Yucatan underground lagoon images
What is a cenote?
The cenote are geological formations that you can find at the Yucatan Peninsula - alongside the Riviera Maya or the inner parts of the Yucatan Peninsula. The cenote can lay under or above the ground, practically an underground lagoon or a normal lake. The word cenote means sinkhole, in Mayan ts'ono'ol or dzonot. The cenote is a natural water collection at the Yucatan Peninsula, where the drinkable water meant that the Maya had water to drink - so it meant and still today means LIFE!
Why the Maya are so proud of these geological creations?
In the Mayan culture, water played a very important role, especially for worshiping their Gods and paying tribute to them, but the Maya also had great knowledge about hydrology, physical and mechanical sciences for the correct and optimized use and handling of water from rivers, lakes and streams to supply their villages, as well as larger cities located in the middle of the jungle. Many underground rivers are connected to cenotes, and these were used by the Maya for the mentioned purposes.
Where can I see cenote in Mexico?
Most of the turists who arrive to Cancun and Yucatan peninsula, hears for first time about the "cenote" - caves or lagoons at his/her arrival. A lake or underwater lagoon can be seen at several spots at the Riviera Maya, alongside the Caribbean Sea or inside the Yucatan Peninsula, mainly next to all Mayan ruins. The most well known underground lagoons are: Xplore park, Aktun chen cave,Cenote snorkeling tour or Yalku lagoon at the Riviera Maya. And if you take a turn to the inner part of the Yucatan Peninsula, you can find cenote or underground caves at Chichen Itza, Ek-Balam, Coba, Dzibilchaltun. Or even if you travel down to the south not far from Chetumal, the capital of state Quintana Roo, you must take a stop at Bacalar, where inside the lake of Bacalar you can find incredible cenotes - it is a cave in a lake - just amazing!
What can I do in / next to a cenote?
First, you will, without any doubt, stop for a second while wondering the underground cave or mystic lake and raise your imaginary hat in honor of the nature! Have you ever seen anything like this: that the sun enters in a small hole from outside and illuminates mystically the cave, painting the fresh and extra clean water more blue than it is? Then, let's get started!!!
In the underground lagoons or caves, there is a possibility to swim or snorkel.
If you have your valid license to dive (PADI), you can opt for a diving tour into the mystical depth of a cenote - underground lagoon! It is the new trend and really adrenaline raising activity to dive down and get to know closely and maybe find any of the by now still many undiscovered Mayan and even more ancient treasures in the sometimes kilometers deep cenotes! Can you imagine? You can be The One on the cover of the National Geographic! But if you don't find anything, don't be sad, you had such a unique experience that made your day more delightful, and you took part in such a fantastic adventure, what you will never forget!!!
For more information on our diving tours - prices as well as exact terms and conditions - on our Yucatan cenote - underground lagoon diving or snorkel tours - please, e-mail to us: info@cancun.eu.
In case you visit a lake - above the ground cenote - you can relax, swim in the always refreshing fresh and clean water! Snorkel and discover the flora and fauna of the cenote - another world will open up for you! For any tour option, please, contact us at info@cancun.eu!
