Sac Actun
The city of Tulum is home to one of the largest cave systems in the world, Sak-Actun, second only in size to the Mammoth Cave. In total, the total length of the passages reaches 317 km, of which only 6 km is not flooded with water. The cave network was discovered in 1987 and since then researchers have been adding new sites to Sak-Actun. In 2007, the Nakhoch Nakh Chich cave system was connected to Sak-Actun, in 2011 Actun Hu was added, and in 2012 Dos Ozhos.
For the local Maya tribes, caves are ritual in nature, and, as a rule, a settlement was built near each cenote. They believed that the underground waters contained an underground kingdom of the dead called Xibalba. The souls of the dead enter Xibalba and it is impossible to return from there. A rather interesting case is connected with the discovery of caves, which contributed to the popularity of the underground river.
Several Mayan Indians went hunting, returning to the village in the evening, it turned out that one hunter was missing. It turned out that an Indian named Manu had fallen through the ground, surrounded by water and semi-darkness. Manu realized that he was in the afterlife of Xibalba, but nevertheless, he did not lose hope of getting out. He wandered through limestone caves for several days and began to hear, as it seemed to him, the voices of the dead, making him afraid, but soon luck smiled on him and he saw a saving light in the distance. When he returned home, he gathered his friends and went back to the cave into which he had fallen. Descending on ropes, they saw the stunning beauty of limestone caves: unusual shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, shimmering in the reflection of the water. After some time, Manu rented a plot at the entrance and installed lighting in it, connecting it to a generator. In 2012, the cave was opened to all comers.
It is possible to appreciate the beauty of caves only by going underground. To do this, local guides organize underwater tours, during which you can enjoy the unusual limestone formations. Shrimp, catfish, crayfish, fish, and bats are sometimes found in the cave.
