Cenote Suytun, courtesy traveltomtom.net

Since there are thousands of cenotes in the Riviera Maya and I’m really into cenotes right now, I’ve decided to showcase one every Sunday–thus the “cenote Sunday” in the title.  (Don’t forget to check out my suite reviews every Friday).

If you ever look at Mexico/Yucatan/Riviera Maya pics on Instagram you have most likely run across the stunning photos of a cenote called Suytun–Suytun has basically become famous because of Instagram.  This cenote’s claim to fame is the beam of sunlight which shines into the cenote from a hole in the ceiling during certain times of the day; the light just happens to shine onto/near a platform on which visitors stand to get their picture taken as they are highlighted by this beam of light.  As it turns out, it’s trickier to get the Instagramable shot than it appears.  If you want a great pic, here’s what to keep in mind:

• sunlight coming in is strongest during 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• get there early to stand in line–tour stops will give you plenty of competition for a place in line.
• best shots require smoke or dust in the air–since you cannot create smoke inside the cenote, you must hope that a locally performing Mayan group or visitors trekking through the cenote have kicked up enough dust to enhance the beam of sunlight in your shot.
• make sure your camera is good at taking low light shots.

Suytun is about a 10-min. drive from Valladolid which is a city on the way to/from Chichen Itza.  It’s one of the most shallow of the cenotes in this area with depths of just  3-16 feet.  It’s swimmable, and life jackets are mandatory if you are planning on entering the water.  No platform jumping is permitted.

If you want to read more on the amenities available here, click on this link.  Otherwise, take a couple of moments to enjoy the video below.

Would you stop here and see this cenote?  What did you think about it if you already have seen it?