San Crisanto Mangroves

If you are looking to do something different, something the whole world has not done yet, and you have already visited Mayan ruins, Merida's Centro Historico, and the downtown market, the coast of the Gulf of Mexico should be your next stop. All along the Yucatecan coast of the Gulf of Mexico, you will find beaches, lazy beach towns, delicious restaurants and many different kinds of eco-tourism adventures.

The Yucatan Today team recently went on one of those adventures; we took a tour of the mangroves near San Crisanto, a beautiful coastal village 18 miles east of Progreso. San Crisanto is a place where there are very few tourists, no lines, no buses and only the noise of the ocean, the wind and the sea gulls.

This excursion is run by a local group of fishermen in San Crisanto who wanted to share their appreciation and love of the natural resources of the area - the mangroves, the gulf waters, the cenotes, the fresh water springs, and all the beautiful birds. With machetes they have carved out miles of trails through the mangrove forests, connecting crystal clear cenotes. Until now, only one of these cenotes has been open to the public. Paddling quietly through these light-dappled groves is like traveling through a tropical Venice. You and your friends and family can relax and enjoy the songs of the birds and the sights of the beautiful surroundings while your gondolero poles quietly through the shallow canals.

Above: a nature-lover's excursion through the mangroves of San Crisanto.

After about 25 minutes of pleasant travel through the mangrove groves, you will get to a cenote where you will stop for a swim, and maybe even a swing on the vines hanging over the water.

The cost of this trip is $30 pesos and a tip to the boat driver is always appreciated. For information or to make reservations, call (999) 926-0236.

To get to San Crisanto, drive north to Progreso, then head east towards Uaymitun and Telchac Puerto. San Crisanto is the next village after Telchac Puerto. When you get to the crossroads in San Crisanto, turn right and go about a block. The office for the mangrove trip is across the street from the baseball field. After paying, get back in the car and follow the guides, who will be on bicycles, down a dirt road to the dock where the dinghies are located. We suggest you take drinking water, a bathing suit, binoculars, camera and sneakers. And as always in the Yucatan, don't forget your sense of adventure!

To read in Spanish click here