Belize's Cenotes: A Natural Wonder

Belize is a country in Central America, south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. It is known for its lush jungle, incredible wealth of flora and fauna, and its extensive cave systems. The country is also home to a number of cenotes, which are natural sinkholes that form when the roof of a cavern collapses. Cenotes in Belize include the Great Blue Hole, an underwater cenote off the coast of Belize, and the San Antonio Rio Hondo Village in the Orange Walk District.

The Great Blue Hole, an underwater cenote off the coast of Belize

The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize, near the centre of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70km from the mainland. It is a fascinating geological phenomenon, a circular hole 318 metres across and 124 metres deep, encircled by a giant ring of coral. This natural curiosity is made even more impressive by its perfectly round shape, which has earned it the nickname "the world's eye".

The Great Blue Hole is an underwater cenote, a term derived from the Mayan word for "sacred pit". These cenotes date back to the ice age when the sea level was much lower. The depth of the Great Blue Hole, however, remains a mystery to the scientific community as it does not correspond to what we know about sea levels during that time. The ocean in that region of the world was never that low, so it is believed that it may have been formed in a different way. This mystery has made the Great Blue Hole a popular destination for divers seeking thrills and a sense of the gigantic.

The site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso, to the hole to chart its depths. Investigations by this expedition confirmed the hole's origin as typical karst limestone formations formed before rises in sea level, leaving ledges at various depths. The Great Blue Hole is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and continues to captivate divers and nature enthusiasts alike with its awe-inspiring structures and crystal-clear waters.

Dive excursions to the Great Blue Hole usually consist of one dive in the Blue Hole and two additional dives in nearby reefs. Diving in the caves typically involves descending to a depth of 135 feet, which is considered an advanced dive. However, despite its technical nature, thousands of divers with varying levels of experience have successfully undertaken this dive.

San Antonio Rio Hondo Village in the Orange Walk District

Belize is home to a plethora of caves and cenotes, including the Great Blue Hole, an underwater cenote considered one of the best scuba diving sites in the world. The country's extensive network of caves and cenotes has formed over millions of years, with water eroding away at the limestone rock and creating these unique geological features.

One such place with cenotes is San Antonio Rio Hondo Village, a small village located in the Orange Walk District of Belize, along the banks of the northernmost river, Rio Hondo. With around 500 inhabitants, San Antonio Rio Hondo is one of the few populated areas on Albion Island, known for its Maya wetlands agriculture and the evidence of the Chicxulub Crater, created by a meteorite or comet 65 million years ago.

The village is rich in geographical features and history, with strong ties to the Mestizo and Maya cultures. The cenotes in San Antonio Rio Hondo are natural sinkholes that formed when the roof of a cavern collapsed. The Ancient Maya believed that these sinkholes were entrances to the underworld, where the rain god Chaak resided.

One resident of San Antonio Rio Hondo, Kevin Abimael Mendez, described the mystical experience of diving into these cenotes, with cobalt blue waters creating a mysterious atmosphere. There are four cenotes in San Antonio Rio Hondo, and divers can explore up to 120 feet below the surface before the water becomes too acidic.

San Antonio Rio Hondo remains an undeveloped village, offering visitors a quiet escape from tourist attractions and a chance to experience authentic village life. While there are no hotels, some residents rent out cabins to travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure and a unique connection to the enigmatic Mayan civilisation.

Sharks Cave between South Water Caye and Tobacco Caye

Belize is home to the Tobacco Caye, a tiny island measuring just 5 acres in size, located within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. It is easily traversable on foot in 10 minutes or less and is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. The first European settlers in the area used the island to grow tobacco, hence its name. Today, Tobacco Caye is a tropical island paradise with no roads, cars, or vehicular traffic. It is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers due to its crystal clear waters and rich marine life.

Just a short distance from Tobacco Caye is the Shark Hole, a tiny sinkhole located inside the Main Barrier Reef, about 30 feet underwater. The Shark Hole was formed when part of the roof of a huge domed cave caved in, creating an opening at the top. This sinkhole is named after the sharks that are sometimes found circling the sand mount in the middle of the cave.

