At Kantun-Chi, to the south of Playa del Carmen, the ground opens up to reveal perfectly clear pools in incredible cenotes (sinkholes) set within a park of beautiful tropical gardens.
Drip after drip, the sinkholes on the Yucatán Peninsula formed naturally over millions of years as rainwater seeped through the bedrock into underground caves. Having been weakened by this process, the bedrock caved in and created these cenotes. For as long as people have lived in this area, they have been drawn to the sheer power of nature displayed here, and the abundance of fresh water in the pools. The Mayan people built villages and cities around the precipitous sides of the cenotes, and came to view them as gateways to the life beyond this world. Gaze down into the water from above and you might see why.
There are four huge cenotes at Kantun-Chi. The largest of the cenotes is Sas ka leen Ha, a name which means “transparent water”. That’s not to say that the other cenotes are much different, though. The rain that fills each of the pools has been filtered through rock and soil to leave beautifully clear water.
The vast underground caverns can be explored on foot, by kayak or with a snorkel, and each perspective gives something different. Underwater, there are stunning tropical fish above the water, impressively jagged stalactites and stalagmites. With natural light from above and tasteful artificial lights below, the caverns are a stunning place to experience the underground world.
Throughout the park, there are many hammocks strung beneath the tree canopy, where the forests teem with spider monkeys, big-eared deer, camouflaged reptiles and scores of rare species of bird.
Tour guides are available to make sure you see the most important features of the park, and a regular bus service makes accessing Kantun-Chi easy.
