For the experienced traveler, visiting national parks and protected beaches doesn't satisfy a desire to be out in nature, truly escaping the confines of human civilization for a period, which tends to creep up on anyone who's seen a succession of airports and cities. Indeed, as many of us live our lives in forests of concrete, the task of getting truly outside the zone of human habitation might require a significant amount of travel no matter what. But in actuality, real, untouched natural environments are probably closer than you think. Anyone living in the western hemisphere need search no further than the Yucatan peninsula - a pristine 100,000 acres of uninterrupted topical rainforest. Well, almost uninterrupted, as several hiking routes of varying difficulties snake like tiny threads through the massive protected zone. Whether you're a novice hiker or a seasoned veteran of jungle climbs, there's a route to match your abilities that will take you through some of the most incredible natural scenery available anywhere on planet Earth.
Trails Through the Trees
Before making a trip to the Yucatan, take a look at each of the available trails, which are rated according to the length of the hike and the endurance needed to complete it. The trails cut deep into the jungle's interior, bringing you into direct contact with an ecosystem that otherwise has no contact with the communities of man. For less experienced jungle trekkers, easier trails like the Rota por Chichen Itza trail provide a gentle path through what is otherwise unbridled nature, endlessly growing and flowering in the heat and thick equatorial mist.
Totaling about four miles in length, the Roten por Chichen Itza trail is on the easier side of the difficulty gradient, but it's accessibility certainly doesn't translate into a lack of natural beauty. You can complete the circular trail in about two and a half hours, and at the terminus of your trek you'll find yourself right back at your initial starting point, making the logistics of getting to and from the area a snap. You're certain to encounter an impressive range of species even on this short hike, including huge monarch butterflies and inquisitive spider monkeys. Watch out for the latter, by the way, as their curiosity regarding shiny objects often leads them to snatch any keys, watches, or other bobbles and trinkets you might leave inadvertently exposed. And of course the jungles are teeming with a splendid variety of tropical birds, plumed in bright colors and each with their own distinct call. You might even learn to tell a few of them apart just by the sound!
Human Power Helps the Planet
When you take a walking trail as opposed to a chauffeured, air-conditioned motor tour, you're not just benefiting yourself - your decision to reduce your carbon footprint in an area that remains largely unaffected by humanity's pollution of the environment has a direct impact on the native plant and animal species that you see. By helping preserve the planet, you're also enriching your own experience, allowing yourself to sample directly by touch, sight, smell, and even taste the vibrant, multifaceted natural world in all its raw splendor.
The Xel-Ha Eco Park (pronounced "shell-ha") is a lighter destination for those seeking more of a theme park experience. Xel-Ha is situated on the coast amidst verdant jungle scenery, with white beaches lapped by sparkling sapphire ocean waves. The jungle itself surrounds the ancient ruins at Xel-Ha, and the park area is an opportune spot for hiking, beachcombing, or watersports, including swimming with dolphins. Much like Rota por Chichen Itza, the area is full of incredible wildlife such as eagle-hawks, iguanas, and other startlingly-colored specimens of the bird and lizard families.
The truly singular aspect of jungle hikes is your freedom to immerse yourself in nature, really being inside it instead of merely viewing or approximating it. Here in the Yucatan, you can reach out and feel the tropical grasses, run your fingers across the ancient, vine-wrapped trunks of towering trees, and let the warm ocean breezes touch your cheeks in a gentle caress. The ancient Mesoamericans who inhabited the region hundreds of years ago maintained a powerful, spiritual communion with the natural world - even a short hike through these unparalleled jungles will teach you why, and you'll not soon forget the experience!
Trails Through the Trees
Before making a trip to the Yucatan, take a look at each of the available trails, which are rated according to the length of the hike and the endurance needed to complete it. The trails cut deep into the jungle's interior, bringing you into direct contact with an ecosystem that otherwise has no contact with the communities of man. For less experienced jungle trekkers, easier trails like the Rota por Chichen Itza trail provide a gentle path through what is otherwise unbridled nature, endlessly growing and flowering in the heat and thick equatorial mist.
Totaling about four miles in length, the Roten por Chichen Itza trail is on the easier side of the difficulty gradient, but it's accessibility certainly doesn't translate into a lack of natural beauty. You can complete the circular trail in about two and a half hours, and at the terminus of your trek you'll find yourself right back at your initial starting point, making the logistics of getting to and from the area a snap. You're certain to encounter an impressive range of species even on this short hike, including huge monarch butterflies and inquisitive spider monkeys. Watch out for the latter, by the way, as their curiosity regarding shiny objects often leads them to snatch any keys, watches, or other bobbles and trinkets you might leave inadvertently exposed. And of course the jungles are teeming with a splendid variety of tropical birds, plumed in bright colors and each with their own distinct call. You might even learn to tell a few of them apart just by the sound!
Human Power Helps the Planet
When you take a walking trail as opposed to a chauffeured, air-conditioned motor tour, you're not just benefiting yourself - your decision to reduce your carbon footprint in an area that remains largely unaffected by humanity's pollution of the environment has a direct impact on the native plant and animal species that you see. By helping preserve the planet, you're also enriching your own experience, allowing yourself to sample directly by touch, sight, smell, and even taste the vibrant, multifaceted natural world in all its raw splendor.
The Xel-Ha Eco Park (pronounced "shell-ha") is a lighter destination for those seeking more of a theme park experience. Xel-Ha is situated on the coast amidst verdant jungle scenery, with white beaches lapped by sparkling sapphire ocean waves. The jungle itself surrounds the ancient ruins at Xel-Ha, and the park area is an opportune spot for hiking, beachcombing, or watersports, including swimming with dolphins. Much like Rota por Chichen Itza, the area is full of incredible wildlife such as eagle-hawks, iguanas, and other startlingly-colored specimens of the bird and lizard families.
The truly singular aspect of jungle hikes is your freedom to immerse yourself in nature, really being inside it instead of merely viewing or approximating it. Here in the Yucatan, you can reach out and feel the tropical grasses, run your fingers across the ancient, vine-wrapped trunks of towering trees, and let the warm ocean breezes touch your cheeks in a gentle caress. The ancient Mesoamericans who inhabited the region hundreds of years ago maintained a powerful, spiritual communion with the natural world - even a short hike through these unparalleled jungles will teach you why, and you'll not soon forget the experience!
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