Pits, caves, and waterfalls

are hidden beneath the surface

Mexico is the perfect place for all kinds of travelers. No matter if you want to relax or explore, its diversity of ecosystems and environments will have something to offer us to live an incredible journey.In this particular case, we will talk about the orography, which is filled with a lot of mountain systems. Therefore these reliefs shape caves, canyons, and rivers forming unique and mysterious habitats. Next, you will find the deepest formations around Mexico. Prepare to be amazed.

Zacaton Cenote, Tamaulipas

Cenotes or sinkholes are very common in the Yucatan Peninsula, but this is one of the few that are located out of this area. It is also one of the most impressive because it has more than a thousand feet deep plus 65 feet from the rock walls that surround it. The color of the water is dark green and below it gets connected to a natural tunnel that leads to an underground river. It receives its name because of the islet with grass that floats inside of it. “Zacaton” means large meadow. 

Cave of Swallows, San Luis Potosí

Traveling through the mountains of the center of Mexico you can find one of the most fantastic air pit caves in the world. It has 1679 feet deep with a 1234 freefall. It owes its name because to the many birds that live and fly all around the cave. These are mostly green parakeets and white-collared swifts which wrongly people thought were swallows, however, the name remains.

Cheve cave System, Oaxaca

Very close to Oaxaca city exists one of the deepest caves on the planet. Cheve consists of a cave network with an explored length of 16 miles. While it reaches a depth of 4,868 feet. With underground waterfalls and rivers, it became a tough challenge for all the speleologists in charge of the explorations. Despite its complexity, ceremonial items dating back 700 years have been found.

Huautla cave System, Oaxaca

This is another colossal cave system located in the Mazatlecan mountains in Oaxaca. It is considered the biggest in America. You can find 17 entrances and 6 dome caves. Scientists affirm that there’s a lot of room for future expeditions and findings. However, due to flood caverns of difficult access, this may take many years.

Purificación System, Tamaulipas

Between the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon in the north of Mexico is located a mountain chain. Its rivers running down the mountain also create caves and underground paths. Inside this system of 56 miles, you will find canyons, undergrounds lakes, and caves. Its maximum depth reaches 3140 feet.

Sotano de Barro, Querétaro

This peculiar formation located at the Sierra Gorda mountains of Querétaro has a depth of 1493 feet and 656 feet wide. This kind of abyss was born when the roof collapsed due to the calcareous rock that forms the ground of the region. They are also known as simas or chasms, and this is the second biggest in the world. Simas is common in the Huasteca zone of Mexico. Surrounded by the forest its cliffs are home to a large population of green macaws

Ik Kil Cenote, Yucatán

In the middle of the jungle, just half an hour away from the emblematic Mayan city of Chichen Itza, you can arrive at one of the most spectacular sinkholes or cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its waters have 131 feet depth, but you also have to descend another 90 from the ground level. Ik Kil in the Mayan language means “place of the winds.” It is surrounded by nature which makes it a perfect place to explore, enjoy and also swim.

If you want to know more about cenotes, keep reading: The best 10 cenotes for cliff jumping in Mexico

Mexico is filled with unusual and mysterious places to discover. Can you imagine how it is to descend to these caves, underground halls, and rivers? Some of these places have restricted areas because of their nature and location. Only professional climbers with certified equipment can explore the deepest part of these abysses.

Which one looks like the most exciting place to you?