The Shark Hole is located about 38 miles from Placencia and can be accessed by boat. It is a popular spot for diving and snorkelling tours. As you enter the hole, it opens up into a domed chamber about 150 feet across. The top of the sandhill in the centre is about 100 feet deep and gradually drops down to the edge of the hole, which is about 130 feet deep.

Various species of sharks can be found circling the sandhill, including Bull Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Lemon Sharks, and Reef Sharks. These sharks typically swim away from divers but sometimes swim deeper into the cave, out of the divers' reach. In addition to sharks, the Shark Hole is also home to large schools of permit and tarpon, as well as other fish species.

The Shark Hole dive trip includes three dives. The first dive of the day is at the Shark Hole, while the second and third dives are done at the nearby pristine reef in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. This dive trip is for intermediate to advanced divers and requires divers to be Open Water Certified from a reputable SCUBA association. All the necessary diving and snorkelling gear is provided, but it is recommended that divers bring their own mask, fins, and snorkel for a better fit and comfort.

The Blue Hole National Park, home to St. Hermans Cave and the Crystalline Cave

Belize is home to the Great Blue Hole, an underwater cenote in the Caribbean Sea. This fascinating geological phenomenon is one of the deepest submarine sinkholes in the world, obscured by 124 metres of water. The country also has the most spectacular caving system in the world, with over eight amazing caves to explore.

One of these is the Blue Hole National Park, home to St. Hermans Cave and the Crystalline Cave (also known as Crystal Cave). The park is a protected area of over 500 acres, located 12 miles southeast of Belize's capital, Belmopan, in the Cayo District. It was established in 1986 and is managed by the Belize Audubon Society. The park boasts two of the most impressive cave systems in the world, as well as various natural trails and a jungle pool.

St. Hermans Cave is an enormous underground structure that was used by the Maya for centuries. Visitors can enter the cave without a guide for around 200 yards before needing assistance to go further. The cave features stunning formations, a stream, and the opportunity to float back to the entrance using an inner tube. This cave is connected by an underground stream to the Blue Hole, a magnificent sinkhole that is almost perfectly round with a diameter of 100 meters and a depth of 8 meters.

The Crystalline Cave is a spectacular cave system that requires a trained guide to explore. Visitors will descend miles down to huge caverns adorned with crystalline formations and ancient Maya artefacts, including pottery, beads, obsidian knives, and human skeletons. The Ancient Maya believed this cave was a sacred site and a nexus to the world of the gods.

Cenotes as portals to Xibalba, the underworld, in Mayan mythology

Cenotes, or sacred sinkholes, were believed by the ancient Maya to be portals to Xibalba, the underworld. The Yucatan Peninsula, where the Maya lived, has no natural above-ground rivers and few lakes. Instead, it has a massive network of subterranean caves and underground rivers. These caves were formed by meteor strikes and the erosion of limestone over time.

The ancient Maya relied on cenotes as a source of groundwater, and they became places of worship. Cenotes were believed to be the entrance to an underwater labyrinth of rivers, and the underworld was entered through a cave on the Earth's surface, the first of nine underworld levels. The Maya believed that Xibalba was ruled by 12 death gods, or Lords of Xibalba, who subjected the dead to horrific trials. The Maya believed that the dead had to overcome many deadly tests and traps set by the gods, and they were often buried with weapons and tools to help them.

Cenotes were also believed to be the place where Kukulkan, the Maya feathered serpent deity, grew up. The Maya built the Pyramid of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, above a giant cenote. Twice a year, the sun shines on the temple so that the steps form the shadow of a giant snake, representing Kukulkan descending from the heavens and into the Earth.

In addition to their spiritual significance, cenotes were also important practically. The ancient Maya relied on them as a source of fresh water, and all the great Maya cities were situated next to them. Archaeologists have found evidence of offerings to the Maya rain god, Chaak, at a cenote in Cara Blanca, Belize, suggesting that the Maya also worshipped these sacred pools.

Cenotes continue to hold cultural significance today. While locals may be wary of entering cenotes due to their spiritual importance, tourists now brave the clear, refreshing pools to explore the secret passages and caves that were once the domain of the Maya underworld.

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