TRIP TO THE MAYAN UNDERWORLD

Luis Gallardo & Valeria Garcia
May 30, 2014
5 min read

The first tour from our 3 tour package from the Experiancias Xcaret (http://www.xcaret.com/) was Xenotes Oasis Maya. At around 7:30am a bus came to pick us up at the Bel Air Collection Xpu Ha Riviera Maya the hotel where we were staying at and drove us to a center location where we were divided into 4 groups at about 15 people each group. The groups were assigned to 4 smaller buses the size of a larger van and each group had a Xenotes team with them that included a driver, lifeguard, photographer and guide. The Xenotes tour consists of 4 cenotes: Lu'um (Earth), iik' (Air), Ha' (Water) and K'aak (Fire). Each cenote was on a different location about 15-20 minutes away from each other. The reason for the smaller buses is because the cenotes are too deep in the jungle that a big bus can't access the locations. Once we got on the smaller bus, each bus went to a different cenote reducing the amount of people on each locations, optimizing the experience of the tour.

On the way to our first location, our guide gave us a little history class about the Mayan civilization which we thought it was great, besides having fun, this tour is also very informative thanks to the knowledgeable tour guides. Some of the many thing we learn during this tour is that cenotes is the Mayan word for "Caves with water" and are considered sacred by the Mayans since it was their source of water as well as the passage to the underworld. You will most likely find an Aluxe (a stone or wood carving that looks like a leprechaun) guarding the entrance to the sacred places.

K'aak'

Xenote Fuego

As we arrived to the first cenote, we were greeted at the entrace by alux K'aak' (Mayan word for Fire).

Our guide took us the the first station where we were given the life-jacket and asked if we had any kind of body lotion or sunscreen on to rise it off in the outdoor showers. This is to prevent any contamination and preserve the natural life and environment of the cenotes. After we rinsed off, we were given a safe, biodegradable sunscreen to put on if we desired and taken to a second station a thatch open bungalow where they have picnic tables where we were given a briefing about this particular cenote and the activities ahead of us.

The activity for this cenote is kayaking. In order for us to get to the kayaking spot we had to get in the water and swim to get to it. What best way to get in the water than by zip-lining straight into the cenote.

Once we zip-line into the cenote, we had to swim about 100 yards to the end of the cenote.

At the end of the 100 yards swim we were given the chance to jump from a 20-25 feet high down to the river and let me tell you, that is not for the faint of heart. Down from the river looking up, it doesn't look very high but once you step to the ledge the river looks so far down. Maybe it was our fear of heights but it was definitely a challenge we had to conquer.

I jumped first.

After gathering courage for a couple of seconds, Valeria jumped after me.

After most of the group jumped, we were directed to the loading area to get on the Oasis Maya kayaks. We were given a quick demonstration on how to use the paddles and off we were kayaking down a river surrounded by 40-50 feet high vertical walls, green luscious foolish and turquoise water. I sight we enjoyed while kayaking for about 20-30 minutes.

We kayak for about 200 yards to a really cool sculpture, went around it and kayak back the 200 yards to the loading area. After getting off the kayak we started to walk back to the thatch bungalow with picnic tables where breakfast was served for us. During our walk back we stopped at a tree and given a more history about the Mayan about how the use their surrounding. They use the tree chicle (Mayan word for "Sticky stuff") to make bubble gum. This natural bubble gum was use as a tooth paste, the Mayan chew on this gum to prevent tooth decay, freshen breath and keep mouth clean.

Once we got to the bungalow the Xenotes team had setup the breakfast waiting for us. The breakfast consistence of snacks, Mexican pastries, fruit, coffee or hot chocolate. After we finished our breakfast we got on the bus and drove to the next cenote.

Lu'um

Xenote Tierra

On the second cenote, we were greeted by alux Lu'um (Mayan word for Earth).

On this cenote we rappel down 100 feet to a covered cenote that looked like a water cave. We also got to jump from a stone platform into the cenote and swim around the tree roots that hanged almost 40 feet from the roof of the cenote. The water was a bit cold but 5 minute in your body adjusted and exploring the cenote for about 30 minutes was an awesome experience.

Once our time was up, we climbed out of the cenote and up the stairs back to the bus and on to the third cenote.

Ha'

Xenote Agua

On the third cenote, alux Ha' (Mayan word for Water) was waiting for us.

On this particular cenote we were provided with goggles and snorkel to enjoy the life and fauna under the cenote. I particularly remenber a 40-50 foot dead tree still standing from the bottom of the cenote and a black hole where the bottom of the cenote couldn't be seen.

iik'

Xenote Viento

On the last cenote, we were welcome by alux iik' (Mayan word for Wind)

On this cenote we had the chance to zip-line 100+ yards in to the cenote. First we zip-line facing forward

and the second time we went backwards.

We were really lucky that we were the last group to visit this cenote for the day and we had about an hour free to keep using the cenotes as well as jumping from a 30-40 feet high platform from where the zip-line start and keep swimming and exploring the cenote.

Once our time was up, very sadly we had to gather up our personal stuff, shower and change clothes and just like it began, it ended and we were on the road back to our hotel. None less to say, this was one of the best experiences on our trip and its worth doing this great tour.