Akumal Beach
The town of Akumal has been gaining its unquestionable position without hardly wanting it in this coveted Mexican Caribbean. Its coastal strip is one of the most beautiful of a coast full of paradises. A place to stay to live.
- Akumal is located 37 km from Playa del Carmen and 26 from Tulum. Akumal village is divided into two, one part in the beach side, the other indoors. There are several entrances to the coast of Akumal, the main one is under the Federal Highway 307 bridge.
- How to get there by public transport? From Tulum pass groups on the main street. If you go from Cancun (the buses leave near the ADO terminal) you must get off at the last stop in Playa del Carmen and from here take another bus to Akumal (from street 2 between avenue 15 and 20).
- Public transportation leaves you on Federal Highway 307, on the bridge at the entrance of the village (warns the driver, he knows). From here you walk 1 km to the beach. The ADO (big bus) does not stop in Akumal, you must go in combi, colectivo, van, van …
- Recommendations in these waters: if there are stripes, it is best to get into the water by shuffling feet to avoid treading and biting.
- Turtle spawning season from mid-May to mid-September, usually seen more at night (carries red light, never white).
- On the beach: rent snorkel equipment on the beach and in the parking lot of the entrance (usually cheaper). There is restaurant and services.
- In Akumal you find supermarkets, ATMs, souvenir shops … the fair facilities of a coquettish beach town.
Contoy Island
The island of Contoy is one of those small Caribbean treasures that is preserved in its natural and wild state despite being very close to the maelstrom of Cancun. In this island you can not stay overnight, those who arrive here must leave the same day.
- Isla Contoy is located northeast of Cancun, north of Isla Mujeres.
- How to get there by public transport? There is no ferry to take you to Isla Contoy, you can only get there by private boat or excursion.
Kantemó
In the Yucatan Peninsula there are many holes to discover, but the Kantemó grottoes have a unique appeal: in them there are snakes hanging in their cavities waiting to hunt the thousands of bats that come out at dusk. Ready for something different?
- The grottos of Kantemo (Yucatán) are located on highway 184, which joins Felipe Carrillo Puerto with Peto and Merida. After passing Jose Maria Morelos is Dziuché and 2 km you will reach Kantemó.
- Cost: 250 MXN for nationals. I do not know if they apply another fee to foreigners.
- How to get there by public transport? Public transportation from Merida, Felipe Carrillo Puerto or Peto.
- From the Riviera Maya and Valladolid they offer excursions to Kantemó.
- It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes that can become dirty and a footwear that will hold your foot well.
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.
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.
Montebello Lagoons
In southern Mexico, in the surprising Chiapas region, we find the first protected area of ​​this region, the Montebello Lagoons. Gaps of attractive colors in forests of enzymes and pines.
- Lagunas de Montebello is located 55 km from Comitan. It opens from 7 to 16 hours, there are tourist services in the Park.
- How to get there by public transport? Even the Lagunas de Montebello National Park leaves groups from Comitan. You have 1 hour 30 minutes of travel. They also stop at Tziscao, where there is accommodation.
- Entry cost: 30 MXNÂ in each of the entries.
- If you go in own car you can visit them by your account.
- The buses leave you in the different detours from where you can walk some lagoons walking on your own. If you go in a calm walking plan, you can walk a few lagoons to your air.
- It is recommended to wear light and light clothes, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed shoes. And do not forget the swimsuit!
- You can practice scuba diving in the area.
- You can visit the ancient Mayan city of Chinkultic where you have excellent views of the Lagoons.
RÃa Celestún Biosphere Reserve
Celestun is bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a quiet town that lives off the fishing and salinas. For some years, some have received tourism that comes to the Biosphere Reserve of Celestún and its beaches, a beautiful corner of Yucatan.
- Celestún is located on the Gulf of Mexico 90 kilometers from Merida. Hour and a half by car on Carretra 281.
- How to get there by public transport? From Merida, buses leave from calle 71 between 64 and 66 (2 hours aprox.). From Merida there are organized day trips to the RÃa Celestún Biosphere Reserve.
- The excursions for the Celestún Biosphere Reserve are during the sunny hours.
- Boat cost: 1300 mxn per boat, with capacity up to 8 people. They make excursions of 1 hour or 1 hour and a half. You can share it with other travelers arriving at the pier.
- Tips: eat in one of the restaurants on the beach, the desserts are ordered by the street vendors. The best hours for the observation of animals are at dawn and dusk.
- It is recommended to wear light and light clothes, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed shoes better and water is always going well. And do not forget the swimsuit!
Biosphere Reserve RÃa lizartos
The Biosphere Reserve of RÃa Lagartos is one of the best places to observe pink flamingo in the Yucatan Peninsula. Flamenco is the big tourist attraction but many surprises await you here.
- Biosphere Reserve of RÃa Lagartos is located in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, 54 km from Tizimin. It can be visited from different coastal towns: Rio Lagartos, San Felipe, Las Coloradas and El Cuyo, it is quite far from the rest.
- How to get there by public transport? To reach the coastal towns you must reach the village of Tizimin. From the ADO terminal of Cancún and Valladolid bus departs to Tizim {in. From Merida it leaves the terminal Northeast (50 with the 67). From TizimÃn, the NORDESTE buses have different departures to Rio Lagartos, Las Coloradas, El Cuyo and San Felipe. There is also a bus to Holbox Island.
- Cost excursions: about 1200 mxn, to be distributed among the travelers who occupy the boat that travels through the Reserve.
- Light and light clothing, hat, insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended. Oh, do not forget your swimsuit.
- In the villages there are no tellers or banks.
