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Sian
Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Sian
Ka'an, "Where The Sky Is Born," is the name
the Maya of the 5th century A.D., gave to the southern part
of what is now the state of Quintana Roo. Today it is the
name of a biosphere reserve covering 1.3 million acres of
land along the central cost of the state.
The goal
of the Biosphere Reserve is to preserve the flora, fauna and
ecosystems of an area while satisfying the needs of the local
population. In biosphere reserves, conservation is not conceived
of as prohibiting use, but rather as the rational and long
term sustainable use of the resources.
Sian Ka'an
is made up of a wide variety of wetlands and coastal habitats:
tropical forest, low inundated forest, "cenotes"
(sink holes), low tropical forest, savanna, mangrove forest.,
coastal dune, reef lagoon, and coral reef.
Day trips
through the biosphere are offered. With the tour
guide you will motor through brackish (half salt, half fresh)
water, float ancient Mayan trade water ways, view hidden Mayan
ruins, and view exotic birds and other wild life.
Xel-ha
Snorkeling, scuba diving,
dolphins, and more - Xel-ha is a natural wonder. The ancient
Mayans named Xel-ha - "Xel" refers to the source or origins
of something; "ha" is the Mayan word for water. Xel-ha -
where the water is born.
Xel-ha features a river-snorkel
journey, which takes one through the park. You can snorkel
while drifting with the current in a float-tube, or free-
float in a life vest through mangrove and jungle.
The river empties into an
inlet where it forms an enormous lagoon. Whether snorkeling
or swimming, here you'll find yourself immersed in a sea
of brightly- colored fish of various sizes. The inlet is
surrounded by docks and beaches created for your pleasure
and relaxation.
Continue the adventure with
a visit to XEL-HA's two cenotes, both in pristine states.
Simply cross the bridge at the end of the river and follow
the path through the jungle, past caves and limestone outcroppings.
The park's entrance path leads to a sea turtle camp, where
every year both green and loggerhead turtles migrate to
lay their eggs on the beach. The Natural Aquarium offers
a 'swim with the dolphins' program. This attraction incurs
an additional charge.
Xcaret
Xcaret is a place where beauty, culture and tradition are
carefully blended. Visitors can learn about Mayan culture
by exploring ruins and touring museums which feature scale
replicas of the main cities of the ancient Mayan culture.
Thousand of brightly colored fish in the Xcaret inlet present
snorkelers with breathtaking, ever changing scenes of underwater
beauty. At night Xcaret is transformed, jungle, water and
adventure become mysticism, legend and history in a fascinating
voyage through time. Night begins with the Pelota or ball
game, a live show of one of Mayan cultures most important
religious-ethnic events.
Click here for more Aktun-Chen
Photos
In the Beautiful Tropical jungle, between Akumal and Xel-ha
you will find the Aktun-Chen caves, in Maya: "The cave
with the cenote inside". 
An easy walk through the caves will show you fantastic formations
of stalagtites and stalagmites, built five million years
ago by water and calcium and cabonate.
Punta
Laguna Spider Monkey Sanctuary is a great add-on to a
Coba trip. Punta Laguna is located about 20K from Coba and
is one of the best places in the world to see spider monkeys
in their natural habitat.
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