The Incredible Bio-Diversity of Wildlife in Mexico

Mexico has major differences in climate and landscape, which causes a wide variety of flora and fauna. From mountains and jungles to distinct ocean waters not to mention coral reefs, there is lots for the tourist to experience. See Bird Watching Tours here.

The range of wildlife in Mexico is wonderful; about thirty thousand flowering plants grow there, like bougainvillea, magnolia, orchids, frangipani and many others.

The plant that's largely linked to Mexico is, evidently, the cactus. There can be over 89 species of Cacti family growing in the country. An intriguing fact is that the old name of Mexico City was Tenochtitlan, which suggests 'place of the sacred cactus' in the language of the ancient Aztecs who lived in it.

Thousands of species of insect live in Mexico, with the butterfly together with moth species alone numbering over 2,000. Some of the most interesting butterfly species which can be observed in this place are the Giant Sickle-wing, Two-Barred Flasher, Tropical Buckeye and so much more.

More than one thousand species of birds nest, raise their chicks, and live year-round in Mexico. Most of the most typical and well-known bird species which can be present in Mexico are parrots, toucans, flamingos, ibis, humming birds and macaws. See the list of Bird Watching Tours here.

Among the most prized as well as most stunning birds whose feathers Maya, Aztec and other Mesoamerican civilizations put to use as decorations and in ceremonies is the quetzal. In these days this bird is very rare and is in danger of extinction. They even imagined a few of their deities wearing a decoration created from its feathers.

The underwater life is incredibly diverse. Many vacation goers visit Mexico yearly to get the opportunity to swim with the sea lions, whale sharks, and giant sea turtles. The diversity of underwater life doesn't stop there - many creatures like giant mantas, barracuda, sardines, swordfish and mackerel are merely a small part of the local marine life.

Through the winter season, many migrating gray whales can be viewed on their path from the Bering Sea to their feeding and breeding grounds. These giants may become up to 52 feet long and can weigh approximately 36 tons. A group of these animals swimming together to their feeding grounds is one thing that is certainly worth watching.

Almost never, whenever they are fortunate, a traveler could see the West Indian Manatee in the lagoons of Sian Ka'an, nevertheless these large sea mammals are very rare, hence seeing them is indeed determined by luck. These are huge, gray mammal animals which could grow up to 14 feet in length. They have very interesting paddle-like limbs and tail.

When you're thinking of land wildlife in Mexico, the diversity is amazing as well. Several kinds of reptiles such as turtles, crocodiles and spine-tailed iguana dwell in the lakes, rivers and also forests of the Yucatan Peninsula.

All the other land animals that a number of vacationers want to see incorporate puma, lynx, wolves, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, bears and monkeys. Coming across most of these creatures in the wilds tend to be unsafe, thus the very best way to see them is by sticking to the marked paths and also having with you a guide who's familiar with the terrain plus is able to protect you from an angry animal if the situation needs it.

The diversity of wildlife in Mexico is spectacular; though the industrialization, urbanization as well as pollution took their toll. Numerous land and sea areas in Mexico at the moment are preserved to sustain and take care of the species which inhabit this magical country, consequently generations to come can enjoy the same wonderful environment we are able to see in these days.

Yucatan - A Fantastic Location for Bird Watching in Mexico

You don't have to be able to tell crane from heron. In Mexico, birding is available for everybody given that they know what a bird is. Taking in the sight of hundreds upon hundreds of remarkably pink feathered flamingoes, while they fly in flocks over Celestun's marhy lagoons, where they will roost right until sunset, will most definitely make you breathless.

You can find several hundreds of bird species-546, to be exact-to see as they migrate to the wetlands, to Yucatan jungles, during wintertime. For certain, the Sian Ka'an reserve houses roughly 1 million migratory birds. Eleven of which are species you are never going to see in any other place. Which would include the Yucatan parrot, all in its bright red feathered glory, the Yucatan nightjar, and the Yucatan wren.

Several of Yucatan's awesome bird watching destinations:

Rio Lagartos

Situated north, up on Yucatan's Caribbean coast, is the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve-home to the most enormous colonies of Mexico's pink flamingoes. The reserve spreads 140 miles along Celestun Refuge, to the northeast, whereby vacationers stare at over 40,000 pink flamingoes. During the winter months, the mainland feeding as well as breeding grounds of two sister sites, Rio Lagartos and Celestun, holds approximately 90 % of the entire world's population of pink flamingoes And in case you are lucky, you may spot a wandering crocodile, as well.

Celestun

45 minutes away from Merida, Rio Lagartos' sister site, Celestun, is additionally a great place to watch pink flamingoes prancing about their natural habitat. You'll likely see the most numbers of them around March all the way to August. Besides flamingoes, look out for rare herons and snowy egrets.

The Sian Ka'an Biosphere

Near Playa del Carmen and Tulum, you'll find the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, a place 1.3 million acres wide overflowing of forest wildlife as well as birds. In most places in Mexico, the Sian Ka'an is potentially the top location where you can see well over 1,200 species of animals in the wilderness. The place is additionally an icon of the Quintana Roo environmental movement, built to be able to safeguard all bird species in Mexico. Cenotes, mangrove swamps, lagoons, reefs and tropical forests sweep over the lands, making it a premium bird watching location in Mexico.

Isla Contoy

The Isla Contoy, a little island off some distance from Isla Mujeres, is just one of Mexico's national parks created exclusively into bird sanctuaries. However some might think it's a little challenging to get in, seeing that only 200 visitors allowed throughout the day, this one is an imperative destination.

Aside from the wildlife, there are actually roughly one hundred avian species residing over the wetlands, low jungles and also lagoons. Most of them are marine birds just like the frigate, the brown pelican, the double-crested cormorant and you never know what else.

Points to remember:

Hang a pair of binoculars over your neck and take lots of insect repellents, so you can appreciate all the sights whilst not having to swat at mosquitoes at each and every a few minutes when in the marshy wetlands.

Mexico Adventure Travel - Playa del Carmen Tours

When planning a trip to Mexico, probably the greatest destinations you can possibly go for is Playa del Carmen. This, situated on the Riviera Maya, has much to offer tourists - great food, vibrant night life, spas, water sports, beaches, guided tours to see ruins, biosphere reserves and many more.

You can join a guided tour either when you arrive at this charming place, or have it already integrated in your travel package. We have organized a list of the various tour choices that Playa del Carmen, Mexico offers:

Tours from Playa del Carmen

Mayan Ruins Tours

There are numerous sites with Mayan ruins nearby Playa del Carmen, and if you wish to visit more faraway sites you can ask the travel guide to arrange it on your behalf. Based on the time you've got and your fitness, you can either decide to go to more easily accessible sites or take an adventure tour in the jungle.

Most of the jungle tours are not ideal for families with small kids, and so ensure you ask ahead of time if perhaps there is a lot of walking engaged. The local travel agent can present you with information regarding how far from Playa del Carmen the ruins are, and whether you can get there through bus, car or on foot following one of the numerous trails.

Whale Shark Tours

During the summer time amongst the major attractions in Mexico are the whale sharks, who follow the migration of their principal source of food - the plankton. From July to September it is possible to join one of our tours and swim with these giants of the underwater world. The number of available places are restricted, therefore book your trip early on.

