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As you
approach the Southern end of the Riviera Maya, you are immediately
struck by vistas of even greater natural appeal the
untouched quality of the land, the lush greenery, the turquoise
waters of coastal lagoons and the endingly endless sky. Here is
nature's gift not just to the region, b to the world. Here is Sian
Ka'an...
Just south of Tulum lies the vast Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. It
is one of Mexico and the most extensive tract of wilderness within
the Riviera Maya. Presently, the reserve comprises 10 percent of
the total area of Quintana Roo.
Sian Ka'an is Yucatecan Maya for " where the sky was
born." Such poetic language is not wasted on this lovely
region of unspoiled natural beauty. Contained with in are examples
of all principal ecosystems found in the Yucatan peninsula and
astonishing array of flora and fuana. Dry and wet forest, beaches,
sand dunes, mangroves, swamps, grasslands, hardwoods, hammocks,
freshwater and saltwater lagoons, and 62 mile stretch of the Great
Maya Reef mix and mingle into panoramas of extraordinary visual
appeal. Approximately a third of the reserve is tropical forest,
one third wet-lands, and a third is marine environment. Visitors
will have a chance to experience nature change to experience
nature the way it has always been.
To date, 1,200 species of plants, including 230 different
trees, 266 species of birds, 318 species of butterflies and 103
species of mammals (including an estimated 200 jaguars) have been
identified within park boundaries. Twenty-three archaeological
sites, mostly small Post Classic temples, dot the landscape.
All five species of Neotropical cats jaguar, puma, ocelot,
margay and jaguarondi roam the area, as well as spider and
howler monkeys, tapirs, brocket and white-tail deer and the West
Indian manatee. Green, loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback
turtles us the beaches as nesting grounds, while Morelet's and mangrove
crocodiles inhabit the swamps and lagoons. Birders may catch a
frequent glimpse of an ocellated turkey, a great curassow, a
brilliantly colored parrot, a white ibis, a roseate spoonbill, a
flamingo, a rare jabirus stork or one of 15 species of herons,
egrets and bitterns.
Sian Ka'an was first decreed a protected area in 1982.. In 1986
the Mexican government established Sian Ka'an as international
biosphere reserve. The next year it was named a World Heritage
site by UNESCO. In 1994, the reserve was extended by 200,000 acres
to its present form.
Sian Ka'an is not completely uninhabited. It is a lively home to a
few thousand locals located in two villages, 80 percent of whom
still make their living by lobster fishing. A few small lodges and
private homes were also "grandfather" in before the
reserve was officially formed.
Much of the reserve remain pristine. Human occupation has always
been sparse and most of the core area consists of inaccessible
wetlands. Research and conservation here is considered more
important than the development of tourism. There are few
trails for hiking; the popular way to visit Sian Ka'an is via a guided
small boat tour with operations throughout the Riviera Maya.
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