What to Do - Mexico | 5 minutes
CENOTES
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Photo By: John Doe
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Visiting the many cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula was one of the highlights of our trip, due to each one being unique and beautiful.
Before planning our trip to Mexico, I had never heard of a cenote. After exploring Instagram and finding hundreds of gorgeous photos of cenotes, I was intrigued. A cenote is simply a place where the limestone collapsed, exposing the groundwater underneath. Way back in the day, Mayan people believed that cenotes were a gateway to the Gods and frequently used them as a place for sacrificial offerings.
Gran Cenote
Snorkeling through the caves at Gran Cenote.
I can see why the Mayans thought they were a gateway to the Gods. Each one that we went to offered something spectacular, from crystal clear blue water to vines growing up the wall; each was special in it’s own way.
Our favourite cenotes that we visited were Ik Kil (read all about it in my post here) and the Gran Cenote (read about it in my post here). However, there are tons of cenotes to explore in the region, and here is the list of the top 5 cenotes you should check out while in the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you only have the desire or the time to visit one or two, definitely make sure Ik Kil is on your to-do list.
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Ik KilList Item 1
Located near the Chichen Itza ruins, this was our favourite cenotes that we visited because of the sheer depth of it. Read more about our trip to this cenote here.
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Gran CenoteList Item 2
Located right in Tulum, we loved this one because it featured clear water filled with fish and turtles, as well as bats flying above us in the cave. If you are staying in Tulum it’s very accessible as it’s only about a ten minute drive and offers free parking.
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Casa Cenote
This cenote is also located in Tulum, and is mentioned on this list due to the sheer size of it. This one is a bit more of a touristy experience, however it’s worth checking out due to the size of it and the snorkeling you can do within the caves.