Cozumel Island Tour

Cozumel is an extremely well known destination for vacation goers who want to combine in one tour everything the island provides - great pristine beaches, coral reef snorkeling, eco-parks with species from the plant life and animals that cannot be seen elsewhere in the world, saltwater crocodiles and a lot more. There are actually regular boats to transport the tourists from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, and the trip takes less than one hour.

Floating Safari Tour

When you are traveling to Mexico, among the most unusual adventures you can experience is the floating safari tour. Typically, your guide will take you to more secluded areas where you can see the diversity of animals, and observe animals that are normally difficult to see in the more populated areas. Make sure you have suitable apparel plus shoes, and also an insect net to protect your face, as the rivers are home to numerous species of flies, mosquitoes as well as other not-so-pleasant insects.

Birding

In case you are a birder, you will find many natural reserves near Playa del Carmen where you could head to watch birds. Take your best gear, because there are over 350 species of birds which inhabit this area and also the biosphere reserves.

Scuba Diving

Many men and women journey to Mexico because of the exceptional places for deep-sea diving. There are organized underwater tours, that enables you to enjoy your hobby and see a number of marine life species in their natural habitat.

More Mexico Tours

You can find many more guided tours available at Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya, so be sure you ask all your options when booking your trip. Doing this, you will be aware what related equipment to take with you, and how to best split your time so that you get to see and also experience as much as possible on your escape to Mexico.

Belize Adventure Tours - The Supreme Holiday Escape

Belize is one small country having a population of approximately 300,000. It was regarded as British Honduras while in colonial times, however at present it is an independent country with a population originating largely from Mayan culture with blend of descendants of the colonial immigrants from Africa, England and Scotland.

This small spot on the world map is the ideal location for eco-tourism, simply because of the unique natural splendor of the environment and also the way the population protects it. Several men and women come here every year on adventure tours. In case you enjoy investing your time in natural surroundings, Belize has a lot to offer:

Birding

Belize is a top-notch place to go for bird watchers from all parts of the world. Numerous local birds are very rare and your opportunity of seeing them elsewhere is incredibly low. Throughout the winter time, a large number of North American birds travel to Belize looking for food and a place to devote the season just before flying back north.

The rainforest canopy of Belize is just about the most famous destinations for birding, and organized tours in quest of local and rare birds are pretty desired by vacation goers.

Butterflies are one other top attraction in this small country. You will find tons of species with rich diversity in sizes and colors, as well as a couple of butterfly farms.

Diving

Belize is the most suitable location for diving enthusiasts. Just off the coast you can find lots of islands, generally known as cays, which offer protection to divers from the open waters of the ocean and create a wonderful environment for undisturbed diving and snorkeling. Many of the most famous sites are Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, as well as the nearby coral atolls.

The crystal clear waters are dwelling to many marine life species, and the superb coral formations are the dwelling place of quite a few exotic and also scarce fishes. Joining one of several organized marine adventure tours allows you to experience a lot more than when you try to dive or snorkel all by yourself, mainly because the guides knows exactly where the very best places are, and will take you there.

Mayan Ruins

Many vacationers are curious about seeing Mayan ruins when on a journey to Central America. The Mayan culture and civilization is well known around the world for its fascinating stone temples, the Mayan calendar and understanding of astronomy as well as construction work.

In Belize many Mayan ruins are actually meticulously restored by the government, to inform the vacationer the history of the Maya and their civilization. Visiting the Mayan ruins is a distinctive adventure in Belize. You may either rent a car and drive by yourself, or join a prepared adventure tour. The 2nd is maybe the much better option, as all accommodations will be set up and everything will be taken care of.

Belize is a stop which is included in most Caribbean cruises starting from the US. However, you won't have enough time to see a lot when you go to the location for just a couple of hours or even a day. When you desire to see more of what Belize provides, we advise that you stay for at least a week, however preferably longer.

Although the local population lives really close to the way they lived generations ago, there are lots of expensive resorts specifically created for tourists who need to invest their time freely in this lush tropical environment.

The food in these resort hotels and everywhere else in Belize is generally great tasting, and made with fresh ingredients produced on eco-friendly farms.

Whether you visit Belize for a beach vacation or an adventure travel, this small country is likely to fulfill all your desires, and you'll have a fun time.

Bird Watching Basics - What Devices You Will Need If You Want To Be A Birder

Birding is really popular all over the world. This is no great surprise, merely because in the busy and upsetting lives many people lead there is a need to be near to nature and observe animals in their natural habitat, which plus satisfying a need for peace and quiet, also makes people feel good. The interest in birding is growing day after day, as more and more folks decide to take it up and discover what nature can give. See Bird Watching Tours here.

This phenomenal hobby has a great deal to offer, although to be a better birder and obtain more out of this experience, there are several birding basics you should know: read more about bird watching here.

You do not need numerous gear, but some items are nearly essential. These sort of items are field glasses, a field guide, and an ideal set of clothing and shoes which often blend in with the colors of the natural surroundings you are in.

Binoculars

Whenever selecting your field glasses, you ought to have in mind the truth that essentially the most hard part for almost all birders is merely being able to see the birds, specifically if you are a beginner. A fantastic set of field glasses with a wide field of view will allow you to effortlessly locate birds, along with follow their movements.

Your binoculars also need to supply bright enough images, as that is important for distinguishing subtle features, color variations in addition to small details, particularly when there is not a sufficient amount of sunlight and the surroundings are providing you with only limited dim light.

In cases where you happen to be wearing glasses, request binoculars which have a long enough "eye relief". This is an important feature, as an limitless view is one of the significant elements to consider when you will be making use of an instrument for hours.

Ideally, you ought to avoid buying pocket-size binoculars. Although the weight and the size of pocket-size binoculars can be tempting for a lot of people, the reality is that they are poor in quality to the view and attributes of a lot of full-size binoculars.

Field guide

You will find quite a few birding guides accessible to beginners who need some help in which place to go and what to try to find, if they prefer to spot a certain bird species. It's a great concept to have one of these, at least at the beginning while you are still figuring out the bird watching basics, especially if perhaps you're interested in finding migratory or rare birds.

Such guides often have aerial maps and also routes that the migrating birds take, and also having the times marked for when during the year these birds could be noticed. For rare species, birding guides give detailed information as well as maps of the habitats where the birds you're searching for have ideal population density and and so the ideal chance of viewing it.

Clothing

Whenever you happen to be planning to take a trip into the countryside to see birds, you ought to obtain a good pair of shoes and clothing that blend with the surroundings. It is necessary not to wear clothes made of polyester that will make a lot of noise when you move, mainly because chances are you will terrify the birds when getting close to them. If you're planning to take a visit to an area of marshland, swamps and various other wetlands, you will also need an insect net for your face, as such areas are sometimes plagued with mosquitoes, flies and other insects.

Personal skills

You don't need a number of personal skills, yet you should be able to demonstrate determination, as birds are naturally shy, and perhaps it will take an hour or even longer before you are able to see and also observe the species of bird you are after.

