Saturday, April 16, 2011

Rappelling, Zip Lining Make for a Thrilling Riviera Maya Vacation

For centuries, the jungle has captured our imagination as a world of mystery and adventure. Who hasn’t been thrilled by stories of adventurers braving exotic wildlife in lush rainforests and stumbling upon ancient ruins?

When we think of jungles, many people first think of the dense tropical rainforest of equatorial Africa; however, one of the world’s largest tracts of tropical rainforest stretches from the Yucatan Peninsula down into South America. No Cancun tour would be complete without stepping foot into the majestic rainforest.

Mexico’s portion of the rainforest is dotted with naturally occurring sinkholes called cenotes that serve as a doorway to a vast underground cave system. The ancient Mayans used the groundwater collected in cenotes as sources of potable water.

Today, visitors to Mexico find more adventurous uses for cenotes. Rappelling down the steep sides into the center of the cenote — sometimes 50-100 feet into the Earth — allows visitors to enter an underground world. Snorkeling tours through the caves give visitors an up close look at the awe-inspiring underground formations of the Yucatan’s vast cave system.

Adventurous explorers will also find plenty to do above ground — well above ground.

The uppermost level of the rainforest, the canopy, is its own mysterious world teeming with life. Scientists have estimated that a significant amount of the world’s plant species and a significant amount of the world’s insect species make their home in the rainforest canopy. This is certainly amazing considering rainforests cover a small percentage of the Earth’s surface.

No Riviera Maya vacation would be complete without visiting what naturalist William Beebe described as another continent 200 feet above the ground. What better way to experience it than gliding along zip lines suspended 60 feet above the jungle floor — a unique and exciting vantage point?

Using Riviera Maya’s largest city Cancun as the launch point, visitors can easily access all the rainforest has to offer. Not to mention, Cancun is conveniently located on the sandy shores of the Caribbean, presenting equally thrilling opportunities to experience life under the waves.

Ecotours, such as those offered by companies like Aventuras Mayas, offer a great way to step out of your normal, everyday life and experience adventure in the rainforest and below the ocean waves. There’s no better way to enjoy a well-rounded Riviera Maya Cancun vacation.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks you very much for sharing these links. Will definitely check this out..
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