Great Places for Gay Vacations, The Cenote Travel Experience
April 14th, 2009 by Ricardo d Argence, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
If you are trying to find intriguing destinations for gay travel, there is no shortage of interesting locations to choose from. If you enjoy the beach and water, the rich coasts of Mexico provide a number of incredible travel opportunities.
However, the coast isn’t the only option for water fun in Mexico. Many visitors have discovered the incredible sights and sounds of a Cenote vacation in the country’s Yucatan region.
A Cenote is a natural sinkhole that is part of an intricate network of beautiful, age old rivers and caves that exist about 60 feet beneath the surface. They are carved from a subterranean landscape, and are one of the most striking features of the natural world.
Cenotes were created over several thousands of years as the intricate caverns and caves collapsed into one another. The sinkholes left behind captured water runoff, and provided an important water source for the ancient Mayans in areas where fresh water was scarce.
Cenotes were also the site of ancient spiritual rituals, and were considered the portal for the human spirit to enter the afterlife. Because of this, they were maintained in pristine condition, and thus have been able to survive into modern times.
Some people may hear words like “subterranean” and “underground” and conjure an image of a dark and foreboding place that’s hardly suitable for a vacation. But, the exact opposite is true.
Cenote vacation areas have plenty of incredible adventures to offer. There are thousands of these Cenotes in the Yucatan region, and these caverns are some of the most attractive and unique destinations for the avid world traveler.
There are many reasons to visit a Cenote in Yucatan. The crystalline waters themselves are quite enjoyable as they are among the most beautiful and clear waters in all of Mexico.
The waters of the Cenotes are still and placid, with no currents to disturb them. Water temperature averages around 75 degrees, making them a relaxing place to bask. This is uncharacteristic of surface lakes and waterways, and makes a Cenote quite a unique vacation experience.
When it comes to actually visiting a Cenote, it is important to perform a little research first. After all, there are multitudes of them in Yucatan and you want to select the right one for your vacation needs.
When you visit a Cenote, come prepared to enjoy the wonderful sights you’ll see on the way. To get to your destination, you’ll walk down historic foot paths that are centuries old, and the rock formations that you’ll enjoy are millennia old. So, don’t rush past them to your destination; instead take some time to soak in the almost surreal, historic sights.
It may be a good idea to join a guided group tour as part of your Cenote experience. This will make your experience that much more fun, captivating, and memorable.