Whenever you adhere to the birding basics referred to above, you will be on your way to becoming the best birders and will be able to have numerous relaxing and fulfilling hours in the countryside, blending with the surroundings and watching birds within their natural habitat.

Birding In Sian Ka'an

Extending almost 1.5 million acres, the Sian Ka'an reserve is just about the largest safeguarded natural avian habitats in the Yucatan Peninsula. As a Unesco World Heritage protected site, the place is an incredibly maintained ecological wonder with breathtaking surroundings. It teems with avian wildlife and also other animals, and is an awesome place to visit and enjoy nature. The reserve furthermore houses numerous types of tropical birds, that makes it an ideal bird watching destination.

Sian Ka'an Tours might be set up simply when you are in the Yucatan. Nestled near widely recognized places such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen as well as Tulum, it is an excellent thing to see. Along with several beautiful birding spots in the reserve, you'll find vast ecosystems, wildlife and reptilian species to sidetrack you from simple bird watching. You will absolutely be captivated with the incredible historic sites of the Mayan people, just as much as you'll enjoy watching a large number of migratory and tropical birds. See Bird Watching Tours here.

Sian Ka'an Reserve

This touring destination has lots of things to offer. Among them are numerous tropical bird species just like the Frigate, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Osprey, Boat-billed Heron, Tri-colored Heron and many more. Its freshwater inland canals were once used by the Maya people for buying and selling roughly 1200 years ago. These inland canals hold the quite possibly most varied flora and fauna you will ever discover in the entire Yucatan Peninsula. The plentiful ecosystem in the Sian Ka'an Reserve, for that reason, has turned into a natural nesting place for tropical birds of all types.

Within the Sian Ka'an Reserve is a remote mangrove place named the bird island, where plenty of these sultry avian creatures stay. In addition to that, you will notice the seabirds fly the distant horizon when you watch the setting sun.

Sian Ka'an Tours

A full tour of the Sian Ka'an Reserve begins with a few orientations and even discussions regarding the reserve's targets. Herein, the complexities of nature inside the reserve are discussed to the visitors in a persuasive as well as fascinating manner. The guides discuss the flora, fauna, ecosystem and mainly the birds discovered in the reserve. They provide an acute overview of things to anticipate on the tour, which could get you all nervous as well as expectant.

Primarily on your to-do list is getting on a six-seater ponga boat, as the captain or guide tells you with regards to the surrounding lagoon and what sort of birds nest in such an ecosystem. As the tour moves south, traveling along the coastal peninsula, the boarding ride stops at Boca Paila lagoon. From that point, the tour travel even farther inland, with an 11 kilometer narrow freshwater canal. Anticipate to see tropical birds all about the mangrove wetlands. Apart from birds, the sights also provide mangroves of different colors, orchids, termite mounds, bromeliads, fishes along with reptilian wildlife.

The tour advances towards the south until you get to the "bird island" in the lagoon of San Miguel, at which you will see numerous tropical birds roosting from dawn to dusk. As tour pushes forward, you will definitely see several Night Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Tri-Colored Herons, Frigates, Boat Billed, White Ibis, Green Herons, Little Blue Herons, Egrets as well as Pelicans.

The Mayan Calendar and Astrology

The ancient Maya civilization flourished in Mesoamerica, a region now split up into Central America as well as Mexico, about two thousand years after comparable high civilizations rose in Asia and Europe. As with any other civilizations of the yesteryear, the Maya had advanced astrology since the beginning, which went on to progress over ages. Check out mayan pyramids here.

The Ancient Maya had no tremendous amount of outside influence, but still its folks were able to prosper and achieve the heights of its civilization. Right until five hundred years ago, during the Spanish came and the Aztec reigned as being the prevalent empire, the Mayan calendar was one of the most recognized astrological traditions held in Mesoamerica.

Mayan Astrology

The knowledge of time is central to the Mayan civilization, and thus, its people held on to astrology as a symbolic tradition. More than just being a symbol, the Mayan calendar made way for the folks to have a significantly better grasp of time as well as space. In Mesopotamian astrology, time and space were held in evenly high regard, but both of them are viewed as spatial. The combination of time and space was what the Greeks used to evaluate distances between planets, the meridian and the horizon. In Mesoamerica, nevertheless, the Mayan people evaluated time as a sign, whereby the basic unit is one day. They measured the day by one full rotation of earth, and utilized it as a basis of yet several other signs in the Mayan astrology. The image on the right presents the sky observatory in Chichen Itza

Twenty-day Signs

If today's Western seven-day calendar grouped days in weeks, the Mayan people counted their days in repetitive sets of twenty. This is what both the Maya and Aztec called the 20-day signs. Just like our calendars at this time, the Mesoamerican people also provided symbolic representations for each day. Readers of astrology will tell you that the day you were born holds the key to understanding your personality. In much the same way, the Mayan calendar talks the type of character a person will have based on the day she or he was born. It's just like putting a stamp on a person. The difference is that Mesoamericans adhered to their belief with more veneration as compared to modern astrologers do.

260-day Astrological Calendar

The Mayan calendar fuses the twenty-day signs to generate a thirteen cycle, referred to as tzolkin. The tzolkin is a sacred 260-day astrological calendar that is followed not merely by the Mayan, but the rest of the Mesoamerican civilizations.

For as long as 2000 years, Mesoamerican astrologers devoted themselves to monitoring each 260-day cycle. The tracking of every day was made consistent throughout Mesoamerica; if it was the very first of twenty days in Tenochtitlan, the main city city of Aztec, then it was also the very first of twenty days in isolated territories of Maya. That permitted trade plus economy, and politics and government to prosper more fruitfully.

Ancient Mayan astrology helped all civilizations in Mesoamerica get to the pinnacle of greatness. Even after Maya's downfall five hundred years back, Mesoamerica held securely to the custom and handed down the fantastic history of the Mayan people.

Yucatan Ecology - See Nature At Its Best And Wildlife In Abundance

Regardless if it is your first time to the Yucatan Peninsula, or you have been here a lot of times before, there are always new places as well as things to see, new adventures to have and new wildlife species to see or watch. See more Wildlife tours here.

When you are interested in acquiring knowledge as much as possible concerning Yucatan ecology, joining one of the well guided trips is a fantastic idea. The knowledgeable guides will have a lot to tell you regarding nature and wildlife and you will learn countless interesting facts. See Birding Tours Here.

Yucatan Adventure Tours

You will discover adventure tours meant for the entire Yucatan, with the majority of them starting from Playa del Carmen or Cancun. These two cities are situated in convenient distance to a number of Mayan ruins, coral reefs, biosphere reserves not to mention water sport locations. If you ever want to see as much of Yucatan as possible, starting your adventure from one of these two cities will open numerous possibilities for you.

