CENOTES: A CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE YUCATAN MAYA WORLD
Cenotes are a unique geological feature that results from the collapse of limestone bedrock, exposing the underground river system beneath. They are common in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, where they were used by the ancient Maya for water supplies and sometimes for sacrificial offerings.
The size and shape of Yucatan cenotes depend on several factors, such as the thickness and porosity of the limestone, the depth and extent of the underground caves, the amount and direction of groundwater flow, and the history of sea level changes. Some cenotes are large open-water pools with diameters of tens of meters, while others are smaller and more sheltered sites with narrow openings. Some cenotes have vertical walls, while others have sloping sides or terraces. Some cenotes are connected to each other or to the sea by underground passages, while others are isolated.
Cenotes have been a vital source of fresh water for the Maya civilization and its descendants. The Maya built cities and temples around cenotes, and used them for irrigation, bathing, and ritual purposes. Cenotes were considered sacred portals to the underworld, where the gods and ancestors resided. The Maya offered sacrifices and offerings to the cenotes, such as pottery, jade, gold, human remains, and animals. Some of these artifacts have been recovered by archaeologists and provide valuable insights into the Maya culture and religion.
The crystal-clear and refreshingly cool waters of the myriad cenotes and caverns surrounding Akumal beckon our visitors to experience this unique phenomenon of nature.
LOCAL CENOTES
AKTUN CHEN
CENOTE DOS OJOS
CENOTE SANTA CRUZ
UXUXUBI
** Check TRIPADVISOR for more information about Akumal
