Off the beaten path

Kayaking goes hand-in-hand with adventure and ecotourism!

Come experience a kayak adventure and discover the magnificence of the mangrove estuaries along the Yucatan coastline as you paddle through this delicate environment and gain a greater appreciation for the need to preserve it.

Mangrove trees constitute the very core of the coastal ecological cycle. They are uniquely adapted to living in salty water and provide protection from coastal erosion. Fungus that grows on the dead, fallen leaves provides nourishment for small crustaceans and birds. Some of the trees reach heights of up to 85 feet (25 meters.

Paddling through this delicate environment gives a greater appreciation for the need to preserve it.

Kayaking in these still waters requires no previous experience--just good physical condition, and a youthful spirit, coupled with a love of nature. For safety reasons, you must weigh at least 88 lbs. (40kg).

Kayak tour options can last as short as 2-1/2 hours, or extend to an all-day adventure, or multiple nights camping in the coastal dunes. All of the routes are subject to weather conditions and water levels.

Ecoturismo Yucatan provides trips for up to twelve persons at a time. Reservations should be made at least 1 week in advance and with a minimum of four people.

KAYAK ADVENTURES
RUTA EL REMATE - 3 NIGHTS

DAY 1. - Leave Merida at 2 P.M. and head for Celestun. Practice in the ocean, have dinner, and overnight in a hotel.

DAY 2. - After breakfast, head south with all the equipment and on the way visit the ruins of the Haciend Real De Salinas, an historic salt producing area. Then continue to San Joaquin and launch the kayaks to visit the Bosque Petrificado and Venecia. Then we go to the mouth of the estuary at Kanbalam. Then on to visit Corrompido and cross Lake Yaltun to get to the small port of Isla Arena to eat and rest. After dinner, we overnight in Mayan cabanas with hammocks or tents.

DAY 3. - After breakfast, go by Kayak back to the road to go to the launch site for the Canal de el Remate to paddle the canal through tidal mangroves to the sea. After the kayak trip, we go to the Peten el Remate to swim and eat. In the afternoon, we visit a community medicinal plant garden maintained by local young people under the supervision of a local expert in medicinal plants. In their simple but interesting way, they explain the uses of the various plants. Inside the garden there are also traditional bee hives of the Melipona stingless bee. This tradition of apiculture is in danger of dying out. Dinner and overnight in Siho in Mayan cabanas with hammocks or tents.

DAY 4. - Breakfast with a family in Siho. In Siho we visit a Henequen processing plant that is still in operation, but not at all times. This factory removes the fiber from the Henequen leaves. After leaving Siho, we go to Cuch Holoch to see weaving of traditional palm hats. After a simple meal in the village of Maxcanu, we head for Oxkintok, a rarely visited archaeological zone that is interesting for its labyrinth and unusual architectural style. Back to Merida.

Includes: Kayac, paddle, skirt, life jacket, insurance, 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, guide-instructor, water and snacks. Ground transportation is in a Jeep Wagoneer with no A/C, basic overnight accomodation, and entry fees when necessary.

Tour limited to a minimum of 4 persons and a maximum of 10.

Requirements: Normal physical condition, young of heart and older than 12. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Must be in good health and enjoy outdoor and water activities. Weight must be greater than 90 lbs. (41 Kg.)

Recommended: Take one hour of instruction and practice at before leaving (included). Bring along a water bottle, sun block, insect repellant, cap or hat, shoes or sandals that can get wet, bathing suit or beach shorts, towel, and a dry change of clothes. Light sleeping bag or blanket.

Come experience a kayak adventure and discover the magnificence of the mangrove estuaries along the Yucatan coastline!

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View some examples of the other tours we provide, keep in mind that our "fortØ" is the creation of "ONE-OF-A-KIND" TOURS, designed with your needs and interests as the most important ingredient.