Incredible underground destinations in Mexico

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Caves, cenotes, and underground rivers can be found within Mexico’s territory. Find out what they are like and where they are located.

A vertical cave over which thousands of birds fly and cenotes with crystal clear waters in which you can swim and enjoy an incredible landscape are some of the underground wonders that can be found in Mexico.

Although currently, it is not possible to visit all of them, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be possible to travel to these points in the future. This is why we tell you which are these underground destinations that you should add to your list of places to visit:

Stalactite river

This underground river is located within the Xplor of Xcaret adventure park, in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo.

In this place, you can take a tour while you immerse yourself in amazing crystalline waters, while stalactites and stalagmites – curious formations caused by mineral deposits – will surprise you along your walk through some caverns.

The route in this river is 400 meters and the depth of the water varies from 30 centimeters to 1.30 meters. swimmers wear a helmet and a life jacket all the time, while for their peace of mind they have the possibility of taking an exit every 100 meters.

The water temperature on average is 24 ° Celsius, so you can cool off in the underground river of the heart of Playa del Carmen, while you will get an unforgettable view of the rock formations and caves that have taken thousands of years to form.

The cost of entry to the park is 2,573 pesos per adult, and 1,287 pesos per child. You can take this tour at night while the underground river and the stalactites are illuminated in red.

Cacahuamilpa caves

To the north of the state of Guerrero, between the municipalities of Pilcaya and Taxco de Alarcón, are these incredible caves that can be reached in approximately two and a half hours from Mexico City.

The Cacahuamilpa caves were established as a Protected Natural Area within the category of National Park in 1936, for this reason, pets are not allowed, as well as bonfires.

This subterranean destination, in addition to containing wonderful rock formations, is full of history, since in pre-Hispanic times it was occupied by Chontal groups who gave the site a ceremonial use.

In this place, you can find 19 rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites. Their height reaches 21 meters and they are up to 42 meters wide.

Each of the rooms has lighting, and you will be surprised to see how they have a name that honors the shape of their rocks, such as “Elephant trunk” or “Kiss of lovers”.

Access to the cave is 100 pesos per person.

If you visit the caves, you can hire the services of local travel agencies, such as Paketemojes, which offers a visit to the grottoes and a boat ride for 170 pesos per person.

Sotano de las Golondrinas

This is one of the most incredible underground destinations in Mexico since it is a vertical cave with a depth of 512 meters, in which you can practice rappelling at certain times. It is also the site of the sighting of hundreds of birds that come out of the depths.

It is located in the Huasteca Potosina. It is a place whose name refers to the flight that birds make at the entrance of the cave, although in reality, they are not swallows, but specimens of white-collared swifts, a similar species.

In this place you can descend accompanied by guides certified by the Mexican Federation of Underwater Activities, however, if extreme adventures are not your thing, you can only sit on the edge of the cave and observe the passage from which you will get unique views.

Cenote Ik Kil

This beautiful cenote with crystal clear waters and surrounded by nature is one of the most famous in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is located near the Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone and 35 minutes from Valladolid, Yucatán.

This cenote is semi-open, it is 60 meters in diameter and 40 meters deep. In it, you can see small waterfalls that form between the roots of the trees, as well as black catfish that swim through the crystal clear waters.

Also, in this underground wonder, there is a Mayan ruin and a carved staircase to a bathing platform. Also, within the complex, it is possible to find a restaurant, shops, changing rooms, and cabins for rent.

The prices to enter are from 150 to 350 pesos, since the entrance is by packages, where the first one, in addition to the entrance to the cenote includes a life jacket and locker; the second one, food, and drinks are added.

Sac Actún

The Sac Actún System is considered one of the longest flooded cavern systems in the world, since a connection between it and the Dos Ojos underwater cave was found, giving this destination a total extension of 347 kilometers (although, it is believed, could be much longer).

It is located in Tulum, Quintana Roo, and is a formation in which Mayan human remains have been found, which is why it is also known as a large submerged archaeological space.

Sac Actún has a depth of 72 meters, according to the Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo.

In this underground system you can immerse yourself in the crystalline waters of a cenote, where you will appreciate formations of stalactites and stalagmites; In addition, you will get unparalleled views thanks to the rays of the sun that illuminate the cavern. Access is 700 pesos per person.

Source: eluniversal.com.mx

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