The Secret Cenote Yokdzonot
Nearly anyone who visits Yucatan soon learns of a rather unique feature of the landscape called a cenote (say-NO-tay) in Spanish or dzonot in Mayan. The Yucatan Peninsula is a flat, thick shelf of limestone with thousands of miles of underground, water-filled caves interconnected by rivers. When the roof of one of these caves collapses, it produces a sinkhole or natural well, filled with fresh water. The most famous cenote is the sacred cenote at Chichen Itza, but hundreds of cenotes large and small dot the Yucatan. Some cenotes are hidden deep in the jungle and others are inside larger caves. Some have been reliable sources of drinking water for centuries, which is why many Maya villages and ancient cities are located nearby.
During a visit to Hacienda Chichen, we learned of a small Maya pueblo called Yokdzonot, only a few minutes drive from Chichen Itza, where a group of citizens had formed an association that has spent two years converting their abandoned cenote into a project of sustainable tourism. The video below is our report of their efforts and our adventure.
Comments
Carlos Daniel Gallegos 17 years ago
Don't tell everyone, it won't be secret anymore, ja ja ja. :-) I agree with Bob Brownie. When I went to Merida, I tried to distance myself from other U.S. citizens. While I did eat at Burger King, KFC, and shopped at WalMart, I always tried to be around the locals as much as I could. When I watch geographical programs, I feel sad that the modern world is removing many places. Help to conserve beautiful places like the Cenotes.
Reply
Rusty 17 years ago
Hola Gringa,
We will be coming down in October and driving over from cancun to our place in Chixculub. Is the sign you mentioned on 180 or do we have to exit at chichen and follow the road to Yokozonot. Specific directions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your info, I love checking the web site, always something new and interesting.
Rusty
Reply
lisa 17 years ago
that was fabulous! thank you. when we were visiting family there we went into the cenote....another one, cant remember where, but close to Chichen..and it was glorious!...and everything you said. thanks for the reminder!
Reply
petra 17 years ago
How awesome! We go to Chichen a lot, so we will have to check it out next time we are there. Thank You !!!!
Reply
michele 17 years ago
THANKS - hope to have a chance to visit this january - articles like this will help us on our upcoming visit
Reply
Jan 17 years ago
It is always such a joy to log on and read/watch your stories! Thank you, WGs for all your hard work and dedication.
Reply
Kanasinero 17 years ago
As always, you bring us the best of our beautiful Yucatan. When will I be able to return to my homeland for good?!
Reply
Brenda Thornton 17 years ago
This is fabulous. Perhaps, now, visitiors to the area will see this and utilize the cenote, giving themselves a swim of a lifetime, and provide some badly needed, and earned income for the people who have developed it.
My grandchildren loved seeing Working Gringa swimming in the cenote, but they wanted to know if it had sharks or pirahnas.
They were assured that it had neither.
Reply
Bob Brownlee 17 years ago
Keep the mass tourists away!!
Reply
Khaki 17 years ago
How wonderful! I think their business just picked up – don’t you?
Reply
Belisa 17 years ago
Thanks a million for this lovely video! Your support to this Mayan community project spread the word for travels to visit this wonderful place. By the way, the group of residents that take care of this cenote and eco-park are planning to add picnic areas and some “palapas†with nice “hamacas†for visitors to rent, have a “siesta†and enjoy a full day there!
Reply
« Back (40 to 51 comments)Next »