Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Review

ericka's review

'Where the sky is born'

From Trip to Tulum in Tulum, Mexico on Apr 12 '06

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The highlight of our trip to Tulum was a boat ride through the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (CESiaK). Sian Ka’an is the Mayan translation for "where the sky is born" or "gift from the sky." The Biosphere's diverse habitat contains coral reefs, wetlands, low tropical forests, cenotes and mangrove lagoons. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Biosphere hosts numerous species of birds and mammals, including crocodiles and the endangered jaguar. It also contains archeological sites from the pre-Classic and Classic periods.

There are a number of tour operators that will take visitors on adventure excursions through the reserve. We chose the Centro Ecologico Sian Ka'an (CEsiak) because of its emphasis on environmental education. We signed up for the sunset bird watching cruise (it's actually a small motor boat) which tours the lagoons of Caapechen, Boca Paila and San Miguel. We didn't see any crocodiles as they mainly come out at night but we did see fish, crabs and sting rays. Eventually we ended at Bird Island - a home for nesting Egrets, Ibis, Herons, Rosy Spoonbills and many other species. At sunset, hundreds of these birds flock to the island. Our guide turned off the boat's motor and we drifted by without disturbing the birds, allowing us to snap plenty of great photos. Tip: A decent telephoto lens is a necessity if you want to get good closeups.

After sunset, we headed back to the CESiaK ecological center to eat a light dinner consisting of fresh fish and salad. Our least favorite part of the trip was a visit to a jungle cenote. We couldn't see very far in the water as it extremely murky. After ten minutes of awkward swimming, every one got out. We couldn't help imagining some creature lurking beneath us.

Despite our disappointment in the cenote, everything else was near perfect. Our guide was informative and the food was delicious. If you prefer more adventure, try floating down an ancient Mayan canal. I've heard this tour is a blast. CESiak also offers fly fishing, kayaking and rustic eco-friendly accommodations for backpackers.