Close your eyes and imagine swimming in a freshwater sinkhole as deep as a three-story building, shaded by a natural canopy of foliage and cascading liana branches, accompanied by fish and tortoises, listening to the relaxing sound of chirping birds... Doesn’t this sound like paradise? Well, we’ve got news for you – it’s only a flight away. A place like this exists. It's called Ik Kil, or the Sacred Blue Cenote, and it is found near the village of Pisté in Mexico.
The walls are formed from limestone. The water in the sinkhole is fresh rainwater, and the opening in the ceiling happened naturally with the collapse of the limestone. Several small waterfalls flow along the walls of the cenote, constantly feeding freshwater to the greenery surrounding it all around. By far, the most impressive and magical of all the foliage are the lianas cascading along the opening of the sinkhole and over the water.
Inside the water, you can find several species of marine life, including catfish, frogs, and even some tortoises.
The Sacred Blue Cenote is home to several species of birds, including cardinals, parrots, toucans, and the turquoise mot-mot, also known as toh.
* If you arrive independently by car, there is a large parking lot.
* The site is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. On-site, you can find rental life jackets and even accommodation. Lockers are free of charge. Bring towels, sandals, and a bathing suit with you.
* Before entering the water, you must clean yourself up in one of the open showers. To preserve the purity of the water, you are requested to remove makeup and either wear an all-natural sunscreen (titanium or zinc based) or no sunscreen at all.
* There are several restaurants where you can get food and drinks at reasonable prices, handicrafts, and souvenir shops.
* To descend into the water, you will go down on foot through a shaded flight of stairs which lands on a platform that is on the same level as the water. There is also a 16-foot diving platform for those who want to jump into the water.
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