Imagine, you’re far from home in Tulum, Mexico, staring down into a deep, dark hole in the ground. It’s filled with water so dark you can’t see to the bottom. The only way in is a handmade ladder that goes straight into the water, and it’s perfectly reflected in the placid water so you can’t see where the ladder ends and the pool begins.
You take a deep breath and go down the ladder into one of the most ancient swimming holes on Earth. Finally, you’re in.
You let go of the old, worn-out wood and let your arms float back and away from your head, then stretch out completely, reaching for the stones that border your private swimming pool.
And finally, after a quarter of endless work, you just let go and let yourself exist.
That is the magic of a cenote.
What is a cenote?
Simply put, a cenote is a natural sinkhole filled with fresh water. Imagine a simple opening in the ground from a distance. A peak over the edge reveals a ring of boulders, hanging vines, and an eerie silence surrounding a deep, pitch-black body of water.
The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico has thousands of these little spots, many of which are now major tourist attractions. The stories about these ancient places date back to the Mayans who, as one local told this writer, sacrificed beautiful virgins to the gods by tying rocks to their bodies and sending them down to the depths.
While that may or may not be true, it is a fact that these unique formations make for an incredible adventure. Locals manage these spaces and keep them clean and safe for visitors. Cenotes tend to appear near one another, so some areas offer full-day cenote tours so you can see and swim in several before dinner.
Perhaps the most interesting part of a cenote is how it affects our mental state. These small, natural wonders are like nothing else and can help you and your team shift your perspective on your next group trip.
Cenotes and team building
One of the best things you can do for a company is to take everyone out into nature together. No screens, no assignments, just a chance for everyone to get away from it all.
Add in some Mayan-inspired adventure and you have a real treat in store for everyone involved.
When we go out into nature as a group, several things happen. First, everyone gets a shared experience with something new. There’s nothing like watching your boss descend into obsidian water via a homemade ladder. Except maybe doing it yourself.
A chance to swim in a gorgeous place together gives your group an opportunity to let their guard down and be more authentic with one another. Time outside also helps everyone build their attention span, something we all need more of in this time of constant distraction.
Even more reasons to do this
But nothing beats the opportunity to build creativity across departments. And an outdoor adventure together is one of the best ways to help everyone around you be more creative both during and long after your visit.
Remember, cenotes represent something. They challenge us to get uncomfortable for a moment, to go outside in our swimsuits and look for holes in the ground, then go through the opening and see what’s inside. To lower ourselves into the unknown and stay there for a while. Paddle around and enjoy it.
As a fan of cenotes myself, I never miss an opportunity to jump in a shared cab and explore a new set of these unique features on the Mexican coast. And every time I do, I see the same thing in my fellow visitors. First, a moment of hesitation. Questions were thrown out to the people already swimming, “Is it cold? How deep is it? Any rocks in the water?” Then the slow, careful descent down into the dark, and finally that bone-deep release.
Maritur DMC can get you there
Our team is based right in Cancun and we offer adventures in the most beautiful locations on Mexico’s east coast and beyond. Want to take your team, new clients, or plan an exclusive getaway for your top performers to Cancun, Tulum, or Merida? Contact us here and let us know how we can help.
Let us create a bespoke adventure for you and your guests. Visit the local cenotes together and create memories that last long after you say goodbye.
Contact us here to get started.
