Colin adores monkeys and this is the place to see monkeys and perhaps have an opportunity to interact with them!

If you want to spend some time with spider monkeys we highly suggest that you hang out in the jungle where these monkeys enjoy their habitat.

Here you will come face to face with these mischievious little guys and if they take a liking to something on your possession their kleptomaniac behavior may spirit it away, so beware!  Remember, monkeys have thumbs like we do and they know how to use them.  They can open a camera case in a flash, grab something and be up in a tree in an       instant.  Even the most tranquil monkey may bite if they are grabbed by a stranger, so keep your items safe and don’t try to steal things away from them.  You will have a marvelous, magical time if you listen to the suggestions of the owners of the reserve.

The monkeys at this reserve are very tame.  The Jungle Place has given these monkeys a natural habitat where they have an opportunity to interact with humans.  Generally they are loving and gentle, but monkeys don’t automatically like all people.  The owners usually observe the monkeys’ reactions to guests from outside the monkey’s natural environment before they allow people to go in.  The monkey’s safety is their priority and will not allow people to just jump right in.  People with ailments should not get too close to the monkeys.

Groups are limited to five people or less at $15 per person donation to the reserve.  This money goes to feed the monkeys and the toucans.  You will be able to stay up to one hour with the monkeys and includes a soft drink.

Technorati Tags: monkeys, interact with monkeys, monkeys in Riviera Maya, monkeys on Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya, Yucatan Peninsula, eco-tourism

Mexico holds a richly diverse Eco-system. Arid deserts, sultry tropical forests, and rugged snow-capped mountain peaks with plunging canyons and gorges make Mexico the ideal vacation spot for both Eco-tourists and adventure enthusiasts.

A blanket of semi-tropical rainforest covers the Yucatan Peninsula. The jungle as it is referred to is almost completely inaccessible in all areas except by roads or with a guide on trails. Paved roads cris-cross the entire region with main highways running along the coasts.

Most of the Peninsula’s interior is uninhabited save hunters who still live deep in the jungle in small communities only accessible by trail. Driving the inland roads you encounter small villages with electricity every so often. You know you are close to a village when you start hitting speed bumps [topes] on the road.

By and large the entire Peninsula is rugged terrain reminiscent of Northern Ontario or America’s Anarondac but mostly flat. There are a number of National Parks and of course commercial ventures most notably Xcaret and Xel-Ha. Criticized for combining the beauty of the natural coast with an Eco friendly park it must be said that they did do a fantastic job. It was bound to happen some day and the people who actually did the work did a magnificent job in making this area accessible to everyone and at the same time providing work for local residents. Many children get to experience something that before the development was not as accessible.

There are caves all over the Yucatan and numerous Tour Operators have trips to visit them. There are however many caves known only to local residents or people who live in a specific area. In fact if you know the right people you can go to sacred caves and waterfalls that were once used by Mayan Kings and Queens. There are sacred caves with terracotta clay where you can have a mud bath then wash off under a waterfall. This is truly an enchanting experience.

Cenotes dot the landscape and if you fly over the Yucatan you will see many but what is most striking is that you can see the faint outline of what was once a village around or next to every single cenote. It is absolutely astounding to imagine how populated the Peninsula once was compared to today. Getting to many of these cenotes is next to impossible however some are accessible. Some are privately owned and operated as businesses and some are hidden away in the dense jungle only accessible by guide and path.

There are a number of lagoons or small lakes most of which have no development on them except a few cabanas. Coba and Punta Laguna are two located in the Riviera Maya . Laguna Bakalar is a beautiful lake located near Chetumal. Misha Ha is close and less developed. Both lakes will remind you of any lake in Canada as far as cottages are concerned. Mexicans like cottages as well.

The state of Quintana Roo contains a large percentage of Mexico’s parks and reserves, 20% of its territory being covered by some sort of environmental protection.

