Xel ha cancun
Xel ha cancun zip#
Sailing down the Salpichanga zip line in Xel-Há. But the breathtaking scene below the water's surface soon eases any tension I might have had.
I’m always a little nervous with my face submerged, leery of sucking a giant swig of briny water through the plastic airway. I can hear myself breathing through the tube, my teeth firmly clenched around the snorkel’s mouthpiece. Myriads of fish-surgeonfish, snappers, fluttery angels, even the occasional barracuda-swim amongst meadows of kelp. Plunging our heads into this natural aquarium, we see an entire other world below the surface. And, more importantly, act as a barrier against hurricanes that are common to this sector of Yucatán. Bound to the tides, these thickets of salt-tolerant shrubs filter pollutants from the water and reduce coastal erosion. Tangled aerial prop roots of red and button mangroves-tough anchors that delve into the sandy bottom-oscillate gently in the wind, like trees on stilts. Gentle currents ripple at the outset of the Xel-Há River. With fins, masks, and souvenir snorkels in hand, we survey the small, inward-curving bay as it beckons an arm to the Caribbean Sea.
We don the requisite life jackets-the color of lapis-and head towards the Caleta or cove. Photo by Vicki LilloĪt the approach to the inlet, we exchange our bicycles for snorkeling gear. Riding bikes along the jungle trails at Xel-Há. Although there were no charming woodland creatures feeding along the trail during our 15-minute ride, we certainly enjoyed our bike excursion through the jungle trails. Along the way, we hope to encounter a shy agouti (the long-legged kin to the guinea pig) or the adorable, but mischievous, reddish-brown coatimundi (the South American equivalent to the raccoon). For over half a mile, we pedal past endemic orchids and fringed Palmeras of every description. Biking the Jungle Trails of Mexico’s Xel-Háīefore we take to the river, we decide to bike along Xel Há's jungle paths. Unlimited offerings include snorkeling, river tours, cave exploring, over-water rope swings, zip-lining, jungle trails, cliff climbing, exploring a Mayan wall, and Trepachanga-a rope challenge over water.
Xel ha cancun full#
T he history and natural beauty of the water park draw tourists to the area. And to take full advantage of such a stunning setting, Xel-Há offers plenty of activities that will make this one of your favorite Cancún adventures. Xel-Há, the archeological jewel of the Mayan civilization, dating back to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, is a genuine water-lover’s dream. Photo courtesy Vickie Lillo The Many Offerings at Tulum's Xel-Há Make for Unforgettable Cancún Adventures And if you keep your eyes open, you’ll more than likely encounter a couple of foraging iguanas, pelícanos swooping across Caprice’s Bay, and a vibrantly-colored loro, or parrot fish, nibbling on your toes as they dangle in the seagrass.Ī green-winged scarlet macaw rests on my son's shoulder. Some still believe the ancient divinities safeguard this preserve for mankind. The deities went so far as to create a trio of caretakers to maintain its magnificence-‘Huh’ the iguana, the Guardian of Earth ‘Chuc Kay’ the pelican, the Guardian of Air and ‘Kay Op’ the parrotfish, the Guardian of Water. Owing to its unique geography and exquisite beauty, the natives believed the gods were so pleased with their creation that they were willing to share it with mere mortals. These freshwater reservoirs were used by ancient Mayan priests to communicate with the gods of the underworld. Photo by Lisa Strachan via iStock by Getty ImagesĪdd to that the sacred, mystical cenotes-a natural pit or sinkhole that exposes groundwater.