{"id":1348,"date":"2017-12-13T20:48:58","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T20:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/?p=1348"},"modified":"2019-03-21T15:58:54","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T15:58:54","slug":"what-is-a-cenote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/what-is-a-cenote\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Cenote"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"default-wrapper\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-sm-12 col-xs-12\">\n<h1>What Is a Cenote?<\/h1>\n<p>Just &#8220;say no tay&#8221;! Even though it\u2019s written Cenote, you actually pronounce it &#8220;say-NO- tay&#8221;. Apart from cenote pronunciation, it may be a funny Latin-American word for a <strong>ditch in the ground<\/strong>, but for divers and snorkelers they promise so much more. Think portals to adventure, intrigue and fun. To find a Cenote you\u2019ll need to travel to Mexico, and some of the best are located near the ancient port of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula\u2019s Riviera Maya Caribbean coast.<\/p>\n<h2>How Were Cenotes Formed?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>They were formed by naturally-acidic rain filtering down over thousands of years and dissolving away the limestone.<\/strong> This carved out huge caves and underground rivers and in places, where the roof of the cavern collapsed under its own weight, the result was luxurious lagoons in the heart of the jungle, connected by hundreds of miles of secret streams and waterways.<\/p>\n<h2>What Makes Cenotes Unique?<\/h2>\n<p>Most Cenotes are back-filled with deep seawater which travels inland via subterranean rivers leading to the bottoms of the sinkholes. <strong>Between fresh and saltwater, the flows mix in a curious zone called the halocline<\/strong>. There is even <strong>a hidden underwater river with fallen trees in Cenote Angelita<\/strong>. Experiencing the sudden temperature change as you cross this divide is a must for any adventurous diver.<\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_PLfqCAmiPY?rel=0\" width=\"750\" height=\"480\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Mysterious sulphur clouds<\/strong> can also be observed at a depth of about 20-30m &#8211; it is a result of a decomposition of leaves and branches that occasionally fall into the cenote.<\/p>\n<p>Cenotes are natural entrances to underground cave systems filled with water, such as <strong>Sistema Sac Actun &#8211; the longest underwater cave system in the world<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/news.nationalgeographic.com\/2018\/01\/largest-underwater-cave-system-in-the-world-discovered-in-mexico-spd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In January 2018<\/a> the cave system Sac Actun, previously 263 km long, was merged with the 83 km Dos Ojos System &#8211; reaching the <strong>record 346 km.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"marginTop20\">\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1349 size-large\" title=\"What is a cenote\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-formation-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"How cenotes form, what are they\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-formation-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-formation-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-formation-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-formation.jpg 1390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"marginTop20\">\n<h2>How Deep Are Cenotes?<\/h2>\n<p>One average cenotes are pretty deep &#8211; about 8-15 meters (49ft). <strong>Cenote the Pit is the deepest in Quintana Roo<\/strong> with its spectacular <strong>119 m \/ 391 ft of depth<\/strong>. Cenotes dives are reserved for skilled divers only and the depth they can reach should be not more than 40 m (131 ft ). Angelita, The Pit &amp; Pet cemetery even require advanced open water diving certification.<\/p>\n<h3>Top 5 deepest cenotes in Mexico:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>El Zacat\u00f3n &#8211; 339 m (1,112 ft)<\/strong> &#8211; located on El Rancho Azufrosa in Tamaulipas, Mexico<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Pit &#8211; 119 m (391 ft)<\/strong> &#8211; located on Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Mexico<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sistema Dos Ojos &#8211; 118 m (387 ft)<\/strong> &#8211; located on Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Mexico<\/li>\n<li><strong>Angelita &#8211; 60 m (196 ft)<\/strong> &#8211; located on Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Mexico<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cenote Ik-Kil &#8211; 40 m (131 ft )<\/strong> &#8211; located on Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Mexico<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Which Are the Best Cenotes in Yucatan, Mexico?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>There are more than 7,000 Cenotes in Yucatan<\/strong>, from the majestic Dos Ojos to the romantic Jardin del Eden (Ponderosa). Each has its own ecosystem of plants and wildlife, with colourful and exotic fish and the fascinating calls of bizarre birds up above. There are clear blue waters to swim and snorkel, rocks on which to bask in filtered sunlight and cliffs to jump from, and you can even find the odd zipwire or two. For the more adventurous cave divers there are Cenotes which have never seen the light of day, called caverns and caves,\u00a0 but you\u2019ll need cave diving gear and proper training to reach and enjoy those. Basing yourself in Tulum on Mexico\u2019s spectacular Caribbean coast, where a five-star hotel costs just $221 (\u00a3165) a night, gives you easy access to some of the best known and most fascinating <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/\">Cenotes in Mexico<\/a>. Here are the selected Tulum&#8217;s best cenotes that Koox Diving can take you to. Let&#8217;s go!