Eco-Trekking in the Yucatan Jungle

Nowadays, most of us would have to make a significant journey in order to experience anything remotely like the raw, unfettered wildness of nature. Just a few yeas ago, the population of humans living in cities worldwide officially surpassed that of people living outside urban areas, highlighting how cut off from the natural world our species has become. Even seasoned travelers begin to feel the lines between and endless succession of cities, airports, and resort-packed beaches blur after a time; it’s a rare opportunity indeed when one can truly escape the confines of human habitation and experience and environment like the one our ancestors made their homes in. Rare, that is, unless you know where to look. Fortunately for those in the Americas, the Yucatan peninsula has an astonishingly large natural reserve of over 100,000 acres, all pristine, untouched natural rainforest habitats. The forest is accessible to nearly anyone willing to make the trek, thanks to a series of hiking trails graded to varying levels of difficulty that link the depths of the jungle with the area’s normal transportation infrastructure. Beginning hikers and veteran climbers alike will be able to find a path suited to their abilities, coupled with the opportunity to view and experience nature firsthand in its most undiluted form.

Trails Tailored for All Trekkers

The trails that span the Yucatan reserve border on immense areas of jungle overgrowth; the trails are graded at varying difficulties, which you should consider before planning a trek. Beginning hikers would be well-served to start on the Rota por Chichen Itza trail, one of the least demanding but still breathtakingly beautiful sojourns into nature available inside the preserve.

Totaling about four miles in length, the Roten por Chichen Itza trail is on the easier side of the difficulty gradient, but it’s accessibility certainly doesn’t translate into a lack of natural beauty. You can complete the circular trail in about two and a half hours, and at the terminus of your trek you’ll find yourself right back at your initial starting point, making the logistics of getting to and from the area a snap. You’re certain to encounter an impressive range of species even on this short hike, including huge monarch butterflies and inquisitive spider monkeys. Watch out for the latter, by the way, as their curiosity regarding shiny objects often leads them to snatch any keys, watches, or other bobbles and trinkets you might leave inadvertently exposed. And of course the jungles are teeming with a splendid variety of tropical birds, plumed in bright colors and each with their own distinct call. You might even learn to tell a few of them apart just by the sound!

Hike to Enrich Body, Soul, and Planet

An added bonus of taking footpaths and walking trails, as opposed to driving on a vehicle path, is that your presence has a negligible impact on the natural world you observe (not to mention that walking should have a positive effect on your health as well). Plus, you can sample directly the reality and texture of the natural environment with your own five senses for the entire time you’re on the trail.

Xel-Ha Eco Park, pronounced “Shell-Ha” for the ancient ruins located within its boundaries, is an ecotourism theme park that borders both the lush, green jungle and an ocean inlet full of sparkling turquoise water. A natural aquarium hosts hundreds of species, including colorful fish, birds, and a plethora of tropical plant life. Xel-Ha also contains a turtle reserve, which conducts research to help preserve the natural splendor of the nearby jungle environment. Great snorkeling, scuba diving, and even swimming with dolphins are among the many activities offered by the park.

The truly singular aspect of jungle hikes is your freedom to immerse yourself in nature, really being inside it instead of merely viewing or approximating it. Here in the Yucatan, you can reach out and feel the tropical grasses, run your fingers across the ancient, vine-wrapped trunks of towering trees, and let the warm ocean breezes touch your cheeks in a gentle caress. The ancient Mesoamericans who inhabited the region hundreds of years ago maintained a powerful, spiritual communion with the natural world – even a short hike through these unparalleled jungles will teach you why, and you’ll not soon forget the experience!

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