We are in the magical cenote ik kil near chichen itza, a fabulous sunken and naturally round water hole where we held a ceremony at around 5. Ik kil cenote is found in yucatan, in mexico not caribbean. It is arguably one of the most beautiful cenotes of. Ik kil cenote is in the vicinity if chichen itza, hence, a visit to this place is a must after a day tour at the mayan ruins. As we reached tulum i thought my head was going to explode catastrophically, sideways out of. Bones and pieces of jewelry were found in the deep waters of this cenote by archaeologists and speleologists. Cenote ik kil is located in the yucatan peninsula, which is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes away from playa del carmen and under 2 hours from tulum. Dive into yucatans cultural heritage on this fullday tour from cancun or the riviera maya, calling at chichen itza admission not included, the ik kil cenote, and valladolid. Cenote ik kil chichen itza 2020 what to know before. A magical sinkhole on the yucatan peninsula adorned with mini waterfalls and hanging vines. It features 2 outdoor pools and is a 10 minute walk from ik kil cenote, a sacred natural pool with waterfalls. Cenote ik kil chichen itza 2020 all you need to know before.
Ikkil is a one tile impassable natural wonder introduced in civilization vi. Book by february 29 to save 20% off our previously offered price. Even in a flat land like the yucatan the ground level was about 30m above sea level and the air pressure was subtly different to that at the seaside. This website addresses this issue and provides a starting point to explore these unique formations. Below is a video of the group i was with in the yucatan, on the morning of the winter solstice, december 21, 2012. Visiting cenote ik kil from chichen itza christobel travel. Everyone was glued on to what he was saying about the fascinating ancient history. Private tours and transportation are available for those who want a more intimate experience without the hassle of driving. Cenotes what are they, rituals, sacrifices, different. A cenote is an opening in the ground that occurs naturally with groundwater present. This is our trip to the ik kil cenote on the way to chichen itza great days by joakim karud music provided by audio library. To access the body of water, we walked 26 meters down the slippery steps to this underground hidden gem.
Cenote ikkil is located near the famous mayan ruins of chichen itza. This type of cenote is completely closed because the erosion of the rock has not yet reached the surface. Cenote ik kil cenote means natural well in spanish is a large sinkhole on mexicos yucatan peninsula thats sacred to the mayans. Cenote ik kil is located in a close proximity to the mayan ruins of chichen itza just off the highway to valladolid. Cenote ik kil yucatan mexico the complete guide 2020. Natural history of yucatan sinkholes of mexico museums in yucatan. The cenote picture above is of ikkil cenote, chichen itza, mexico. Ik kil is a cenote outside piste in the tinum municipality, yucatan, mexico. One of the 6000 cenotes in yucatan peninsula in mexico. Cenote ik kil, and coba ruins day trip all fees included. Cenote ik kil chichen itza 2020 all you need to know.
The il kil cenote is relatively easy to find, set just off he meridavalladolid highway. Cenote ik kil is near the mayan ruins of chichen itza, on the highway to valladolid. Cenote ik kil chichen itza all you need to know before. Ikkil is one of the most visited natural underground pit near chicehn itza. Cenote ik kil the most photographed cenote in mexicolet.
Experience this history firsthand with a fullday tour from cancun or the riviera maya. Cenote ik kil is one of the most visited cenotes in the yucatan, and it was undoubtedly very beautiful before mass tourism. How to get there, entrance fee, cliff jumping, swimming, restaurant, best time to go and more. The name is derived from the yucatec maya word tsonot which means a place with underground water. With vines extending downward into a sinkhole it is completely open to the sky. Often times it is problematic to find information about some particular cenotes, they location, the times they can be visited and entrance fees if any.
The term cenote has also been used to describe similar karst features in other countries such as cuba and australia, in addition to the more generic term of sinkholes. My husband and i are so astonished by it that we are forever showing everyone we know, even if they only look at the fantastic photos. Cenote ik kil is one of the most popular cenotes in mexico. The cenote stretches 60 meters in diameter, allowing the sun to beam down into its huge well, which is around 40 meters deep. Cenote ik kil is located on the highway between chichen itza its only a couple of miles away from the archeological site and valladolid. Cenote water is often very clear, as the water comes from rain water infiltrating slowly through the ground. At ik kil you will also enjoy a lunch buffet consisting of traditional dishes from yucatan. Everything you need to know when you visit cenote ik kil. Cenote sinkhole in yucatan peninsula in mexico journal. The deep cenotes have circular shapes and vertical walls that can reach up to 30 meters. Cenote ik kil why this is the most recognized cenote on.
