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.
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