The Longest Caves in México

Exploring Miles and Miles of the Yucatán's Underground Caves

One of the great natural treasures of Mexico is its extensive network of caves and subterranean rivers that have achieved world records for depth, length and size. 

In the Yucatan, more than 10,000 meters (32,808 ft) of underground caves have been explored.  Even though some of them are among the longest caves in the world, they are entirely under water.  For this reason, they can only be explored by speleodivers (underwater cave divers), who must carry with them all the oxygen they need to breathe as they submerge themselves in a dark, silent, weightless world.   

Ox Bel Ha, Riviera Maya, México

Meaning "Three Waterways" in Mayan, Ox Bel Ha was discovered in 1996 and is currently the longest cave in Mexico and the longest sunken or underwater cave in the world. It is more than 180 kilometers (112 mi) long and more than 30 meters (98 ft) deep.  When you include its dry cave systems, Ox Bel Ha is the seventh longest cave in the world.  Since it is a sunken cave, access is difficult and only recommended for exploration by professional speleodivers.

Nohoch Nah Chich System, Riviera Maya, México

Meaning "House of the Giant Bird" in Mayan,  Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich was discovered in 1988. For many years this cave was considered the longest underground cave in the world.  It is located at Km. 3 on the Caribbean coast, south of Playa del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo.  It is known for its spectacular main up water passage, which leads explorers through almost two kilometers of the cave.  This is a cave system that connects to the Caribbean Sea through Tancah Lagoon.  It is 61,142 meters (200,597 ft) long and 71.6 meters (235 ft) deep, and also known by the name Sac Actún.

Purificacion Cave System, Tamaulipas, México

In 1971, American speleologists carried out explorations in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas and discovered a number of caves and wells.  It wasn't until 1978 that the Purificacion Cave System was documented as the longest cave in México, being 20 kilometers (12.4 mi) long, and having the steepest descent in the world (820 meters/2690 ft).  After more than 30 years of intense exploration, the Purificacion is known to be more than 93,755 meters (307,595 ft) long and 953 meters (3,126 ft) deep. 



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