sinks into the water beneath, causing the deposits to open and letting us stare at the spectacle of green, yellow and turquoise lights projected in the rocks, forming true works of art. The stalactite and stalagmite system are worthy of admiration.

By tradition, the cenotes are a distinctive mark of the yucatecan landscape. Details like the sunlight penetrating the holes between rocks and being projected on the transparent water, are united to serve as a visual banquet to the admirers of nature.

The cenotes vary in their form and size according to where they are located.

Although in its form they are not the same, we can say that their characteristics are very similar. The water is cold, since it emerges from underground dumps; it is clear and it is rich in flora and fauna, these rises an ecosystem of almost perfect balance, with a spectacular beauty.

For many years the cenotes of Yucatan have been object of speculations and legend, since they played a determinant role in the development of the Mayan civilization. Great settlements of this culture formed around these cavities. These wells constituted the center of their cities. At the very heart of these cavities, an amount of offerings and jewelry were found. These objects were apparently thrown to the depths after the human sacrifices. Also tools and ceramics destined to religious ceremonies were taken back from the bottom.

Due to the important archaeological value that they represent, as well as by its exquisite natural beauty, the natural wells are considered attractive places for the development of eco-touristic activities, especially scuba diving. Therefore, for all those who enjoy this fascinating sport, to submerge and to break into the defenses of these caverns, will grant a marvelous experience.

Without a doubt, it is a completely different experience. Visiting the crystal clear waters of the cenotes resembles the adventure of going into a world that doesn’t seems real...

Location

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CENOTE IK KIL

Located at few 500 mts of the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá; this cenote offers a unique spectacle, worthy to be seen in person, and in which it is possible to swim. The cenote is surrounded by an ecological park with a restaurant and bungalows.

Schedule: from 8:00 to 18:00 hours.

CENOTE OF DZITNUP OR X´KEKÉN

Located at 7 km to the southwest of Valladolid; this cenote is within an underground camera. Formations of stalactites can observed along with waters of vibrant turquoise colors, illuminated by the natural light that penetrates through a hole in the central part of the vault. The cenote it’s little deep but its water is so clean and clear, that fish can be observed. Swimming it’s possible in this place.

Schedule: from 7:00 to 17:00 hours.
Cost: $25.00 pesos

CUZAMÁ

Famous in the region by its cenotes and the peculiar way of visiting them. The route through the different cenotes is done by “trucks”, that are small cars hauled by horses through 7 km in full railroads, this adds an incredible adventure-flavor to the trip. The main cenotes in this zone are: Chelentún, Chacsinic-Che and Bolonchojol.

Schedule: from 8:00 to 17:00 hours.

Eco tourism

subir Besides all the attractions, Yucatan offers an incredible adventure through the practice of the scuba diving and the snorkel, where the depths of the earth are challenged, penetrating in its entrails to discover the hidden treasures and their enigmatic underground rivers in a brand new way of tourism, the scuba diving in cenotes.

These enormous caverns that are branched off beneath the earth, are tunnels that you will be able to cross with the proper equipment, in order to avoid accidents , and helped by experienced and specialized guides. Venturing into the cenotes is taking yourself into an unforgettable trip.

The cenotes are open caverns in which the sunrays penetrate. Where the earth veins cross and show the prismatic shades limestone rock and sometimes very unique Mayan pieces of ceramics and vestiges can be discovered, as well as the aquatic fauna that lives in the depths.
When visiting Yucatan, if you are an emotion lover, go and dive into the cenotes, then you shall feel proud of have penetrated the entrails of these sacred land.

Gallery

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