Deep underground in the luxuriant tropical rainforest that is Mexico’s Ik Kil Eco-Archeological Park, you’ll find one of Mexico’s most notable cenotes, some 85 feet below ground. Located near Chichén Itzá, in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, the Ik Kil cenote is a popular destination, and the trick is to stay on the grounds in one of the eco bungalows, so you can visit the cenote after the tour buses have departed for the day.

Descend the slippery carved stone stairway nearly nine stories down, to a swimming platform along one edge of this magical cenote, and dive in. You’ll mingle with vines that reach from the opening (way above you, at ground level) all the way down into the clear blue-green water, a vast underground pool that is 130 feet deep. Splash under the small waterfalls, peer below the surface to see the black catfish, and listen to the tropical bird symphony echoing in the jungle canopy way above your head.

And breath easy, since the cenote water is a refreshing constant temperature, and you are not part of an ancient Maya ritual practiced here for sacrificial offerings—when cenotes were once considered the entrance to the underworld. ♣

I was inspired by the Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge to show depth.And you can’t go much deeper than the underworld, can you? The Ik Kil Sacred Blue Cenote image is from my Pure Pattern series, shown HERE. See more photographs from my Mission Mexico gallery HERE. Get in touch to purchase any of my custom made prints: Contact me.

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