Mexico: Tulum – Diving Deep into Nature
Last Updated on 22nd December 2020
Eco-tourism was one the reasons I was tempted to Tulum. For my second day in Tulum, I was looking for an activity which would embrace this. I found it! Down the road from my hotel was Sian Ka’an, a biosphere reserve and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tours of Sian Ka’an proved to be very popular, very popular indeed. It was the weekend and all tours of the biosphere reserve were fully booked. However, my disappointment did last long. Much to my delight Centro Ecologico Sian Ka’an* (CESiaK) had a last minute cancellation. The only catch was I had to be there in 20 minutes. There was possible way I could order a taxi and get to the centre in that time, so I politely declined. Just I had succumbed to the hardship of spending a relaxing day on the beach, I received another call. A CESiaK staff member was visiting the hotel & would drive me to the reserve. Luck was definitely on my side that day. Much joy!
Time for a geography lesson …
Sian Ka’an is a UNESCO World Heritage centre located on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico, near the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, south of Cancun. A small ecotourism and education centre, it serves as a model for sustainable development in sensitive tropical ecosystems. Translating to “Origin of the Sky”, the biosphere is home to many species of birds, mangroves, tropical forests, and marine life, including alligators.
The tour I found myself on was the canal tour. Keeping me company on the tour were well travelled Americans Linette, Troy and their delightful little girls, Layla (who loved the water) and Sage. Luis, our tour guide, was full of energy and very knowledgable on not only Sian Ka’an but the Yucatan area. Before taking off for a high speed journey down the canal, we were given a brief talk about the reserve. I kid you not; this is no leisurely ride down a canal, a la Venice, you are dashing down the canal at a great speed.
Our winding swift journey through mangroves and their residential population of birds, led us to a wooden walkway which appeared to lead nowhere.
Once off the boat, we stripped down to our swimsuits (which you are, fortunately, told to wear under your clothes prior) and bring only what you would be happy floating down a river with. A large waterproof bag was on hand for cameras, so we could continue snapping away. With the Mexican heat beating down upon us, we trekked through the grassland until we came across this little Mayan Temple. It’s been restored heavily so some of the inscriptions are no longer original, however, rumour has it’s fake.
After an interesting talk about the Mayan life and the end of the world, we were told to wear our life jackets as nappies. Sensing our bewilderment at this unusual request, Luis explained that this is was best way to float down the canal. I was a bit sceptically at first, especially as there a Mexican family waiting by the pier as if to be entertained by the stupid gringos in their life jacket nappies. Sure enough, Luis was right, jumping into the canal I bobbed along perfectly as the strong current pushed me and my companions back towards the boat. This was by far my favourite moment of the tour (perhaps the entire trip) and the start of my passion for jumping into water, any water.
After another high speed boat ride we arrived back to the visitor centre where we dined on delicious fresh salads with the centre’s staff. Thinking our time with Luis and another his colleagues had come to an end, Luis asked if we would like to go swimming in our own private cenote. There was only one answer to that!
After discovering what a cenote is, I was little worried… extremely worried. I have a fear of deep water and what lurks beneath. Watching as Layla and Sage dove into the dark water without hesitation, I knew deep down inside I was missing out. Sensing my fear, Linette reassured me all would be okay. She would be on shore watching out for me and the girls, plus Troy would be nearby in the water. She encouraged me further by lend me her snorkelling kit so I could explore the depths of the cenote. With no longer an excuse not to, I reluctantly lower myself into the water, paddling near the pier, holding my head proudly above the water. Troy swam up to give me a lesson on how to use the snorkel and gently imploring me to briefly stick my head under the water. Fish! Everywhere, beautiful colourful fish! Glimpsing the girls happily diving into the deep, I knew I had to take that leap or dive. With each dive, I got deeper. With each deeper dive there was something new to discover. Snorkelling is my new favourite thing.
After we were done snorkelling it was back to the hotel for one final time relaxing on the beautiful beach and one final time for beers with my new chef friend. One final night in my beautiful paradise, Tulum
* CESiaK has sadly closed. The closest tour I could find is via Community Tours Sian Ka’an, which appear to have taken over the CESiaK legacy.
Next, a bus journey and half to Belize.
Happy & safe travels
L x 👣
