• Sea kayaking in the Sian Ka'an Reserve ("where the sky begins"), 5000 sq. km of tropical jungle, marsh, mangroves, and islands
• Exploring the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba
• Snorkeling among the brightly colored fish that inhabit the barrier reef
• Visiting the amazing limestone cave system of Aktun Chen
• Relaxing at CESiaK, an eco-lodge right on the ocean that overlooks an amazing, beautiful stretch of isolated beach

Explore Mayan ruins, Mexican culture, and abundant marine life! Although many people visit Cancun to lie on the beach, there is way more to see and do in this land that has been the home of the Mayan people for centuries. Evidence of their elaborate architecture and complex social structure are still apparent in the many ruins found on the Yucatan peninsula. The peninsula itself, a huge low lying limestone shelf that is quite isolated from the mainland, is also known for its plentiful and diverse flora and fauna, superb snorkeling, tropical jungles, and cenotes. If you want to combine lots of activity with fun, relaxation, and the opportunity to learn more about Mexico while spending time in a warm and beautiful place, this is the trip for you.

women who want an active warm weather vacation exploring the Yucatan. While none of the activities are strenuous, we'll be packing a lot in and women should be in sufficient condition to stay moderately active all day. Alternatively it is always possible just to relax at the lodge.  Rating  1  [2]  3  4  5

• two nights in inns in Puerto Morales
  
• five nights at CESiaK, a small ecotourism and education center that is located right on the ocean and serves as a model for sustainable development in sensitive tropical ecosystems. We will be staying in spacious tent cabins with private patios and spectacular views that are situated to take advantage of plenty of shade and cooling breezes. Shared bathrooms are always clean and also have stunning views over water. CESiaK is located right in the Sian Ka'an Reserve, an International Heritage site that is home to howler monkeys, anteaters, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species.

• guide services and instruction
• seven nights double occupancy lodging, two nights in an inn and five nights in tent cabins at CESiaK
• all meals from dinner on Sunday thru breakfast the following Sunday (except alcoholic beverages)
• all activities on the itinerary, including kayaking, visits to ruins, swimming in cenotes, and snorkeling
• van transportation during the trip

at the Cancun, Mexico airport at 4 pm on February 26

at the Cancun, Mexico airport at 11 am on March 5

you can download the complete trip information here

February 26:  Arrive Cancun by 3:30 pm, for the 4pm start time. We will meet you at the airport and transport you to our hotel in Puerto Morales. If you decide to arrive early, there are direct airport transfers available and you can meet at our hotel. Puerto Morelos has a great accessible beach, easy walking, and nice shopping. We will also end the trip here, so there will be time later if you aren't arriving early. We'll plan to gather at 5:30 for introductions and a trip orientation, and then go out to enjoy our first dinner together.

February 27: This morning we'll pack up the van and start our two hour drive along the "Mayan Riviera", the strip of land from Cancun to Tulum. Development here has been fairly intensive and will give us a true appreciation for the work being done by CESiaK. Along the way we will stop at the Xaxx Che Botanical Gardens. The gardens include interpretive information of Mayan culture, a typical house, and the chicle camps where chewing gum was initially made. Gum, something we don't tend to think about very much, was very important to the economy of this area in the 1900s and is now making a comeback. Our visit is a good introduction to Mayan culture and demonstrates how ecotourism supports scientific research and the only undeveloped/natural acreage between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

We'll continue up the coast to Akumal and the Yal Ku Lagoon which is an excellent place to snorkel. This is a very protected area so it is a good place to learn how to snorkel if you've never tried it before. Turtels, rays, parrot fish and other interesting fish can all be seen here. It is also a great place for our picnic lunch!

After we're finished with swimming and lunch, we'll arrive at CESiaK and get situated in our tent cabins. There may be time to explore the area before dinner, but if not, there will be time later. After dinner we can go for a walk on the beach or enjoy an early bedtime in the peace and quiet of the reserve.

February 28: We'll get up early this morning in order to beat both the heat and the crowds at the Tulum Ruins. These ruins are one of the best-preserved Mayan coastal sites. Although the complex is much smaller than some, its location on a cliff overlooking the turquoise sea is truly spectacular.