<\/p>\n<h3>Top 5 open air cenotes for swimming or snorkeling:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Dos Ojos<\/strong> &#8211; open air part is about 3m deep<\/li>\n<li><strong>Casa Cenote<\/strong> &#8211; the open air part is also 3 m deep<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gran Cenote<\/strong> &#8211; 140 m\u00b2 for swimming &amp; snorkeling, has a sandy bottom<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jardin del Eden<\/strong> &#8211; Garden of Eden &#8211; near Playa del Carmen<\/li>\n<li><strong>Car Wash (Aktun Ha)<\/strong> &#8211; with water lilies and fish<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"marginTop20\"><\/div>\n<h3>Top 5 underground cenotes for a swim or exploration:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Cho Ha<\/strong> &#8211; vast as a football field with stalactite formations and a water pool<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cenote Hilario<\/strong> &#8211; a cave with a small tunnel leading to a crystal clear pool<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aktun Chacmool<\/strong> &#8211; vast air dome with light effects<\/li>\n<li><strong>El Alamo<\/strong> &#8211; a dry cave with a sacred Alamo tree inside<\/li>\n<li><strong>Las Calaveras<\/strong> &#8211; near <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/punta-laguna-and-coba-ground-tour\/\">the archaeological site of Coba<\/a> is the largest underwater Mayan grave ever found<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"marginTop20\"><\/div>\n<h2>How Did the Ancient Mayans Use the Cenotes?<\/h2>\n<p>For the ancient inhabitants of Yucatan \u2013 the Mayans \u2013 Cenotes near Tulum and elsewhere around the peninsula were places of worship, gaping mouths through which they could speak with the gods, and receive the divine blessing of fresh water.<\/p>\n<h2>Here are 7 of the Best Cenotes in Tulum<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1353 size-full\" title=\"Map of Koox Diving Locations for Cenotes Diving &amp; Snorkel Tours\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-map.jpg\" alt=\"Map of Koox Diving Locations for Cenotes Diving &amp; Snorkel Tours\" width=\"863\" height=\"659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-map.jpg 863w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-map-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cenotes-map-768x586.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 863px) 100vw, 863px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"marginTop30\"><\/div>\n<h2>Dos Ojos \u2014 Spanish for \u201cTwo Eyes\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>It is a 15-minute drive by colectivo (a local mini-bus) on the road to Playa del Carmen. Ask the driver to drop you off at Dos Ojos cenote and you\u2019ll discover <strong>one of the best known \u2013 and biggest \u2013 of all the Cenotes in Mexico.<\/strong> Its cave system extends for at least 37 miles (60km) of cool crystal-clear water, and one point \u2013 <strong>the Cenote <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/the-pit\/\">El Pit<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 is almost 400ft (120m) deep.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1508 size-full\" title=\"Dos Ojos Cenote\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Dos-ojos-cenote.jpg\" alt=\"Dos Ojos Cenote\" width=\"504\" height=\"504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Dos-ojos-cenote.jpg 504w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Dos-ojos-cenote-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Dos-ojos-cenote-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><br \/>\nEntrance fee for divers is around $35 (\u00a326) and $27 (\u00a320) for snorkelers. Dos Ojos gets its name from the two big sinkholes connected by a large subterranean cavern rich in stalactites and stalactites. From above, this pair of holes appears like two large eyes peering out from the underworld. <strong>One of the main attractions of Dos Ojos Cenote is its adjoining \u201cbat cave\u201d<\/strong>, a cavern which plays host to thousands of bats roosting on its ceiling.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/dos-ojos\/\">Dos Ojos<\/a> is a popular location for cenote and cave diving. Non-certified swimmers can snorkel in the open air parts and crystal clear waters of the most famous underground system in the world.<\/p>\n<div class=\"marginTop20\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"marginTop20\">\n<h2>Cenote Angelita (Little Angel)<\/h2>\n<p>Of all the Cenotes near Tulum, Angelita is a target for more experienced divers and home to <strong>a fascinating phenomenon \u2013 a \u201criver\u201d within a lake.<\/strong> More than 30ft wide and 200ft deep, this cenote is a little more than 10 miles (17km) from Tulum or 15 mins by road, but drop-ins aren\u2019t welcomed and there are no facilities for changing or gear storage, so you should come prepared.