The Riviera Maya is home to one of the most beautiful gifts of nature: the cenotes. This ancient word that the Mayans used to refer to the abyss and the entrance to the underworld, dzonoot, we keep on using it today to describe the geological formations that are the cenotes.
Outdoors, semi-open, or closed, the cenotes are a type of submerged cave unique in the world that only occurs in the Yucatan Peninsula. The entrance to the cenote is only a part, because inside, a complex network of underground tunnels is connected to each other. Such is the case of the Sac Actun system, the largest in the world, and its entrance, the Nohoch Nah Chich cenote.
How to get there
Located at kilometer 240 of Federal Highway 307, next to the Caribbean Sea and within the Maya Jungle, Nohoch Nah Chich was discovered in 1988, and since then it has enchanted locals and foreigners for its beautiful underwater landscape and the clarity of its waters, perfect for diving.
To access the cenote, you need to enter the jungle on board an all-terrain until you reach the Yaxmuul Ranch and do a rappel descent 12 meters high in an underground pool! The route ends with a series of zip lines that end in the cenote.
Things to do in Nohoch Na Chich
Nohoch Nah Chich means the great birdhouse, for the beautiful variety of birds that fly in any of the 36 entrances that the cenote has. The crystalline waters allow seeing with clarity the beautiful geological formations that lie submerged in the depths of the Mayan earth. The clarity is perfect for diving and discovering the underwater beauties. Just do not use sunscreen or insect repellents to avoid disrupting the ecosystem.
Admire the stalactites and stalagmites formed by millions of years of constant water filtration through limestone. Also, delight with the variety of typical food and traditional dishes, handmade tortillas, and refreshing waters.
What do you expect to know the cenotes of the Riviera Maya?
