Cenotes are special, but what if I told you about a private cenote experience that you can enjoy while staying at one of the best five-star luxury resorts in Mexico? Cenotes are the most exquisite jewels of the Yucatan Peninsula because they are beautiful but also full of mystery and magic. Sheltered by the jungle, swimming in a cenote is an adventure you cannot miss during your trip to Mexico.
Before we jump into our private cenote, what is it?
A cenote is a deep water well supplied by the filtering of rain and the currents of rivers born deep inside the earth. That is why swimming in a cenote feels so refreshing; consider that the average temperature of its waters is 75°F (24°C)! The Mayans gave these wells their name, Dz’onot, which means “cavern with water,” and it was from there that it got its modern name, cenotes.
For Mayans and Mexicans, cenotes are a sign of dualism because they represented both life and death. They provided water to people and also said to serve as a portal to the land of the dead: the Xibalbá.
The cenote ecosystem
Snorkelling in a private cenote offers a rare chance to explore the rare flora and one-of-a-kind animals that call this unique place home. There are several fish species, such as guppy and catfish, as well as some marine crustaceans. Fish like the endangered White Blind Lady and Yucatecan Blind Eel can be found in cave cenotes.
Turtles, iguanas, frogs, and butterflies, as well as swallows and Toh Birds, often known as the “bird of the cenotes,” can also be found. The vegetation varies depending on its proximity to the coast, and it is typical to see majestic tree roots and diverse plants and lilies blending into the environment.
Viceroy Riviera Maya
On the shore of Playa Del Carmen, Viceroy Riviera Maya is a five-star resort dedicated to providing its visitors with authentically Mexican experiences that will never be forgotten. The resort is renowned for upholding Mayan culture and tradition. It boasts an on-site ancient Mayan burial cemetery and a resident Maak Bacab, or “Master of the Universe,” who guides visitors in spiritual and well-being rituals.
After five-star relaxation, we suggest exploring the completely silent and private cenote nearby. This latest offer from Viceroy Riviera Maya can provide a cultural expedition into a vanished realm for explorers and adventurers searching for a little more than relaxation on their next trip.
The private cenote experience
Guided by our extremely knowledgeable guide, in the two-hour experience, you will learn more about the cenote, its history and its significance within the culture and heritage of the area. Transportation is included in this guided tour, which is only a 30 minute drive from Viceroy Riviera Maya. As you get nearer to the cenote, the roads become a little less travelled, meandering through local towns where these treasures are.
This no-phones-allowed experience ensures that everyone is completely present. Snorkels, towels, and snacks are also provided. As we arrived, you could feel the magical atmosphere. The cenote is family owned and completely private. As you enter the cenote, there is a sense of calm and absolutely stunning. Some incense was lit, and we just stood in the cenote for an hour, admiring the textures of rocks, the encompassing stillness of the cenote and the crystal clear water.
The water inside the cave offers incredible shades of blue, where tree roots extend all the way down to the bottom of the water, and sunlight shines down into the cenote, creating an alluring light pattern. Truly an awe-inspiring experience. Following the experience, we enjoyed some snacks served packaging-free to ensure that there was no plastic waste polluting the environment.
Enjoy absolute immersion in this one-of-a-kind, off-the-grid offering that affirms your connection with nature in its purest form. Go deep within yourself as you cleanse your mind, body, and spirit in crystal-clear private cenote waters.
The private cenote experience will be available three times a week, with a maximum capacity of four visitors per session.
To discover more, visit: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
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All imagery courtesy of Viceroy Riviera Maya.