Ecotourism and Wildlife in Cancún Cancún
Cancún for Adventure and Nature Lovers
Where to go for wonderful wildlife cenotes and more
jin chu ferrer/Getty Images Cancún owes its existence to the dazzling beaches that line the Caribbean shore, but those strands are mere baubles in the trove of natural wonders that await on the Yucatán Peninsula. Despite rampant tourism development in recent decades, much of the land has changed little since the Maya took custody around 1500 BC. That means beachgoers are always just minutes away from an array of natural wonders: cenotes (natural sinkholes), caverns, underground rivers, the Western Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef, low jungle and mangrove forests. An unusually high percentage of the region’s immense variety of wildlife is found nowhere else. These are the places where you move beyond the sun-drenched sands, even beyond admiring the ancient Maya ruins, and begin to understand how this land gave rise to one of the world’s most advanced civilizations. Here are the best eco-attractions for a back-to-nature experience. Cancún Travel Guide
Cenotes
Few natural water features are more intriguing than the cenote, created by breaches in the subterranean basin’s ceiling to reveal crystalline waters hundreds of feet deep. An estimated 6,000-plus cenotes can be found on the Yucatán — some accessible only through a fissure in the porous limestone and others partly or completely open, resembling a pond and begging you to refresh with a dip. Immersed in the fresh, cool water, with sunlight filtering through holes in the ceiling to spotlight otherworldly rock formations and ropey tree roots seeking water from above, it’s easy to see why the Maya considered cenotes sacred portals to the underworld. Popular eco-parks up and down the Riviera Maya south of Cancún enclose cenotes, and outfitters offer a wide variety of . But to feel the magic that inspired the Maya to hold religious ceremonies in them, you can visit smaller sites on your own (renting a car comes in particularly handy when cenote-hopping). Some cenotes are accessible by public transportation, but they are best explored by car and usually require some walking through the jungle for the entrance point to reach them. Bring a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, water, snacks and cash for entry fees, which may range from about $2 to $7 and more, depending on facilities (most have restrooms, at the least). Dozens of cenotes and caves are open to the public along coastal Highway 307. At , where you can swim with catfish in several large pools, a wooden lounging deck juts over the water and walkways offer easy access. ’s crystal-clear waters lead to seemingly endless caverns where snorkelers can glimpse striking rock formations. resembles a huge swimming pool with abundant rocky outcroppings for lounging in the sun after a swim among tropical fish and eels. Life jackets are usually available for rent and are often required if you plan to enter the water. There are to explore, and new ones seem to pop up every day; just follow the rustic wooden signs along the highway. The (cenote route) out of Puerto Morelos is also riddled with well-marked cenotes. The road is lightly traveled, and most sites welcome walk-ins, except for , which has been turned into an elaborate adventure park. Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve
At the end of the heavily traveled Riviera Maya from Cancún lies the inexpressibly beautiful , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Encompassing jungles, beaches, savannas, freshwater and brackish lagoons, cenotes, underground rivers and virtually untouched coral reef, this is a microcosm of the entire Yucatán’s natural world. The reserve’s more than 1.3 million protected acres — about the size of Everglades National Park — support more than 100 mammal species, including such rarities as jaguars, tapirs and manatees. Roughly 350 bird species and 4,000 plant species also flourish here. At least 23 archaeological sites have been recorded. In keeping with the biosphere mission, much of Sian Ka’an is off limits to visitors. For a modest fee, you can drive through an entrance arch at the end of Tulum’s hotel zone and spread a towel at any number of beaches, but you’ll need a certified tour to sample the reserve’s remarkable diversity. tours depart from the Tulum entrance, while operates out of Muyil to the south and includes a tour of the nearby archaeological site. Both offer a variety of tours that can include jungle treks, floating through canals carved by the Maya, boating through lagoons and wildlife watching. (Visitors with mobility issues can opt to stay on the floats.) Hotel pickups are available at extra cost. Xcaret and its offshoots
, granddaddy of the proliferating eco-adventure parks on this part of the coast, is to the Riviera Maya what Disney World is to Orlando (with prices to match). Tributes to the Yucatán’s nature, history, gastronomy and art amount to a crash course in local nature and culture. From diving and snorkeling to swimming with dolphins, rays or sharks, to horseback riding and floating through underground rivers, activities cater to action junkies but also include a bat cave, an orchid nursery, a folk art museum and other exhibits. You can also ogle jaguars, manatees, sea turtles, monkeys, macaws and flamingos, all in one day. Wheelchairs are available at the visitors center; guides can help people with mobility issues plan their day. After opening in 1990, Xcaret begat four more parks. was built around the meeting of freshwater underground rivers with the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can snorkel in rivers, grottos, caves and inlets teeming with marine life, and follow paths through the mangroves and into the jungle. Xel-Há also offers the now-obligatory zip line and a bevy of restaurants. Next came , which focuses on zip lines, jungle exploration by amphibious vehicle, spelunking, and rafting or swimming in underground rivers. and are more about entertainment than nature, but — a tour rather than a park — visits four Ruta de Cenotes sites, each displaying a different type of cenote. For all Xcaret parks, booking online at least seven days in advance can save you 7 to 10 percent; transportation from your hotel is also available for an additional fee. Other eco-parks and tours
Smaller, less commercial parks offer a more intimate experience, and some of the best are operated by communities. is one of the Yucatán’s finest caverns, with underground pools and large chambers, and includes a small zoo with native animals. ’s standout cavern tours delve deep into the Maya’s concept of the underworld while visitors walk and swim through otherworldly rock formations. At , which is oriented to active adventurers and helps support Maya communities, small guided groups may dive, snorkel, kayak and soar on zip lines at three linked cenotes and underground caves. Advance reservations are recommended for most parks. Spider monkeys and a contingent of howlers are the main attraction at Punta Laguna, a nature reserve near the ruins of Cobá created by farmers, but it’s also a paradise for birdwatchers. The required private tour with a knowledgeable guide includes a jungle walk (it’s not steep, but wear sturdy shoes), canoeing, swimming and rappelling into an underground cenote. Numerous tours combine with Cobá or other attractions. More monkeys are in residence at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, which also houses other rescued animals, and the Jungle Place, a sanctuary in Chemuyil. Monkeys also appear at two beloved roadside attractions. is a onetime crocodile farm turned interactive zoo. It runs a breeding program for the toothy reptiles but also houses all manner of native fauna. It is easily walkable and wheelchair accessible. The Ya’ax Che Jardín Botánico, occupying 161 acres of jungle, is a botanical garden of native plants with a small archaeological site, a reconstructed Maya home and a chiclero camp where workers extracted chicle for chewing gum. No reservations are necessary. Alltournative, Ecocolors and Maya Ka’an offer tours to many of these eco-sites, and all are committed to ecology and Maya culture. Holbox Island
Located 40 miles northwest of Cancún, Holbox Island is an under-the-radar getaway that’s rarely crowded and perfect for bird watchers. This hidden gem, which is 26 miles long and a mile wide, is separated from the mainland coast of Mexico by a shallow lagoon, making it a perfect sanctuary for a wide variety of birds — from pelicans and flamingos to egrets and seagulls. Many hotels offer transfers to Holbox, but if you want to go it alone, you can take a bus or taxi to Chiquila, about two hours north of Cancún, and then grab a ferry across to Holbox Island. For those who enjoy casting a line, Holbox is also a great place to fish. AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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