Sunday, October 12, 2025

Ik Kil Cenote

On our Yucatan Peninsula excursion during ShipRocked 2019, we also went to the Ik Kil Cenote, a natural sinkhole with a pool of groundwater, which was open to the public for swimming. Surrounded by purifying limestone and hypnotizing vines all over, the Cenote (one of many) encompassed the enchanting essence of the Yucatan Peninsula and Mayan culture.

Most cave cenotes have fresh water that has been meticulously filtered by the earth, making them so clear and pure that you can see straight through. Open-air cenotes also have clear water, and often are home to vitamin- and mineral-rich algae that nourish and protect your skin.

Ancient Mayans believed that the cenotes were mystical. Ik Kil was considered sacred by the Mayans who used the site as a location for human sacrifice to their rain god, Chaac.

We had delicious food including grilled chicken and pork with rice and beans paired with homemade tortilla chips at the restaurant on site. It was a long trek back to the port and we watched the film Coco and there wasn’t a dry eye in the van.

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Amy Harris
Amy Harris is a writer and photographer who has been traveling for 20 years and flown over 2 million miles to visit over 80 countries on 6 continents. She is a freelance photographer for Invision by Associated Press, AP Images and Rex/Shutterstock. Her work can be seen in various publications and websites including: Rolling Stone, AP Images, National Geographic Books, Fodor’s Travel Guides, Forbes.com, Lonely Planet Travel Guides, JetStar magazine, and Delta Sky Magazine.

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