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1003 size-large\" title=\"Diving in Cenote Angelita\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/angelita-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Diving in cenote Angelita\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/angelita-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/angelita-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/angelita-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/angelita-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What your local guide will help you to see is <strong>a thick hydrogen-sulphide layer at 100ft (28m) down<\/strong> \u2013 formed by the slow rot of flora and fauna falling into the Cenote Angelita from the jungle above.\u00a0It acts as a barrier between the fresh water above and the cold salty seawater seeping in below. The organic matter forms a crested heap which sticks above the sulphide layer, <strong>looking like an island in the middle of a stream.<\/strong> The heavy sulphide seems to move independently of the water, and so looks like a river with its own current. If there\u2019s enough time dip through the sulphide for even more weirdness. The layer blocks natural light from above, even though the water is clear, and the effect can be very disorientating, so be sure your diving skills are up to it &#8211; advanced open water certification or equivalent is required for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/angelita\/\">safely enjoying Angelita<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Cenote Calavera (The Skull)<\/h2>\n<p>It is also known to some as the \u201cTemple of Doom\u201d. But this Cenote \u2013 Tulum is about 5 minutes\u2019 away by car \u2013 is not so daunting as Angelita and so is popular with first-timers looking for their cave-diving certificate. That said, because of its modest size, Calavera doesn\u2019t get the crowds experienced at some of the other Cenotes around Tulum. The name comes from the holes in the limestone ceiling which, if you squint and turn your head, and concentrate hard, <strong>you might just see a \u201cskull\u201d or two<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1007 size-large\" title=\"Dive into cenote Calavera\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/calavera-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Dive into cenote Calavera\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/calavera-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/calavera-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/calavera-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/calavera-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t fancy a snorkel or a dive, the clear water and stunning rock formations and fossils make it an amazing place for a gentle swim among the catfish, but to do so would be missing out on <strong>the Mayan relics said to lie at the bottom.<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/calavera\/\">Calavera<\/a> is the first Cenote out of Tulum on the road to Coba and looks like someone\u2019s back yard. Probably the most scary thing about the \u201cTemple of Doom\u201d however, is the way you get in, jumping 12ft into a small, dark hole. If that doesn\u2019t appeal, there\u2019s also a rustic ladder for a more stately entrance. It costs just 80 pesos (around $4 or \u00a33) to get in.<\/p>\n<h2>Gran Cenote (Sac Aktun)<\/h2>\n<p>This cenote is a little further along the Coba highway by colectivo, about two-and- a-half miles (4km) from Tulum. <strong>Sac Aktun \u2013 Mayan for \u201cwhite cave system\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 is everyone\u2019s idea of the perfect Cenote, with its <strong>sandy bottom and own bat colony.<\/strong> At <strong>its centre is an island with palm trees and elephant ears, surrounded by water lilies,<\/strong> and a platform erected for sunbathing in its great natural light.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1099 size-full\" title=\"Gran Cenote\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/gran-cenote-2.jpg\" alt=\"Explore Gran Cenote\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/gran-cenote-2.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/gran-cenote-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/gran-cenote-2-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In January or February, visitors to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/gran-cenote\/\">Gran Cenote, Tulum<\/a>, include friendly toucans who seem to appear as if by magic. In 2008, scientists uncovered the remains of a giant mastodon \u2013 a sort of prehistoric elephant \u2013 as well as the skull of a teenage girl that might possibly be the oldest evidence of humans in Yucatan. Drop-ins are most welcome and for a little under $7 (\u00a35) admission you get <strong>access to spectacular scenery and thousands of years of history<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Casa Cenote<\/h2>\n<p>It is about 15 mins by car from Tulum and is geared towards divers, although its size and low-level topography make it good for paddlers or even non-swimmers. The name Casa \u2013 Spanish for \u201chouse\u201d \u2013 comes from its long-standing association with a local restaurant, but it\u2019s also known as <strong>Cenote Manati<\/strong> for the manatees which used to swim there. Situated just across the street from the Caribbean coast, it <strong>connects to one of the longest underwater cave systems in Mexico, Nohoch Na Chich<\/strong>, and so you\u2019ll see tons of freshwater and marine fish, as well as the occasional small alligator swimming around the shallow edges of the mangrove-lined pool.