In the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, cenotes are among the country’s most stunning natural features. These sinkholes, formed by the collapse of limestone caves and filled with groundwater, create unique landscapes and vital ecosystems.

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Cenotes are classified into three main types: open, semi-open, and closed or cavern cenotes, depending on how exposed they are to the surface. Some, like Ik-Kil, are wide and open to the sky, while others, like Holtún, are hidden deep underground.

Beyond their beauty, cenotes are home to a rich variety of life, including species like the axolotl, turtles, fish, and aquatic plants. But these ecosystems face growing threats from wastewater contamination, agricultural chemicals, and expanding human activity.

For the ancient Maya, cenotes were sacred sites. They served as sources of water and places for religious ceremonies. At Chichén Itzá’s Sacred Cenote, archaeologists have found offerings and human remains, revealing the deep spiritual importance of these natural wells.

Today, Indigenous communities are taking legal steps to protect cenotes by seeking to recognize them as legal entities with environmental rights. Their goal is to preserve these ecosystems for future generations.

Popular cenotes such as Azul, Suytun, and Dos Ojos attract thousands of tourists each year. However, their preservation depends on responsible tourism, environmental protection, and respect for their historical and cultural significance.

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