Cenote Samula, Natural limestone sinkhole in Valladolid, Mexico
Cenote Samula is a natural limestone sinkhole with a roughly 20-meter-high cave ceiling and a circular opening that lets sunlight reach the turquoise water below. The water connects to an underground river system, creating a striking subterranean space for swimming.
The sinkhole formed thousands of years ago when limestone bedrock collapsed, creating a natural water reservoir. For the Maya, this place held sacred meaning as a source of water and a site for religious ceremonies.
The name comes from the Maya language and means "sacred well." Today, visitors come mainly to swim, while it remains an important symbol of local identity.
The site is easy to reach and offers changing rooms and life jacket rentals for visitors. You should bring swimwear and consider wearing water shoes or gloves, as the rocky underwater surfaces can be rough.
Long tree roots from the surface push through the cave ceiling and hang down like natural ropes toward the water. This root system creates an unusual visual feature that sets this sinkhole apart from other cenotes in the region.
Location: Valladolid
GPS coordinates: 20.66262,-88.24506
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:06
The Yucatán region contains numerous lesser-known sites waiting to be discovered. Ancient Maya ruins, natural cenotes, and historic buildings tell the story of the region's rich past and living culture. Nature reserves and traditional villages show how people live and work in this part of Mexico. The collection includes archaeological sites like Ek Balam, Uxmal, and Mayapán, where stone temples and plazas still stand as records of Maya achievement. Underground lakes and caves such as the cenotes of Cuzama, Xkeken, and Samulá hold turquoise waters beneath the earth's surface. Historic haciendas like Sotuta de Peón and Yaxcopoil preserve the colonial era. Natural spaces round out the collection: the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve draws bird watchers, limestone caves at Calcehtok and Loltun open into darkness, and small towns like Izamal feature Spanish colonial architecture including a striking monastery. Each place offers something different, letting visitors experience the varied landscape and heritage of the Yucatán Peninsula.
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