An Unforgettable Day with MayaCan Eco Tours December 4, 2011 – Posted in: Uncategorized

Go to the beach, order margaritas, eat and drink more…repeat.

Does this seem familiar to you?

I have to say that I find nothing wrong with that vacation game plan and have done it many a time! On our recent trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, we wanted to go beyond those borders.

 

Lucky for us, we found MayaCan Eco Tours and the adventure began! Just as lucky for us, our friends Matt and Sol from Del Sol Photography were just as happy to be out and about exploring their stomping grounds! We were all happy to choose a tour company that didn’t “bus em in” and felt like much more of a tailored experience.

We started the day at 8am when Barry (owner of MayaCan Eco Tours) picked us up with the van already stocked with Matt, Sol, plenty of beverages and snacks for the journey. Barry was a wealth of knowledge telling us the significance of the Mayan Ruins at Coba and how although they weren’t the most popular compared to those of Tulum and Chitchen Itza, they were going to be incredible.

 

Barry Mosko – Owner/Tour Guide at MayaCan Eco Tours

 

The drive was a little less than two hours. These ruins are completely different because parts are still unexcavated. They’re completely in the jungle giving you the feeling that a director is going to scream, “ACTION” at any point! We toured the ruins and Barry gave us the history while we strolled and snapped photos. After awhile in order to save time (and let’s face it, it’s fun) we decided to take pedicabs around all of the ruins! Our driver also gave us facts as we welcomed a wonderful breeze hitting our faces as we whizzed down the dirt road.

 

Matt and Sol on their pedicab chariot

Another mode of transportation

 

Taking in the sites

 

Ruin-walking

 

The area was amazing

Ironically, this site also houses the highest point in the Yucatan, Nohoch Mul. I’m insanely afraid of heights and said I would happily wait at the bottom with the rest climbed. Well, that didn’t happen…and I’m glad it didn’t! The view from the top was absolutely spectacular!

Thinking at this point that I wouldn’t be hiking up the tallest point in the Yucatan

 

Happy to be proven wrong!

After exploring Coba, our next stop was one of the places I had been excited about for a long time…Akumal! First, quick stop at La Tienda de Miel (Honey Shop) where we bought candies and other natural products. Hooray for small businesses! 🙂

La Tienda de Miel

Sea turtles happen to be one of my favorite animals and Akumal is a haven for these beautiful creatures! This location is said to give you “tropical therapy” and I completely understand why. A stretch of beautiful white sandy beach kisses the Mexican Caribbean and even when the sun turned to a rainstorm, it never lost its magic.

Even with storm clouds rolling in, the beauty of the beach was evident

Enjoying the views of Akumal and taking bets on when the rain would start

After a great lunch we took to the sea, put on our masks and went for it! As soon as we jumped in, the rain started crashing down…which actually made the experience even more incredible. We dove in and out of the water with the most beautiful, HUGE sea turtles I’ve ever seen! I’ve been scuba diving and snorkeling around the world and this was by far one of the most unforgettable experiences. As if someone had ordered it, the rain stopped and a huge rainbow appeared as we were swimming. It was also pretty amazing to find out that Akumal is home to the Centro Ecológico de Akumal, a non-profit group dedicated to environmental-marine research and sea turtle protection. I can’t imagine this place not existing one day. It’s too beautiful! This was just another perfect recommendation by MayaCan Eco Tours!

Gorgeous sea turtles swimming in the open ocean at Akumal

Now that’s marine love!

They come up for air!

If you’re heading to the Riviera Maya for your destination wedding or vacation, check out MayaCan Eco Tours for your tailored adventure! Thanks Barry for an unforgettable day!