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What is a cenote? General description

Posted on 30/12/2013 By Agua Clara Diving Tulum

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What is a cenote? General description

Cenotes are holes in the ground that reveal the underground rivers of the region. This river system is a natural wonder that has been carved over millions of years. Cenotes will captivate you with their crystalline waters, unique cave formations, and mysterious darkness.

A cenote (from the Maya “ts’ono’ot” or water whole) is an opening in the ground that connects the underground rivers to the surface. The word “cenote” comes from the Mayan word “ts´onot” and means “hole with water”.

The entire Yucatan peninsula is made of limestone that was formed millions of years ago by the sedimentation and compaction of shells and other ocean detritus. Like the shells that formed it, limestone is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, a compound that is soluble in acidic water. It is also a highly porous and permeable rock. Consequently, when rain falls in the Peninsula, the water (which is acidic[1]) rapidly drains through the rock, slowly dissolving it. As a consequence, we have two phenomenons: first, the peninsula has much fewer superficial rivers than it should considering the quantity of water that precipitates in the area; and second, there are many caves and underground rivers. These caves grow larger over time. Eventually, the roof of a cave may become too thin to support its own weight and may then collapse, creating an opening to the surface known as a cenote.

Some people describe cenotes as being like natural Gothic churches. They evoke awe and wonder, and their tucked-away locations make one wonder what else lies beneath the ground! The underground world of the cenotes calls for exploration! Agua Clara provides unforgettable tours of these magical windows into the underworld.

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Cenote surroundings are very rich withanimal life. Iguanas of all colors can be seen on our tours.
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Mot Mot bird relaxing in a branch.

 

 

List of the Cenotes near Tulum

All of these cenotes are part of our guided eco tours both for snorkeling and scuba diving

Agua Clara offers both scuba diving eco tours into the cenotes as well as snorkeling tours for the entire family to enjoy. We take groups to numerous cenotes around Tulum.

[1] Rain water gets acidified by the dissolution of air´s carbon dioxide and of the organic acids that result from the decomposition of the jungle´s organic mater.