Celebrating World Tourism Day with Breathtaking Cenotes
Today, September 27, we’re celebrating World Tourism Day. For 2013, there’s a focus on Tourism and Water, exploring how we can contribute to a sustainable water future. Since all of our resorts are located in stunning beach destinations, the Tourism and Water theme is especially close to our hearts at Sandos Hotels and Resorts.
One resort in particular has an especially unique water source: the cenotes of Sandos Caracol Eco Experience Resort.
Even though you can’t see it, a maze of underground rivers flows beneath the jungles of the Riviera Maya. Thousands of miles of crystal clear water rushes through tunnels and caves, making its way from the heart of Mayan territory all the way out to the Caribbean Sea. Over the centuries, time wears away at the limestone ground, opening up the underground rivers and creating sparkling natural pools known as “cenotes”. Meaning “cavern of water” in the Mayan language, cenotes can be found throughout the Riviera Maya, some completely open and others located within deep caves.
At Sandos Caracol Eco Experience Resort, we have 7 cenotes in our lush jungles, each with its own unique natural beauty.
Couples staying at the resort can spend a quiet afternoon with a romantic boat ride through our river cenote, flowing through our beautiful mangrove forests.
Surrounded by rock walls, one of our smaller cenotes is used to cool off after a meditation session in the Mayan temazcal hut.
Cenote Cristalino is our largest cenote, situated next to the open-air lobby bar. During the day, it’s an unbelievable place to swim and snorkel in case you want a unique change of pace from the beaches and pools.
One night a week, Cenote Cristalino is lit up after the sun goes down as guests gather around the cenote to watch our Mayan show: the Offering to Chaac, featuring Mayan legends, captivating dances and elaborate costumes.
The Riviera Maya boasts unbeatable natural beauty with its bright Caribbean waters and sparkling cenotes to celebrate this year’s World Tourism Day: Tourism and Water, and we love showing it all off at Sandos Caracol Eco Experience Resort!