Cenote Xkeken, Natural underground pool and museum in Valladolid, Mexico
Cenote Xkeken is an underground cavern containing a circular pool of fresh water roughly 25 meters across and about 20 meters deep. Natural openings in the limestone ceiling allow daylight to reach the water, creating a bright and open feel inside the cave.
The name comes from a local farmer who discovered the cave entrance when his pig fell into the underground chamber. The water source has been valued by the region's people since ancient times as an essential part of life.
The Maya saw this place as sacred and used it for ceremonies and offerings to their gods. Visitors today can still sense the spiritual weight this water holds for the region.
The site is open daily to visitors with straightforward pathways leading down to the cave and water level. Sturdy shoes are a good idea since the stairs and walking surfaces can be slippery, especially when wet.
Delicate stalactites hang from the ceiling and are illuminated by light beams filtering through natural roof openings. This interplay between mineral formations and daylight creates a visually striking setting.
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