Monday, April 13, 2009

Great Places for Gay Vacations, Yucatan Cenotes and Caves

By Ricardo d Argence

When you are looking for interesting destinations for gay travel, there are a multitude of locations you can select from. For those that enjoy spending time on the beach and enjoying the water, Mexico's rich coasts present many engaging opportunities.

But, there is more than just the ocean if you're looking for water fun in Mexico. Many visitors enjoy the interesting and unique experience of a Yucatan Cenote vacation.

A Cenote is a naturally occurring sinkhole carved out of subterranean caverns. It is part of a vast underground network of rivers and caves, which are located about 60 feet below the earth's surface. These age old caverns are striking and almost mythical in their beauty.

Cenotes were formed in a process that took many thousands of years as caves and caverns collapsed to create sinkholes that become receptacles for water runoff. This provided a source of fresh water for the ancient Maya people in places with limited supplies of fresh water.

These Cenotes were also used for ancient rituals and were once considered the gateway to the spiritual afterlife. As a result, they were properly maintained which enabled them to survive well into the modern era.

Some people may hear words like "subterranean" and "underground" and conjure an image of a dark and foreboding place that's hardly suitable for a vacation. But, the exact opposite is true.

Cenote vacation areas have plenty of incredible adventures to offer. There are thousands of these Cenotes in the Yucatan region, and these caverns are some of the most attractive and unique destinations for the avid world traveler.

There are a number of reasons you should consider a visit to a Yucatan Cenote. The clear waters of the caves are some of the most beautiful to see and experience in all of Mexico.

The waters are placid and free of currents, providing for a wonderful, relaxing experience. Average water temperature is 75 degrees, providing a pleasant environment to take a soak. These conditions are almost unheard of in surface lakes and waters, making a trip to a Cenote an incredibly unique vacation spot.

When it comes to actually visiting a Cenote, it is important to perform a little research first. After all, there are multitudes of them in Yucatan and you want to select the right one for your vacation needs.

When you visit a Cenote, come prepared to enjoy the wonderful sights you'll see on the way. To get to your destination, you'll walk down historic foot paths that are centuries old, and the rock formations that you'll enjoy are millennia old. So, don't rush past them to your destination; instead take some time to soak in the almost surreal, historic sights.

You may also want to consider joining a tour group as a guided tour of the Cenote may prove quite fun, enjoyable, and memorable.

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