Things to see and do Yucatán Peninsula

Around 1524 Captain Luis Marin tried to conquer the mountainous region of Northern Chiapas. The natives drove the Spaniards who withdrew without establishing any colony. Four years later, Diego de Mazariegos «pacifia» the region. The battle of Tepetchia remained notorious: instead of going to the Spanish, the Indians chiapanecos préférèrent in the canyon del Sumidero.

It is here, a few kilometres from Tuxtla, that Mexico built the second or third largest dam in the world, on the Río Río in Chicoasen. Result: . has been flooded with. and., and has been flooded with.

The best way to see Sumidero is undoubtedly the boat. On the Río Río or Grande de Chiapas, numerous excursions depart from Corzo de Corzo wharf. The excursion lasts two hours round-trip (from to). Like the lost world of Conan Doyle, cliffs with bare faces rise almost 1 000 m above the river. At the end of the circuit, the lake reaches 265 m deep. The guides make several stops to point out, here, the cliff covered with an impressive cascade of foam reminiscent of the shape of a Christmas tree, there, the rock from which a chiapa tribe preferred to throw itself rather than to the Spaniards.

To get there: From Tuxtla, buses, and especially colectivos, serve Chiapa all day long. From San Cristóbal, the second-class buses of the Tuxtla company stop near the central square of Chiapa. Please be aware that it is possible to go back to the day since San Cristóbal. Early enough, it is possible to visit the Canyon del Sumidero and the few curiosities of Tuxtla Gutierrez in the same day. Also excursions organized from San Cristóbal with the Otisa agency.

It is one of Mexico's largest protected areas with 652 000 hectares, consisting of tropical rainforests, lagoons (110 km of coral barrier), marine lagoons and freshwater streams. The reserve is a sanctuary of migratory birds (pink flamingos, blue, blue, crested…) of which more than 300 species have been recorded, but also a true paradise for terrestrial fauna with 103 species of mammals (ocelots, monkeys, pumas, jaguars, tigrillos, agoutis, roseate, gris foxes, fourmilliers, pécaris, tapirs, etc.) which are among the Mayan ruins (27 archaeological sites). The lagoon, for its part, houses many aquatic species, including two species of tropical crocodiles. The lagoon is rich in lobster (important local resources), tropical fish, and 4 species of marine turtles come to lay on the sand. To protect this Eden against mass invasion of tourists, entry to the reserve is controlled. Those interested in the visit must contact an agency (Visit Sian Ka'an, Ciesak or Sian Ka'an tour).

There are 3 cenotes on the lands of the community of San Antonio Mulix. We can choose to visit the 3 cenotes, or 1 only if time is limited. The X-Batún cenote is a fully open, shallow water cenote located in a larger park managed by a local cooperative, which can also rent you a bike to ride the three kilometres from the entrance. The landscape is very beautiful, as the roots of the surrounding trees extend over several metres to absorb the water. There are also guides here to visit other cenotes in the area. The Dzonbakal cenote is a semi-open cenote, partially covered by a cave. The water is shallow, but completely transparent, and some bats fly over it. More wild and rarely visited, the Yax-há cenote is an underground cenote, which is illuminated by an entrance of light. The water is quite deep and it is possible to dive in. A rope is stretched in the middle of the water and serves as a support for the swimmers.

Aktun Chen is located 107 km south of Cancun, 16 km before Tulum, between Akumal and Xel-Há. His name means in Maya "cave with a cenote inside". It is a park of "virgin" tropical forest where three caves were found with cenotes inside, with thousands of stalactites, stalagmites, and natural sculptures made with water and calcium carbonate for 5 million years. Visits are within the reach of everyone, no special physical conditions are required. A guide explains during the visit that lasts 1 hour 15 the geological formation of the cave, the cenote and what was the use of these places by the Maya.

Unfortunately, this beautiful natural site has recently been transformed into an adventure park. The caves are of course still beautiful, but in addition to the visit of caves and cenotes, the park managers now propose a whole range of activities: Suspension bridge, zoo, Tyrolean,… As if the beauty of the site was not in itself sufficient.

This agency specialises in discovery tourism, nature, culture, education, ecology, etc. It offers spectacular tours on the Caribbean coast. 2 rounds concern the Sian Ka'an: a more cultural (observation of the process of extracting the gum from the "chicle", hiking in the forest, snorkeling in cenote, lunch): US $ 124 in Cancún; the other plus (lagoon and canals, Maya site, snorkeling en, lunch): US $ 124 from Cancún. Other proposed towers: diving with whale sharks at Contoy Island (US $ 165 from Cancun, and US $ 174 from the Riviera Maya). The tours are made in Spanish and English (a guide speaks French). Transport includes all these tours from and to your hotel. It is a very serious agency (the towers are well connected: content, timetables, interest, security…) and guides are short professionals of explanation.

Association for the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Reserve of Sian Ka'an.