The
Sian Ka'an Bioreserve in Mexico covers 1.3million acres and extends along a 100km
beautiful coastline. It was recently
named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a cornucopia of animals and
migratory birds. The northern part of the reserve extends to and includes Punta
Allen in the Riviera Maya.
Because
our time was limited, we only explored the northernmost part of the reserve in
kayaks and then we drove to Punta Allen, which is home to a quaint little
fishing village.
There
were four of us, so we rented 2 double kayaks and set out among the mangrove
trees and the crystal clear water. The wind made for some tough paddling at
times, but it definitely kept us cool. We were told that crocodiles can be
spotted when paddling at night, but we weren't lucky enough to see any during
the day. Honestly, I was relieved. We did, however, spot a giant lizard and
some birds, including great blue herons and an osprey. The osprey was perched
near its enormous nest, which was atop of a dead tree.
I
am really glad that we drove down to Punta Allen, a quiet and laid-back fishing
village. We wandered around and talked to some local fisherman, while admiring
their catch of the day.
Apparently,
the southern part of the park contains many ruins, which can be accessed by a
canal system. Kayak tours can be arranged to explore these ruins and canals. I've
already added it to my to-do list for my next visit.
Read more about Kim’s amazing adventures in Mexico:
Kim Bowerman,
Nomadik Personal Fitness Expert
