Cenote Xlaca, Underground cenote in Yucatán, Mexico.
Cenote Xlaca is a sinkhole set within a limestone cave system featuring multiple pools of clear water at varying depths. The underground chambers connect through passages, creating a natural network suitable for swimming and exploration.
The sinkhole formed over millions of years as acidic water dissolved the limestone bedrock beneath the Yucatán Peninsula. This geological process created the underground freshwater system that shaped human settlement in the region.
The Maya performed rituals and left offerings at this cenote, viewing it as a sacred passage between the earthly and spiritual worlds. Walking through the cave chambers, you can sense the reverence this place still holds for local communities.
Stone steps lead down to the water pools, and the temperature remains steady year-round for comfortable swimming. Wear appropriate footwear since paths can be slippery, and bring a light source as natural lighting is limited in deeper chambers.
Certain fish species here have adapted completely to darkness and lack eyes or have only rudimentary vision. These blind fish are living evidence of an isolated underground ecosystem that evolved over millions of years in isolation.
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