Tulum
Day Trips
Each
year we will arrange excursions to sites of interest. We encourage participants to travel with us, however,
all excursions are optional (See Optional fees).
How long: Departing approx.10am and returning approx. 4:30pm
At Cost: $85 per person, includes lunch
Tulum: Tulum served as a major port for the city of Coba. It is an impressive site perched high atop limestone cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea. The temple, El Castillo, is the site's largest structure. The site was protected the city on four sides: three sides of fortress walls and the fourth defense was the sea and cliffs. The wall has a walkway around the top, which was more than likely to distinguish the ceremonial and administrative zone from the residential areas. Just below El Castillo is one of the best beaches in the area - be sure to wear a bathing suit under your clothing (no changing rooms) - you can take a quick dip in the sea.
Coba: Coba is beautiful, mysterious and nestled in the jungle. Its name means "ruffled waters", derived from the five lakes in the vicinity. It is one of the oldest Mayan settlements on the Yucatan peninsula. Nohoch Mul Pyramid is the largest in the area (and you can climb it-with caution). Coba also has the greatest concentration of sacbeob (Mayan roads constructed from stone). The ruins were not discovered until the late 19th century. Only a small fraction of the many structures in this vast site have been excavated. The bulk of Coba's major construction was made in the middle and late Classic period, about 500AD to 900AD, with most dated hieroglyphic inscriptions dating from the 7th century. However, Coba remained an important site in the Post-Classic era and new temples were built and old ones kept in repair until at least the 14th century, possibly as late as the arrival of the Spanish. The first modern road was not opened up to Coba until the early 1970s.
Saturday, January 8th, we will embark upon a boat trip through Sian Ka'an Bioshphere Reserve.
How Long: 11 Hours. We will depart approx. 7:30/8am and return approx. 6pm.
At Cost: $125 per person, includes snacks and lunch Our tour company is a non-profit organization owned by 3 local Maya cooperatives, whose families have lived within the Biosphere boundaries for many, many years. Guides are trained naturalists,
Sian Ka'an (the Maya phrase for "where the sky is born") is a wildlife haven
without equal in Mexico. It encompasses 1.6
million acres of natural environment, and it's vast
diversity of wildlife has earned it a declaration
as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sian Ka'an consists of lowland forest,
flooded savannas, mangroves, and a portion of the world's second
largest coastal barrier reef-- the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The
Reserve is home to 800 plant species and provides habitat for 350
species of birds, as well as jaguar, puma, ocelot, spider and howler
monkeys, crocodiles, and many types of turtles. Additionally, the Sian
Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is home to 23 different archaeological sites of
pre-Columbian culture.
This trip will start with a guide at the entrance to the jungle near the Muyil archaeological site. Muyil was one
of the largest
and most important cities on the Yucatan peninsula due to extensive trade via the Carribean sea. Muyil was built on a
Lagoon with man made and natural
canals to the sea. It is
not visited
by very many people and our local Maya guides have inside knowledge of its past. We will walk through the jungle to the Muyil temple and other buildings. We will then take a short nature-trek through the jungle to the lagoon dock where snacks will be served. Next, a boat will take us across the lagoons and through narrow canals. At this point, you are far, far, far from civilization and the seascape is amazingly beautiful. We will dock at a 200BC archaeological site/Maya military post, put on life jackets and float for approximately 2 miles (you can elect to stay in the boat - the water is 2' - 7' deep). The current will carry you along the canal which is about 12' wide with clear water and white sand. After a relaxing float, we will head over to an undeveloped Caribbean beach within the Reserve
and enjoy a home-cooked lunch and have time to relax/swim at the beach before
heading back to Tulum.