Swimming in Cenotes

The Yucatan is often compared to Swiss cheese in that it the ground is primarily of limestone and the rivers flow underground.  There are an uncountable number of cenotes on the peninsula, which are basically underground lakes of fresh water in the Swiss cheese’s “holes”.  Some cenotes are well known and frequented by tourists.  Others are small and accessible from private property.  

Throughout the region, it is quite possible that you could stumble upon a residence where, behind the exterior property wall, you would find an access to a cenote.  It could even be inside a private home.

Many cenotes are not really feasible to visit with young kids, but we did have the opportunity to go swimming in one.  Down a lengthy flight of damp and slippery wooden stairs, we arrived on a rock platform where we had the option of donning an adult sized life preserver (a wise move for any adult who is hanging on to a small child).   

The water in the centoe was fresh and cool and clear.  Thanks to some lights in the cave and a hole that had been drilled to the surface (about 3 feet in diameter) we had sufficient light to see.  (I can only imagine attempting to explore a cenote without sufficient lighting…)  The walls boasted stalagmites and stalactites.  The footing was rocky and highly uneven, with steep drop offs or sudden rocky peaks to run into.  And yet, it was phenomenal swimming, cool on a hot Yucatan afternoon.  We could really get a sense for how important cenotes must have been for the ancient Maya as a source of life giving water, and how important continue to be for the local population today.