The Yucatan Eco-System

Mexico has a very diverse as well as vibrant eco-system; deserts and mountains, tropics, forests and wetlands, marshes and mangroves, canyons, cenotes, gorges as well as anything else you can imagine.
Almost all of the Yucatan Peninsula is protected by semi-tropical forest, that many people recognize simply as 'jungle'. It's almost totally inaccessible, except in some areas where a road has been built or you will find trails which you can embark on foot. The coastline has numerous well-developed towns and highways, while on the Peninsula the settlements are small and largely home to hunters, who live in small communities.
When you decide to explore it alone, you can get into danger, and that's why it is always far better to use a highly trained guide who is familiar with the area perfectly and can take you to the areas you want to see.
You will find various commercial undertakings where visitors can experience and see the Mayan way of living. Xcarel and Xel-Ha are two such eco-friendly parks, where the wonder of the natural coastline is reachable for every individual. In these eco-friendly parks tourists can see folks dressed in traditional Maya costume, exhibiting how varied crafts and also agricultural work was done during the past.

In Yucatan many of the rivers run underground, and there are many caves, caverns and also the so-called cenotes. Some of them are only known to people who live in the area and you would need a local guide to take you there; others are well-explored and also mapped and designed for diving. It is said that several of these caves along with waterfalls were once employed by the Mayan kings and queens, and it is possible to take a mud bath with terracotta clay and wash it off under a waterfall the way they used to.
Abundance of Life
Many lagoons and small lakes remain unaltered by civilization, with very few cabins, cottages or small fishing villages erected around them. A great deal of marine life can be seen in all lagoons and lakes, and also the ocean surrounding the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you're thinking of plant life and animals, the state of Quintana Roo comes up. This state has over 20% of its territory protected by some kind of reserve, biosphere environmental protection area or particular rules and regulations to be able to look after its wildlife.

The Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve is unquestionably worth bringing up. It's a fairly good example of how a solid effort to safeguard nature and all its resources can turn into something remarkable. This reserve is mentioned as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its name in the Mayan language signifies 'he who is born under the sun'. Over 1.3 million acres of forest, jungles, bays, lagoons, cenotes along with coral reefs are home to a large number of species of insects, reptiles, mammals not to mention underwater life.
Several other areas in Yucatan are also remarkable, and provide an unmatched experience when you're thinking of eco-tourism. Cozumel Island, Punta Laguna, Isla Contoy and Chinchorro Reef are only some of the places that happen to be definitely worth visiting in case you are enthusiastic about observing totally different species inside their natural habitat.

Guatemala Outdoor Adventures

A small country on the Pacific ocean called Guatemala is bordered by Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize . The official language in Guatemala is Spanish. The country has entry to the Caribbean, that makes it an ideal vacation spot for vacationers enthusiastic about nature, wildlife as well as adventure. See Guatemala Tours Here.



You will find numerous outdoor adventures you may take part in - fishing, swimming with the dolphins, birding, scuba diving and canopy tours and much more. The greatest thing you can do is to participate an arranged tour, because this way you'll obtain the very best experience possible for your hard earned money. You will find arranged outdoor adventure tours in Guatemala for a lot of activities, and you can get complete information regarding it from your local travel agent or from your hotel once you've arrived. More Guatemala Travel Here.



Adventures In Guatemala



The guides are very well-trained and knowledgeable, qualified to watch after your safety as well as provide the best possible experience. Regardless of whether you're enthusiastic about underwater activities or adventure tours on land, Guatemala has a great deal to provide you with. Here are a few of the most well known outdoor activities in this stunning Central American country:



Mountain Biking



Guatemala has numerous rural roads which are ideal for mountain biking. Ensure you don't take the dirt paths alone, particularly if you're unfamiliar with the area. Outdoor adventure tours which are arranged by among the many operators are the very best choice, since you'll be with a group of other individuals who share exactly the same enthusiasm for mountain biking. The guides will make certain the whole group is protected and that nobody gets hurt.



Climbing a volcano



Guatemala has numerous volcanoes, a number of them still active, and their craters offer a challenge to individuals who want to climb them. A few of the popular volcanoes you can get an opportunity to go to on a prepared tour are the Pacaya volcano, Santa Maria, Acatenango and more. In the event that you're up for the challenge, a number of the guides will be prepared to take you even closer therefore you can feel the heat and see the boiling lava of the volcano. The feeling is incredible, because nothing making you feel more close to nature than experiencing the power of the earth and also the potential power of the eruption.



Fishing



Numerous people appreciate fishing, because it's an excellent way to hang around and unwind. Guatemala is continuously earning recognition as a fishing destination due to its rich marine life and the huge assortment of species of fish in the rivers. There are arranged fishing boat tours where one can try your luck, probably catching a few of the wonderful fish that live in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the inland waterways, and also the Caribbean Sea.



Hiking is an excellent method to invest your time in Guatemala, because a large part of the country is unchanged by civilization. You may enjoy the natural surroundings and admire the scenery, in addition to watching numerous animals that call these forests home. Hiking in Guatemala can be harmful when you aren't acquainted with the country or if you're unacquainted with the risks, including wildlife. In order to make sure a pleasurable and secure hiking experience, join one of many organized outdoor adventure groups. Believe in guides; they will do their very best to keep you safe and ensure you have a lot of fun.



Some other possible outdoor adventures when going to Guatemala are rafting, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins and much more. In case you have any special requests, don't think twice to ask - your local travel agent and your hosts and travel guides will do all they can to satisfy your requests and needs.

The Ancient Mayan City of Chichen Itza

The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza is one of the main places of interest for tourists visiting the Yucatan peninsula, in Mexico. The name of the city means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza", and is believed to have reached its apogee during the political and economical dominance of the Itza ethnic group over the northern Yucatan.

Chichen Itza is a large pre-Colombian archeological site built by the advanced (for its time) Mayan civilization. Archaeologists have found signs of previously built settlements in the area, but the most impressive buildings in the city were built around 600 AD.

Reaching Chichen Itza

This very interesting to see archaeological site is located about 2 to 2 ½ hour's drive from Cancun, Mexico. There are organized tourist trip buses to and from Cancun, but you can also get transportation from your hotel if you request it. You can also rent a car and drive there on your own, arriving at an hour that is best for you.

The Chichen Itza Ruins

Chichen Itza contains many stone buildings in different states of preservation. Some of them have been partly restored, while others are in the state in which they were discovered by the archaeologists. There are also parts of the city that are open only for archaeologists, and are not open for the regular tourist to visit them.

The city is split into five areas - Great North Platform, Ossario Group, The Casa Colorada Group, Central Group and Old Chichen. Back in time when the city was complete, these areas were separated by walls; but today there are very few walls remaining, and most of the complex is easy to access from one area to another.

The Pyramid of Kulkulkan

The Great North Group is the most popular and most visited area of Chichen Itza, as this is the place where a large step pyramid called "the Castle" is located. It was built by the Maya and they called it The Pyramid of Kulkulkan (Quetzalcoatl), after their feathered serpent deity.

This breathtaking pyramid shows how great a knowledge and understanding of astronomy the Maya had. There are exactly 365 steps from the base of the pyramid to the top (counting the last platform). In addition, every year on the spring and autumn equinoxes the sun's rays touch the structure in a way that creates a shadowy illusion of a serpent, winding down the stairs of the pyramid.

In the base of the Pyramid of Kulkulkan there is an empty field with exceptional acoustics, where various athletics games and competitions were played. The interesting fact about Mayan civilization is that they considered only people of noble blood worthy of participating in such games, which makes this field a place where the best of the best were competing against each other.

