Cenotes are captivating natural sinkholes that reveal the Maya underworld and offer stunning scenery. They are an integral part of the Yucatán Peninsula’s unique landscape.

• • A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole formed when limestone bedrock collapses, exposing groundwater.
  • The term comes from the Yucatec Maya word “tsʼonoʼot,” which refers to any location with accessible groundwater.
  • The ancient Maya commonly used cenotes for water supplies and occasionally for sacrificial offerings.
• Types of Cenotes:
  • Large Open-Water Cenotes: These are well-known and can measure tens of meters in diameter. Examples include the cenotes at Chichen Itza.
  • Smaller Sheltered Cenotes: These may not have surface-exposed water and are often discovered through small holes created by tree roots. Some are accessible through human-enlarged openings.
• Characteristics:
  • Cenote water is often crystal clear, as it filters slowly through the ground from rainwater.
  • Groundwater flow rates within cenotes can vary, from very slow to as fast as 10 kilometers (6 miles) per day.
  • The Yucatan cenotes attract cave divers, who explore extensive flooded cave systems.
• Geological Formation:
  • Cenotes result from the dissolution of rock, creating subsurface voids.
  • Rock that falls into the water below is gradually removed by further dissolution, leading to structural collapse.
  • Some cenotes are linked to active cave systems, while others remain hidden.