For the ancient Maya of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, finding natural wells for fresh drinking water was difficult. Fortunately, they discovered unique sources of fresh water called cenotes (“dzonot” or “ts’onot” in Mayan, meaning “cavity containing life-giving water”), which they believed were sacred wells or gifts from the gods.
In the Yucatán Peninsula there are over 6000 Cenotes, 2400 of which have been studied and recorded. Their natural beauty that can best be described as crystal clear turquoise waters with sunlight reflecting stalactites and stalagmites, are truly enigmatic works of art.

Cenotes are limestone sinkholes that are filled with water. These natural wonders are known to connect with other underlying cave systems, which have been explored for lengths of 100 kilometers or more.
There are four different types of cenotes - those that are completely underground, those that are semi-underground, those that are at land level like a lake or pond, and those that are open wells. Some of them are accessible for swimming and cave diving, some of them are not accessible at all, and some are actually dry cave systems that can be explored.

Diving in a cenote is possible for any certified Open Water diver, nevertheless led by a specially certified cavern dive master. It is even possible to practice snorkeling in a cenote, but without having the opportunity to visit underwater tunnels. In the mainland, it is not rare to encounter cenote having several mile length tunnels. This is the reason why a certified cave diving guide, knowing perfectly the patterns, is mandatory, as well as the appropriate equipment.

Cenotes are also extremely interesting on an archeological point of view. Local cave diving archeologists have recently discovered in several different cenotes near Tulum, fossilized remains of animals(camelides, giant jaguars, tapirs, mammoths and sloths) and human skeletons. Some of the most ancient remains in Latin America belong to a woman born in this region than 10000 years ago. The discovery represents an interesting idea on the presence of man in the beginning of America.
It´s easy to understand the importance the INAH(National Institute of Archeology and History) devotes to the cenotes and the rules we must always respect: never touch anything and take only beautiful memories and pictures.