In Search of Leatherbacks
It doesn’t take long for us to find evidence of leatherback sea turtles, the ancient mariners we’ve come looking for, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Large areas of disturbed sand are telltale signs of nesting activity on this beach. Female leatherbacks can weigh 1000 lbs and span 6-7 ft in length, making them the largest […]
Spring Equinox, Chichen Itza, and Kukulkan
Ever since first hearing about the play of light and shadow on El Castillo during the spring and fall equinoxes, I’ve wanted to see it first-hand. The Mayan site of Chichen Itza, located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is the most visited archaeological site in the region and even more so during the equinoxes. Equinox (“equal […]
Ik-kil Cenote – How To Escape the Crowds
Ik-kil Cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is located only about 5 minutes from Chichen Itza Archaeological Site. Its proximity to Chichen Itza makes Ik-kil a popular stop on group tour itineraries in the region. Open to the sky, Ik-kil’s water level lies approximately 85 ft below ground level. A stairway leads down to […]
Snorkeling at Puerto Morelos National Reef Park
Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, was designated a protected area in 1998. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The reef’s proximity to Puerto Morelos’ shore and protected status provide for some of the most accessible […]
5 Reasons Costa Rica is Great for Families
The popularity of Costa Rica as a top choice for family vacations continues to grow. Natural wonders, friendly locals, and ease of travel all add to its charm. Here are our top 5 reasons why Costa Rica is a great choice for families. Even if you’ve been there before, there are plenty of reasons to […]
12 Undeniable Reasons to Explore Mexico
Last week, CNN.com published an article titled “3 undeniable reasons to explore Mexico” (http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/29/travel/mexico-three-reasons/index.html). The three reasons listed included gastronomy, pre-Hispanic sites, and swimming in cenotes. We wholeheartedly agree with these reasons. But after reading this article, it was easy to quadruple their number of reasons by emphasizing Mexico’s biodiversity and wow-inducing wildlife opportunities. #1: […]
Beach Birding Photo Blog – Riviera Maya, Mexico
It didn’t take long to notice a wide variety of bird species in front of our condo in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. Located along the Riviera Maya, Puerto Aventuras is a resort area south of Playa del Carmen. A few short walks along the beach provided an abundance of bird photo op’s. Watching the resident pair […]
Swimming with Sea Turtles – Akumal, Mexico
Akumal, the first resort town in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, remains a far cry from the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbors Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Akumal means “place of turtles” in the local Mayan language. I’ve snorkeled the reefs in Akumal Bay on multiple occasions. This time around, we were in search of […]
Q&A with Martha "Pati" Ruiz Corzo of Sierra Gorda Ecological Group
In October 2011, I traveled to Chiapas, Mexico for the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s Annual World Summit. While there, I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo (“Pati”) between seminars. Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo is the founder of Sierra Gorda Ecological Group and former federal Director of Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in […]