The cenotes are really fascinating places, for their beauty, for their orography and also for their spiritual and, of course, historical symbolism. And it is that these places were very important for the Mayans who considered them sacred places. But let’s learn more about the Cenotes of the Riviera Maya with their history and meaning for the Mayans. From now on, you will observe these wonderful places with much more curiosity and respect.
Origin of the cenotes
The Mayan religion is full of mysteries and we do not know if because the very topography of the place motivated it or because they took advantage of their architectural knowledge in conjunction with the resources of mother earth in a masterful way, but in any case, the result is these wonders of the world that today we can admire and enjoy, especially if we go to the Riviera Maya.
We have spoken on other occasions of the cenotes and their stories and legends, but we never get tired of learning more and more about them, because these cenotes or “water caverns”, as is the transcription of their Mayan name dzonot, were revered in the early days of these civilizations that knew that water was a sacred resource. It is not uncommon for the cenotes to quickly become an object of veneration, if we take into account that they were the only sources of fresh water found in the middle of the jungle.
The cenote is produced when the water erodes the rock. The more open a cenote, the older it is, while the younger cenotes hardly have holes or small openings. On the other hand, the cenotes that are open to the sky are the grandparents or older cenotes.
Specifically in the Riviera Maya, these cenotes originate through the ficus treeor parasitic tree as its roots grow looking for waterthey sink among the rocks and they end up opening the hole or cenote.
It is said that the impact of a meteorite on Earth, the same one that wiped out the dinosaurs and marked the end and beginning of eras, was the same one that caused the appearance of the cenotes. According to this theory, the strong impact of the meteor caused a network of sinkholes to form in the earth’s crust that gave way to these geological formations. In Yucatan, the limestone soil favored that, once the caves were dry of water after the last ice age, the rain filtered down, destroying the minerals and giving rise to the formation of stalactites, stalagmites and columns.
Meaning of the cenotes for the Mayans
If we think that these cenotes, of which by the way in the Riviera Maya there are more than 15,000, they were the only sources of fresh water that their inhabitants had, it is understandable that they venerated each one of them. But apart from supplying the Mayans with water, these cenotes became the perfect spaces to perform rituals. Not in vain, let us think that for the Mayans, these cenotes were gifts from Mother Nature. Water is life and fresh water is essential, so a better place than this to show gratitude to the gods was unthinkable.
With this mentality, it is not uncommon for the Mayans to carry out rituals of all kinds, including human sacrifices. In addition, the sensation produced by the interior of a cenote is magical, especially those that are more closed, when sunlight filters through its holes. Along with the imagination of the human mind, coupled with the value that these primitive civilizations gave to nature and their gods, it is easy to imagine the greatness of these natural spaces called cenotes.
What are the most important Mayan cenotes
Among the 15,000 cenotes that the Riviera Maya has, there are some that are considered more important. Let’s get to know a little about them. With the views alone we have already fallen in love, but its origin and its legends enhance the magical effect that these jewels of nature produce on us.
Cenote Sac Actun
Its importance lies in the fact that it is in this cenote where vestiges of the first Mayan settlers have been found. We can know this cenote as Cenote Two Eyes, and cave paintings and ancient ceramics were found in it. There is also a lot of biodiversity. A mini paradise in every rule.
Cenote Chac Mool
22 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, the name of this cenote means “Jaguar Claw”. It is not a very deep cenote, but it has very curious stalactites and it is a good place to swim or snorkel.
Crystalline Cenote
A U-shaped cenote that has a medium cave with a mini cliff of only 4 meters. You can swim in its six meters of water depth, and you will do it in the company of many fish, so it will be a nice experience. This cenote is 26 kilometers from Playa del Carmen.
Cenote Chikin Ha
A cenote discovered relatively recently, in 1997. The curious name of this cenote means “western sweet water”. It has a cavern with two entrances and the depth depends on the area, it can reach between 2 and 15 meters. This cenote is located near Playa del Carmen, in a park that is named after the cenote itself.
Ik Kil Cenote
A must-see place, especially because it is close to another historical architectural space such as Chichen Itza. It is a beautiful place where flora and fauna abound. If you visit it, you can be up close with toucans, cardinals or parrots, among many other animals. In addition to many small fish that swim calmly in its fresh waters, ideal for taking a bath with them.