The itinerary below is a sample itinerary. Depending on the group and travel times, the actual itinerary may vary in day-by-day content and total number of days. Call us (1-877-627-1425) for specific details.
Day 1. Arrival in Cancun and Travel to Puerto Morelos
After a one-hour drive south of Cancun, we arrive at our lodging in the small fishing village of Puerto Morelos. Set on a beautiful beach, we relax and enjoy the sunset. This evening we discuss the social forces shaping the economy and culture of the Yucatan and the critical conservation issues facing the region’s biodiversity.
Day 2. An Introduction to Coral Reef and Tropical Botany
We begin our day with a short kayak out to one of the most spectacular coral reefs in the Yucatan. Here, we learn scientific techniques for cataloguing biological diversity as we explore the reef by snorkeling. In the afternoon, we visit a Botanical Garden where we learn about the diverse plants that we will see tomorrow in the Sian Ka’an.
Day 3. Sian Ka’an: Wetlands Exploration & Mayan Archaeology
Today, we learn about the ecology of a coastal estuary, exploring mangroves, forests, and bays. We travel by boat, on foot, and even swim as we drift along a river channel. In the process, we see the archaeological remnants of the Mayan trade routes that brought the treasures of the sea to inland Mayan cities. Later, we climb a tower overlooking a seasonally flooded tropical forest as the forest comes alive with the setting sun.
Day 4. Mayan Culture
More than 2,500 people live within and around the Sian Ka’an. Today, we learn about the traditional lifestyles of the Mayan people who still live here. We work together with students from a local school to jointly implement a service project as we share some of the traditions of both of our cultures. Finally, we cool off at the end of the day by swimming in one of the Yucatan’s many “cenotes” (natural freshwater pools).
Day 5. An Intro to Lowland Tropical Rainforests
Today we travel to the Santa Teresa Research Station deep within the lowland tropical forest of the Sian Ka’an. Here, we experience the tropical jungle the way many imagine it to be: large buttressed trees, dark forest floors, a cacophony of sounds, and an abundance of life. We venture into the forest by foot today, experiencing first hand why more than 50% of the planet’s species are found in tropical forests. Tonight, we learn how scientists research animals such as bats and crocodiles as we explore the forest by moonlight.
Day 6. Lowland Tropical Rainforests – Part II
Today we wake early to search for howler monkeys, birds, and if we are lucky, signs of jaguars. We spend the day discovering more about tropical ecology and the scientific research strategies used to study many of the amazing plants and animals of the forest. In the evening, we learn about the challenges scientists face in protecting the Sian Ka’an.
Day 7. The Ancient Mayan Cities
Leaving the Sian Ka’an, we head to one of the most incredible archaeological ruins in the world: Chichen Itza. Set within the tropical jungle, the historical Mayan culture comes to life as we climb temples, examine ancient carvings depicting Mayan gods, and experience the famed Mayan ballcourts where the price for defeat was often death. We end our day at the coastal Tulum ruins, built in honor of the sun. Tonight we prepare a traditional Yucatanean meal as a group while we relax and enjoy the beach.
Day 8. The Pros and Cons of Ecotourism
After relaxing in the morning, we head to Xcaret to experience Mayan culture and the jungle the way most tourists do. Xcaret is a tropical playground where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel in underground caves, and see some of the wildlife in captivity that we may have missed in the Sian Ka’an. This evening, Xcaret’s “Spectacular Night Show” helps us appreciate the colors, sights and sounds of Mexico’s history and diverse cultures. We end our night back in the quiet village of Puerto Morelos, comparing the “ecotourism” experience we had at Xcaret with the rest of our ecotourism experiences.
Day 9. Wrapping it Up & Heading Home
Before returning, we share ideas about what we have learned about conservation and sustainable development and how it might apply to our lives back home. Finally, we head home. As they say in Mexico, “Que le vaya bien y regrese pronto,” or “Travel safely.”