I made the arrangements for a tour online a few weeks prior based on the great reviews on Trip Advisor and the location of the cenote. Interestingly enough...right after I made the reservations, I saw an HGTV episode (Beachfront Bargain Hunters) where a couple visited Santa Cruz!
Our instructions were to be at the Cervefrio convenience store at the end of the main road in Akumal Pueblo at 9:00 am. Akumal Playa is just a short walk down the beach from the resort, but Akumal Pueblo is on the other side of highway 307 and requires crossing over the pedestrian bridge.
Using Google Maps, I had calculated that our meeting place for the tour was about one mile from the resort...certainly a walkable distance...in good weather. Just in case of rain, I had inquired at the resort about the cost of a taxi and found it was 150 pesos each way (around $10 US.)
I had hoped for a cloudy (and hence cooler) morning, but by the time we finished breakfast and started walking, the sun was shining bright. The walk to our meeting place took about a half hour and gave us a chance to see the pueblo for the first time. The little town was bustling with activity first thing in the morning, including various shops getting grills ready to prepare food and lots of stray dogs wandering the streets. Had I not been close to my melting point from the heat and humidity, I would have enjoyed the walk even more. At the time, my primary goal was to get to the end of the street as quickly as possible and find a spot in the shade to wait for our tour.
At exactly 9:00 a car pulled up driven by our guide, Viktor. Inside were another guy and gal whom we assumed were taking the tour as well. Turns out the gal was just a friend of Viktor's coming along and the guy, Charlie, was a photographer who would be taking pictures during the tour.
To reach the cenote, Viktor drove down a VERY rough, gravel road for a couple of miles. Once we reached our destination we were able to use the restroom (very primitive) and then put on life jackets. (We had worn our swimsuits under our clothing and had water shoes.) Viktor also gave us waterproof flashlights. He said it was OK if I wanted to take my waterproof camera, but that I wouldn't be able to take any flash photos.
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The caretaker of the property had a gizmo that contained burning leaves. A bellow was attached so that he could blow smoke and he followed us down the path trying to smoke out the bugs. It helped a little, but basically we were still being swarmed. Bob was intrigued by the contraption so took several photos. (We since learned that he was using a bee keeper's smoker.)
We stopped to look at a round rock that Viktor thought perhaps a meteorite and then a weird shaped tree. Depending on how you looked at the tree, it resembled different animals. (I see a giraffe...how about you?)
Fortunately it was just a short distance to where we would enter the cenote. This required holding a rope while climbing down a wooden ladder through a hole in the ground.
Once below ground, we were in a rather large (dry) room full of stalactites, stalagmites, and roots reaching down through the earth above. (And unfortunately...still a few mosquitoes.) Viktor spent quite a long time explaining the history and geology of cenotes which was quite interesting.
As we were looking around, Bob spotted an interesting spider.
From this room, we began our trek through the cave. We walked through water that ranged from ankle deep to waist deep and eventually a spot that was over our heads and required swimming.
The water was extremely cold and shocking when you first went in. Viktor wore a wet suit and Bob was wishing he had brought his as well. Viktor's friend, Melissa, accompanied us along with Charlie, the photographer.
All I could think of in the cenote was "I can't believe I'm doing this!" I have been in tourist caves before that were lighted and had paved paths. Well, there was nothing artificial or man made here! At one point we turned off our flashlights and experienced the total darkness. Bob was a little more at home in the cave. He is an experienced spelunker and actually does cave survey work for the state of Minnesota.
In some areas, the passageways required stooping down to get through tight spaces. I struggle with claustrophobia, but I was so awestruck it didn't even bother me!
Throughout the cenote, the water was crystal clear and small black catfish were visible in the beam of our flashlights.
Our walk through the cenote led us to an area of deep water where the roof of the cenote had collapsed and was open above. Viktor called this his "office".
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There was a small set of steps where you could climb up and swing on a rope.
Viktor crawled down these steps and remained submerged upside down for what seemed like a long time...exhaling rings of air!
A late lunch was in order once we got back and lucky us...tamales wrapped in banana leaves were on the menu in the buffet. Afternoon naps were in order and by the time we went to the beach in the late afternoon, the crowds were beginning to thin and we were able to find an open palapa.
From our lounge chairs we watched a couple of turtles repeatedly popping up their heads fairly near the shore. It was fun to try and guess just where...and when they would appear. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my noodle back in the room, so when we did go into the water, I wasn't able to float. As I was standing in waist deep water, I put my foot down on something...and then it moved. I looked down and saw a small ray scurry off. Oh. My. Goodness. Luckily I didn't get stung, but it did really freak me out.
An interesting thing happened that afternoon on the beach. A lady whom I would guess to be in her 60's was sunbathing topless. She must have been looking for a prime spot in the sun, and ended up pulling her lounge chair across the beach and set it up RIGHT IN FRONT of Bob. But the weird thing was that she didn't have it facing the water like everyone else, she set it up sideways so Bob was left looking right at her! Hmmmm.
There was a nice breeze blowing off the water, so Bob decided that we should eat at Rodizio, the Brazilian restaurant right on the beach. The restaurant was built on one end of the former snack bar eating area. It was not air conditioned, but with the breeze it was more than comfortable.
After getting cleaned up back at our room, we walked to the restaurant. The meal started with a trip to the salad bar (which wasn't near as extensive as the one in the buffet) and then waiters with skewers of different meats...and grilled pineapple...came by the table.
Our late lunch meant neither of us were particularly hungry so we left without having any dessert. That gave Bob a good excuse to stop in the buffet later to get a lemon ice cream cone. (He really did LOVE that ice cream!)
A little hot tub time on our balcony and then we called it a night. Tomorrow...somebody has a birthday!
