All About Mexican Cenotes

If one of your favorite parts of traveling is checking out the unique nature in new destinations, then you’ll definitely want to visit a cenote or two the next time you’re in Mexico.

A cenote (approximately pronounced say-no-tay) is a natural swimming hole or underground swimming cave in Mexico formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock. Cenotes are usually rather cold (they are underground after all!) and filled with super clear fresh water.

In Ancient Mayan culture, cenotes were seen as a portal to the gods. In fact, the word “cenote” actually means “sacred well.” Whether you worship water or not, it’s easy to see why cenotes are so special from the moment you first see one. With their pure water, tropical foliage, and mystical sunbeams, cenotes definitely have a magical quality to them.

There are over 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, which means finding one to visit shouldn’t be too hard. Some of the most popular cenotes include Cenote Dos Ojos near Tulum, Cenote Azul near Playa Del Carmen, Cenote Samulá near Chichén Itzá, and Cenote Zaci in Valladolid.

So bring your bathing suit and a towel and prepare to be breathtaken.