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The Temple of Ab Mu Zem Cab, in Tulum, Mexico, is set on a high cliff overlooking the Caribbean. Here was venerated the bee god, Ab Mu Zem Ka, also known as El Dios Decendiente, the descending god. Ab Mu Zem Cab was the god of creation in the Mayan pantheon.
Cenote Naharon
Cenote Dos Ojos
In the Yucatan, all rivers are underground. The cenotes are secluded jungle pools where the underground river systems meet the daylight. These "sink holes " in the limestone are the entrances to the hidden subterranean worlds. Cenotes are the legendary dwelling place of Chac, the rain god, the lord of the waters. Mayan myth also holds that the evil spirit Xtabey dwells by the Cenotes and takes the spirit form of a beautiful woman, to lure men to their deaths. Lest we offer yet another sacrifice to Lord Chac or Xtabey, the untrained would be wise not to consider cave diving.
1) Visit Tulum, the famous Mayan port city. Very striking contrast between the ruins and the deep blue sea. Playa Don Armando, our favorite beach...heh..., is just down the block. Situated in the shadow of the Mayan Ruins, this beach is one of the most famous in this part of Mexico.
2) Dive the Nohoch cave system. Truely an unforgetable experience. The only way to arrange this dive is through the Cedam Dive Shop. Go with Chuck Stevens. Chuck is a cave diving instructor and principal explorer of the system. This is for Certified cave divers only.
3) Dive any of the several other cavern/cave systems in the area with any of these local operations.
(4) Cavern dive or snorkel: Dos Ojos ( Highly recommended by the Scuba Dudes ) with Buddy Quattlebaum at the Dos Ojos Dive Center Openwater divers OK with QUALIFIED guide!!!
(5) Cave dive: Any of the above plus Vaca Ha, Najaron, Toucha Ha, Mayan Blue.
Get a guide and rent specialized equipment, primary lights, etc, through any of the above dive operations . Talk to Gary Walten at Loco Gringo Underground, Buddy Quattlebaum at Dos Ojos or Steve Gerrard at AquaTech. All are veteran cave divers and qualified to take you on these tours.
(6) Take a cave diving or cavern diving course from any of the above. Requires about 1 week to 10 days in Akumal and involves at least 14 cave dives for full cave. E mail these shops to inquire about the time necessary to complete the course and the cost prior to arriving.
(7) Play Golf at Puerto Adventuras ....
(8) Dine and shop in Playa Del Carmen ....
(9) Wind surf, sport fish, snorkel our beautiful reefs or just work on your tan.
Get away from the crowds and come to the AKUMAL area.
Don't forget. If you see any of these people tell them that the SCUBA DUDES say hello. No, make that, tell them the FAMOUS SCUBA DUDES say hello. Yeah famous. We had a public access TV show. It was cool. They probably heard of it.
Openwater divers can safely do guided tours in these caves! With a qualified guide, the CAVERN ZONE, roughly the area in which LIGHT IS VISIBLE FROM THE CAVE ENTRANCE, is accessable to anyone with a C card. Note that cavern diving is sanctioned, as a specialty, by both NAUI and PADI. Guides that meet the minimum qualifications that they are open water divemasters and cave certified as well, have been issued green cards by the regional safety officer. The cards have a picture of the guide. While this is not an endorsement of any particular guide it will help you identify unqualified candidates.
Cave Diving Organizations: