Cave or Cenote? Yes! (May 10, 2026)
When Will and I explore our first cenote (see related post), I made the mistake of assuming all cenotes were more or less the same. Boy was I wrong about that. Today, we were introduced to a large cave where we could swim in the cenote as an underground river and explore the cave while floating in the calm, cool waters of the cenote.
Looking down to the 12 or so feet of pristine water and cave bottom
Every time I get even the slightest, “been there, done that” feeling, something like this comes along and reminds me of just how little I’ve actually experienced in my 53 years on this earth. Truly, there’s nothing like swimming inside of a cave and diving down 12 feet to explore stalagmites. I’ve walked and crawled through caves all over the world including Croatia and Vietnam (the largest cave in the world).
And still, floating through a cave is a wholly different experience. I was smart enough to bring my swimming goggles and so both Will and I could explore the fish and many stalagmite formations below us.
Just about to jump into the cave cenote
It turns out that there are more than 8,000 cenotes in Mexico and there are three uniquely different types: open cenotes (oldest, fully exposed), semi-open cenotes (middle-aged, partially covered), and cave/underground cenotes (youngest, completely enclosed). Until today, I didn’t even know this cave time existed.
It makes sense. There aren’t a lot of mountains here in the Yucatán Peninsula, so the water flows underground. It makes sense to have all these cenotes around and I’m extremely grateful that we’re allowed to swim inside of them. There may come a time when this isn’t possible, so I’m extremely grateful to be here now.
Our Mexican photographer was having fun shooting the two of us
Okay, so without further ado, Will and I will jump right in …
I think this picture was taken right as I was turning away …
It’s a shame I didn’t have my GoPro with me for this part of the adventure. If you could see what Will and I saw, you’d be amazed at the tiny fish (about the size of the tip if your index finger) who bravely swam up to us to check us out. I later discovered these are the same fish that nibble at your feet and eat your dead skin if you let them. How do I know this? I’ve seen it in beauty salons all over the world and today I watched a teenage girl experiment on her own feet on the first step going into the river. She was explaining what was happening (and how the fish were nibbling at her feet).
This was the second spot the Mexican photographer choose
I’m happy with what we DO have here. Without the local photographer, we wouldn’t have had any pictures to share. Not that this is the worst thing. I know many people have commented on why I take so many pictures. It’s for my own sake. I don’t mind sharing publicly, of course. But the real reason is that my memory is getting worse as I age. When someone asks me what I did here in Mexico, I want to remember how cool it was to swim in an underground river as part of a cave experience … with Will.
PRO TIP: Now that I know this exists, there is a scuba diving option here. Many scuba diving archeologists love these cave cenotes as there are many discoveries to be had. Who knows, maybe I come back here with Elena and we can explore the caves together looking for new archeological finds. It’s totally fun swimming here. I believe the deeper areas where we can scuba 30, 60 or even 90 feet down would be insane. Next time!
Remember to exit through the gift shop!
I almost forgot. Take a look at these root systems …
I’m so fascinated by “nature finds a way”. Tree roots finding water.
If this cave cenote eventually collapses, it will be because of the many trees above it digging its roots into the earth in search of water. There was already evidence in the cave of giant stalactites being pushed off the celling of the cave and deep into the water by root systems.
The more roots come feeling around the cave, the more likely the cave will eventually collapse. Again, I’m so glad Will and I had the opportunity to explore it today (and that today was not the day the cave decided to collapse).
I think I’ll use this picture to remind myself to “stay rooted” ;-)
