Hoyo El Cimarrón: Guatemala's Astonishing Sinkhole

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Discover Hoyo El Cimarrón: Awe-inspiring natural wonder in Guatemala with a massive sinkhole and unique rainforest ecosystem.

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Hoyo El Cimarrón

Hoyo El Cimarrón is a massive sinkhole, or tiankeng, located near the border of Mexico in the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala. This natural wonder features nearly vertical limestone walls and a rainforest floor 200 meters (656 feet) below the surface.

A brief summary to Hoyo El Cimarrón

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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Hoyo El Cimarrón.

Be cautious when approaching the edge, as it can be very windy.
Combine your visit with nearby attractions like Laguna Brava or Cenotes de Candelaria for a fuller experience.
Wear comfortable shoes for the walk to the sinkhole.

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Getting There

Driving

From Finca La Trinidad, drive west on Franja Transversal del Norte towards Gracias a Dios on the Mexican border. The parking lot for Hoyo El Cimarrón is located at kilometer 399. Pay the parking and entrance fee to the site caretakers. If no one is present, call the number posted on the parking lot sign. Parking and entrance fees apply.
Public Transport

From Guatemala City, take a Transportes Cristobal Colón bus to La Mesilla. Get off in Camojá and find a local bus to Nentón. In Nentón, take a bus to Aldea la Trinidad, then another towards Gracias a Dios. Get off at the Hoyo del Cimarrón parking lot at kilometer 399. Expect to pay approximately Q370 from Guatemala City to Camojá, Q15-20 for each subsequent bus.

Discover more about Hoyo El Cimarrón

Hoyo El Cimarrón, also known as Cenote del Cimarrón (though technically not a cenote), is a breathtaking geological formation in the municipality of Nentón, near Guatemala's border with Mexico. The term 'tiankeng' appropriately describes this natural wonder, a Chinese word for a pit in the earth with a diameter and depth exceeding 100 meters. The sinkhole is almost perfectly circular, with a diameter of approximately 170 meters (557 feet) at its widest point and a depth of 200 meters (656 feet). Imagine a 60-story skyscraper fitting inside to grasp its scale. The walls are sheer limestone cliffs, and the bottom is covered in a dense rainforest, creating a unique ecosystem. While the site has not been extensively studied scientifically, it offers a stunning visual and adventurous experience. Visitors can peer into the abyss and witness the trees at the bottom, which appear like small broccoli heads from above. Some adventurous travelers have even rappelled into the sinkhole, though this requires specialized equipment, expertise, and caution. Located approximately 355 kilometers from Guatemala City, a visit to Hoyo El Cimarrón can be combined with other nearby attractions such as Laguna Brava, Cenotes de Candelaria, or Laguna Internacional.