We have spent the day at the nearby Archaeological Park, where we learned that the whole peninsula sits on a porous limestone shelf, so all rainwater promptly disappears and runs around in underground streams and rivers.
Over the centuries, this water has gouged-out limestone caverns and sinkholes and today there are over two thousand of these water-filled natural pools or "Cenotes" and they are the major source of freshwater in the Yucatan.
The 'Ik Kil Cenote' is right here at the Park - it's been featured in several Hollywood movies.
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| The breathtaking view from the top of the 195ft wide Cenote, looking at the swimmers 90ft below. William is one of the swimmers enjoying a cool dip in the heat of the day. |
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| Descending to the bottom is via this slippery stairway - it's easy to trip, the steps are steeper than expected and the only handhold is a chain loosely draped through poles at either side. |
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| Halfway down there is a viewing balcony before another turn continues down to the water's edge. The long tendrils are roots from plants at the surface reaching down into the water. A popular place for a swim! |
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| One of the bungalows you can rent for an overnight stay at the Park - they are so pretty inside and out.. The Archaeological Park is a major tourist attraction with well manicured pathways, trees and flowers and is complete with a gift shop, snack bar and restaurant. |
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