When flying over the Peninsula you can see circular ground patterns caused by the hidden movement of underground rivers and lakes. The water level rises and falls with the cycle of rain and drought. The constant ebb and flow erodes the underground limestone and it collapses creating steep walled caverns and exposing the water below. Cenote or dzonot meaning "cavity of water" is a term used by the Maya for any subterranean chamber that contains permanent water. While some cenotes are vertical, water-filled shafts, others are caves that contain pools and underwater passageways in their interior. Around these water sources the Maya villages grew since the cenotes were the only source of water, and therefore essential to survival. They were used as sources of drinking water, sources of "virgin" water for religious rites, burial and/or sacrificial sites, art galleries, places of refuge, and mines for clay or minerals.

Cenote Kankirixche (Yellow Fruit Tree)

Located 10 kilometres east of Hacienda Temozon Sur, this cenote has a 15 m drop to water level down a breakdown slope that can be negociated with a handline. Large tree roots penetrate down into the cave and hang in large clumps just below the water surface. The cavern area of this cave is one of the largest in Mexico. Depths range from 5 to nearly 50 m and it is almost circular with a diameter of approximately 90 m. At the appropriate time of the day, a shaft of light from the entrance penetrates the crystal clear water of this giant submerged cavern and provides a spectacular sight. An abundance of submerged stalactites on the flat ceiling of the cavern provides an ideal excursion for swimmers and cavern divers.

How to get there from the Hacienda Temozon:
By car: 20 minutes
By bicycle: 60 minutes

Cenote Xaca`mucuhi (Cave of the Pigeons)

Located 2 kilometres east of the main building, this open cenote located within the hotel grounds has a 10 m drop to water level down a breakdown slope. Inside the cenote grow several trees which give a special touch to this place. Water depths range from 2 to nearly 35 m and it is almost circular with a diameter of approximately 20 m. An abundance of submerged stalactites on the flat ceiling of the cavern provides an ideal excursion for swimmers.

How to get there from the Hacienda Temozon:
By car: 10 minutes
By bicycle: 35 minutes
By Truck: 25 minutes (small train pulled by a donkey or mule)

Go back