Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve (meaning “where the sky is born”) has been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and with good reasons. The area of Sian Ka´an houses more than 300 birdspecies and many different animals. When one is lucky a jaguar or a crocodile might be spotted. All this in an area rich off hummocks, sand dunes, mangroves, lagoons, savannas, coral reefs, rainforest and undiscovered Mayan temples .

During the summer marine turtles come to the beaches of Sian Ka'an to lay their eggs. Truly an amazing experience and definitely worth trying to be a part off. The possibility to see the marine turtles in their natural environment makes anyone realize how important it is to protect and sustain the environment. With one of EcoColors night eco-tours you get the incredible opportunity to watch this happening!

The biosphere of Calakmul is one of the most impressing and important biosphere reserve in the state of Yucatan. Not only does it cover around 15% of the state Campeche and provides housing for more than 230 bird species and other animals, but also houses various archeological sites . Through the temples of Bécan and Calakmul it got its name, in Maya meaning "the city of two adjacent pyramids.”

A federally-protected bird sanctuary and special biosphere reserve is the island of Isla Contoy , the permanent or seasonal home of 100 residents and migratory bird species. The island is covered with sand dunes, mangroves, shallow lagoons and beautiful beaches , and is part of the Yum Balam Reserve . Here the local communities try to establish a sustainable society, based upon traditional Maya practice but also taking advantage of new opportunities. Luckily only two-hours away by boat from Cancun.

When looking for flamingos , Isla Holbox is recommended together with the National Park of Río Lagartos and the Natural Park of Rio Celestun , in the Northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Thousand flamingos come here to escape the cold winter and their beautiful colors can be observed together with the amazing nature Isla Holbox has to offer, such as the Ojo de Agua (meaning cenote) Yalahau, which is located in the mangroves on the mainland and to the Río Lagartos Reserve.

This is just a glimpse of what the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer for its nature lovers and this is only above the surface, but under the surface a whole new world opens!!

Dive into the underwater world of Yucatan

Starting from Contoy Island past the borders of Belize lies the second longest reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef System . All of the reef provides a place for more than 450 fishes, approximately 80 coral categories and many more shell-fishes, lobster-like, sponges, algae and a great diversity of amazing plants .

One of the best places to see this underwater world and experience its beauty is in the island of Cozumel . The best diving locations are situated in the Cozumel Reef National Park and with the help of Amigos de Sian Ka'an a map of Quintana Roo´s reef is made to provide information on the long-term preservation of the reef. If you never tried diving, do it now otherwise you will regret it for the rest of your life. It is truly a breath taking experience and a whole new world will enfold itself in front of you!!

Closer to Cancun, a visit to Puerto Morelos will be an incredible experience. Departing from the white beaches to the reef , one will experience in quiet the beautiful underwater world and spot many tropical fish and a unique coral formation , and perhaps even a turtle or a spotted ray .

See the people of Mexico

The Mexican culture is a mix of Pre-Colombian and Spanish lifestyles, making the entire country a diversity of colors. To this day, Mexico holds more than 50 Indian tribes that separate themselves from the current lifestyles the mestizos (a person from Indian and Spanish blood) hold.

During the 16th century, most of Mexico was plagued by an almost constant state of rebellion and war due to the fact that the Spanish conquistadores tried to conquer Mexico and found hard resistance from its original inhabitants. The Spaniards reacted on the Indian attacks by moving conquered Indian tribes to places were they would serve as buffer. Therefore many Indians died in order to protect their own religion and lifestyle.

Nowadays more than 50 Indian tribes combine their original religion with Christianity, which was laid upon them by the Spanish, French, and Italian missionaries. Every Indian tribe has their own story and each of them is worth discovering, because most Indian tribes still hold their own lifestyle due to the fact that they lived in remote areas such as the Sierra Madre or the jungle and did not want to give up their religion.

However, to give a peak in the Indian culture, one common characteristic of the North-Indian tribes is their use of the peyote plant , which is considered to be sacred. Therefore the Indian tribes still perform religious rituals for the peyote. The peyote, when placed upon the skin, should be a remedy against snakebites, skin burns, wounds, and arthritis. Apart from the Tarahumara's and Cora's, the Huichols are known for their use of the peyote. 1-4 Blossoms should diminish hunger, thirst, sexual lust and exhaustion, 5 or more blossoms cause's hallucinations.

In the Yucatan Peninsula more than 1 million descendents from the Maya's live. And, apart from their features (small people with flat noses and a dark skin), they can also be recognized by the clothes and language, as that is different than the mestizos.

Discover the artesanias of Mexico and the Yucatan

The many colors that Mexico displays also comes back in their many handcrafts that are as colorful and decorative as they originally were in the Pre-Colombian period. The real Mexican artifacts are still made with the same techniques and materials, although the market also contains factory made products.

The Yucatan Peninsula is known for its best hammocks of Mexico together with the quality furniture of Mahoney- and cedar wood. Experience something new and sleep in a hammock. If you do not want to try it alone, buy a family hammock!! The Southwest state of Yucatan, Campeche , has the best Panama hats of Mexico.

Party during the fiestas!!

Mexico has, apart from their national fiestas , also fiestas per city, village and barrio (suburban), making the total number of fiestas more than 5,000 a year!

Very important on such fiestas are dance and music , which you can hear from every street corner. You will not know what Mexico and the Yuctan is about if you have not been to a local fiesta!!

Taste the Mexican cuisine

The Mexican cuisine is, like Mexico itself, a mix of ingredients from all over the world. Next to the “must have” ingredients such as beans, corn, and chiles, are chicken, cheese, garlic, rice and papas (potatoes) a part of the rich Mexican cuisine.

The Yucatan cuisine is derived from the Mayas , making it spicier than the cuisine in the North. Some typical dishes are cochinita pibil, papadzulas, sopa de lima or azteca and queso relleno. When was the last time you experienced something new!!!!!

The best way to relieve your burning tongue is to drink some beer, and the Yucatan Peninsula holds the best beer , ranging from the light Montejo to the dark Negro Leon.

Experience l i f e !!!

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