Cenotes
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The Yucatán peninsula
was originally under the ocean and
the region's limestone foundation
is fossilized coral beds and ocean
floor. There are no above ground
rivers in this area. All of
the ground water sinks through the
porous limestone and travels to
the sea in underground rivers. Parts
of the limestone weakened over time
and collapsed, leaving sinkholes
filled with water - a cenote
(pronounced: seh-NO-tay).
During the ice ages,
portions of the underground rivers
dried up and water dripping through
the limestone left mineral deposits
in beautiful formations. Stalactites
and stalagmites formed in the caves
and caverns, and were covered with
water when the rivers began flowing
once again.
The Maya used the
cenotes for water - both for drinking
and irrigation - and in religious
ceremonies. Some of their
cities were built around cenotes
or wells dug down to the ground
water. Divers have explored
the cenote at
Chichén Itzá and have found
offerings the ancient Maya made
to the gods. Among them copper and
gold necklaces, pottery, jade beads,
and skeletons of both sexes and
all ages.
Today at least 1000 cenotes have
been located among the approximately
four thousand that are believed
to exist in the Yucatán.
These unique places are now included
in the ever increasing number of
tourist attractions of the area,
both for the archaeological value
they offer and for the exquisite
natural beauty they possess.
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Tours With Cenotes
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Chichen Itza
World Wonder
 Take a tour to Chichen
Itza, the capital of
the ancient Maya empire.
Follow the steps into
the past and discover
the most important cultural
center of the Maya civilization,
considered one of the
most advanced in America.
The mysterious city
of Chichen Itza was
an important ceremonial
center and you can still
see the magnificent
pyramid of Kukulkan
(75 feet high and without
a doubt the most impressive
monument in Chichen
Itza), the Temple of
the Warriors, the Ball
Court, the Observatory
and the Sacred Well
where countless victims
were sacrificed to ancient
gods. |
Coba Mayan Encounter
 This
attraction gives you
the opportunity of a
fascinating
encounter with Mayan
culture, where you
will visit Coba, a
spectacular
archeological site
hidden inside the
rain forest, at the
Yucatan Peninsula.
Once there you can
climb the Nohoch
Muul temple and
admire the stunning
landscape
surrounding this
site. |
Tulum
& Xel-Ha All Inclusive ,
Riviera Maya
 Discover one of the most
beautiful archeological
sites of the Riviera
Maya, the only one
overlooking the
Caribbean Sea and its
turquoise waters as a
walled fortress. It is
believed that Tulum was
once, one of the main
ports of the Maya
civilization. From here
you will be taken to Xel-Ha
a spectacular theme
water park, unique at
the Riviera Maya, where
you will spend a day of
adventure enjoying
natural, ecological and
aquatic attractions. |
Xel-Ha
All Inclusive , Riviera
Maya
 Xel-Ha is the most
spectacular water park
in Riviera Maya renowned
for its stunning natural
aquarium, which is
unique in the area. Here
you can enjoy with your
family or friends, an
array of water
activities and both
natural and ecological
attractions. Or
alternatively, simply
relax on the tranquil
lazy river as you sail
along on a comfortable
inner tube. |
Xcaret
, Riviera Maya
 Known as ''nature's
sacred paradise'',
Xcaret is one of the
world's most famous
eco-archaeological
parks. Here, you will
find archaeological
ruins, a dolphin show,
horses, a farm with
tropical birds,
butterflies, bat caves
and a stunning beach.
You can go also
snorkeling in the famous
caves and the well known
underground river. With
its 53 activities to
enjoy, Xcaret is an
experience for all your
senses. This ecological
park was once one of the
most important Mayan
ports. |
Aquatic
Expedition , Riviera
Maya
 Come and enjoy an
unforgettable day of
snorkel where we’ll take
you to travel across the
Yalku Lagoon, and visit
two beautiful “cenotes”
in the Riviera Maya.
