The road that makes up the eco-touristic route of the Yucatan Peninsula from Cancun, could begin in the very heart of a Mayan town, one of those that still practices the traditions and knowledge, that by oral tradition has been brought down through the different generations to today.

We must remember that eco-tourism is not only contact with nature, but is the appreciation of the local cultures and the bio-diversity that surrounds them.  Most times these people are settled in the vicinity of archaeological sites that have not yet been discovered, or if they have been, have been kept preserved under the over brush, to avoid the environmental impact that its dissemination would create. Some of the customs that are practiced by these ethnic groups, are closely guarded secrets kept in the jungle, but if you get to enter into this world, you will share unforgettable experiences in the company of its inhabitants.

Some of the activities that can be performed are: walking through the communities, tasting the traditional dishes, and partaking in Mayan purification rituals, where later, a Temazcal bath is the perfect finale to the experience.

From the dense mangrove vegetation forming the jungles of Quintana Roo, emerges toward the east the unmistakable turquoise blue sea framed by its white sand beaches. It is true that many of them were embraced by the modern infrastructures which are the cosmopolitan cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Puerto Aventuras. But many places are still protected by the farmers who prefer to preserve the natural beauty, enticing the tourist with the offer of ecological excursions in a sensitive and educational environment.

For this kind of tour, it is recommended to visit places like Punta Allen, Boca Paila, Xel-Ha, Playa Paamul and Majahual. All of them have in common being located to the south of the region, toward Chetumal and all have small eco-tourist lodges where you can stay overnight in a rustic setting,  turning it into a memorable experience where you forego all kinds of comforts to fully enter unfamiliar perceptions.

For the entire family there is nothing better than to visit a Cenote (natural well). These cavities of water provide crystalline and cold water  where you can snorkel, or simply take a purifying bath. It is recommended to avoid the use of sunblocks that are harmful to the conservation of the aquatic ecosystems. On the other hand, you might want to experience something more extreme.

To the south of Quintana Roo, between the municipalities of Solidaridad and Felipe Carrillo Puerto, there is a place whose name means "Origen del Cielo" (Origin of Heaven). This is Sian Ka'an, an important reserve in the Biosphere which houses 27 Mayan sites and ruins within its boundaries, besides a wide variety of endangered animals, such as the jaguar, puma, tapir, manatee and the spider monkey. There are 528,000 hectares of land, that since January 20, 1986 have been part of the Natural Heritage of Humanity.

It consists of an area where you can get in touch with the ecosystem, and do the most popular activity of the place, which is birdwatching. It is important to mention  that all of the above activities are available to the public, but it is always better if you go to a professional tour operator specializing in tours of this type. They will provide you the necessary information and advice  for making your trip unforgettable.