Ik Kil

The cenote at Ik Kil

Ik Kil is a cenote outside Pisté in the Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán, Mexico. It is located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula and is part of the Ik Kil Archeological Park near Chichen Itza. It is open to the public for swimming and is often included in bus tours.

Description

Looking down into the cenote

The cenote is open to the sky with the water level about 26 metres (85 ft) below ground level. There is a carved stairway down to a swimming platform. The cenote is about 60 metres (200 ft) in diameter and about 40 metres (130 ft) deep.[1]

There are vines which reach from the opening all the way down to the water along with small waterfalls. There are black catfish which swim in the cenote. Cenote Ik Kil is sacred to the Mayans and the Mayans used this cenote for both relaxation and ritual services.

Ik Kil is near the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, on the highway to Valladolid. Ik Kil was considered sacred by the Mayans who used the site as a location for human sacrifice to their rain god, Chaac. Bones and pieces of jewelry were found in the deep waters of this cenote by archaeologists and speleologists.[2]

A complex that includes a restaurant, store, changing rooms, and cottages for rent.

Red Bull Diving competition

Ik Kil was a spot on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2010, 2011 and 2014.[3][4] [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Cenotes, Underwater Sinkholes". Yucatan Today. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "Cenote Ik-Kil". Cenotes of Mexico. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Leap of faith: Cliff divers launch themselves 90ft the sacred waters of a Mexican sinkhole". 7 June 2010. London: Daily Mail. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "Red Bull Cliff Diving, Cenote Ik Kil". 12 April 2011. Behind Magazine. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  5. ↑ October 2014 "Diving Into Deepest Mexico" Check |url= value (help). Red Bull Cliff Diving. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
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