Cenote Chikin Ha is actually a nature park complex where you can enjoy 3 spectacular cenotes of different types all in one place. Only two of the three cenotes that we will talk about in a minute are suitable for swimming and diving, though.
The third one a little further away is only used for ceremonial purposes but you can still visit and enjoy the views of the clear waters and the tranquillity of the place.
The first cenote are great for relaxing, swimming and cave diving. The second cenote are great for swimming and cavern and cave diving. Both they are suitable for families too. You can spend the entire day and enjoy the local facilities.
X’Tabay cenote
Cenote X’Tabay is the first one you will meet during your walk from the reception desk. It is a beautiful open cenote, surrounded by lush greenery among which ceiba trees, palms, and, of course, alamos, reflecting in the crystal clear waters. The shallow water is suitable for kids to swim in and play but also for anybody to relax and snorkel.
You will find fishes turtles and water lily floating around in the pristine waters of the cenote and colorful birds chirping around. You can sit on the beaches or right by the water and soak in the natural environment.
From the X’tabay cenote cave certified divers can reach entire Ponderosa cave system and dive to other well known cenotes: Zacil cenote, Little Joe cenote, El Eden cenote, Corral cenote, Azul cenote and Cristalino cenote, as well as many other small cenotes of the entire Ponderosa cave system.
X’tabay means spirit of a woman in the Mayan Language “ix” meaning “woman” and “tabay” meaning “spirit”.
Chikin-Ha cenote
Chikin-Ha cenote is the main cenote of the park, and the most appealing because you get to swim in a natural tunnel made of the millenary limestone rock formation and come out on the other side.
It looks as if they are two cenotes but it’s just one split in two by a cave, which makes great entertainment for adventure lovers.
Cave divers love to explore these flooded caves, and you will be likely to see some divers getting ready for their immersion in the deeps. Also two cavern lines located in Chikin Ha cenote making it available for Open Water Divers.
On a sunny day, it’s particularly spectacular as the water is hit by the sunrays offering incredible views under the surface. And depending on the kind of light reflecting on it, the colors of the cenote vary throughout the day.
Chikin Ha means, “water from the east” in the Mayan Language.
Ta’ak Bil Ha cenote
Not to confuse with the Taak Bi Ha cenote, another amazing cenote located near cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote Ta’ak Bil Ha is a little further away from the other two cenotes within the Chikin Ha area. Unbelievable how much a difference a tiny letter can make! 🙂
Cenote Ta’ak Bil Ha is not swimmable, because it’s mainly used for ceremonies honoring the ancient Mayan tradition.
However, you can visit the cenote, and we recommend you do it. It’s just a short walk from the cenote Chikin-Ha and the path is very well marked. A short set of stairs will take you down in the underworld to the semi-open cenote. The water runs around a sort of island full of trees and plants.
In the cenote, you can appreciate the crystal clear water and the alamo trees roots making their way through the rocks into the water creating spectacular landscapes. It’s definitely a great place for photography.
If you stop for a while you may be lucky to find spectacular birds passing by including the sacred bird Mot Mot.
While cavern diving from Chikin Ha cenote thru the cavern lines, your underwater path brings’ you to the Ta’ak Bil Ha cenote as well, so you have a great opportunity to observe this spectacular cenote both underwater and above the surface.
Ta’ak Bil-Ha means “hidden water” in the Maya LanguageBack