The Yucatán is home to more than seven thousand ancient watering holes known as cenotes (sen-óh-tay). The clear, cool, mineral-rich water bubbles up through layers of limestone and has a silky smooth quality that wraps its arms around you. The wells can be found on private property or equipped with a restaurant and entrance fee. There are two large cenotes in Bacalar. Cenote Azul is the restaurant-type where I swim several times a week.
Our Yucatan meander included three cenotes in the city of Valladolid and one in Ek Balam.
Lisa finding a way to get into chilly water at Ek Balam.
You would think that at some point it would be like “ok, been there done that”. But the cenotes of Ticul took it up a notch. Thanks to Roman, our tour guide, we got to visit private, little-known pools of joy. His secret is safe with us. We couldn’t find our way back if we tried.
Thirsty trees reach for water.
All cenotes were formed deep in the earth. Then the roof caved in on some, requiring stairs to access them.
Once open to the sky, the water isn’t as pristine. But if the roof remains intact, a crystalline clear swim awaits. The second cenote we visited required a bumpy ride down a long dirt road. Roman left the best to last.
I could have stayed all day.
This spot was heaven on earth. I am convinced that we will never tire of exploring the cenotes of Yucatan.
The following day we we said goodbye to Roman with promises of a swift return. Off to the pyramids of Uxmal and the final leg of the great Dos Torta Yucatan Meander.
the adventures of dos tortas 
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