Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve     (A 1.3 Million Acre Tropical Preserve)       
 

By Becky Brandborg                                                

Sian Ka'an, "Where The Sky Is Born," is the name the Maya of the 5th century A.D., gave to the southern part of what is now the state of Quintana Roo.

Today it is the name of a tropical biosphere reserve covering 1.3 million acres of land along the central coast of the state.

The goal of the Biosphere Reserve is to preserve the flora, fauna and ecosystems of the area while satisfying the needs of the local population. In biosphere reserves, conservation is not conceived of as prohibiting use, but rather as the rational and long term, sustainable use of the resources.

Sian Ka'an is made up of a wide variety of wetlands and coastal habitats: tropical forest, low inundated forest, "cenotes" or sink holes, low tropical forest, savanna, mangrove forest, coastal dunes, reef lagoons, and coral reef.

Day trips through the biosphere are offered.

With the tour guide you will motor through brackish (half salt, half fresh) water, float ancient Mayan trade water ways, view hidden Mayan ruins, and view exotic birds and other wild life.

Along the journey you are surrounded by birds, tall mangrove trees, orchids, bromeliads, termite mounds, fish and much more.

View up close the mangrove islands which are nesting areas for the many wonderful and exotic birds found in the Sian Ka'an.

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Follow the Mayan trade route used 1200 years ago.

See abundant flora and fauna unique to Sian Ka'an.

And visit unexcavated Mayan ruins hidden deep within the Reserve.

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Sian Ka'an Biosphere - Mexican Caribbean Vacation Rentals Network - The Yucatan, Mexico