Following a guided tour of the ruins we'll return to CESiaK and have some free time before gathering later in the afternoon for kayaking. In addition to the innate pleasures of kayaking, it is the best way to see the birds and wildlife of the Sian Ka'an Reserve, a large protected area with diverse flora and fauna. Accompanied by our expert bilingual guides, we will explore the wetlands inside the biosphere reserve and go bird watching around the beautiful bird nesting-island. In 2010 we saw pelicans, cormorants, herons, osprey, frigates, egrets, and flamingos. There is no problem if you have never kayaked before; you'll receive the instruction you need to fully enjoy it.

March 1: There are many things to do right near CESiak, and today we leave open so we have time for them. Perhaps another kayak, a hike along the beach, or maybe this will be the day to rent boogie boards and see why they have become so popular. Of course, if you think any vacation should include some unstructured downtime, this is the perfect day just to relax.

One option we highly recommend is a canal tour at CESiak, to see the diverse ecosystems, plants, and birds in the lagoons of Caapechen, Boca Paila and Chunyaxche. You start with a trip in an open-air boat with an outboard motor, traveling through a natural canal used by the ancient Maya as a trade route and exploring Mayan temples. Getting out of the boat you float in the fresh water canal and relax as the current takes us downstream. The tour ends with lunch.

After lunch you can choose some downtime or a visit to a cenote at the entrance to the reserve for a refreshing swim. There is also a short interpretative trail and a large map of the area. We will then meet up in town for dinner and the chance to wander or shop.

March 2:  We'll spend the morning getting a tour of the Coba ruins. These ruins are one of the most important archaeological sites in the area. Built between two lakes during the Classic Period (600-900 A.D.), at its height it covered over 80 square kms and contained nearly 50,000 people. It is home to the Nohoch Mul pyramid, at 138 feet the highest pyramid in the Yucatan;  you are welcome to climb the 122 steps to the top if you choose. We'll also visit other temples and learn the importance of ball games.

Following our exploration of the ruins, we'll visit Otoch Maax Yetel Kooh National Protected Area in Punta Laguna. In addition to seeing spider and black howler monkeys, we'll also learn more about the native plants.  This is also your opportunity to try ziplining, a low risk and high adrenaline activity where a secure harness keeps you attached to an overhead line as you zip across a small lagoon and then paddle canoes back across the lagoon. On the way back we'll stop at a small ecotourism project, a house where a Mayan family lives and has set up to show traditional Mayan life.
 
March 3: We'll spend our last full day here visiting the Punta Allen peninsula. Having escaped much of the recent development, it has a laid-back ambience characteristic of life in the area as it was years ago. On our drive there we'll see coconut palm trees lining pristine white beaches along undisturbed dunes on one side of the road, and brackish and freshwater lagoons on the other. We pass the colorful estuary of Boca Paila, and see more remote portions of Sian Ka'an. But the real high point of the day is the snorkeling. Sea turtles, star fish and dolphins swim alongside our boat, as it takes us out to the coral reef barrier. This is one of the most undisturbed coral reefs and we'll see thousands of colorful fish and other marine animals that live in this fragile ecosystem. We'll finish this magic day with a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

March 4: It is hard to pack up and leave such an idyllic place but that is what we have to do this morning. Fortunately we have something else to look forward to: visiting the cave system, cenote, wild monkeys, and tropical rainforest of Aktun-Chen. Aktun-Chen, which is Mayan for "the cave with the cenote inside", is the only above-water-level grotto found in the eastern Yucatan. There are two great options here and the only problem is that you need to choose between the two. The first is a tour of the main cave. The cave has a magnificent vault that has been illuminated and supplied with paths to make it easy to view the many stalactites, stalagmites, and natural sculpture and leads to the crystal clear cenote. Alternatively you can snorkel in another cenote outside the cave. The cenote is full of stalagmites and stalactites with are easily visible in the clear waters.

Following our tours, we'll drive to Puerto Morales where we'll have time for some final shopping before ending with a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

March 5: Too soon it's time to say goodbye. After breakfast at a beach restaurant, we'll drop you off at the Cancun airport by 11 am.