Cenotes
The term is derived from the Yucatec Maya (dzonot). A CENOTE is a type of sinkhole containing groundwateR. These particular pools can be found in the Yucatán Peninsula.
The term is derived from a word used by Maya to refer to any location where groundwater is accessible.
Cenotes have long been the main source of water across the Yucatán Peninsula. The region has almost no rivers and only a few lakes. Cenotes are widely distributed across the peninsula, and supply better-quality water year-round.
Major Maya settlements required access to adequate water supplies, and therefore cities, including the famous Chichén Itzá, were built around these natural wells. Some cenotes like the Cenote of Sacrifice in Chichén Itzá played an important role in Maya rites. The Mayas believed that these pools were entrances to other realms, so sometimes the Maya threw valuable items into them. Some Mayan artifacts have been found at these cenotes, which led to its archaeological exploration in the first part of the 20th century.
Today, the diver can explore the untouched underground caves and caverns of the Yucatan by immersing into these sinkholes. Full Cave diving into Yucatan's cenotes Requires a special training, however, many diveshops operate cavern dives (Where the natural light is at least 20 meters away, and no special training is required) for the open water diver interested in getting to know these majestic natural formations.
Among the most interesting cenotes of easy access to the diver are the Cenote Chikin-Ha, the Cenote Taj-Maha, Angelita, Cenote Azul and Gran Cenote.
