Cenote Chikin Ha

Cenote Chikin Ha

Chikin Ha means “Water from the West” in the Mayan language. In other words, this cenote is located in the upstream section of the Ponderosa system and connects to other cenotes. Therefore, it’s also very popular with certified cave divers or those who are training to become Full Cave Divers.

Chikin Ha is located about 10 kilometers south of Puerto Aventuras and is easily recognizable from Highway 307 by the large sign at its entrance. A 1.5 kilometer road through the jungle leads us to the installations of the park.

Installations:

Cenote Chikin Ha is also a popular snorkel site and, therefore, the installations are very well equipped. Visitors have access to showers, toilets, a small souvenir shop, areas shaded by palapa roofs and there’s also a kitchen where snacks are freshly prepared. Most importantly, a special parking area is designated for use by divers only so that we are closer to the entrance of the cenote. In addition, there are tables and a shaded area
to prepare the equipment.

A short path of about 50 meters leads us to the entrance of the cenote. We have concrete stairs to get in and out of the water or we can enter the water with a giant stride.

There are two guidelines installed and they can be dived either separately, as two dives of about 45 – 60 minutes each, or as one long dive. Both lines start in the open area of Chikin Ha and lead us through a tunnel to Cenote Arcoiris which means “rainbow”. On the way to Cenote Arcoiris, we find ourselves at a depth of about 12 meters. During the dive, we can experience the amazing effect of a halocline where salt and fresh water are separated.

Once we arrive at Cenote Arcoiris, the guidelines lead us almost all the way around theopen water area of the cenote. If you look up on the way, you easily can see how the cenote got its name.