Ik Kil facts for kids
Ik Kil is a beautiful natural pool, also known as a cenote. It is located near the town of Pisté in Yucatán, Mexico. This amazing spot is found in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is part of the Ik Kil Archeological Park, which is close to the famous Chichen Itza ruins. Ik Kil is a popular place where people can go swimming.
What is a Cenote?
A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole. It is formed when a cave ceiling collapses, revealing underground water. Cenotes are common in the Yucatán Peninsula. They are often filled with clear, cool water.
Exploring Ik Kil
The Ik Kil cenote is open to the sky. Its water level is about 26 meters (85 feet) below the ground. The cenote is quite large, about 60 meters (197 feet) wide. It is also very deep, reaching about 48 meters (157 feet) down. To reach the water, visitors walk down a carved stone stairway. This path leads to a special swimming platform.
History and Importance
Cenote Ik Kil is very close to the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza. It is located on the highway that goes to Valladolid. The ancient Maya people thought Ik Kil was a very special and holy place. They used it for important ceremonies. Archaeologists have found old bones and jewelry in the water. These items give us clues about the Maya's past.
Fun at Ik Kil
Today, Ik Kil is a popular tourist spot. It has a restaurant and a hotel nearby. This makes it easy for visitors to enjoy their time there. Ik Kil has also been a special location for sports events. It hosted the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2010, 2011, and 2014. Divers jumped from high platforms into the cenote's waters.