Recently there have been a number of ecotourism developments in these protected areas. Some of the ecotourism projects, like the Sian Ka’an, make a solid effort to protect the natural resources and educate visitors. Other projects are primarily commercial. These projects are generally Eco friendly residential developments or theme parks.

Mexico’s Natural Park budget is small and private companies control many of the popular ecotourism destinations. It is a paradox that you will find the greatest zeal for environmental protection at developed Eco attractions.

Let KokoTravel.com help you plan your Mexico Vacations

Technorati Tags: Eco-tourism, Mexico Eco-tourism, Mexico Vacation, Mexico Attractions, Yucatan Peninsula Attractions, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Akumal Bay,

The Riviera Maya has some of the worlds best kept secrets. Few know the greatest secret of all. There is more diving diversity here than anywhere else in the world. How could that be possible?

As if the amazing Caribbean Sea wasn’t enough to lure divers to Playa del Carmen, this area also offers a truly unique feature - the cenotes. Diving in a cenote is an other-worldy experience, and it is easy to understand why the Maya held the cenotes sacred.

To dive the cavern of a cenote, you only need to be Open Water Certified.

The Yucatan peninsula is a giant limestone slab that was once coral reef. For millions of years, rainwater carved the porous stone, creating beautiful caves decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. The peninsula is penetrated with miles and miles of cave systems.

After the end of the ice age the water level rose around the world and thus the caves got filled with water. In some places the roof of the cave has collapsed, creating a sinkhole that works as an entrance to the cave. Such a sinkhole is called cenote, which comes from the Mayan word dzonot.

The cenotes are filled with fresh water, so amazingly clear it feels like you’re floating around in air. ‘Like being an astronaut’, is what many say. The experience is difficult to describe and photos don’t do it justice. It’s just one of those things you must do!

There are two distinct forms of cenote diving: Cave Diving Swimming into a cave beyond the reach of natural sunlight. Cavern Diving  Staying in sight of the entrance of a cave within the realm of natural sunlight.

To cavern dive a diver must either be a certified cavern diver or be accompanied by a certified cavern diver. Most accessible cenotes open to the public are equipped with a permanent line to serve as a reference on a tour.

There are a number of reasons that make cenote diving attractive to the diver: Diving conditions are not effected by weather. Moderate water temperature [77f]. Barely discernable currents. Large caverns and passageways. Excellent underwater visibility. Cenotes open to the public include:

Chac Mool (Claw of the Jaguar)
Location: 22 km south of Playa Del Carmen/Almost across from Puerto Aventuras.
Description: 2 cenotes. Large cavern zone with beautiful views of jungle from inside cavern.
Open: 10-5 daily.
Facilities: Bathrooms, Restaurant.
Snorkeling: Yes. Larger of 2 cenotes offers view to large room.
Entrance Fee: Yes.

Ponderosa (El Eden)
Location: 3 km south of Puerto Aventuras.
Description: Exceptionally beautiful. Short walk on path takes you to Coral Cenote, which has a large island in the center of it.
Open: 10-5 daily.
Facilities: Bathrooms
Swimming: Very easy access. Nice overhang with tree that can be scaled to jump into cenote.
Sborkeling: Excellent. One of the most popular snorkeling sites. Unlimited visibility. Wide variety of fish, eels, turtles & aquatic plant life.
Entrance Fee: $5 US.

Chikin Ha (Points of Direction)
Location: 5 km south of Puerto Aventuras just before Xpu-Ha/Across from Barcelo Maya Hotel/Long way down bumpy road.
Description: Footpath through jungle will take you to some other cenotes – one is big & almost dry with lots of fossils.
Facilities: None.
Swimming: Can swim through tunnel to underground air chamber.
Entrance Fee: Yes.

Kantun Chi
Location: Just past Chikin Ha Cenote.
Description: 4 mostly half dome cenotes (Kantun Chi, Zaskaleen, Uchil Ha, Zazil Ha) along a series of light jungle trails. Most remote one has ancient looking Mayan temple next to it. Several tours stop here.
Facilities: Restaurant, bike rentals, horseback riding, small zoo.
Swimming: Not very inviting. Snorkeling: Yes. Rental equipment available.
Entrance Fee: $10 US.

