Journey To Where The Sky Is Born The Yucatan s Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve

A s the largest protected          Ka’an contains a once-vibrant      area in the Mayan Riviera       Mayan trade route. When you visit  and esteemed UNESCO World       the park, you will be able to see  Heritage Site, Sian Ka’an has         ancient Mayan temples resting      been the region’s premier nature      undisturbed amongst the beauty of  and outdoor recreation                the natural environment. In fact,  destination since it opened 20        several tour operators visit       years ago. With nearly one-third      these sites as part of active      of Mexico’s Caribbean coast           kayaking and hiking tours,         dominated by the park, there is       allowing visitors to experience    also no shortage of nature to         the best of both worlds.           explore. Located just south of                                           Cancun near the ancient city of       Despite such fascinating history,  Tulum, Sian Ka’an offers some of      the true value of Sian Ka’an       the best daytrip opportunities        rests in the fact that the park    for tourists staying in Cancun.       is one of the most biologically                                          diverse preserves on earth. In     As the park’s name is taken from      fact, within the boundaries of     a Mayan phrase meaning “where the     the park, researchers have found   sky is born,” it is no surprise       103 unique mammal species and 336  that Sian Ka’an is also home to       different species of birds.        numerous historical sites. Human      Unlike anywhere else in the        remains and artifacts found           world, Sian Ka’an allows visitors  within the largely unexcavated        to experience several types of     Mayan sites in Sian Ka’an have        natural habitats in a single day.  been traced back over 2,300           While touring the park, these are  years. In addition to the 23          just a few of the unique natural   distinctive archeological sites       habitats that tourists can         in the park, it is believed that      explore:                           the northern section of Sian                                             • Coral Reef – Along the              interest to tourists and           Caribbean coastline, Sian Ka’an       researchers alike.                 protects over 60 miles of the                                            world’s second largest barrier        • Tropical Forests – The majority  reef system. Besides offering         of the park’s mammal populations   unparalleled diving and               are found in the tropical          sightseeing opportunities, the        forests. Found inland from the     park’s coral reef protects a          Caribbean coast and the wetlands   number of endangered aquatic          areas in the western portion of    species.                              Sian Ka’an, the tropical forests                                         provide many of the favorite       • Beaches – Four species of           sites for visiting nature lovers.  endangered sea turtles use the                                           Caribbean beaches of Sian Ka’an       • Lagoons – Supplied by the        as a nesting ground during the        immense underground waterways      summer months. These unspoiled        beneath the Yucatan peninsula,     stretches of sand also grant          the numerous lagoons found in      visitors a great opportunity to       Sian Ka’an are home to many        see many nesting sea birds in         unique species. Near the           their natural habitat.                coastline, ocean water mixes with                                        fresh water to support crocodiles  • Wetlands – The greatest             and wading birds. Further inland,  ecological diversity in the park      the fresh water lagoons connect    is found in the wetlands. As the      to the underground rivers through  classification of wetlands            cenotes. These large sinkholes     includes such diverse                 found throughout the Yucatan       environments as grassy savannas,      Peninsula have long been popular   nutrient-rich swamps and four         destinations with divers and       distinct species of mangrove,         water sport enthusiasts.           these areas are of particular                                            • Hummocks – The most unique of       the park’s environment. In         Sian Ka’an’s environments, these      addition to the opportunity to     forests are found only in             learn about the environment,       Florida’s Everglades, parts of        visitors can participate in tours  Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula.       that feature a number of outdoor   Known locally as petenes, this        sports. From snorkeling and        particular type of hummock            swimming in the park’s rivers and  habitat is defined by isolated        cenotes to hiking and bird         forests surrounded by swamps or       watching in the tropical forests,  other wetlands. Much like true        Sian Ka’an provides the perfect    forests, these tropical hummocks      daytrip for the adventurous        support an incredible diversity       tourist.                           of plant and animal life –                                               including exotic birds and            If you want to experience the      mammals.                              natural beauty and incredible                                            history of the Yucatan Peninsula   Many local tour companies and         while in Cancun, you won’t find a  ecological organizations lead         better destination than Sian       groups through the park’s diverse     Ka’an. Make the journey to “where  habitats each day. One such group     the sky is born” and immerse       is the Centro Ecologico Sian          yourself in one of the most        Ka’an (CESiaK), an organization       vibrant natural environments in    created to educate both locals        the world.                         and visitors about all aspects of      About the Author: This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select pieces about vacationing in the Caribbean for the Cancun Mexico Resort. Published At: www.Isnare.com