Ek Balam Cenote Maya

Ek Balam Cenote Maya  is one of the many tourist attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula. A visit which will give very good, lasting impression.

2. For most, getting to the cenote is very difficult. The minibus driver turned off the road in a place where no roads were visible. Then, following the dirt road leaving behind traditional Mayan villages, we were brought  to this place in the vast Mexican jungle.

3. This is the mysterious entrance to the cenote.

4. Classifying this cenote by using the report about the underground lake Ik Kil , this is a relatively young cenote.

5. Through this large opening, a spiral staircase cascades to the water.

6. Two more holes. The one is used to rappel down on the ropes, like a climber.

7. In any case, the amount of light that enters the cenote is very little.

8. This shade is not very good for swimming as it causes frigid water, but perfectly suited to the main advantage of this underground lake

9.  ,the stalactites.

10. They covered the entire body.

11. Here are some pictures of stalactites

12. Interestingly, while inviting tourists here, Mexicans talk about abseiling, swimming, but almost no emphasis on the presence of beautiful stalactites.

13. Maybe the times are such that fans of stalactites and far less than the fans of swimming.

14. In any case, the stalactites here cover nearly the entire cave.

15. Lighting, and this is the main attribute of the caves where a stalactite show is missing. Only in a few places, it illuminates the cavern wall. 

16. But it is a wonderful place. The cenote opening to the public (I think it happened not so long ago), is very fortunate.

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19. Now for the fish in the underground lakes. Being in the Cenote Ik Kil surprised me that the fish were not very afraid of people and float peacefully side by side. Therefore, we planed to visit another cenote. I brought a camera for underwater shooting, specifically for underwater photography of its inhabitants. But things do not go as you plan. Fish in the underground lake were very shy. Attempts to photograph here were futile. This photo has everything  that could be photographed.

20. In the cenote, underpasses are hacked through. As the digging was not done so long ago, in this photo you can see the limestone rock. That's the rock from which the entire Yucatan peninsula is made of.

P.S. Why is it called the Cenote Ek Balam? I do not understand. It has nothing to do with the Mayan city of Ek Balam and is far from it. In addition, near there is another cenote. It is "mature", the ceiling there completely fails, but it is used for bathing. Ek Balam is a promoted brand and under, it is easier to entice tourists. But still, some order has to be.