Spotting wild dolphins in a solitary bay and venturing deep into the jungle in search of rare creatures; learning about Mayan culture and witnessing a timeless ritual, all these and more unforgettable experiences await visitors in Maya Ka\u2019an, the Mexican Caribbean\u2019s new ecotourism destination.<\/p>\n
Maya Ka\u2019an is a vast area of central Quintana Roo comprising the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere Reserve and the traditional Mayan heartland or Zona Maya formed by the districts of Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Morelos, all of which are rich in natural beauty, history and traditions.<\/p>\n
Sixteen different tours and activities take visitors to nine different communities in the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere Reserve and the Zona Maya. Community tour operators handle all the trips, thus ensuring that local inhabitants benefit economically from tourism. With a master plan developed by Amigos de Sian Ka\u2019an and funding from the Inter-American Development Bank, the goal of the Maya Ka\u2019an project is to bring sustainable development to villages in the Zona Maya.<\/p>\n
The nine core communities are Punta Allen, Muyil and Punta Herrero in Sian Ka\u2019an and historic Felipe Carrillo Puerto, capital of the Zona Maya, and Tihosuco (site of the Caste War Museum), Se\u00f1or, Chunhuhub, Noh Bec and Kantem\u00f3. They all offer a range of activities, some showcasing natural attractions and others a glimpse of Mayan life.<\/p>\n
Visitors will watch craftsmen at work and traditional cuisine being prepared, find out about farming techniques and the healing properties of native plants used since the days of the ancient Maya. They\u2019ll listen to stories and legends told by village elders, learn about the history of the area and chicle, the sap of the chicozapote tree that was once harvested to make chewing gum. Other activities include bird watching, nature walks, boat and kayak trips through the lagoons and bays of Sian Ka\u2019an and visits to the famous Cave of the Hanging Snakes in Kantem\u00f3. This cave is the site of an eerie natural spectacle that takes place at dusk. As thousands of bats that make their home in the cave begin to stir and go in search of their insect prey snakes emerge from crevices in the cave roof and hang down, snatching the bats in mid flight.<\/p>\n\n
Small group trips are available to Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere Reserve and can also be arranged to Maya Ka\u2019an through Thomas More Travel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Spotting wild dolphins in a solitary bay and venturing deep into the jungle in search of rare creatures; learning about Mayan culture and witnessing a timeless ritual, all these and more unforgettable experiences await visitors in Maya Ka\u2019an, the Mexican Caribbean\u2019s new ecotourism destination. Maya Ka\u2019an is a vast area of central Quintana Roo comprising […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\r\n