August 30, 2015 marks the 7th International Whale Shark Day. It’s a day to celebrate the world’s largest fish and to promote conservation for this charismatic ocean giant. We recently traveled to Isla Mujeres, Mexico for our annual whale shark adventure. Every year, we look forward to swimming alongside whale sharks as they feast on […]
Read PostJumping in the water to swim with a whale shark, the world’s largest fish does take some nerve. For those willing to try, it’s sure to go down in your list of lifelong memories. Few words can really describe how extraordinary it is to experience this wildlife encounter first-hand. From early winter to late spring, […]
Read PostCalakmul Biosphere Reserve, the largest tropical forest reserve in Mexico spans more than 1.5 million acres in the heart of the Maya Forest. Near Calakmul just off Highway 186 at km marker 107, you’ll find a small parking area. From there, it’s a short walk along an easy trail to the bat cave overlook. Starting […]
Read PostWe are pleased to announce our newest scheduled group departure for 2016 — Orchid Discovery in Ecuador offered in collaboration with Denver Botanic Gardens. There are more than 4,000 documented species of orchids in Ecuador, with a number of species still not classified. In fact, Ecuador boasts the highest orchid diversity of any country in […]
Read PostThe Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Mexico’s top ecotourism destinations. There are several sanctuaries open to visitors across two Mexican states – Michoacán and Mexico. Piedra Herrada is the easiest monarch sanctuary to access from Mexico City and only a 2-hr drive from the Santa Fe district […]
Read PostThroughout Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, you can find a wide variety of cenotes, natural swimming holes created by the collapse of limestone rock. Cenotes range from open-air pools surrounded by lush vegetation to cave pools hidden underground. On a recent trip to Mexico, we had the opportunity to visit Seven Cenotes, a ranch in the process […]
Read PostMayan archaeological sites can be found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico with Chichen Itza being the most famous and most visited. Last month, a trip to Merida provided easy access to Uxmal. It’s about a 75-minute drive from Merida to Uxmal. We arrived at 7:45 am so were the first ones into the site […]
Read PostTulum doesn’t have the highest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. Tulum doesn’t have a ball court or observatory. What Tulum does have is stunning Caribbean views and white sand beaches. Tulum’s claim to fame is that it’s the only seaside Mayan archaeological site. If you find yourself in Cancun or Mexico’s Riviera Maya, try to […]
Read PostAlong the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica there is a canal system that runs the entire length of the country from Panama to Nicaragua. Estacion Las Tortugas, a family-run sea turtle conservation project, is nestled between the canals and the beach. Pacuare Reserve also runs a turtle conservation project and is located just north of […]
Read PostHoused in a former marketplace in Toluca, Mexico the Cosmovitral Botanical Garden is probably most famous for its outstanding stained glass pirces by Leopoldo Flores. The botanical garden contains more than 500 species of plants and there are more than 70 pieces of individual stained glass works. The Sun Man welcomes visitors upon arrival. When […]
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