The Sacred Cenote

Another noticeable structure on the Great North Group plateau is the Sacred Cenote. It is an opening into the ground, leading to a series of underground rivers. The Maya used it as a place to present gifts to their deities - jade, food and even human beings from enemy tribes, captured during warfare.

Chichen Itza is opened for visitors from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. all year round, but most of the tourists visit it around noon. If you are planning to take the trip to Chichen Itza and wish to see it when it is less crowded, you should time your visit so that you arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when there are fewer people. Make sure you bring plenty of water and that you wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as the temperatures can be very high and the weather hot and humid.

Bird Watching Tours Among Ancient Cities Of The Maya

There are so many different varieties of birds to see and admire on the Yucatan Peninsula that is a difficult decision to make where to go in order to best enjoy living paradise. Hiking trips are one of the best ways to get to the more obscure areas and are led by tour guides that can offer you valuable insight into the species that you are viewing on the bird watching tours.

The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most renowned birding areas in the world because of where it is located. Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side, the Caribbean Sea on the other side and the Yucatan Channel on the northern coast, the climate and surroundings are perfect for our flying friends. More Bird Watching Tour here.

Birds Watching Tour

Over 546 different species of birds live here in this mix of ocean and jungle, with the Mayan ruins often providing a home for the more reclusive species of birds. In addition to the protected areas around the Mayan ruins, there are two large biosphere reserves in the Yucatan. The Ria Lagartos is in the northwestern area and the Sian Ka'an, which is the third largest area such protected area in Mexico. Sian Ka'an has over three hundred species of birds just within the area of islands, lagoons, dunes and wetland areas.

The tour departs from the Playa del Carmen, Cancun or the Riviera Maya every day of the week. There are two tour options available: either a full day in the Rio Lagartos Reserve or a half-day in the Sian Ka'an Reserve. Both of the tours have an expert guide familiar with the bird species of the area as well as the geographical area itself.

The Rio Lagartos Reserve tour starts in the morning after leaving the hotel, riding by automobile to the beginning of the Peten Tucha trail, located near the Rio Lagartos village; from there, the trek into the jungle area begins. Some of the species of birds found here are the Yucatan Jay, Crested Caracaca, Laughing Falcon and Vermilion Flycatcher.

There are two main climates in the Rio Lagartos wetlands region on the bird watching tour: the Mexican mangroves and the dry forests of the Yucatan. There are at least ten different types of vegetation enclosed within the Rio Lagartos Reserve; these vary in height from mere centimeters to over 10 meters in height. The small island areas made up of small tightly growing types of trees nearby springs have the most variety in floral species. The all day tour includes fees, birding guides, boat tour, and lunch and pick up at the end of the day to return to your hotel.

Half Day Tour

The half-day tour is in the Sian Ka'an Reserve, over thirteen million acres of area, measuring nearly 120 kilometers in length from south to north along the Caribbean coastline. Starting at 5 am, with a pick up from the hotel, you ride by car to the Muyil entrance of the reserve. The large core zones in the reserve are set up to facilitate scientific research and limit the building of cities or villages to preserve the heritage of the preserve. The name of the preserve itself means "where the sky is born".

Among the species of birds that are to be found in this great diversity of aquatic wetlands are the brown pelican, roseate spoonbill, Yucatan woodpecker and the tri colored heron are some of the unique birds found here. The bird watching tours will give you the experience of a lifetime and the photos of a lifetime as well. Mexico's Mayan ruins are abandoned only by people, but are alive with the birds and scenery in this beautiful tropical paradise. For something completely different, a bird watching tour of the Mayan area is nothing less than breathtaking.

Chichen Itza - The World's Famous Ruins

Essentially the most distinguished of the Mayan ruins, the Chichen Itza ruins are well known for their impressive architecture in addition to for the legends which encompass the area. Chichen Itza basically implies at the Mouth of the Well. The well of course pertains to the sacred well in close proximity, where it's said that sacrifices of gold, silver, precious stones, as well as humans were sent into the well.

One legend says that those who are sent into the well as being a sacrifice can have the power of prophesy whenever they live. When one group were sent into the well and none made it, an ancient ruler cast himself into the well and upon arising from it unaffected, prophesied his own surge to power.

The most important and the frequently viewed part of the Chichen Itza ruins are the pyramids, with the central, El Castillo a massive step pyramid which is the dominant structure in Chichen Itza. It is internationally renowned for the history which steeps the area, and visited by millions every year.

Chichen Itza Tours

Chichen Itza is considered to be the site where the great serpent God, Kukulkán will arise from below the massive ball courts where aged games were once played out. The prediction states that he will rise on December 22 of 2012 to bring a final end to the earth.

Irrespective of whether you believe in the prophecies of an end-time, the actual concept does give you a bit of a shiver when you walk the ball courts as well as stand where these happenings are forecasted to occur.

Designated as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World in 2007, Chichen Itza is obviously a tremendous spectacle. It's also one that you'll not see per day, or perhaps, even in a week's time..
Chichen Itza Ruins

The place was built between 1000 and 1200 AD. Put up clearly by the Mayans, the most important structure here, El Castillo is a Mayan temple that was created to pay tribute to Kulkulkan. It's also thought to have been a tremendous calendar of sorts. The whole number of steps that El Castillo has are 365, one stair for each day of the calendar year, while the temple measures about 98 feet tall.

It's been gilded with image of the heads of serpents, each plumed and rising from the pyramid base. In the late evening around sunset on the equinox of spring and fall, it's said that the shadows shaped a triangle on the platform that makes it appear that the serpent with plumed headdress is moving down the pyramid.

There is a chance for interaction and cultural exchanges with the Mayan community in the region as well as a spa in the area. Aside from that, the wildlife that you'll see and the opportunities for going through the splendidly colored birds here are virtually infinite. A trip to Chichen Itza is literally a requirement when you're in Maya country.

Birds on Bird Watching Tours in Yucatan

You will find hundreds of avian species to be seen in the Yucatan Peninsula. The list below has the endemic and most distinctive species tourists can see on interesting bird watching tours.

