Ring of cenotes

The Ring of Cenotes is a circular chain of water-filled limestone sinkholes spread across the Yucatán Peninsula and connected by underground rivers. These depressions formed through limestone dissolution and display different appearances, from open water basins to cave formations where groundwater flows.

These sinkholes originated about 66 million years ago from an asteroid impact that created a crater rim where limestone gradually dissolved through groundwater. Over time, this formed a connected system that supported a network of Maya settlements during the pre-Hispanic period.

The Maya called these places tsiit or cenote, names linked to water and the sacred, and built settlements strategically around these freshwater sources. Today, visitors can still sense how important and special these places remain for local communities, seen as a connection to their heritage.

Visitors can travel to different sinkholes throughout the year, with guided tours from Mérida and nearby towns offering swimming, snorkeling, and diving options. It is helpful to bring suitable shoes and sun protection, as paths to the water can be uneven and sun exposure is direct.

Each sinkhole shelters specialized aquatic creatures adapted to these underground or semi-open environments, with some species found nowhere else. This diversity makes each location a genuine natural laboratory where evolution operates under unique conditions.

Location: Yucatán

GPS coordinates: 20.72250,-89.32306

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:07