How to Watch Mayakoba's Mangrove Forests

One of the most eco-friendly resorts in Latin America, Mayakoba features a lagoon system of artificial canals connecting four luxury hotels. All four are Rainforest Alliance Certified and the development's biologists and architects ensured that nature was protected as construction progressed.

At the heart of the resort are a Turtle Camp and a Reef Restoration Program. A resident naturalist and beach critter spotter are on hand to help you learn about the area's diverse ecosystem.

Mangroves

Mangrove forests are an important part of coastal ecosystems and support a wide variety of wildlife. They are also crucial habitats for people who rely on fisheries to make a living.

A key feature of a mangrove forest is its intricate root system. The dense tangle of roots is often referred to as stilt roots or prop roots, which allow the trees to withstand the rising and falling of tides. The roots also help slow the movement of tidal waters and cause sediments to settle out of the water, which forms a muddy bottom that makes it easier for fish to swim.

Scientists have discovered that mangroves can help to balance salt concentration in ocean water. They do this by pushing the salt out of the water through special pores or glands on their leaves.

This action helps to prevent osmosis, which is the process by which salty water can move from areas with low concentration of salt to high concentration. In some species, the mangrove leaves act as a barrier and can exclude over 90 percent of the salt from entering the vascular system.

In some cases, the leaves can also be used to store salt. Since leaf cells hold a lot of water, the mangrove leaves can grow in size as they absorb extra salt to help balance the concentration.

Many people visit the mangroves at Mayakoba to see the flora and fauna that flourish there. You can see these species by hiking through the forest or walking on a nature trail, where you’ll encounter plants such as palms, bananas, and ebony trees.

You can also watch the animals from a boat ride on the lagoon system that connects the four Rainforest Alliance certified hotels at Mayakoba, including Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood. These resorts have been shaped by architects, biologists and geologists to preserve the natural environment and bring wildlife back to the area.

As sea levels rise, many of the species that rely on mangrove forests are becoming threatened. The forests are also prone to invasive species. In Florida, Lumnitzera racemose and Rhizophora mangle from Asia have become invasive in the state’s forests. In Hawaii, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Conocarpus erectus have spread from tropical plants brought to the islands as part of sugar plantations. Some of the invasive species are destroying native bird habitats.

Beaches

Mayakoba, located less than 40 minutes south of Cancun in Playa del Carmen, is home to four upscale hotels (also referred to as resorts), each of which is a melding of nature and luxury. This aptly named development is set amidst 500+ acres of protected mangrove forests.

As part of an initiative to reclaim the coastline and restore the sands, a group of scientists teamed up with the resort to implement environmentally friendly, sustainable practices that have led to a beach that's wider and better than ever before. It's a win-win for both the environment and the guests who can now enjoy all the things that this stretch of coast has to offer in one of the most stunning settings on the planet.

You'll also find an array of gastronomical delights that are sure to please your senses. Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers a range of restaurants including Saffron, Cello, Tomahawk and the Sands Beach Club, a restaurant-within-a-beach club that's a good place to get a bite and drink before heading off to the beach.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a smorgasbord of seafood at Cocina Milagro and Casa Amate. These two inland eateries are a good choice if you're looking for a more varied Latin American menu than is offered at the beachside Olla Taco or Olla Ceviche bar.

In addition to the beaches, there are also several pools to choose from, some of which have swim-up bars. The most popular, of course, is down by the beach, but there's also a pool up in the lagoon area that's quieter and more tranquil.

The newest of the resorts, the Andaz, has a couple of interesting swimming pool features that are sure to delight both adults and kids. It has a beachside splash pool for the kids, but also a large lagoon-side swimming pool that's a great spot to relax and take in the view. It even has a small bar where you can get some drinks and snacks before going for a dip in the ocean.

Wildlife

The area around Mayakoba is home to a wide variety of wildlife. From frogs to crocodiles to falcons, there is something for everyone. You can see a range of native animals when you walk through the resort’s nature trails.

The four hotels at Mayakoba are Rainforest Alliance certified and have incorporated nature into their design. Each one of them is nestled among the rainforests, sand dunes, and mangrove forests.

Architects and biologists worked together to preserve the flora, fauna, and water of the region. A lagoon system of artificial canals connects each hotel and you can take a ferry boat to travel between them and El Pueblito, a traditional village square in the heart of the complex.

Animals that you can spot at Mayakoba include the Mexican tree frog, a nocturnal species that hides in tree trunks or between rocks and plants during the day. Another mammal that can be spotted is the coati, a cousin of the raccoon that is the size of a large house cat and has a ringed tail.

Several species of birds are also found at Mayakoba, including the blue jay, which displays different colors throughout its life cycle. Young birds sport bright blue wings and tails; adults keep their bright blue feathers but change to a more black color. In the jungle and mangrove forest, chachalacas (galliform birds from the genus Ortalis) live in flocks and feed on insects, flowers, and fruit. During mating season, males grow enormous antlers. During a visit to Mayakoba, you can also see loggerhead sea turtles, which lay their eggs on the beaches between April and September.