Cenotes are natural
sinkholes formed by
dissolution of rock,
which may or may not be
linked to an active cave
system, and the
subsequent collapse of
the rock ceiling of the
void. The Mayan
considered these systems
as sacred, existing open
waters ones or sheltered
sites. |
Nohoch
Jungle Crossing ,
Riviera Maya
 Experience a day of
adventure and go deep
into the tropical
jungle, where you’ll
swim in the longest
underground river (cenote)
and you’ll have a lot of
fun with a ride in our
modern 4X4 all terrain
vehicles (Unimog) during
all day. This attraction
starts early in the
morning and our first
stop is at a charming
ranch called San Felipe,
a small Mayan community
where the gorgeous
Nohoch Nah Chich cenote
is located. |
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Snorkeling
and Cave Diving
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 Many
cenotes give access to these underground
waterways and one of the most exciting
experiences uniquely available in
this part of the world is to dive
and explore these wondrous, mysterious
cenotes and their hidden rivers.
Cenotes are a great place to snorkel
and swim, and is safe as long as
you stay at the water's surface.
Don't go cavern
diving without a guide.
The "cavern" dive is an advanced
dive in an overhead environment
and should be done only under the
supervision of a qualified professional
guide. If you are a certified
open water diver, you can dive in
a cenote cavern with a qualified
guide.
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Cenotes Near
Cancun
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Several cenotes are
located within an hour or two of
Cancun. All cenotes are different.
Some are below stone overhangs,
others are open like ponds. You
can take a cooling swim in them,
or bring your snorkel gear to see
what is below. There are scores
of cenotes in the Tulum area. Most
have been explored so it's safe
and east to access them.
Casa Cenote: Located
just 15 minutes south of Cancun.
One of the closest cenotes to Cancun,
and a great place to experience
a cenote for the first time! The
cenote itself is actually pretty
easy to get into and out of, and
the calm and clear waters are fun
for kids. Casa Cenote is actually
very close to the ocean, and has
a connecting tunnel to the Caribbean.
Although swimming in the connecting
tunnel is not suggested, it is interesting
how the salt water comes into the
cenote and mixes with the fresh
water. Another nice feature of Casa
Cenote is a fun ocean view restaurant
between the cenote and the Caribbean.
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Taj Cenote:
Located just south west of Playa
del Carmen. The Taj Cenote
is a good advanced cenote location,
for those who are very comfortable
with their swimming skills. To enter
the Taj Cenote one must swim 5 meters
underwater, under a rock wall. Once
under the wall, you come up into
a large open cave. Light enters
the cave from 2 holes in the ceiling
to light up the cave and the water...it's
quite a site! Calavera
Cenote:
Located 3 kilometers from Tulum
on the road towards Cobá, right
side. Probably the most dangerous
cenote in the area. Calavera is
easy enough to get into...just jump!
However, getting out can be a problem
because of the ten foot drop from
the cenote rim to the water. Exit
can usually be made using an existing
tree branch, or by bringing a rope.
Grand Cenote: Located
4 kilometers west of Tulum, on the
road to Cobá, right side.
A collection of several cenotes
around the edge of a large oval
depression. These cenotes offer
shady and rocky floors, green and
blue water, and some stalactites
dripping from the cave ceilings.
Car Wash Cenote:
Located 7 kilometers west of Tulum
on the road to Cobá, left side.
A fun cenote for swimming, snorkeling,
and diving. You can drive in (about
30 meters or 100 feet) right up
to the cenote (hence the name).
There is a diving platform on the
edge that makes swimming a breeze.
Many small tropical fish inhabit
the cenote.
Cenote Cristal: Located 4 kilometers south of Tulum,
on the way towards Chetumal.
This is actually 2 cenotes, one
on the left side of the highway
and one on the right side. The larger
of the two pools is about an acre
in size, with much of the access
up a 18 foot cliff, or on the far
side via the vegetation. Usually
not over run with tourists.. a nice
place for a picnic.
Cenote Azul: Located
well south of Tulum, approximately
20 miles north of Chetumal.
A spectacular cenote in a beautiful
garden setting. This large cenote
is 500 feet across and almost 200
feet deep. Snorkeling the rim is
quite interesting, although the
bottom can only be seen with Scuba
gear. A beautiful restaurant is
located right on the edge of the
cenote, and is a great place to
relax in the cool shade.
Dos Ojos: Located on the highway between Akumal
and Tulum is also a great place
to explore a cenote. Jump
into the Buddy Mobile with your
guide and head back into the jungle.
Once you arrive at the cenote you
will be awed by the incredible rock
formations and crystal clear blue
water.
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