Cenotes de Candelaria: Guatemala's Hidden Aquatic Wonders

The Cenotes de Candelaria are a pair of captivating sinkholes located in the municipality of Nentón, in the department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. These natural wonders are formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, revealing underground rivers and water reservoirs. Over time, the water dissolves the soluble limestone rock, creating vast caverns that eventually give way to these stunning, water-filled sinkholes. Cenote de Candelaria 1, the first cenote, is smaller and shallower, reaching a depth of approximately 42 feet (13 meters) at its deepest point. Steep trails lead down to the sinkhole, where enormous boulders provide an ideal spot for a picnic lunch. Visitors can take a refreshing dip, snorkel to observe cichlid fish and submerged roots, or simply admire the otherworldly landscape. Cenote de Candelaria 2 is larger and deeper, with a depth of at least 165 feet (50 meters). The color and clarity of its water can vary with the seasons and weather. Two wooden stairways descend to the water's edge, one featuring a floating dock. An underwater rock ledge offers a place to partially immerse oneself without fully swimming. The journey to the Cenotes de Candelaria is an adventure in itself, with the road winding through the Cuchumatanes Mountain Range and past rugged prairies. Along the way, you can observe the Río Lagartero and experience the transition to a drier climate beyond Nentón.