- English Name -- Scientific Name
- Bare Throated Tiger-Heron -- Tigrisona Mexicanum
- Bat Falcon -- Falco Rufigularis
- Black Catbird (endemic)-- Melanoptila Glabrirostris
- Black Hawk-Eagle -- Spizaetus Tyrannus
- Black Vulture -- Cathartes Aura
- Boat-Billed Heron -- Cochlearius Cochlearius
- Cattle Egret -- Bubulcus Ibis
- Collared Forest-Falcón -- Micrastur Semitorquatus
- Gray Hawk -- Asturina Nitidia
- Great Blue Heron -- Ardea Herodias
- Great Egret -- Ardea Alba
- Green Heron -- Butorides Virescens
- Hook-Billed kite -- Chondrohierax Uncinatus
- Jabirú -- Jabiru Mycteria
- King Vulture -- Sarcoramphus Papa
- Little Blue Heron -- Egretta Caerulea
- Magnificient Frigatebird -- Fregata Magnifiens
- Mexican Sheartail -- Doricha Eliza
- Ocellated Turkey (endemic) -- Meleagris Ocellata
- Orange Oriole (endemic) -- Icterus Auratus
- Osprey -- Pandion Haliaetus
- Plumbeous Kite -- Ictinia Plúmbea
- Ridgway's Rough-Winged Swallow -- Stelgidopteryx Ridgwayi
- Rose-throated Tanager (endemic) -- Piranga Roseogularis
- Ruddy Crake -- Laterallus Ruber
- Short-tailed Hawk -- Buteo Lineatus
- Snail Kite -- Rostrhamus Sociabilis
- Snowy Egret -- Egretta Thula
- Tricolored Heron Egretta Tricolor
- Wood Stork -- Mycteria Americana
- Yucatan Amazon (endemic)-- Amazona Xantholora
- Yucatan Bobwhite -- Colinus Nigrogularis
- Yucatan Flycatcher (endemic) -- Myiarchus Yucatanensis
- Yucatan Jay (endemic) -- Cyanocorax Yucatanicus
- Yucatan Nightjar (endemic) -- Caprimulgus Badius
- Yucatan Poorwill (endemic) -- Nyctiphrynus Yucatanicus
- Yucatan Vireo -- Vireo Magíster
- Yucatan Woodpecker (endemic)-- Melanerpes Pygmaeus
- Yucatan Wren (endemic) -- Campylorhynchus Yucatanicus
- Zenaida Dove -- Zenaida Aurita
- Zone-tailed Hawk -- Buteo Albonutatus

More Bird Watching Tour here.

All About The Whale Shark's Diet And Anatomy

You can actually think the best description to suit a whale shark is this: A mouthful of teeth and a stomach that is consistently starving. Even though that seems morbidly acceptable it has nothing to do with the truth. In truth, whale sharks are totally different from other shark species when considering diet. See more Whale Shark Tour here.

Whale Sharks are typically known as filter-feeders. They eat mostly krill, plankton, squid, small fishes, red crab larvae and small nektonic vertebrates. A whale shark has a very unique oral anatomy which enables it to gulp in water, filter for food, and then expulse the water thru its gills.

Whale Shark Anatomy

As opposed to what a lot of people belief, whale sharks do not have big sharp teeth, just like other sharks do. The fact is that, the size of their teeth is considerably smaller given that their teeth serve no real purpose in feeding. Put another way, whale sharks will not chew their food. Truly being filter-feeders, whale sharks have a distinctive raking mechanism attached to the insides of their gills that work to filter food from the water they drink in. Filter-feeding requires a rather interesting, if somewhat odd, logic.

Filter-feeding

Instead of preying on fishes, a whale shark sucks in mouthfuls of water packed with planktons, macro-algae, and also tiny fishes. Next, it closes its oral cavity to trap the water inside, which is funneled through the gill flaps, where water is gotten rid of. The majority of the food particles are trapped against the dermal denticles lining the whale shark's pharynx and gill plates. The gills have very fine sieve-like contraptions which are employed to sifter planktons. The filters, only 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter, eliminate anything besides water and small sized food particles from escaping.

Any organic material which is caught between the gill filters is swallowed in after. To a human point of view, the concept of filter-feeding would appear quite a problem. You can definitely find it difficult to understand utilizing your oral cavity like a sponge filter plus swallowing the dirt that builds up inside of the filter. Although whale sharks are usually well experienced at filter-feeding, the difficulty of it is not lost to them. Whale sharks usually are documented "coughing," unable to swallow most of the food particles stuck in the gill filters. Soon enough, the excess particles there increase and block up the filters, making it difficult to eat with no need of coughing and, potentially, choking.

Whale sharks are quite active feeders. When compared to various other species of sharks, or fishes for instance, whale sharks hardly ever give up eating. As filter-feeding also does not demand them to chase for food, whale sharks can merely gulp in water even when they are resting in fixed position.

Other Filter-feeder Sharks

Amidst all species of sharks, two others are filter-feeders: the megamouth shark as well as the basking shark. The basking shark doesn't filter-feed the way whale sharks do. In place of gulping as well as expelling water via their gills, basking sharks simply "basks," as a result pushing water to flow through their gills. The food particles are then amassed and ingested.

The fact is, whale sharks are extremely distinctive from what you first assumed them to be. They are filter-feeders and have no use for teeth, far less for a mouthful of razor-sharp, pointy teeth.

Tulum in Mexico - An Amazing Place To Go to Whenever You Are Interested In Mayan Ruins And The Great Outdoors

Tulum located in Mexico is really a wonderful place to take a trip to. It is actually not quite as popular as a number of the other places on the Yucatan Peninsula just like Cancun or the largest resorts on Riviera Maya, but this is also a part of its natural beauty. See more about Tulum Ruins Here.

Tulum has a great deal to offer to the ambitious traveler fascinated by Mayan ruins and also Mother Nature - private beaches, a calming atmosphere, tasty cuisine, snorkeling and enjoying the crystal clear waters, interesting plant life and animals species and Mayan ruins to see and explore.

This attractive old Mayan settlement is located just simply south of Playa Del Carmen, so there is always easy transportation and accommodations available. Listed below are some of the most remarkable places to check out if perhaps you have enough time to spend in Tulum:

Mayan Ruins

Tulum ruins are among the best-preserved coastal Maya archaeological sites, located on the beach-side. They are famed resulting from their state of conservation, one of a kind location and spectacular view. If you are browsing Tulum, these ruins are certainly a must-see destination.

According to archeologists, these ruins are more thn 1400 years old and were a fundamental place of worship in the time of its apogee. The tourist can see a lot of temples, altars, shrines and other religion-related stone buildings in the area.

The ancient Mayas are well known for their amazing understanding and skill in astronomy, architecture, observation and cultural accomplishments. The state of preservation of the buildings in Tulum helps us realize even more how wonderful the Mayan culture as well as society were.

In Tulum there's also one more wonderful building - a well-preserved wall structure, identified as the 'castillo'. It encompasses the city square and employed to guard and protect the population from any enemy approaching. These days, 1400 years later, the “castillo” is still standing.

The Cenotes

In case you are enthusiastic about Mayan ruins and the wilderness, the cenotes tend to be something you will want to see and check out. Most of the Yucatan Peninsula has few rivers and lakes, but this does not mean that it's dry land. A series of underground rivers, called cenotes, have formed various underground caves, tunnels, stalactites and stalagmites.

Mayans employed these cenotes being a resource for fresh water for their settlements, making an opening to achieve the underwater rivers or using natural openings into the ground in order to get through to the fresh water.

Presently, the cenotes are well known tourist destinations for many people who would love to try cavern diving and snorkeling in the clear waters. It is not advisable to try this yourself, since you can easily stray in the series of caverns and openings. On the other hand, you can take guided tours that are totally safe, even for beginners.

Punta Laguna

For the vacationer that likes eco-tourism, Punta Laguna is where to go in the area around Tulum. This 5000 hectare wide nature reserve is situated just some 30 minutes drive from the town and it is a home to spider monkeys, jaguars and many other types of wild animals, along with magnificent jungle flora.

