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Nature Tour of Ek Balam Area Please wait for slide show to load
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A Rich Ecological Heritage Experience the richness of Yucatan´s ecological heritage: cycle, swim, bird-watch, hike, explore cenotes or just lounge in a garden hammock. The gardens at Genesis are designed to attract butterflies and wild birds, while fishponds and aviaries provide additional opportunities to observe fish and rescued birds native to the area. Cenotes The region's unique geological characteristics have contributed to the creation of a vast subterranean world. Above ground is the dry tropical jungle and, below, a maze of rivers, lakes, sinkholes (cenotes), caverns and caves carved in porous limestone by the flow of rainwater. Cenotes are common, visible evidence of this phenomenon. Turquoise gems of crystalline water in the jungle, they sustain birds, fish, reptiles, bats, and insects unique to these freshwater sites. The great Mayan civilizations of the Yucatan could not have thrived without these freshwater sites. To the ancients, cenotes were entrances to the underworld and sacred places ruled by important gods. Visitors to Genesis Retreat may choose to visit famous nearby cenotes like Chichen Itza, Zaci (Valladolid), or Dzitnup-or take our Cenote Safari and discover their own jungle gem. Although very little rain falls between December and April, the forests of the Yucatan are highly productive, providing fruit for wildlife, building materials for communities, and even chewing gum base for export. Among the hundreds of species of mammals here are coatumundis, kinkajous, tapirs, hare, deer, puma and jaguar. There are 539 species of birds in the Yucatan Peninsula and 219 species of migratory birds. For this reason bird watchers from around the world come to the Yucatan every November for the annual Toh Bird festival. A variety of plants also thrive in the Yucatan, including orchids, bromeliads, and important medicinal plants. Visitors to Genesis may choose to take our herb walk with a knowledgeable Maya guide and translator or rent one of our mountain bikes to explore back roads and jungle trails. |
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