Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay
A slice of paradise in Akumal, Mexico

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Sian Ka'an

For true seclusion, take a drive down through the Sian Ka'an Biosphere. The Sian Ka'an translates to “place where the sky is born” and it feels a magical as that!
First drive through the Tulum beach. The road is all paved now through the commercial area, so the driving is easy. Watch for bicycles and pedestrians, as this area can be congested in spot. Be prepared with water for your drive, as you will not see any place for refreshment for many, many miles! Once you hit the entrance to the Biosphere, the road is dirt, and it can be a little rough in spots. With any recent rain, the puddles will be wide and deep. The road is also a bit narrow, so watch for oncoming traffic as groups of jeeps on tour come barreling up the road from Punta Allen, a sleepy fishing village at the very end of the road. Your patience with the slow drive will be rewarded with gorgeous vistas of blue water and white powder beaches. There are some places to pull over and park, where you can walk for miles and not see a soul. These are wild beaches, fringed with coconut palm and not manicured any sense, therefore, be prepared for some flotsam. Don’t let it spoil your walk, the beauty far outweighs the negative of the garbage. Cross the Boca Paila bridge further down the road and park to meander around this area, spotting fish in the shallows under the bridge. This is where the inland lagoon meets the sea. Make your way to one of the small lodges or go all the way to Punta Allen for a lobster tail lunch. This is an all day excursion, but if you value wide open sea views, wild, untamed beaches and the wonderful feeling of privacy with some adventure, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is a great place to start!