For most of us, a real natural environment apart from human influence isn’t something we can find next door. The more our cities and suburbs expand, the more difficult it is to escape humanity’s zone of activity. Even seasoned travelers are hard-pressed to escape the endless tourist circuit of cities, resort-lined beaches, and mountaintop spas that pamper plenty, but don’t put a premium on the ability to really interface with nature outside of our methods of building right over it. Luckily, even for those who aren’t experienced jungle-trekkers, there are some areas of unblemished nature still within reach; and what’s more, they can be explored without harming these precious environments in the process. Central America’s Yucatan peninsula contains over 100,000 acres of the planet’s lushest, thickest, most isolated tropical rainforest. A series of hiking trails, graded over several levels of difficulty, wind through the heart of the jungle. With trails designed specifically for the novice explorer, virtually anyone in good health can walk in awe through a ceaseless panorama of pristine natural ecology at work.
Trails Tailored for All Trekkers
Prior to your journey into the Yucatan rainforest, have a glance at the map of available trails, as each is graded so you can assess the difficulty level and length of the hike. All trails, even the easiest, take you deep into the jungle’s dense habitat, rubbing shoulders with animals and plants who rarely if ever have a glimpse of the human race. Less experienced jungle trekkers will want to stick with the lower-difficulty paths like the Rota por Chichen Itza trail, which provides a low-impact trip through the misty jungle and a chance to observe the wide variety of wildlife which inhabits it.
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!
Hike to Enrich Body, Soul, and Planet
An added bonus of taking footpaths and walking trails, as opposed to driving on a vehicle path, is that your presence has a negligible impact on the natural world you observe (not to mention that walking should have a positive effect on your health as well). Plus, you can sample directly the reality and texture of the natural environment with your own five senses for the entire time you’re on the trail.
Xel-Ha Eco Park, pronounced “Shell-Ha” for the ancient ruins located within its boundaries, is an ecotourism theme park that borders both the lush, green jungle and an ocean inlet full of sparkling turquoise water. A natural aquarium hosts hundreds of species, including colorful fish, birds, and a plethora of tropical plant life. Xel-Ha also contains a turtle reserve, which conducts research to help preserve the natural splendor of the nearby jungle environment. Great snorkeling, scuba diving, and even swimming with dolphins are among the many activities offered by the park.
So when you come to the Yucatan, take your time to really look, feel, and experience the breathtaking natural splendor, with your own senses and not only your camera’s lens. Reach out and touch the leaves, feeling their slick dewy surface under your fingers; inhale deeply as your stare up the trunks of impossibly tall, vine-wrapped trees, their branches bustling with the calls and shrieks of native wildlife of all description. This juxtaposition and respect for nature was the method of life for all our ancestors, including those who walked the very same Mesoamerican jungles. The next time you plant a trip to Central America, make it a point to live even a few hours as they did, side by side with the eagle-hawk and tropical mockingbird, gaping in silent awe at the rich majesty of nature’s creation.
Find out more on the Yucatan Peninsula Ecology here: Yucatan Birding. Discover more travel ideas on the adventure travel vacation.
