Close to the Mayan ruins of Tulum, an ecotourism site serves as a model of sustainable development in sensitive tropical ecosystems. A UNESCO world heritage site, Sian Ka’an is the Mayan for ‘where the sky is born’ and with over 336 bird species to be seen on the kayak tour you get an idea of where the name came from.

There’s more to the reserve than just birds though. The 1.3 million acre site has around 2000 inhabitants, the majority of who are located in the coastal regions, especially in the fishing villages of Punta Allen and Punta Herrero. Common species round these parts include spiny lobster, tarpon, grouper, nurse shark, hammerhead and black tipped shark. The fishermen also run tourist tours to the reefs and lagoon systems.

The reserve is thought to have been inhabited in the pre-Classic and Classic periods as part of the chieftainships of Cohuah and Uaymil. There are twenty-three archaeological sites within the reserves and their discoveries have produced human remains, ceramic pieces and other artefacts from around 2,300 years ago.

The most motivating part of a visit to the Sian Ka’an reserve is the fact that for once tourism is helping. The money made from tourism is pumped back into the reserve, and some areas remain closed off to human activity, allowing the animals to thrive in a haven, safe from humankind.

Written by  John Johnston.

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