How does a Cenote look like? Mayan Sacred places 💖

But what is a Cenote?🌟

It is a natural fresh water pond supplied by an underground river that is formed in numerous places in the Yucatan Peninsula by soil erosion. Called Cenotes thanks to the Mayan word tz'onot that means "abyss", they were sacred places where all kinds of rituals and ceremonies were practiced.

The life of our ancestors the Mayans revolved around the sacred cenotes since they located their temples on the shores of these natural wonders to grant them all kinds of offerings in exchange for the vital element: water.

Our Mayan people believed that the cenotes could be portals to the underworld and, therefore, a way to communicate with the gods.

The cenotes can be underground, semi open or open, characteristics that are related to the age of the structure (the youngest maintain their dome, while the oldest ones are already open).

The water in this amazing places is cold in the beginnning but once you are inside swimming is so amazing, brings you back to life in a hot day. Besides having crystal clear and fresh water; the cenotes have formations of stalactites (an art masterpiece), thanks to the drops of water that when falling are dissolving the limestone.

The stalactites requires a long period of time, to grow 2.5 cm it can take between 4,000 to 5,000 years.

Can you imagine?

This places are so magestic, the energy you can feel when you are inside a Cenote is unbelievable. Good place to meditate, to dive (100% recommended), to read, to observe and appreciate.

You can also find cenotes in the USA and Australia but most of them are in Yucatan Peninsula.

Just in Yucatan along there are roughly about 7,000 to 8,000 cenotes and each one of them has their unique magic. This is what it makes this part of the world so special!