Coral reef

In cases where diving into the cenotes is not enough, the traveler can take advantage of the incredible coastal landscapes and also diving opportunities in Tulum. There are actually regular guided diving trips to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, featuring extraordinary sea life, coral formations and is a great experience.

As you can see from the above, there is something for everybody in Tulum. If you're enthusiastic about Mayan ruins as well as nature, visiting this place will be really worth your time and money, and you will think of this incredible getaway for the rest of your life!

Ruins Of Palenque-Ancient Mysteries

One of several great Mayan ruins that are located in the area of Yucatan Palenque ranks easily in the top of the "must see" category. Easily vying with Chichen Itza and Tikal only for the Mayan temples as well as the architectural beauties along the Palenque ruins offer a non-stop trip through history and culture for people who take the time to go and visit. See Palenque Tour here.

Relatively off the beaten path, the Palenque ruins are approximately 650 kilometers from the beaches and also white sands of the Riviera Maya, but makes for a good overnight trip for anyone who want to experience history and also some sunshine.

Tour To Palenque

Whenever you reach Palenque, be sure you allocate adequate time to see everything the place holds for you. If you spend less than one day then you will see next to nothing, simply because there are loads of great sights in Palenque.

The exotic area of the Mayan ruins will basically keep you captive as soon as you arrive there, exploring the jungles, the mountains and the numerous caves. The variety of wildlife and birds will keep you awestruck while you uncover the rich history and remarkable structures the Palenque ruins keep available for you.

Palenque Ruins

Nestled amongst the foothills of the Tumbala, the mountains offer you a spectacular vista of a apparently endless variety of green which flows just like a verdant river completely to the gulf. The Usamacinta River could have been a main source of life for the Mayans who lived here, even as it persists today, many years later.

The Palenque ruins are in what's known as a high-canopy jungle. The landscape alone keeps a powerful draw, just as the Palenque ruins do. As you continue among the age-old Mayan temples, you will be enveloped in a feeling of wonder and peace which the landscape offers. The trees provide a canopy which guards you from the sun, with the setting nothing short of magnificent.

History Of Palenque

Remaining in Palenque for the whole day, in fact, even organizing another day will no doubt be your reply regardless of what time of the year you pick for your visit.

One of the most awe-inspiring sights-and sites-that you will view in Palenque is the Temple of Inscriptions. Emtombed here is Pakal the Great. Well known as the very best and also most mighty ruler which the Palenque ever had, Pakal compelled the temple to be erected following he had passed out of the world. The pyramid steps lay hidden for many hundred years, discovered in the mid 1800's, although it wasn't until 1952 that Alberto Ruz solved the mystery of the staircase which led down into the tomb.

It requires special permission to go to this part of the Temple of Inscriptions, but when or if you receive it you are going to be intensely touched by your visit here. Palenque is quite literally, adequate to convince you to learn more about the Mayan civilization, and to visit again and again in order to solve the various mysteries that stay there.

One Of The Best Sites for Bird Watching in the Yucatan

Bird watching is very popular in Yucatan and countless people today go to the peninsula to observe birds as well as their natural habitat. You really do not need to be an expert to take pleasure in watching birds - and it's the best pastime for people of any age.

Regardless of whether you're intending to lie in your hammock with a great book as well as binoculars or join among the tours that take you to places where countless birds nest, your time spent birding in Yucatan is going to be something to recall.

Bird Watching in Yucatan

When it comes to Birding, Yucatan is definitely a place to be. During the migration periods lots of bird species get to the jungles and also wetlands. The top bird reserve, Sian Ka'an, is stated to host an incredible number of migratory birds alone.

Nevertheless, it is not just the migrating birds that made up the diversity. You will find over 546 species of birds who inhabit the zones in the Yucatan all year long, eleven of which are endemic (living only in Yucatan and no place else on earth). A number of these rare local species also bring the name of the region: the Bright Red Yucatan parrot, the Yucatan night-jar as well as the Yucatan wren.

Yucatan Bird Watching Destinations

Many of the first rate destinations in Yucatan with regards to birding are The Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve, Celestun, Rio Lagartos as well as Isla Contoy.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere

The Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve is found a few miles south of Tulum, Mexico and a little over 40 miles south of Playa Del Carmen resort. You will find many small hotels on the shoreline, consequently accommodations are relatively easy to find all year round.

This large reserve encompasses more than 1.3 million acres of land, lagoons, cenotes, tropical rain forests, mangrove swamps and wetlands. It was designed to protect not just the native species of birds, but also over 1200 other species of animals - reptiles, insects and also mammals.

There are over 360 species of birds that roost in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, and for nature lovers you will find non-profit community birding tours. The groups can be big or small, with the smallest group being formed when no less than two individuals would like to take the tour. Some of the birds which are easiest to see are ibises, vultures, herons and orioles, and so forth.
Celestun

Celestun is found about 45 minutes drive from Merida. It's a small fishing village, however there are a few basic hotels where you can remain. Aside from that, Eco Paraiso Xixim, a beautiful 280-room Eco-resort is just 6 miles north of Celestun.

One of the species of birds that may be seen in this area is the pink flamingo, with its numbers being largest from March through August. Various other birds, including snowy egrets and herons can also be seen, especially if you take a tour with one of the fishing boats.

The Rio Lagartos Biosphere reserve

The Rio Lagartos Biosphere reserve is situated on the Yucatan's northern Caribbean coast, five miles north of Valladolid and about an hour away from Chichen Itza. Right here you'll find the largest colony of pink flamingos - over 40,000 flamingos call this place home. Together with the flamingos which occupy other places around Celestun, the reserve houses over 90% of the world's population of pink flamingos throughout the cold months of winter.

Isla Contoy

Isla Contoy is situated just 18 miles north of Isla Mujeres and is a national park. It's a bird sanctuary and one of the top locations for birding in Yucatan. There is a limit on how many visitors can visit Isla Contoy daily, therefore if you're serious in going to this place, ensure you join a great getaway where all arrangements are made to suit your needs.

The birds you can observe on Isla Contoy are generally marine birds, including the double-crested cormorant, the frigate, as well as the brown pelican. You may also see birds which nest on this island.

Exploring Yucatan Peninsula

You could opt to see one or all of these birding destinations in Yucatan. Set up your journey and don't forget about great shoes, long distance scopes and insect repellent if you're visiting an area with marshy wetlands and jungle.

Further information are available at our Bird Watching Tours page.

A Unique Experience For Everyone - Guatemala Jungle Tours

Within the very heart of Central America is Guatemala; vital for every tourist who's enthusiastic about nature, history and culture, a nation with extraordinary geographic diversity, ethnographic variety, cultural wealth in addition to a zone of economical and cultural contacts between all the cultures of Central America. Visit Guatemala Tours here.

There are a lot of approaches to explore Guatemala. It is possible to travel exclusively by yourself or with a few friends that are local and who can show you around and inform you more about the local culture and history. You can also make the decision to join some of the organized jungle tours, you can find at many travel agencies. See Guatemala ruins here.


Joining a prepared Guatemala jungle tour

Joining on the list of organized Guatemala jungle tours is among the best decisions a tourist can make, because these tours can take you to a breathtaking world of national parks, authentic, colorful museums, magnificent archaeological sites, ruins and much more.

