Explore Ancient Mayan Waterways in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere
Sian Ka’an
Any visitor to Quintana Roo wanting to experience the natural beauty of this region of Mexico must include a visit to Sian Ka’an. Set aside as an internationally protected area by the Mexican government in 1986, this 1.3 million-acre tract of land known as the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve contains mangrove swamps, savannahs, tropical forests, freshwater and coastal lagoons, a barrier reef and is home to hundreds of species of birds, fish, plants and other animals. Which is the best way to explore this vast wetland? By boat, of course.
Sian Ka’an tours
U Yo’o Chel Maya Tours offers private boat tours through the Sian Ka’an nature reserves in Riviera Maya for small groups. The tour crosses two lakes, Muyil and Chunyaxche, which are linked to the sea by ancient canals that were hand dredged and used as trade routes over 800 years ago by Mayan mariners. The beautiful banks of these jade green waterways are lined with bromeliads, orchids and canopied with tropical foliage. The tour includes a visit to one of several Mayan ruins within the reserve where the group will don life jackets and jump into the clear, refreshing water to float about a kilometer down the canal.
U Yo’o Chel Maya, meaning the Mayan shadow, is a cooperative of native tour guides with over 20 years experience collectively. These “keepers of the reserve” educate visitors about and promote ecotourism through their boat trips. The proceeds are used to fund research projects, such as a tag and release program to monitor the diminishing crocodile population. It is also used to help build Mayan communities. E-mail requests and inquiries to caamaltour@hotmail.com or call 01-998-830-2502. A short checklist of essentials for your Sian Ka’an tours should include sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a towel and a cooler of drinks and snacks. To enhance your customized trip, be specific about what you want to see and experience. Your trip can be anything from a two-hour boat ride to a four-hour coastal bird watching expedition, but remember this is an eco-tour not a zoo. So enjoy the boat ride and see what Mother Nature has in store for you!
Tourism is rapidly changing Quintana Roo, so you are encouraged to explore one of the last undeveloped stretches of coastline in North America. Sian Ka’an nature reserves in Riviera Maya may be “where the sky is born,” but it is also a place where life flourishes and nature is as it has always been.
See our Akumal tip for other nature reserves in Riviera Maya.
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