The world’s two largest are found in the Riviera Maya, measuring more than 435 miles, according to the Quintana Roo Speleological Society (QRSS). Also called “cenotes”, these underground rivers were formed by thousands of years of dripping rain water on the subsoil’s calcareous rock, forming vast freshwater rivers and epic stalagmites and stalactites.
The cenotes were sacred spaces for the Mayans and an essential source of freshwater. Over the years, archeologists have found Mayan remnants in the cenotes, including jewelry and.
A snorkeler’s dream, visitors can easily access these magnificent natural oasis.
For many years, divers would take a cab or colectivo (shared minivan) to Playa del Carmen, then a ferry to Cozumel. But over the last decade or so, many divers have opted to stay in Riviera Maya to spend their dive vacations. With a mix of standard-fare Caribbean reef diving and intriguing cenotes, there’s something for everyone in this up-and-coming Mexican tourist mecca.
Riviera Maya Map of Cenotes
The Turtle Protection Project at Xpu Ha La Playa is releasing hundreds of baby turtles every week as part of their non-profit conservation project. “Programa de protección de tortugas” (the turtle protection project) at Xpu Ha La Playa is a project which is currently performing humbling work, enabling our continued enjoyment of the local ecosystem.
From May to September, a volunteer single-handedly patrols the beach every night, locating the recently laid nests and transporting them a few meters back on the same beach. Then he carefully buries the eggs in a protected, monitored area. He notes the date, type of turtle, and the number of eggs. About seven weeks later, the eggs hatch and the baby turtles free themselves from their shell and begin their dangerous trek to the sea.