Visitors are allowed to swim in the cenote for a small fee. Cenote ikkil is located on the highway between chichen itza and valladolid. Dive into five of the worlds deepest freshwater swimming. Aofoto 7x5ft maya chichen itza pyramid backdrop ancient mayan ruins wonder of the world mexico culture historical building photography background blue sky clouds. The mayan city of chichen itza is full of architectural and engineering marvels.
The water is 40 meters deep while its diameter is 60 meters. Book your tickets online for cenote ik kil, chichen itza. One of the most ethereal qualities of ikkil is the light filtering in from above, illuminating the mini waterfalls, vegetation, and vines that wrap their way around the edges of the cenote and hang directly from overhead like a curtain. The cenotes of the riviera maya is a must read for all cave divers and other divers considering cavern and or cave courses. A life worth living is worth recording, and what better place than this journal. Chichen itza and cenote ik kil tour cancun adventure tours. Book now sinkhole swimming pools mayan waterfalls flora. It is on the highway to and from valladolid, one of the most vibrant cities in yucatan. You can tell from my very first cenote adventure that it wasnt going to be my last. Its probably the most popular worldwide because of the sacred cenote of chichen itza and ikkil.
It is arguably one of the most beautiful cenotes of mexico. The first people to encounter them, and who named them cenote, were the maya, the indigenous people of mesoamerica modern day south mexico and much of central america. Chichen itza, cenote ik kil and coba ruins premium service all fees included. A cenote is often connected to an underground waterfilled cave system. Benefit from the historical knowledge of your guide as you explore the maya ruins and colonial.
It is well liked because it looks like some deep tropical hidden paradise. Cenote hoping is a popular activity among tourists in mexico generally and yucatan especially. Ik kil was considered sacred by the mayans who used the site as a location for human sacrifice to their rain god, chaac. Divers sometimes use cenotes as an entry point to explore underwater caverns. Cenote ik kil lies inland from mexicos caribbean coast, roughly 125 miles 200 kilometers from cancun, 115 miles 186 kilometers from playa del carmen, and 90 miles 145 kilometers from tulum. Located near chichen itza, the ik kil cenote complex is a wonderful experience with swimming opportunity in a pristine semi open cenote where little fishies swim next to you, where nature waterfall hit above your head, and where for the daring, the mayan suicide jump into the cool water is offered. Every equinox, an enormous snake born from the shadows slithers down. Though it is a fresh water source, you cannot build an aqueduct to it strategy edit. After a walk through the history maya, you may refresh in the waters of the famous cenote ikkil that is characterized by its unmistakable beauty and for being the perfect habitat for hundreds of wild birds, fauna and vegetation of the region.
In order to reach the water you have to climb down 26 meters. We decided on the vip chichen itza and cenote ikkil with lunch. Read more about the history of mexican cenotes here. Remember to book a room in city express merida, the best place to get back to. The great cenote adventure 3 of mexicos best cenotes.
Ikkil occupies a rainforest tile, providing 50% production when building wonders and districts next to it. This is one of the most photographed cenotes in the yucatan peninsula of mexico. Early settlers can be dated back to 7000bc or so, but the classic maya period, when they reached their apex, was 250950ad. There are vines and roots that hang down into the water and verdant plants around the lip of the entrance to this cenote. New sun ceremony at the cenote ik kil near chichen itza. This cenote is unique because of all its vines and plants that hang. Cenote ik kil 14 amazing sinkholes mnn mother nature. This bungalow complex is a 5 minute drive from the chichen itza ruins. Cenotes singular cenote is a natural hole in the surface of the earth which is formed after extensive corrosion of the limestone rock by subterranean water. Check out the best tours and activities to experience cenote ik kil. Ikkil cenote a mystical underground cavern in mexico. Enjoy one of the most beautiful cenotes in the yucatan peninsula. Cenote ikkil is located at a close distance to the mayan ruins of chichen itza, on the highway to valladolid.
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