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If you plan to visit Tulum, you have heard of the cenotes as they are a popular natural
tourist attraction. Their crystalline waters and the curiosity to explore them have attracted
millions of tourists and diving experts yearly.
Swimming in a crystal-clear cenote is a unique experience not to be missed. The clarity of
the water makes it easy to see the underwater environment and the temperature is ideal
for cooling off after spending time in the sun. But what exactly is a cenote and why are
they so famous? In this blog, we explain it to you and you will see why it is a great option
for your next vacation.

What is a cenote?

A cenote is a geological formation found mostly in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Cenotes are formed over millions of years when rainwater dissolves limestone and creates
subway caverns, over time, these caverns collapse leaving a hole in the ground which fills
with fresh water from subway rivers.

The word "cenote" comes from the Mayan language, specifically from the word
"dzonot", which means "hole with water". Cenotes were very important for the Mayan
culture, as they were considered sacred and mystical properties were attributed to them.

For the Maya, cenotes were gateways to the underworld and were believed to be
inhabited by gods and spirits. Many Maya cities, including Tulum, were built near cenotes
and were used as a source of fresh water, as well as for religious ceremonies and sacrificial
rituals.

They were also considered places of healing and the water was believed to have
healing properties for physical and spiritual ailments.

 

How many cenotes are there in the Riviera Maya?

 

It is not known exactly how many cenotes there are in the Riviera Maya since many of
them are hidden in the jungle and have not yet been discovered or fully explored.

However, it is estimated that there are around 6000 cenotes throughout the Yucatan
Peninsula and some are more popular than others.

Many of these cenotes are located on the road from Tulum to Coba and on the road south
from Tulum to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Some are accessible to the public and
have become large and beautiful tourist attractions in the state of Quintana Roo.

 

How deep is a cenote?

The depth of a cenote can vary significantly, some can be only a few meters deep while
others can be over 100 meters deep. Generally, the depth of a cenote is determined by
the depth of the subway river that feeds it, as well as how the limestone rock has been
eroded over time.

A large part of the popularity of cenotes is that they are deep enough to practice cave
diving, which is why they have become the perfect setting for diving experts and have
trapped those who explore them with their beauty and mysticism.

On the other hand, other shallower cenotes are more suitable for swimming and enjoying
the natural beauty without taking risks or if we are not very experienced in snorkeling or
scuba diving.

 

Visit our cenote at Hotel Cormoran

 

There are many cenotes in Tulum to choose from and each one has something special to
offer, however, swimming in our cenote is a unique experience not to be missed. If you
are looking for the best cenote to visit, look no further and come to Cormoran because
we have our own cenote! That's right, you won't need to go far to enjoy the experience of
swimming in crystal clear waters and soak up the mysticism that surrounds the cenotes.
Book now and you won't regret it.