Cenote Zací

Cenote Zací (Spanish pronunciation: [seˈnote saˈki]) is a cenote located in the city of Valladolid, Yucatán.[1]

Cenote Zací, January 2017

The name Zací (“White Hawk”) comes from the Mayan settlement that was located there.[1][2] It is where the Capul clan fought against the first conquistadors.[2] Valladolid was later founded in 1543.[3] The cenote was once the city’s water source.[4]

The cenote is in a partially collapsed cavern.[3] The cave is 150 feet across and 260 feet deep.[1] There are some stalactites on the ceiling of the cave.[3] There is a sloped passage with stairs carved from the rock that lead down to the water.[1] It is larger and more open than most other cenotes.[1][3] The flora around the cenote include poplars, ferns, philodendrons, and orchids.[3] The fauna include swallows, bats, catfish, dragonflies, beetles, and snails.[3] The rocks inside the cave have algae and moss on the outside.[3] The water depth is 25 to 30 meters in the shallow areas and 100 meters in the deepest area.[3] Swimming is allowed.[2] However, it is not encouraged since there are no changing rooms.[2] Furthermore, the proximity to sewer pipes discourages some visitors from swimming.[1] Some jump off a ledge into the water.[1] There is an open-air restaurant at the top of the cenote.[2][5] Mayan artifacts can be found at a museum.[5]

Its urban location makes it unique amongst other cenotes.[1] It is located only a few blocks northeast from the main plaza.[1][2] It is on the block formed by Calles 34, 36, 37, and 39.[2]

There is an entrance fee, which was $1.50 USD per adult and $0.75 USD per child in 2019.[6]