Tinkerhell’s Best and Worst of Mexico, Numero Dos
Most Unexpected Non-Ripoff: Los Tres Cenotes. This was one of those extreme unknowns. It seemed cool from the few reports we’d read: a horse-drawn cart on tracks takes you to three different cenotes. After waiting about 90 minutes for our personal rail-cart driver and loading into the rickety contraption, still, no one asked for payment. Three hours later, the sun was setting, the “Ricos” had torn it up at all three swimming holes and we still had no idea how much this thing would cost. I had visions of being shaken down for hundreds of dollars at the drop-off point. But no. Our driver stopped, let us off and looked about to walk away. ?! David practically chased him down and offered 400 pesos, about $30. He smiled and walked away. Wow. Just, wow.
Best “Holy Crap, Are You Seriously Considering That?” Moment: Alkun Ha Cenote. As we made our uncertain way to Los Tres Cenotes, we happened first upon a sign reading “Cenote” with an arrow pointing left. Hmmm… A little kid with a red flag waved our car into a parking spot under a tree next to a hut. A few women were sitting around amidst a roaming turkey flock. There was a small, dark hole with a rusty iron ladder sticking out. We looked down and could not see the bottom. David decided to descend anyway, through the dark, down a 60-foot, bowed ladder. Of course, unexpected awesomeness ensued.
