Cenote Xux-hah is a topographical wonder located in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, between Cancun and Tulum. The cenote is part of the larger Sistema Sac Actun underwater cave network and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. It’s also special because it’s only accessible by swimming through a small opening in a cave. Once you enter the cenote, you’re greeted by crystal clear waters and stunning rock formations.
Photo: Ivan Soto Cobos/Shutterstock
Cenote Xux-Hah in Mexico Is a Gateway to an Underwater World
@visit all to ourselves 📍Cenote Xux-hah , Mexico. Who would you visit with? @Ebony Shield ♬ original sound – Visit
A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole filled with water. They are typically found in limestone regions, such as in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, where they form due to thousands of years of erosion from rainwater and underground rivers. As a result, these pools often have crystal-clear waters and are very deep, sometimes going down hundreds of feet into the Earth.
Cenotes have long been part of Mexican culture and have been used by locals for spiritual ceremonies and rituals for centuries. The Mayans believed that cenotes were gateways to the underworld; they even made human sacrifices to appease their gods! Due to their difficulty in accessing by land, these ancient sites remained largely untouched until recently when scuba divers began exploring them in the mid-1900s.
In Cenote Xux-hah, once you descend the stairs belowground, you’ll come to the small opening that leads into the cave. The cave isn’t very big, so you may need to swim through it on your stomach. When you enter the cenote you’ll be amazed by its beauty. The water is crystal clear, there are stunning rock formations all around you, and there are several species of fish that call this cenote home. Not just a place for spelunking, Cenote Xux-hah is also an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling in an environment that’s different from your typical snorkeling haunt. 