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1173 size-large\" title=\"Snorkel tour in Casa Cenote\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/snorkeling-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Snorkel tour in Casa Cenote\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/snorkeling-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/snorkeling-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/snorkeling-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/snorkeling-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The resulting halocline and nice light effects means divers in the deeper reaches can enjoy moving through passages and cracks in the limestone. Go early to avoid the crowds; it starts to get busy just before lunchtime. For about $20 (\u00a315) per person you can get a private guided ground tour of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/casa-cenote\/\">Casa Cenote<\/a>, as well as snorkelling equipment and life preservers (for non-swimmers), but basic entry is around a fiver.<\/p>\n<h2>Cenote Pet Cemetery<\/h2>\n<p>One of the most recently-opened Cenotes, is part of the Dos Ojos system, and has similar<strong> stunning formations of stalactites and stalagmites<\/strong>. But it gets its name from the discovery of a <strong>soft, dune-like bottom which concealed scores of animal bones<\/strong> ranging from extinct pre-historic camels to more modern species like tapirs and spider monkeys. Scientists now think the sinkhole was used as an ancient Mayan rubbish tip before the last Ice Age and was flooded by the rising waters when it ended.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-624 size-large\" title=\"Pet Cemetery\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/dream-gate-woman-1024x455.jpg\" alt=\"Pet Cemetery\" width=\"1024\" height=\"455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/dream-gate-woman-1024x455.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/dream-gate-woman-300x133.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/dream-gate-woman-768x341.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/dream-gate-woman.jpg 1350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Pet Cemetery is comprised of two different caves, dubbed the Blue Abyss and the Dark Side of the Moon. A great dive for advanced divers \u2013 with shallows and fragile rock formations, and therefore a need for good buoyancy control and awareness \u2013 but also a great place to snorkel in waters averaging a balmy 23C. Pet Cemetery is 7.5 miles (12 km) north of Tulum via highway 307. Drop-ins are welcome, but you\u2019re advised to hire a dive guide.<\/p>\n<h2>Cenote Carwash (Aktun Ha)<\/h2>\n<p>It is famous for its <strong>delicate rock formations<\/strong> and is still ranked among <strong>Tulum\u2019s most beautiful caves<\/strong>. This is another sinkhole with an odd name, derived from the fact that because <strong>it was so close to the road, local taxi drivers used its water to clean their cars.<\/strong> Those days are long gone and Aktun Ha (as the Mayans called it) is more valued for its tourism potential than its wax and dry. It is enormous, more than 150ft (45m) wide, and with an average depth of 10ft (3m), and filled with<strong> shoals of colourful tetras, turtles and even the odd small croc,<\/strong> sheltering under the lilies. Again, as a result of the shallow depth, divers need good buoyancy control, but because of its overall size it\u2019s a popular place for diving classes.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-578 size-large\" title=\"Car wash technical diving\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/technical-deep-diving-1024x463.jpg\" alt=\"Car wash technical diving\" width=\"1024\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/technical-deep-diving-1024x463.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/technical-deep-diving-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/technical-deep-diving-768x347.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/technical-deep-diving.jpg 1350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Although the water is the usual Cenote crystal clear, weather conditions may change things \u2026 at least at the surface. In the summer, the first few meters can seem a little murky due to algal bloom, and rain can <strong>change the colour to psychedelic yellow or even red<\/strong>. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/activities\/diving-in-cenotes\/car-wash\/\">Carwash<\/a> is open daily, and the dive fee is around $14 (\u00a310). Because of the accessibility to the main highway, it is very popular being just a short colectivo ride from Tulum, but there\u2019s plenty of space for everyone.<\/p>\n<p><strong>There are a few simple rules for swimming or diving in Cenotes<\/strong>. For a start bring your swimsuit, a visor or goggles, and a life jacket (even if you know how to swim). It\u2019s also a good idea to have proper diving certification, and carry complete equipment in good condition, although some Cenotes hire out kit.<\/p>\n<p>And remember this is Mexico, so bring biodegradable insect repellent and sunscreen, and water. The heat around the Tulum Cenotes in Yucatan \u2013 especially in the summer months \u2013 can be extreme.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4123,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Is a Cenote | How Were Cenotes Formed<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cenotes are unique water wonders native to Riviera Maya, Mexico. But what are they exactly, how did they form, what makes each cenote different and more. 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