Beaches, Castles, and Caves of Mexico
Mayan Riviera, Mexico
February 7 - 14, 2009 (Saturday-Saturday)

"I had such a wonderful time and the whole area was so beautiful.  The guides are such fantastic women, ..........all the women actually are. I'm sure you get lots of letters back gushing about all the women bonding so I'll try not to; it really was an excellent time with great women in a beautiful place so all the ingredients were there that's for sure." LA, Mexico '08

Highlights:

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.

This trip is for: 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.

February 7: Arrive Cancun anytime. We’ll spend our first night here at a centrally located hotel with an airport shuttle. If you want a little beach time and arrive early, the hotel provides transportation to the beach. Otherwise 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 8: This morning we’ll pack up the vans 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'll stop for snorkeling at Ya-Kul. This calm protected lagoon is the perfect place to learn snorkeling for those who are new to the sport. We’ll arrive at CESiaK in time to get situated in our tent cabins and explore the area before gathering for dinner. After dinner we may go for a walk on the beach or enjoy an early bedtime.

February 9: 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.

Later in the afternoon we’ll go kayaking. In addition to the innate pleasures of kayaking, it is a wonderful 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. There is no problem if you have never kayaked before; you'll receive the instruction you need to fully enjoy it.

February 10: We’ll spend today in the Coba ruins area. 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 also home to the Nohoch Mul pyramid, at 138 feet the highest pyramid in the Yucatan. Following our exploration of the ruins, we'll cool off by a visit to the nearby cenotes- the underground limestone sinkholes that were sources of fresh water for the Maya and provide great swimming opportunities today.

February 11: We'll spend a full day visiting the cave system, 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. The main 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 sculptures. Combining a tour here with horseback riding is the very best (and most fun) way to get a sense of the area.

February 12: 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.

February 13: 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.

February 14: Too soon it’s time to say goodbye. If you need a little Cancun beach time we'll drop you off someplace convenient. Otherwise we'll have you back to the Cancun airport by 12 p.m.

E-mail: Travlgrrl@aol.com or Call 1-800-842-4753.

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