The hidden wonders of Mexico's sacred underwater world

People of all ages and backgrounds travel to explore Mexico's magnificent cenotes

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Foto: Alex St-Jean
Foto: Alex St-Jean
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Mexican cenotes are uniquely beautiful and complex cave systems and waterways that are home to a rich flora and fauna - some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

These more than 7.000 limestone sinkholes have been forming on the Yucatan Peninsula for millions of years, since the asteroid impact in the Chicxulub Crater that led to the extinction of almost all dinosaurs.

Cenotes have been valued throughout history.

For more than 2.500 years, the Maya used some as water sources and others as sacred places.

They are believed to have been the entrance to Xibalba, the Mayan underworld, where people go when they die.

Many locals still adhere to those myths and rituals that their ancestors believed in.

Today, they are the only natural sources of fresh water in the Yucatan region.

Tourists, both national and international, enjoy cenotes each in their own way.

Their configuration makes them ideal swimming pools and a welcome escape from the scorching heat of the area.

Some are even equipped with ziplines, sundecks, diving platforms and snack bars.

Cenotes attract one group of visitors in particular - snorkelers.

These sinkholes are a paradise for divers since each one has a unique configuration and is isolated from the effects of currents, waves and wind.

Since freedivers use minimal equipment and are not bound by the rules of sport scuba diving (time limits, safety breaks, slowly surfacing), they can meander through the water, go around obstacles and be approached by sea creatures.

These unique experiences and places are inspiring not only for the divers themselves, but also for the onlookers who watch the photos and videos they take.

Cenotes are threatened by poor land management, excessive construction and poor sewage and waste management.

Exceptional history

The Yucatan Peninsula is almost entirely composed of porous limestone - imagine a solid and holey piece of Swiss cheese made of limestone rock.

More than 65 million years ago, it was completely submerged under water as part of a coral reef system.

The impact of the asteroid in Chicxulub moved the tectonic plates and lifted the coral reef out of the water.

For more than a million years, rain and seawater have worked their way through the bedrock to create outcrops just a few meters underground.

When the ground collapses and creates a sinkhole, as it often does in the Yucatan Peninsula, it sometimes reveals these outcrops in the form of natural pools or cenotes (from the Mayan word c'ono'ot, meaning "hole filled with water").

In 2012, the undisputed and unique history of the area earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ancient Mayan heritage

Entering the cenote means entering the underground: to Xibalbo.

According to Mayan beliefs, one must first ask for permission and perform rituals to enter safely.

A sacrifice must be offered, and many years ago it was gold, jade, copper, and even living people.

These sacrifices were made to appease gods such as Chak, the god of rain whom the Maya believe resides in cenotes.

These days the sacrifice mainly consists of copal (tree resin), cocoa, seeds, corn, flower petals, sugar and other small items.

Tourists can schedule cultural tours to watch rituals and performances in various cenotes - without fear of being sacrificed, of course.

Cenote exploration by snorkeling

Most travelers who explore cenotes will spend the day exploring the caves or swimming.

If you put on a mask or glasses. you will be able to see various small fish, turtles, crocodiles and more interesting rock formations just below the surface.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The deeper you go, the more you will see.

While diving, you hold your breath and descend to a certain depth without a source of oxygen.

It requires deep concentration as well as awareness of yourself and your surroundings, and allows you to fully surrender to the cenote in the least disruptive way possible.

You'll find stalagmites and stalactites dating back millions of years, piles of fallen trees and rubble, fossils of extinct animals, underwater creatures found nowhere else on Earth, and countless other fascinating features.

Travelers can schedule snorkeling sessions with many schools and equipment dealers in the area.

A unique landscape

Sunlight breaks through the holes in the roof of the cenote and is compressed into clearly distinguishable beams, which is a natural phenomenon that can be found in very few other places in the world.

When you see these beams of light, it awakens in you an unearthly feeling of awe and wonder.

They also make for unique opportunities for imaginative photography, a trend that is on the rise as more and more people explore the endless underground landscape of Mexico's cenotes.

A safe haven for fauna

Many species depend on cenotes as a place to relax or recharge.

Isolated from the open ocean, these sinkholes provide refuge from harsh weather conditions, waves, large predators and ship traffic.

Manatees reach the cenotes through caves that are connected to the Caribbean Sea.

Here, endangered species can rest, eat algae and even raise their young in a safe and peaceful environment.

Close encounters

The interaction between divers and marine life in cenotes is a unique life experience.

Crocodiles are a key part of the area's biodiversity.

They can be found in many cenotes, even those visited by tourists.

It is important to respect the animals' space, so it is of the utmost importance to keep a safe distance and not to provoke them.

Sometimes curiosity is stronger than them and they will come to take a look at what these strange people are doing.

Spookily magical landscapes

In some cenotes, you'll find a layer of hydrogen sulfide that separates fresh water from cumulative rainwater or salty ocean water, effectively forming an underwater cloud.

Swimming around these clouds or in them gives you the feeling of cruising through space and passing through nebulae.

The layers are formed by gases released by decaying matter such as trees and leaves falling into sinkholes.

Some clouds form near the surface at a depth of only a few meters, while others can be found at a depth of 30 meters.

These thick, nebula-like layers smell faintly of rotten eggs and have been known to sting your lips slightly if left in for too long.

The cloud in the picture above is at a depth of about 28 meters, and below it there is another 28 meters of salt water.


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A place where everyone can enjoy

People of all ages and backgrounds travel to explore Mexico's magnificent cenotes.

The water temperature varies from 19-24 degrees Celsius, making them a welcome respite from the tropical heat.

Many cenote owners have invested in infrastructure such as platforms, toilets and restaurants, and they also offer tourist tours and performances.

With thousands of different cenotes to choose from, you'll never run out of new places to explore.

Finding peace and balance

Living in harmony with ourselves and our environment is something many of us strive for.

Freediving requires an enormous amount of understanding of both the mind and the world around us, so it's no wonder divers are passionate about these delicate ecosystems.

Cenotes offer an unprecedented world where you can dive deeper, both physically and mentally, in a natural and peaceful environment.

In order to preserve these special places, it is crucial that they are protected from pollution and excessive construction.

Some divers jump in to help and resist great forces, such as the Mayan railway system, which is causing massive damage to the interconnected system of thousands of cenotes.

Tourists can also help reduce the damage caused to cenotes by opting for sustainable ecotourism guides and refraining from wearing harmful sunscreen and hair products.

Fortunately, there are more and more environmentally conscious companies, tourists and activists who are doing their best to protect Mexico's sacred cenotes.

Snorkelers in particular demonstrate their magnificence through visual media, forming a strong and vocal community - and even becoming ambassadors and advocates for their protection.


Look at itand this one video:


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