Tulum's Treasures: The Cenote Experience at Bula
Bula Tulum, the first Kava and Kratom bar in Mexico, can be found in the Yucatan Peninsula, renowned for its historical and environmental wonders. This includes the Maya city of Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But what lies beneath the surface is just as breathtaking...
Home to one of the largest underwater river systems ever discovered, it is believed the Yucatan Peninsula has over 6,000 cenotes. Two ‘open’ cenotes can be enjoyed right here at Bula Tulum, and with no charge, so you can relish in the full Bula experience. Read on to learn why our magical cenotes draw in so many visitors.
What is a cenote?
Cenotes are natural sinkholes formed through thousands of years of surface limestone erosion by single droplets of water at a time. This perforation allowed rain water to trickle through, forming bodies of water and eventually a cave or a ‘well’ (according to the Yuacarec Mayan word for cenote - dzonot). Thousands of 'wells' in the Yucatan Peninsula have formed a mostly undiscovered world of river networks right under our feet.
Cenotes now provide natural swimming holes throughout Tulum, a popular activity amongst keen cenote swimmers.
The ‘sacred cenote’
The Yucatan Peninsula is renowned for the land's ancestors, the ancient Maya, a highly advanced Mesoamerican civilisation with sophisticated human settlements, including Chichen Itza and Uxmal. What is interesting is that cenotes provided crucial access to freshwater year-round and thus sustained this civilisation's needs.
But cenotes were also understood as ‘sacred wells’ with powerful properties, understood to be home to the God of Rain, Chaac, and a gateway to the fearsome underworld of Xibalba. Human sacrifices - along with valuable items such as gold, jade and pottery - were thought to be offered to the cenotes in ritualistic ceremonies.
The cenote experience
Today, cenotes aren't used for such rituals. But they do provide awesome aquatic experiences for resident explorers and tourists. Cenotes are perfect for taking a dip to cool off from the Mexican sun or for snorkelling to discover freshwater marine life. Cenotes are also perfect for plunging into after a session temazcal - a traditional Mexican sweat lodge. At Bula Tulum, we have our own temazcal for our Kava and Kratom lovers - but more on that next time on the blog! Our ‘open’ cenotes at Bula Tulum are also a stunning view to behold from dryland if you'd rather stay dry.
So whether you want to dive in or have a peak from the ground, come and enjoy the cenote experience at Bula Tulum, a perfect pairing with one of our special Kava teas or Kratom extract cocktails. To find out about the effects of our plant-based remedies, check out our informative Look Book.
