Travelers Guide to  Riviera Maya

Sian Ka'an.

A multifaceted landscape  

      The 60 kilometers that separate Tulum from Punta Allen, heart of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve ("the sky's beginning" in Maya), represent a journey through a land less traveled by human beings. This serene stretch along the coast embraces a solitary sandy road surrounded by dunes and low-lying jungle that shelter the poisonous black chechem tree, the chit, ku'ka and nakax palms, and sea grape.  

            Suddenly, dense mangroves where birds rest and oysters and crabs burrow, shroud the winding road. Along the wayside, ranches dedicated to the coconut growing industry and semiabandoned  in the middle of lush groves can be seen; along with Mayan ruins indicating that in pre-Hispanic times, maritime commerce was the principal activity in the area.

Passing Boca Paila, one of the few beaches with tourist services, a narrow wooden bridge crosses a channel that connects the peaceful waters of the lagoon with the ocean. The road continues, surrounded on one side by the electric blues of the Caribbean and deserted beaches of infinite white sand, and on the other, by a vast world of marshlands of such ecological and economic importance that they were one of the reasons Sian Ka'an became a reserve in 1986. This promising journey comes to an end at the fishing village of Punta Allen.

Tucan Tours, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Flora and fauna

The subtropical climate of this porous plain influences the impressive variation of flora: over  1,000 species.

Aquatic and marine birds colonize its coasts, and the jungle is inhabited by over 300 species of resident and migratory birds-a paradise ford bird-watchers. The reserve is a refuge for a wide range of birds, from the smallest to the great blue heron and the jabiru, a stork that reaches 4 feet in height-the largest endangered bid in America.

The jungles also protect and provide nourishment for rare and endangered mammals such as the puma, small wild cats and the jaguar, all of which have 653 thousand hectares of territory for hunting. Other animals that can be found are the white-cheeked boar, the tapir, the white-tailed deer, howling and spider monkeys. The lagoon, cenotes (fresh-water sinkholes) and ocean are also a sanctuary for manatees, crocodiles and four species of sea turtles.

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Offshore the ocean is home to bottlenose dolphins and other species of commercial value such as the grouper and barracuda. The 110 kilometers of the Great Maya Reef (just in front of the coast) that make up part of the reserve house colorful sea sponges, shells, starfish and sea urchins, a beautiful attraction for scuba and snorkel fans.

Paradise Beach Sales and Rentals Puerto Aventuras Q.Roo Mexico

Punta Allen

     On the Bahia de la Ascencion, this fishing community of 600 inhabitants is dedicated to the capture of the Caribbean spiny lobster; producing 50 tons of lobster tails annually.

The success of Punta Allen’s lobster industry is owed to a special system. At the beginning of each season, artificial platforms are placed in the bottom of the sea; offering refuge to juvenile lobster. When a lobster reaches the proper commercial size-and a fisherman verifies that is has not laid eggs it is caught free style.

Lobster fishing is an adventure that can be shared whit the local fishermen. Punta Allen has the basic services needed for tourism.

Enjoy Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

 Boat Travel

Land travel in the reserve requires a 4X4. However, one can also explore the are by boat through the lagoons. Sinuous channels cut through the mangroves and tall grassy savannas where petenes, formation almost unique to this part of the world, grow; allowing visitors to observe these fascinating types of vegetation. The Mayan vestiges along the channels give clear evidence that these were the routes between jungle and sea. Long-stemmed bouquets of orchids and bromeliads can also be seen growing on the trees.                          

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Kinbé Hotel, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

FRIENDS OF SIAN KA’AN

          The Civil Association of the Friends of Sian Ka’an works to preserve the natural resources of the reserve and undertakes various projects for a better use of  sustainable resources. Its eco-tour Wilderness Adventure* has a limited carry-ing capacity and is of low impact. Thanks to the care that has been taken to preserve it, the reserve is in perfect state. The Sian Ka’an Reserve was decreed by the UNESCO part of a Patrimony for Humanity. 

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