Visit Mayan Ruins

Many of the most interesting places to go while on a jungle tour in Guatemala are the famous city of La Antigua, Tikal National Park, El Mirador, Lake Atitlan and also other cities which, for several years, have been completely lost in the jungle. You can even see hints of the thousands year old Mayan culture and civilization.

Tikal National Park

This park is a cultural highlight. You will discover over 3000 Mayan constructions spread over 576 square kilometers area. Tikal National Park is a part of the Mayan Biosphere reserve that spreads over 1.4 million hectares.

The causeways, pyramids, stone-build temples, astronomical complexes and houses were once the undisputed heart of the Mayan civilization. Today, they've been overtaken by the subtropical forest and are inhabited by a numerous species of both flora and fauna - monkeys, parakeets, toucans and even more.

La Antigua

Antigua may be a unique colonial city, nestled between three volcanoes. It's really a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is over 400 years old. The area was the former capital city of Guatemala and features restaurants with local cuisine, many museums, art galleries, outdoor markets with hand-crafted items and many shops on the cobblestone streets.

The weather conditions in Antigua is pleasant throughout every season and is referred to as the "land of the eternal spring". This fact will make it an excellent place to visit whenever you want of the year, plus the perfect base from which to start your trip along with other popular destinations in Guatemala.

Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan belongs to the most beautiful lakes on the globe. It's ringed by three volcanoes, and its clear waters are home to several unique lake-shore villages. Visiting one of these brilliant villages will permit the tourist to enjoy the Mayan culture, as in a lot of them the population still wear traditional Maya clothing and produce breathtaking hand-crafted items.

There's a lot more to experience in Guatemala, joining one of the organized jungle tours is perhaps the ultimate way to explore quite as much of this amazing place in the world as possible.

Try To Make Fun With Bird Watching

Bird watching, called birding, is definitely the study of avian species by using binoculars, telescopes as well as other visual enhancements. It can also be performed by listening to bird calls or through watching the birds. Due to the fact that most bird species tend to be more easily discovered by listening compared to watching, auditory components are suggested more often. See Bird Watching Tour here.

Ornithologists in general interact with themselves in watching birds because of their scientific study, but a majority of birdwatchers pursue birding simply for the fun of it. For anyone else, watching birds is a leisure activity that may be somewhat social and educational.

Bird watching Basics


There's many ways for you to get involved in birding, however the most important aspect of it is being able to appreciate the birds in their natural habitat. For that reason, there are four basic requirements that a birder must meet to become successful at birding. Those four are location, caution, expertise and equipment.

Keep Distance

Having success in watching is hinged on finding the proper location. Bird species all across the Americas are varied according to region. It's crucial that you consider the places when the widest range of bird species can be found. All through the seasons, birds move from one area to another. That means it is incredibly important to time your visit depending on seasons, by which these spots are massing with birds. In places where many bird species migrate to throughout the winter months, people simply visit their backyards, sprinkle bird feeds over their lawns or build birdhouses and wait for a birds to come.


Bird watching is best done at a great distance, so they won't disturb the flocks of birds. For instance, it's not wise to chase away the birds you wish to watch. Make sure you be able to observe them without going for cause to worry or be frightened, which comes about quickly with most birds. You need to remember that birds are sensitive creatures and may react to the easiest of things. A little movement, a flutter of the winds or snapping a twig under your foot can cause the birds to panic. Taking nearly anything like a threat, the birds will just fly away. In a nutshell, extreme caution is the second requirement to succeed in birding.

Expertise and Gear

The 2 latter requirements are bunched in addition to experience. Only through vast experience can birders learn to properly deal with the birds. Keep in mind that birding is at its best when you can view the birds well. To take action, you also require the correct equipment and expertise whenever you go bird watching.


Newcomers in bird watching usually tend to scare the birds away, as they are not able to suppress their urge to get closer. Quite the contrary, it's not necessary to be closer to see the birds better. It is precisely what binoculars and telescopes are for.

Additionally, birds can hear as nice as they can see. You will find that birds are very vocal creatures and also have an advanced mode of communication. Through distinct bird calls, each part of the species is able to communicate with one another. As a birder, you can utilize this by learning and familiarizing yourself with the bird calls. Ultimately, expertise includes experience and you will be capable to appreciate birding much more.

Whale Shark Tours in Cancun, Mexico

Around the summer months from the middle of May until the middle of September in the clear waters off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, whale sharks are one of the main attractions for many tourists and nature lovers.

These majestic marine giants can be viewed off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy and Isla Holbox, where they come in seek out food during the migration duration of plankton, that is certainly their main supply of nutrition. That is a great opportunity for the tourists, who can swim and snorkel alongside these while they're feeding on plankton and algae behemoths.


The whale shark (Rhinocodon typus) can measure up to 40 feet or over to 75,000 pounds, with some individuals being documented as becoming even larger. This tends to make whale sharks the biggest fish inhabiting the oceans on the entire world. Despite its name and size, the whale shark isn't a whale after all and isn't carnivorous. It's really a filter feeding fish, with plankton and algae being the main part of its diet.

Whale Shark Interacts with

At first, this huge giant generally is a bit scary, but the truth is that it's completely safe to approach and observe. The only risks for the diver come from the fact that this docile sea dweller will get scared and try to quickly swim away. If this takes place, there is a small chance that anyone can get hurt, and whenever swimming with whale sharks, the best thing to do is to try not to scare them

You will find regular whale shark tours prepared by Duende Tours throughout the summer, along with a large number of them begin from Cancun, Mexico. All Whale Shark Tours are organized by licensed companies with boats that depart from the small islands just off the coast, especially Isla Mujeres and Hol Box.
Whale Shark Tour

To keep the eco-system of the whale shark and make sure that the tours are secure for both tourists and whale sharks, some very strict rules utilize when organizing and participating in whale shark tours. Here is what you should look forward to from your whale shark tour if you want to join one:

The tours start early. Be ready to leave around seven o'clock in the morning in order to return in the early afternoon. Most tours can be a half-day long, which an impressive tours lasting longer. The boat crew that may take you to the sharks' spot provides you with all equipment, as well as some soft drinks and lunch.


Not everyone from the boat can swim with the sharks simultaneously. This is a preventative measure, because the whale sharks can be easily scared if too many people are around them. Most boats take up to 10 tourists on the tour, and when the boat reaches the desired destination, the tourists alternate to get into the water and swim and snorkel with the whale sharks.


Once within the water, you'll be able to approach the whale shark, have pictures and observe it, but you are not allowed to touch it or make an effort to feed it, as it could be dangerous for yourself if ever the giant fish gets alarmed.

The sun in this part of the world can be very strong, so you really should use sun lotion. If you've planned to go on a whale shark tour in Cancun, remember that only eco-friendly lotions may be used by tourists. This is very carefully inspected, as polluting the ocean while swimming with these majestic animals could be unhealthy for their health.

Whale shark tours in Cancun, Mexico are some of the most favored tours for the summer season, as tourists love to be able to get very near to these sea giants and to be one with the nature.

See our whale shark tour to learn more.