Cenote Zaci, Vallavolid, Mexico Stock Photo

Cenote Zaci is located within the small city of Valladolid, which was built on the site the Mayan settlement of Zaci from which the landmark takes its name.Though somewhat more open than some other cenotes and thus a bit less claustrophobic, Cenote Zaci offers a cool, shady respite from the tropical heat, with a sloped passage with stairs carved right out of the natural rock leading down behind stalactites to the water’s surface. The cave is about 150 feet across, and 260 feet deep, much of which is filled with water. Many people, including many locals, join the eyeless black fish that swim in its deep, cold waters, though the proximity to municipal sewer pipes scares off some tourists. Some daring visitors have even been known to dive from a high ledge midway up the side of the cave.n