Exploring Playa del Carmen’s Hidden Cenotes: Mapping and Conservation Efforts Unveiled

More than 100 caves and cenotes, natural sinkholes, have been identified and mapped in Playa del Carmen by the Cenotes Urbanos organization. This organization is primarily focused on the conservation and preservation of these unique features of the local ecosystem.

Mónica Ruiz, a volunteer with the organization, stated that over 300 different groups have contributed to the preservation efforts over the past seven years. The initiative was started by a group of young explorers interested in investigating the numerous underground caves in Playa del Carmen. They were led by Roberto Rojo García, a biologist and the founder of Urban Cenotes, who was also the director of the Sayab planetarium at the time.

The group continues to explore these natural formations on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many of the cenotes are polluted with plastics and chemicals due to human activity. In response, the group has taken on environmental conservation tasks to help protect and preserve these unique ecosystems.

Over the years, the group has made significant discoveries, including some of archaeological importance. Ruiz recently represented Urban Cenotes in a discussion with the civil association Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (Dmas). The conversation focused on the need for legal protection for these cavernous formations.

Dmas is currently working on proposals to local authorities for the development of Risk Atlases and Urban Development Plans. These plans aim to provide objective consideration and citizen participation in the protection of these cavernous formations, in line with the human right to a healthy environment.