Chichén Itzá, Yucatán — A dog was rescued from the Sacred Cenote at the Chichén Itzá archaeological site after spending several hours in the water, according to footage shared on TikTok.
The video, posted by user Sandy Tec, shows people inside the cenote searching for and pulling the animal to safety. The dog’s cries alerted workers at the site, who coordinated the rescue.
With authorization from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), personnel entered the restricted area to retrieve the dog. The animal was eventually brought out safe and sound, ending a tense scene for visitors.
Although the rescue may raise questions, swimming in the Sacred Cenote is not permitted. INAH restricts access to the site, which was used for ancient Maya ceremonies and offerings. Officials emphasized that the rescue was an extraordinary case and does not mean visitors can enter the water.
Visitors looking to swim in a cenote during a trip to Chichén Itzá can find other bodies of water outside the archaeological zone that are open to the public.
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