Cristalino
Location: Just past Kantun Chi/Close to highway.
Description: Beautiful, very primitive & rarely visited. Good for hanging out. Will probably have place to yourself. Likely to see more locals than tourists.
Facilities: None.
Swimming: You can dive into cenote from 3.5 m (15 ft) tall ledge.
Entrance Fee: 25 pesos.

Azul
Location: Just past Cristalino Cenote/Close to highway.
Description: In light jungle setting with more open air/sunlit than Kantun Chi, which creates more algae.
Facilities: Snackbar.
Entrance Fee: 30 pesos.

Taj Mahal
Location: 26 km south of Playa Del Carmen/5 km south of Puerto Aventuras/Just south of Xpu-Ha.
Description: 4 interconnected cenotes. Open: 10-6 daily
Facilities: Bathrooms, Restaurant.
Snorkeling: Advanced. Requires swimming 5 m underwater under a rock wall to come into a large open cave with that has light shining through from ceiling above. Entrance Fee: 40 pesos.

Dos Ojos (Hidden Worlds)
Location: 48 km south of Playa Del Carmen/3 km south of Xel-Ha/On right 4 km down dirt road.
Description: Part of Nohoch Nah Chich cave system. Location of filming for Imax Journey into Amazing Caves documentary.
Open: 10-5 daily
Facilities: Bathrooms, restaurant.
Snorkeling: Superb. Very popular. Stalagtites & Stalagmites everywhere.
Entrance Fee: $10 US/$25-40 US for snorkel tours.

Temple of Doom (Calavera/Skull)
Location: 2 km from Tulum on road to Coba on right/Very rugged rocky unmarked jungle path approximately 50 yds from road.
Description: 3 holes in ground (one 30 ft & two 4 ft in diameter) create skull shape, hence the name. Shaded by thick jungle canopy.
Facilities: None
Swimming: Great. 10 ft drop down into cenote. Rope swing & ladder – though may want to bring your own rope just in case.

Gran (Sac Aktun/White Water)
Location: 5 km from Tulum on road to Coba on right.
Description: Ladder steps lead to half moon shaped cenote decorated with small passages & openings. One of most popular sites. Good for all ages. Shallow on one side/deep on other. Famous for brilliant speleothem decorations & crystal clear water.
Open: 10-5 Daily
Facilities: Bathrooms Snorkeling: Fun. Fantastic. Spectacular. Paradise.
Entrance Fee: 50 pesos.

Car Wash (Aktun Ha/Water Cave)
Location: 8 km from Tulum on road to Coba/4 km past Gran Cenote on left.
Description: Can drive right in approximately 30 m (100 ft) to cenote & locals used to wash vehicles here, hence the name.
Open: 9-5 Daily Facilities: Bathrooms Swimming: Very easy access. Like a small lake. Good. Fun.
Snorkeling: Good in winter months. Too much algae growth in warmer months. Many small tropical fish.
Entrance Fee: 20 pesos.

Cristal (Naharon)
Location: 4 km south of Tulum on right.
Facilities: Bathrooms
Swimming: Great
Snorkeling: Great
Entrance Fee: Yes. Includes entrance to Escondido across the street.

Escondido (Mayan Blue)
Location: 4 km south of Tulum on left/Across from Cristal Cenote/2 km walk in Jungle.
Description: Tarzan & Jane style. Beautiful, crisp, clear, secluded. One of least known.
Facilities: Bathrooms
Swimming: Good
Snorkeling: Good. Some great stone formations.
Entrance Fee: Included in Cristal entrance fee.

Cenote diving is one of the most unique experiences on the planet. Many accomplished divers say that cenote diving in the Rivera Maya is the best diving experience that they have ever experienced.

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