Underwater River in Mexico

These images really make you look twice or three times, and you still wonder what you are seeing. Is that a river underwater? I can tell you: Yes, it is. And it's the Cenote Angelita!

To help you understand what the Cenote Angelita is: A cenote is a limestone sinkhole created by the collapse of a cave ceiling, filled with fresh water. In the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, there are more than 100 cenotes. The total length of all explored underwater cave systems exceeds 480 kilometers. So-called 'day openings,' which become visible through the cave ceiling collapse, provide an opportunity to create an entrance into the cave systems. The underwater river itself is not a real river but an illusion that occurs due to a phenomenon known as halocline or saltwater gradient.

When water with different salinities, in this case saltwater and fresh water, meet, they do not mix due to the different densities. The cave, located 15 kilometers south of Tulum, drops steeply for 60 meters. In the Cenote Angelita, there is fresh water for the first 30 meters, where visibility is clear. Then follows a layer of hydrogen sulfide, approximately 1 to 2 meters thick, which is essentially a sulfur layer. This layer is milky, cloudy, and obstructs the view into the depths. Below is the cenote, still about 30 meters deep, filled with saltwater. So, the supposed underwater river is actually more of a layer of saltwater settling in the cave underwater.

To reach this underwater cave, you need to walk a short distance through the jungle before arriving at the well-hidden cenote, which invites you to extraordinary diving excursions. This cave system, however, is only suitable for experienced divers with at least 20 completed dives, as it descends to 60 meters. If you meet this requirement, you will witness an incredible phenomenon, dive through clouds, and even observe underwater trees with leaves lying at the edge of the 'river.' This makes the illusion perfect! If you are planning a trip to Mexico and are an experienced diver, an expedition to the Cenote Angelita is a must.

But no need to worry, those who cannot dive have the option of dozens of other cenotes in Tulum's vicinity. There you can snorkel with other vacationers or simply sit back and admire this wonderful spectacle of nature while taking vacation photos for friends and family. Here you will find the best hotels, vacation homes, and rentals around Tulum.