ECO PARKS- NATURE THEME PARKS FOR THE ADVENTURER
Aktun Chen: Dry Cave and Jungle Tour
Aktun Chen Dry Cave and Jungle Tour- This is a great place to take the family. A walk through Aktun Chen is as close to “dry cave diving” as you’ll get. This is great example of the extensive caves in the area. The variety and number of stalactites is staggering! There are lots of animals, including monkeys. Aktun Chen is about 5 miles from the Villa.
Cenotes: Natural jungle oasis freshwater pools
Cenotes are one of the most amazing features of the Yucatan’s geology. The cenotes are literally the liquid life of Quintana Roo. Cenotes are natural oasis pools in the jungle, fed freshwater by the submerged caves, or underground rivers, which honeycomb the underground. Many of these cenotes can be visited on organized snorkel-swim tours while others with signs along the road simply require a small fee to enter. There are many cenotes to visit, each unique. You can walk to Casa Cenote from the Villa.
Hidden Worlds: Cenote snorkeling, zip-line, Avatar ride (world’s first zip-line roller coaster), sky cycle, caves and more, all just 3 miles from the Villa.
Situated on the most extensive system of underwater caves and caverns on Earth, Hidden Worlds park is home to some of the most stunningly beautiful cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, as featured in the critically acclaimed 2001 IMAX movie, “Journey Into Amazing Caves”, the 2005 Hollywood movie “The Cave” and the award winning 2007 BBC series “Planet Earth”. Attractions include: SkyCycle, zip-line, Avatar thrill ride, Rappel, and cavern snorkeling tours. Full packages are available.
Rio Secreto: Nature reserve & eco-tours, cenotes & caves
Walk and float your way through spectacular caves encrusted with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, and cool crystal clear freshwater cave pools (cenotes) all while being escorted by expert guides every step of the way. This is a rare and exotic opportunity to admire the unequaled beauty of our beloved Mexico and Mother Earth: dedicated to conserving cherished natural assets and the region’s biodiversity, natural resources, and people.
Selvatica: Zip-lines, cenote swim and jungle tour
Selvatica Aventure jungle tour 12 miles west of Puerto Morelos on the road to Central Vallarta (west side of highway 307). Enjoy a combination zip line (tyrolean traverse) jungle canopy tour, biking and cenote swim. Food and beverage, souveniers are available at the main lodge/outfitting center. Certified guides.
Xaman Ha Aviary: Tropical birds
Xaman Ha Aviary is a wonderful natural habitat for some 60 species of tropical birds who populate the jungles of the Yucatan peninsula. Here you can see roughly 200 individual birds living in harmony with one another, all within an open-air sanctuary that has paths and trails leading to the birds’ preferred nesting areas. Xaman Ha Aviary is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya in Playacar, Playa del Carmen. The aviary is about 20 miles from the Villa.
Xcaret: Nature Park
Xcaret is one of the largest and arguably the best eco-park on the coast. Make it an all day affair to get your best value. Xcaret is loaded with amusements including: snorkeling in the underground river, an aquarium, butterfly exhibit, jaguars and pumas, sea turtles, ruins, Mayan village, beach, dolphin swim and more. Then experience Xcaret at night for a firelight Mayan ceremonial dance, Indiana Jones style dry cave, and fantastic amphitheater for regional music and dancing from around Mexico. Xcaret is located just south of Playa del Carmen about 20 miles from the Villa.
Xel-Ha: Natural lagoon
Xel-Ha Explore a Natural Wonder and the most magical lagoon on the Riviera Maya coast. The waters of Xel-Ha are a combination of salt water from the seas and freshwater from the underground rivers. There is also a collection of Mayan ruins in the Xel-Ha archaeological park. This provides a habitat for a variety of fish, birds and other wild life. You can enjoy snorkeling, tubing, biking and just walking around this beautiful area, just 3 miles from the Villa.
Yaax Che Jardin Botanico: Botanical gardens and cultural showcase. This is a great half-day trip to see tropical plants and trees native to the Yucatan peninsula, identified with tags in a natural setting. The gardens have paths which lead to varied environmental zones, a scenic overlook, small Mayan ruins and an example of a traditional Maya “palapa home” and Chiclero camp. Monkeys and birds are not uncommon to see. Located on hwy 307 just south of the entrance to Puerto Morelos.
