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Eco Paraiso

Tours from Hotel

Celestine Inlet Half day tour. Includes snack. Binoculars are provided.

This tour is a must! Regarded by ornithologists as a true treasure trove, the "Ría de Celestún" is home to over 300 species of birds, 3 of which are found nowhere else in the world. The tour guide, indigenous of Celestun, will take you to the world's largest population of pink flamingos. Up to 30'000 of these elegant birds live here. You will be surprised at the brightness of their color! But bird watching is not all you will do on this tour. We will also show you the untouched natural beauties of the Petrified Forest, where you will consider yourself in another world, the dense mangrove channels and the sweet water spring of Baldiosera.

Boat Ride

The 3-hour boat ride gives you an overall view of the many ecosystems which have existed before mankind. In the estuary, the ecological balance of microorganisms, crustaceans, birds and vegetation, of sky, waters, sun and winds is perfectly intact. Come with us and discover this world, accompanied by pelicans, ospreys, cormorants and the singing of thousands of other birds. If you're lucky you might even see the eyes of a crocodile or the elegant movements of an ocelot.

Uxmal

Of course we can't tell you all of the Mayan's 5000-year-old history. But not far from ECO Paraiso, there are two major archaeological sites of great importance. 

The tour takes you first to Uxmal, a renowned gem of Mayan architecture. The beauty of the Puuc style surpasses the even more important and larger site of Chichen Itza in many ways. The most outstanding buildings are the Pyramid of the Magician, the Convent of the Nuns, and the Palace of the Governor. 

After visiting Uxmal we drive on to Kabah, about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) south of Uxmal. Kabah is a large archeological zone, which stretches along the road. "Codz Poop", the Palace of the Masks, is the most important attraction of this place of worship. Here you will see innumerable masks representing the rain god Chaac.

Return to ECO PARAISO in the evening

Haciendas and Cenotes

All Day includes lunch. On this tour, visit various haciendas to discover the culture and traditions of the past. At the end of the 19th century, Sisal production was the main industry in Yucatan which brought wealth to the peninsula and its more than 600 haciendas. The age of the “green gold” ended in the 1930ies, when the natural fiber was swept from the markets by the synthetic nylon. Today you can still feel the glory of those times past when you enter an hacienda. Each has its own charm and style, and each has a story to tell.

 In all of Yucatan, there is not a single river to be seen, but still there is enough water! An underground system of rivers runs beneath the surface of the peninsula. Where the limestone layer which covers the ground is broken, a pond of fresh water is revealed that can be reached from the surface. This gift from nature is called "cenote". Is there a better way to end your tour than to take a dip in the cool, crystal clear water of a cenote?

Moonlight Safari. 3 hours at night fall.

Come on this nocturnal adventure, as we delve into a world unseen by most visitors. Our boat awaits us at the estuary dock to carry us into an ecosystem teaming with life round-the-clock. The daylight hours are dominated by the enormous diversity of birds, their calls filling the air. But in the darkness we will find our senses heightened as we scan the water's surface for the illusive Moreleti crocodile, or listen for the call of the Great Horned Owl. The stillness of the darkness enfolds us as the boat's motor is silenced, while the star-studded sky above us, brighter than ever in this pristine setting, leaves us with a sense of awe at the perfectness of Nature.

Birds of Celestun. Half day, includes snack.

Over 300 bird species can be found in Celestun's Special Biosphere Reserve: cardinals, orioles, motmots, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, flycatchers, kingfishers, cormorants, magnificent frigate birds, herons, egrets, white ibises, wood storks, ospreys, hawks, vultures, sandpipers, roadrunners, owls, pelicans, etc. There are some endemic birds such as the Yucatan Wren, the Black-throated Bobwhite and the Mexican Sheartail Hummingbird. Celestun is considered the fourth largest wintering ground for ducks in the Gulf region. In winter you're likely to observe over 13 migrant duck species. But surely the most popular bird and the most sought after is the Pink Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber). Bring along a good binoculars.

Oxkintok and Calcehtok Caves. All day. Includes lunch.

Today, on our way, we soon find ourselves climbing the only hills found in the peninsula, jokingly nicknamed the "YUCATECAN ALPS". Once over the top we head directly for the impressive site of Oxkintok, nestled in the Puuc hills and recently restored by a team of Spanish archaeologists who found ample evidence during their four year project to confirm Oxkintok as an important ceremonial center. A fine example of early Puuc-style architecture, its name means "Three Flint Suns" or "Three Day Flint".
The second half of our adventure will lead us to the imposing Calcehtok Caves. They served as shelter for the Mayan people during the "Caste War". You will find ample evidence of their dwelling there, besides stalactites and stalagmites whose weird formations remind us of familiar patterns of animals and plants.

Dzibilchaltun and Merida. All day. Includes lunch

Two great cities, separated by 500 years of human existence, will offer us a day of contrasts and discoveries as we explore the past and present of Yucatan.
Dzibilchaltún, inhabited continuously for over 500 years, played an important role in the Maya world. This archaeological site extends over an area of more than 16 sq. Km. having a concentric-type urban design, with many monumental structures at its core. The Temple of the Seven Dolls was thus named due to the extraordinary find of seven grotesque ceramic dolls or figurines in its vicinity.
Continue on to the charming colonial capital of Yucatan. Mérida, known as the "White City", was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, "El Mozo", on the site of the ancient Maya city of Ichkansiho. Enjoy a tour of the main plaza, the market and several of the parks and lovelier residential areas. Admire the elegant architecture of Mérida´s mansions, symbols of the affluence and culture that the booming sisal industry fueled at the turn-of-the-century. 

Bicycle Tour, 1/2 day, includes snack.

If you are thirsty for some direct contact with nature, enjoy stopping along the way to observe each and every detail, and find cross-country biking to be a great way to learn about a new place, then you would enjoy this bicycle tour of Celestun. A mountain bike, a generous dose of sunscreen, a hat, camera and binoculars are about all you'll need as you get a closer look at the Celestun Ecological Reserve, its flora and fauna, and the fascinating salt industry.
The salt extraction techniques used by the local people are ancient, and employ the simple principle of evaporation.
Our route takes us through several different habitats, which are home to both aquatic birds and songbirds. We may be able to spot the Ruddy Ground-Dove, Hooded Oriole, Cardinal, Turquoise-Browed Motmot, Red Vented Yucatan Woodpecker among others. Keep on the lookout for the gray fox, a rabbit dashing across our path or the ever-present iguana, enjoying a sun bath as he sits calmly on a rock, unperturbed by our passing wheels.

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