We began and ended our five day journey through the Mexican State of Yucatan in the colonial city of Merida.
From Merida we headed south (in our VW Beetle rental car) to drink in the majestic Mayan ruins at Uxmal. Using the Villas Arquelogicas at Uxmal as our base, we wandered on a day-long excursion through the nearby low-lying Puuc hills - exploring the ruins at Kabah, Sayil and Labna, only pausing long enough for a traditional Yucatan-style lunch in the town of Ticul.
The next day we set our sights on the gulf coast town of Celestun. Flamingos, mangrove forests and shimmering white sand beaches beckoned. After a morning boat tour of the flamingo-laden lagoon outside of Celestun, we drove a few miles north to the idyllic eco-resort (so aptly named "Eco Paraiso") for a well-earned rest. But soon we were hurtling ourselves back into the urban hum of Merida and then, preparing ourselves for the following day's flight home.
This trip was too brief. But it could serve anyone as a perfect introduction to Mexico for a visitor who wants to avoid the mega-resorts and experience the culture, history and beauty of this fascinating area.
Date(s): April 2001. Album by David Kohl. Photos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg. 19 - 36 of 43 Total. 29129 Visits.
19 The Mirador at Labna Labna was a major religious center that once supported a population of nearly 3,000.
20 Pool at Villas Arquelogicas An oasis for the weary ruins climber.
21 Flamingos Red flamingos can be seen year-round at the Celestun Biosphere Reserve - directly east of the city of Celestun. For more information check out http://www.mexonline.com/celestun.htm
22 Flamingos close up There are five species of flamingo on Earth, the largest of these is the 'greater flamingo' which is found near Celestun. It can reach up to 61 inches in height.
23 Flamingos take off The red flamingo, a sub-species of the greater flamingo, has breeding grounds - like the one found near Celestun - in the Yucatan and the West Indies.
24 Flamingos in flight Boats can be hired at the park to guide you through the lagoon and into the mangrove forest.
25 Entrance to the mangrove forest
26 Bird amidst the mangrove forest
27 White-banded wood-rail Wood-rail glimpsed in the mangrove forest.
28 Termite nest Termite nest on the branch of a tree in the mangrove forest.
29 Beach at Celestun On a narrow spit of land separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Rio Esperanza lies the beach town of Celestun. Local Mexican tourists flock to its fine white sand beaches on weekends and holidays.
30 Eco Paraiso Just a few miles north of Celestun - but a world apart - lies the eco-resort of Eco Paraiso Xixim. It was opened in 1996 as part of a coconut reforestation project. Unforunately, shortly before we were there, many of the coconut palms had been destroyed in a hurricane.
31 Cabana at Eco Paraiso There are 15 spacious cabanas at the resort, each with its own terrace and requisite hammock. For more information go to http://www.ecoparaiso.com/
32 View from the observation tower View overlooking Eco-Paraiso looking towards the town of Celestun. This is truly a "get-away-from-it-all" resort - a place to kick back and just let the world go by.
33 Observation tower at Eco Paraiso
34 Observation tower at Eco Paraiso
35 View of the Gulf of Mexico From the observation tower, a view out over the green-blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
