The stunning Playaakun Luxury Villa in Tulum is actually located in a sublime area of natural beauty - in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve that is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, which is why this region became a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1987 and it remains the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean. The staff at Playaakun Villa booked the private tour for us and all we had to do is walk 5 minutes from the house to the lagoon, where our driver with a boat was waiting. It’s recommended to leave in the morning (around 9am for example), so it’s not that hot and also to see more animals. The area is home to 115 species of mammals (including jaguars), 90 species of native bees, 47 species of dragonflies, 74 species of beetles, 276 species of crustaceans, 310 species of mosquitoes and 318 species of butterflies and home to a whopping 379 species of birds. We got to see many of the tropical birds, (I can’t even remember some of the names), but there are plenty of Pelicans, and we were also lucky to see a baby crocodile, who was hiding in the edge of the lagoon! We also spotted some manatees - there aren’t many left in the lagoon, so we were lucky to see the few remaining.
One of the coolest part of the tour was the floating river - the Mayan Tunnel. The mayans used to come to ‘float’ here for a cleanse. Basically we had to put the life vest in between our legs and float through the canal, with nothing but jungle next to us! Even though the canal waters is connected to the lagoon, the ‘river’ has super clear water and the crocodiles do not come here(at least that’s what they said). Anyway, it was an experience and a half (and it took us 40minutes or so to get back to the point where our driver was waiting) and I recommend it to anyone who loves a bit of an adventure and adrenaline. This tour is definitely for someone conscious and environmentally aware traveler; who seeks to find a more authentic way for their travels and excursions in the Riviera Maya and Tulum; away from the crowds and hectic mass group tours. This tour really provides rare access to the region's spectacular wildlife and awe-inspiring Mayan ruins. You feel like you’re in a Natural Geographic episode!
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