cenotes
Natural swimming holes
Cenotes are natural sinkholes or pits formed when limestone bedrock collapses, exposing groundwater beneath.
Found primarily in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, these water-filled caverns were sacred to the ancient Maya, who used them for ceremonial offerings and as freshwater sources.
Cenotes range from open pools to underground caves, and many are now popular swimming and diving destinations.
We spent the afternoon swimming in a crystal-clear cenote.
Eroded soluble rock terrain
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- sinkholeUnderground collapse crater
- stalactitesMineral deposits hanging downward
- stalagmitesUpward-growing cave formations
calcite · aquifer · subterranean · bedrock · permeability · collapse · chasm · grotto
Land almost encircled by water
- MexicoNorth American southern nation
- tourismLeisure travel sector
- swimmingLocomotion through water
- ecotourismConservation-minded nature tourism
jungle · tropical · landmark · heritage · azure · crystal-clear · natural pool · Riviera Maya
Groundwater-bearing geological formation
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- water tableTop of groundwater zone
- springRecoiling metal spiral
watershed · percolation · filtration · potable · recharge · subterranean · flow · perennial
Native to one area
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- catfishBarbeled freshwater bottom-feeder
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
biodiversity · habitat · food chain · symbiosis · fauna · flora · aquatic · species
Portable underwater breathing gear
- underwaterBelow the surface
- cavernLarge natural underground chamber
- haloclineSharp saltiness change layer
- visibilityRange of clear sight
guideline · wetsuit · fins · buoyancy · decompression · silt · nitrox · rebreather
Worthy of reverence
- underworldRealm of the departed
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- sacrificesThings willingly given up
- offeringsThings presented or given
archaeology · ancient · Chichen Itza · jade · artifacts · ancestors · pilgrimage · ceremonial
karst
Eroded soluble rock terrain
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- sinkholeUnderground collapse crater
- stalactitesMineral deposits hanging downward
stalagmites · calcite · aquifer · subterranean · bedrock · permeability · collapse · chasm · grotto · cavern
peninsula
Land almost encircled by water
ecotourism · jungle · tropical · landmark · heritage · azure · crystal-clear · natural pool · Riviera Maya · Tulum
aquifer
Groundwater-bearing geological formation
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- water tableTop of groundwater zone
spring · watershed · percolation · filtration · potable · recharge · subterranean · flow · perennial · precipitation
endemic
Native to one area
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- catfishBarbeled freshwater bottom-feeder
freshwater · biodiversity · habitat · food chain · symbiosis · fauna · flora · aquatic · species · nutrients
scuba
Portable underwater breathing gear
- underwaterBelow the surface
- cavernLarge natural underground chamber
- haloclineSharp saltiness change layer
visibility · guideline · wetsuit · fins · buoyancy · decompression · silt · nitrox · rebreather · snorkeling
sacred
Worthy of reverence
- underworldRealm of the departed
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- sacrificesThings willingly given up
offerings · archaeology · ancient · Chichen Itza · jade · artifacts · ancestors · pilgrimage · ceremonial · spiritual
- watersoceans, seas, Red Sea, lakes, Black Sea
- cavescave, cavern, caves, caverns, grotto
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- Latin America travelMachu Picchu, Cancun, Rio de Janeiro, Galapagos, Chichen Itza
- Mexico travelCancun, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta
- natural waterssprings, hot springs, streams, creeks, ponds
cenotesopen seas
Waters beyond jurisdiction
oceans · open ocean · glacial lakes · mountain lakes · ponds
cenotesopen water
Unobstructed body navigable freely
alpine lakes · prairie potholes · floodplains · marshes · deltas