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by Paris Permenter & John Bigley Recommended for: adventure lovers, outdoor lovers In contrast to the extensive hotel development and fun in the sun offerings of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, beyond the tourist regions the area still retains much of its natural appeal. Couples find three major ecosystems in the Riviera Maya, making it a favorite with lovers eager to explore semi-evergreen rainforest, offshore coral reefs, or mangrove swamplands and lagoons. Activities in this area range from mild to truly wild, depending on your fitness and interest level. Several ecotourism parks make outdoor activities possible for any age through gardens, aviaries, and guided tours. Adventure travelers find offroading opportunities, kayaking excursions, and chances to explore the jungle with some of the region’s top ecotourism experts. Guided Tours Combining local culture with ecotourism, EcoColors (866-823-9785, info@ecotravelmexico.com, www.ecotravelmexico.com) offers variety of options. Bicycle ecotours, birding, kayaking, jaguar adventures, Sian Ka’an Biosphere tours, and a new Maya motorcycle adventure tour are options. “Our trips appeal more to people who want to enjoy and learn about nature plus they get to discover the Maya World,” says founder Kenneth Johnson. “Our tours are different because we provide personalized attention with local biologist guides who know and many times participate in research and conservation projects in the area. We also visit unique areas at convenient times of the day to enjoy nature without the crowds. We also work with local Mayan communities helping them through ecotourism to promote conservation, changing their usual activities such as fishing, agriculture, forestry, hunting, etc.” Tour lengths range from a night jungle trek to a 16-day birding excursion, and camping trips are also available. Alltournative Expeditions (52-984-873-2036, info@alltournative.com, www.alltournative.com) offers guided tours deep into the Yucatan jungle to the archaeological site of Cobá, the Mayan village of Pac Chen that is home to 20 families, the sacred cenote Balaam Kin, snorkeling along the Nohoch Nah Chich cenote system, and more. Tours utilize 4x4 vehicles and also offer snorkeling, kayaking, and interaction with local Maya residents. Mayan Sites For couples with an interest in ecoarchaeology, the Riviera Maya has several excellent sites. Mayan culture once dominated the region, their cities dotting the sea level jungle. Today, most of these ancient Mayan cities are still hidden in the lowland jungle but Tulum is accessible by many travelers. Here temples stand high on the cliffs overlooking the sea, a scenic spot that's one of the most photographed attractions in Mexico. Less accessible is the ancient city of Cobá, located northwest of Tulum. Deep in the jungle, these ruins can be explored on foot or bicycle (rentals are available at the park.) The site offers few visitor services but are popular with ecotourists enjoying a look at the park’s spider monkeys, numerous butterflies, or the pyramid of Nohoch Mul. Ecotourism Parks  For
many lovers, the easiest way to enjoy a taste of the region’s ecotourism
activities is with a visit to one of several eco-archaeological parks. One
of the most popular is Xcaret Playa del Carmen (52-998-881-24-00, ventas@xcaret.net,
www.xcaret.net). Xcaret
(pronounced “ish-carett”), an eco-archaeological park, is an all-day
outing for most visitors. The park features both ancient Mayan sites as
well as local flora and fauna on land and in the sea. The two of you can
snorkel along an underground river, an experience usually reserved for scuba
divers. Other aquatic activities include lagoon snorkeling, SNUBA, Sea Trek,
scuba diving, and beach fun. On land, the two of you can take horseback
rides through the jungle and along the beach or join the staff biologist
for a trek through the park’s tropical trail for a look at several
endangered plant species such as the guano palm. The local flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula is also showcased in several of Xcaret’s unique facilities. Visitors can tour a botanical garden, orchid farm, butterfly pavilion, bat caves, and a wild bird breeding aviary. One of the most noted facilities is the Reef Aquarium, which utilizes an open pumping system to allow an inflow of unfiltered seawater. Over 5,000 inhabitants of the aquarium represent marine life from the main ecosystems of the Caribbean Sea, from reefs to lagoons and mangroves. Xcaret also has five interactive dolphin programs which are especially popular; if one of you would like to participate, be sure to book these early as space is limited. Several programs offer one-on-one and group time with the dolphins. Just minutes from Tulum awaits Xel-Há (pronounced "shell-ha"), a natural aquarium. Xel-Há (52-984-875-60-00, www.xel-ha.com.mx) means "where the water is born," an appropriate name for one of the region’s best snorkeling areas. Travelers can float in calm, clear waters, enjoying a look at the colorful reef just yards from shore. After a swim, hammocks beneath a tall palm offer a quiet afternoon. Dolphin swims are also available. One of the nearest parks to Cancun is Tres Rios (52-98-887-80-77, 800-714-3643, info@tres-rios.com, tres-rios.com), 25 minutes from the city. The park offers snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, and horseback riding. Right in the city, the public Parque Kabah offers jungle walks and the chance to see parrots, toucans, and other indigenous fauna. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve Located 15 miles south of Tulum, this park is one of the largest protected areas in Mexico, spanning 1.5 million acres. Sian Ka’an, which means “where the sky was born” in Yucatecan Maya, is a favorite with birders who come to the park for a chance to spot the area’s 266 bird species including ocellated turkey, roseate spoonbill, and rare jabiru stork. The UNESCO World Heritage site is also home to over 1200 plant species, 318 types of butterflies, and over 100 species of mammals including over 200 jaguars. History buffs also find nearly two dozen archaeological sites at the park including several small temples. The park takes its role in preserving local ecological systems seriously; only about 15% of the park is open to visitors. Park regulations also protect the diverse indigenous species. Most travelers visit Sian Ka’an as part of a guided tour from Cancun or the Riviera Maya hotels; these tours range from jeep treks to boat trips to kayaking excursions. Tour operators include the non-profit Amigos de Sian Ka'an (sian@cancun.com.mx, www.amigosdesiankaan.org). The non-profit Centro Ecologico Akumal (52-984-875-9095, fax 52-984-875-9091, info@ceakumal.org, ceakumal.org) offers personalized guided tours of Sian Ka’an (as well as turtle releases, snorkel tours, and more.) Photo courtesy Xcaret
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