Underground Cave Swimming in Mexico

A few months ago, I moved to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to live in its capital, Merida.

The Yucatan is known to have no above ground natural sources of fresh water. All their fresh water is found in underground river systems. Over time, erosion has played a part in opening up these river systems to the world via the development of sinkholes, called cenotes. They vary, some are fully open to the sky with jungle plants growing on the sides and waterfalls cascading in, while some are deep underground, still fully covered by rock ceilings, feeling almost cathedral like.

The first cenote we visited in Yucatan was almost fully enclosed apart from one small hole in the ceiling letting light stream in if you're there at the right time. You enter the cenote via climbing down a carved out, narrow staircase to discover an eerily silent and cool atmosphere underground. Small black catfish swim around your legs as you sit on the edge of the water. I can see why the Mayan associated these cenotes with the entrance to the Underworld!

The cenote is called Cenote Samula, and is right near the town of Valladolid, Mexico.

All photos were taken with a Nikon D750 and Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 lens. A bulky kit to carry around, but SO worth it for the results.

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I'm Eleanor, a 25 year old photographer from Australia who's been on the road exploring North America for the past three years. Follow me to stay tuned for more of my explorations across the world!