Monday, September 14, 2009

Great Places for Gay Vacations, Yucatan Cenotes and Caves

By Ricardo d Argence

If you are scouting new and interesting places for gay travel, there are all kinds of wonderful options available. If you enjoy the oceans and soaking up the sun on sandy beaches, the rich Mexican coasts provide a number of captivating opportunities.

However, there is much more to water fun to be found in Mexico than what is on its coast. For many, visitors enjoy visiting the unique and fun sights and sounds of a Cenote vacation in the Yucatan region.

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 created over several thousands of years as the intricate caverns and caves collapsed into one another. The sinkholes left behind captured water runoff, and provided an important water source for the ancient Mayans in areas where fresh water was scarce.

In antiquity, Cenotes played an important role surrounding spiritual rituals and the afterlife. They were considered the gateway to life after death, and were fastidiously maintained, allowing them to survive nearly unscathed in modern times.

Some travelers might be a bit put off by descriptions like "underground" and "subterranean," conjuring a mental image of a dark and frightening environment that is hardly suitable for an enjoyable vacation. But this couldn't be further from the truth.

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.

Before you head off to a Yucatan Cenote, a little research is in order. Remember that there are many Cenotes in the region, and you'll want to choose the right destination for your vacation needs.

Make sure to prepare yourself ahead of time for the visit, since you'll descend down spiraling walkways to get to the Cenote. Some of these walkways are centuries old, and the rock formations commonly seen in the caves are millennia old. Take the time to savor these historical sights as you head toward your destination.

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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