5 Mind Blowing Yucatan Adventures
1) Snorkeling the Grand Cenote
The magic of a sacred cenote…
2) Swimming with Turtles at Akumal Beach
Just me and the turtles… Yeah!
Des has long talked about swimming with Whale Sharks and I always just assumed it was something he would do, and I would go off and have a girlie day at the spa, or read a book by the pool.
Not so – We heard the Whale Shark season was ending in a few days, there was no time to think about it. You know that fear of missing out.
Somehow it was just booked and we were going. There was no question as to whether I would go or not. Still not really thinking about what it would be like Synthia from Eco Colors Tours picked us up right on time at 7.00 in the morning. Then the reality set in when she suggested that we call at the pharmacy to buy sea sickness tablets. Was it going to be that rough I thought? We don’t turn back if you get sick she said.
Thankfully I never get seasick, but she made me a little nervous. The day was a little windy, cloudy and clearly the weather wasn’t perfect. I’m not a great swimmer and not much of a water baby either, so looked like I might need my big girl pants for this trip.
Swimming with Whale Sharks… this was going to be some scary adventure.
and the graceful Whale Sharks…
4) Mystical World of Rio Secreto
‘Rio Secreto’ …the very name itself has the mind conjuring up some sort of secret, mystical place… dangling stalactites, stalagmites, cenotes, crystal clear pools. Our heads were spinning with anticipation.
For millions of years, this mystical underworld stayed hidden deep underground in the Riviera Maya, Yucatan, Mexico. It’s where the underworld meets the heavens. This womb of the earth is a sacred place to the Mayans who believed it was the doorway to the afterlife.
We were exploring Mexico’s cenotes and caves, looking for that something special when we discovered one of the true Wonders of the World – ‘Rio Secreto’. So much more than a cenote, it’s a living breathing cave system.
“Very few humans walk on the moon, or climb Everest… and also, very few explore Privilege at Rio Secreto”
Today Des and I joined those privileged few, and I felt like I had indeed walked on the moon.
Rio Secreto… the best of the best – Yucatan Adventures
5) Discovering a Secret at Isla Mujeres
We’re on ‘Isla Mujeres’, a beautiful little island just off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. Now there’s one good thing about Cancun – Isla Mujeres.
While almost everyone else was lying on the beach, we rented a little golf cart to explore the island. It was a costly $500 pesos ($40) for the afternoon. It seemed there was no negotiation, so I was a little grumpy.
With Des driving, we set off, and stopped at a few points – none of which were that exciting… but then, I noticed the sign for the Plastic Bottle Floating Island.
Plastic Bottle Floating Island
Call for Tour, and try my solar cooked cake and hibiscus tea
Donation 50 pesos
‘Stop… Stop, I want to have a look here. I’ve read about this plastic bottle floating island’.
We call out… next minute we’re greeted by Richart, who’s rowing across the water in his small boat to collect us.
Sitting in the boat, on the plush couch, listening to an engaging narrative from Richart – I’m thinking, I like this man. This is going to be another ‘stand-out’ fun day in Mexico.
Stepping onto the island, with its plush carpet of white sand – it felt a little squishy. It feels unusual, surreal. Like walking on sand, but sand with a soft bounce. Almost like a waterbed.
Richart smiles, and assures me I won’t fall through to the sea below.
We’re invited inside his eco-home – what a master-piece… read more
Super Eco Friendly…”Sand” for carpet in the house on the Plastic Bottle Floating Island!
So there you have it – the five best mind blowing Yucatan Adventures!
The moral of the story is, step away from Cancun and the piña colada party long enough to go explore all the amazing things to see and do in and around the Yucatan Peninsula. I’d recommend booking a flight to Cancun and then taking a bus from place to place, avoiding all the overpriced package tours where possible.
After this trip, I’ve realised this is a region I’d definitely like to revisit down the road because there is still so many adventures awaiting.
Until next time Yucatan…
