Sian Kaan Biosphere

Stretching some 120 kilometers south from Tulum along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline in the state of Quintana Roo, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is one of the most stunning examples of protected natural beauty in Mexico.

Embracing over 969,000 hectares of land, extending to its coral reefs just meters off the coast, Sian Ka’an Biosphere was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for both its remarkable biodiversity as well as its intriguing Mayan ruins.

In translation from the ancient Mayan language, Sian Ka’an means “the origin of the sky” or “where the heavens were born” and it is easy to see why this name was given to this endless expanse of mangroves, lakes, cornflour-white beaches and coral reefs. The biosphere is also home to more than 20 known ancient Mayan archeological sites, some of which date back over 2,300 years. Researchers believe that the preserve was once a trade route between Tulum and Muyil.

Rich in both flora and fauna as well as an abundance of diverse marine life and portions of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is a magnet for nature lovers as well as those who seek utter tranquility and exclusivity. Home to countless species of birds, insects and mammals (many of which are unique to the biosphere), lagoons and mangrove forests, Sian Ka’an is nature’s treasure just waiting to be explored by conscious eco-tourists whose mindset is is to observe without disturbing the natural balance of this unequalled place untouched by modern civilization.

Visiting Sian Ka’an Biosphere is an intimate encounter with the magnificence of the earth.