Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve
Sian Kaan is a reserve located near Tulum, covering 528,000 hectares; it has rainforests, swampy badlands, savannas, mangroves and a marina. Sian Ka’an is protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The fauna here is extremely diverse, from tiny colorful butterflies to howler monkeys, pumas and jaguars. Among the 330-plus bird species is the Brazilian jabiru, the world’s largest flying bird.
General Information
A good day trip to Sian Ka’an Reserve can be booked directly through the park administration, Centro Ecologico Sian Ka’an (www.cesiak.org). The program includes walking, swimming and boating on the lagoons located within the reserve.
Traveling through the park by car is free, but for a more comprehensive experience, call Friends of Sian Ka’an (Tel: 998-884-95-83) to book a guided tour. This organization is nonprofit, so the money you pay will benefit the reserve.
If you’re staying in Playa del Carmen or Cancun, your guide will drive directly to your hotel. If you have to travel from further afield or want to spend more time in the reserve, you can book a room in a comfortable hotel within the park. Alternatively, Ecocolors (Tel: 998-884-36-67; www.ecotravelmexico.com) offers week-long all-inclusive tours, taking you to the reserve straight from the airport.
.The Sian Ka’an Reserve is located three hours south of Cancun, behind Tulum, if you take the highway to Boca Paila and Punta Allen. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
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