In addition to the abundant opportunities available for divers and snorkelers on the Caribbean coast, there is another subsurface world worthy of exploring in the Yucatán Peninsula. Over time, sections of underground caves have given way in the form of sinkholes to reveal complex systems of waterways. With no other access to fresh water, the ancient Maya built their cities around these sinkholes, or cenotes, and believed they were entrances to the Underworld. Archaeological exploration has shown the Maya threw precious objects and sacrifices into the cenotes as a way to worship and appease their gods.
Today the cenotes are a hotspot for divers looking for a less traditional type of underwater exploration. What the cenotes lack in marine life, they make up for in stunning geological scenery. The crystal clear water makes for much better visibility than an ocean reef and reveals a jungle of stalactites and stalagmites. Divers can also experience the halocline effect, in which the heavier saltwater meets the fresh water above in a blurry layer.
An experienced guide is necessary for a trip to the depths of a cenote. Many of the dive shops in Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer dive packages to experience this unusual and magical world. But you don’t have to be a diver to enjoy this aspect of the Yucatán; countless adventure parks offer tourists snorkeling or swimming opportunities. It’s your chance to tell all your friends and family you’ve been to the Mayan Underworld and back!
Today the cenotes are a hotspot for divers looking for a less traditional type of underwater exploration. What the cenotes lack in marine life, they make up for in stunning geological scenery. The crystal clear water makes for much better visibility than an ocean reef and reveals a jungle of stalactites and stalagmites. Divers can also experience the halocline effect, in which the heavier saltwater meets the fresh water above in a blurry layer.
An experienced guide is necessary for a trip to the depths of a cenote. Many of the dive shops in Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer dive packages to experience this unusual and magical world. But you don’t have to be a diver to enjoy this aspect of the Yucatán; countless adventure parks offer tourists snorkeling or swimming opportunities. It’s your chance to tell all your friends and family you’ve been to the Mayan Underworld and back!
1 comment:
Sounds very exciting!
The halocline effect is very disorienting but fascinating!
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