Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of four in the Yucatan peninsula. This jewel of a place, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1987, is located on the doorstep of the touristy Riviera Maya, a true escape to nature.
- The Sian Ka’an Reserve is located between Tulum and Felipe Carrillo Puerto. It has 5 accesses being the most popular the Tulum, Boca Paila road. The arc of entry to the Reserve is located about 15 kilometers from Tulum.
- Entry cost: 35 mxn
- How to get there by public transport? From Tulum to Punta Allen there is public transportation, van (van or van) daily at 14 from the taxi station in Tulum. From Punta Allen he returns at 5 in the morning.
- Punta Allen, where there is also a place to camp. I advise you to book in high season like Christmas, and months of January and December.
- Cautions: with the road in good condition it takes between an hour and a half and two hours from Tulum to Punta Allen. In poor condition put 5 and a little more. There is no gas station in Punta Allen.
- From the archaeological zone of Muyil there is a path that runs an interpretive trail through Sian Ka’an and reaches the lagoon. Here you can also go on boat trips.
- From Felipe Carrillo Puerto there is 70 km, direction VigÃa Chico or El Playón. From here, boat to Punta Allen, 10 minutes.
Blue Hole National Park
Blue Hole is the image we associate with Belize, that beautiful blue hole in the Caribbean. There are other Blue Hole in Belize that are not so famous, but they will surprise you on your way. We visited the Blue Hole National Park.
- National Park Blue Hole is located 20 kilometers southeast of Belmopan, on the magnificent Hummingbird Highway (86 kilometers Belmopan-diverted to Dandriga)
- How to get there by public transport? From Belmopan there is public transportation.
- Accommodation: in Belmopan and San Ignacio you find all types of accommodations. On the road there are several lodges, in some you can camp.
- It is recommended to wear long sleeves, light and clear, not white. It protects you from the sun, insects and plants. Hat, insect repellent and sunscreen. Do not forget the swimsuit. If you have a flashlight you can bring it to the cave. If you are going to do tubing, remember to wear closed shoes that can get wet.
Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve
The Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas is the most biodiverse region of Mexico and one of the most beautiful. Here we can meet the Lacandones, one of the most reserved Mayan ethnicities.
- Las Nubes is located 124 kilometers from Comitán de DomÃnguez. After 60 km Lagoons of Montebello, is the signal of the Clouds, in the crossing of Jerusalem. From here 20 minutes by dirt road. The Causas Verdes Ecotourism Center is signposted.
- How to get there by public transport? From the Commissary Central Station, the buses leave for Tzobol del Campo (departures 7:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm). From the other direction, Palenque, it goes to Benemérito de las Américas. From here it takes approximately 2 hours to reach the Jerusalem cruise. From the cruise you will find the way to get to Las Nubes (taxi, some bus, to take you …)
- Entry fee: 15 mxn access to the place.
- Extra activities: In the Clouds you can practice rappel and zip line. There are different paths to walk around.
- When to go? The dry season in Chiapas is from January to May. This does not guarantee you see them turquoise, but there are more possibilities.
- It is recommended to wear light and light clothes, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed shoes. Some dry weather, refreshing. And do not forget the swimsuit in case you’re lucky.
- To cross to Guatemala on this road it is best to go to Frontera Corozal. If you go in your own vehicle you must go to the crossing in Chiapas de Tapachula.
Misol-há waterfall
The Misol-Há waterfall has become one of the images of Chiapas. Its 30 meters jump over a pool of water makes it a great stop on your way to rest and take a bath.
- Misol-há is located 20 kilometers from Palenque, highway 199 towards San Cristóbal.
How to get there by public transport? From Palenque, exit to the junction of Misol-há. From here it is 1.5 km to the hotel. - Another option is to go by taxi from Palenque, they are waiting for you to return.
- Entry cost: 10 mxn
- Light and light clothing, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed shoes and swimsuit are recommended. There is in times that an incredible barbarity slides the floor.
Agua Azul Biosphere Reserve
Agua Azul is one of the stops that soften the way of the traveler through the exuberant territory of Chiapas. Beautiful pools of turquoise water that meander the mountains known as the Tzeltales Mountains of Water.
- Agua Azul is located 58 km from Ocosingo, 64 km from Palenque and 200 from San Cristobal de las Casas.
- How to get there by public transport? From Palenque, exit to the Blue Water crossing (1h30 “). From here there are 4 kilometers that you can do in another bus until the entrance. From San Cristóbal you must go by bus to Ocosingo and from there another bus to Palenque.
- Entry cost: 35 mxn. There are two payments, Agua Azul and the community of the area.
- Light and light clothing, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed shoes and swimsuit are recommended.
El Chiflón waterfalls
Chiflón is one of the many natural sites that we can visit in the beautiful region of Chiapas. The passage of the San Vicente River gives us several waterfalls falling and whistling as it passes through these mountains on the way to the Central Depression.
- Chiflón is 34 km from Comitan. The buses leave you on the road, 1 km short of the entrance to the Visitor Center. They offer tricitaxi services to approach that kilometer.
- How to get there by public transport? Until Tzimol buses leave from the main avenue of Comitán, one block from the gas station. Close to OCC buses. You have 30 minutes to travel from Comitan.
- Entry cost: 30Â MXN
- It is recommended to wear light and light clothing, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed shoes that will help you not to slip in the wet climb. And do not forget the swimsuit!
Barton Creek Caves
Belize is filled with caves, holes, wells, underground rivers, caverns … the limestone that sustains Belize comes to be like a gruyère cheese, with hundreds of surprises for the traveler. The caves of Barton Creek are crossed by canoe.
- Barton Creek Caves is located on the San Ignacio Road (45 minutes from Barton Creek) to Belmopan. At the height of Georgeville you turn to Mountain Pine Ridge. From here Barton Creek is 6.5 kilometers by dirt road.
- There are services at the entrance and the owner who manages the canoes has lodging and restaurant near the parking lot.
- How to get there by public transport? Unfortunately there is no public transport. Tour agencies offer tours. If you arrive by own car remember that the road can get ugly with rain. Much mud and the mighty river.
Nohoch Chen Caves Branch National Park
One of the activities that you can enjoy in Belize is the tubing: let yourself slide by the gentle currents of the river on a tire. In the Caves Branch you cross the river Sibun that goes into caves, the Mayan underworld.
- Nohoch Che’en National Park is located on the stretch between Belmopan and San Ignacio. Take the turnoff at Georville on the circular Chiquibul Road. About 25 minutes by dirt road to the entrance to the Park.
- There are services at the entrance. Rental of equipment, guides and other activities that are made as canopy. If you are going by private car, in the diversion of the main road there are several specialized guides offering their services. You must go with a mandatory guide.
- How to get there by public transport? Unfortunate public transport does not arrive.
- The agencies offer half day tours to the place.
- It is recommended to wear swimsuit and closed shoes that can get wet. They rent them if you do not have them. A T-shirt that can get wet to protect you from the sun helps you. Underwater camera.
