Cenotes of the Mayan Riviera

 

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has undeniably stunning beaches around CancúnPlaya Del Carmen and Tulum. And the Great Meso American Reef that runs along the beach is a fantastic diving opportunity.

And the Great Meso American Reef that runs along the beach is a fantastic diving opportunity. But those who wish to cool off from the sun and teeny-bikini flashiness can escape to a secret underworld of turquoise pools where Mayans communicated with the gods. At these nearly hidden locations, you can swim, snorkel or dive in crisp mineral-rich waters through magical caves or under a jungle-framed sky.

Cenotes are natural swimming holes formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, which has revealed a secret subterranean world of groundwater pools. Most cave cenotes have fresh water that has been meticulously filtered by the earth, making them so clear and pure that you can see straight through to small fish frolicking in the plant life below. Open-air cenotes also have clear water, and often are home to vitamin- and mineral-rich algae that nourish and protect your skin. Divers will be thrilled with the clear water which allows for incredible visibility of the often century old, incredible rock formations, flora and fauna. Mayans revered cenotes as a water source in dry times, gift from the gods. In fact, the name cenote means ‘sacred well’. Mayans settled villages around these spiritual wells. Some believed, and still do, that they were a portal to speak with the gods. Swimming in the pristine waters feels like stepping into prehistory, where giant tropical trees and vines form wild cathedral walls leading up to shafts of sunlight. In the caverns and caves you find sparkeling rock formations that are hundred if not thousands of years old. These areas are truly a divers paradise.   https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/yucatan-peninsula/travel-tips-and-articles/secret-swims-the-cenotes-of-mexicos-yucatan-peninsula www.globaldiveguide.com

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