We decided to spend a day doing something different and so went about trying to find a tour of the area. We came across Community Tours, a local organisation supported by various environmental organisations and the UN Foundation. It really was the best choice we made! We had a fantastic day and an even greater guide - make sure you ask for Pastor. The day consisted of a walk through the forest to temples, learning about the local Maya tribes, taking a boat to cross the lagoon, floating down a canal, having a tasty lunch and a swim in a cenote. Pastor was friendly and knowledgeable. Don't leave Tulum without doing this tour!

We took the sunset birdwatching tour, and absolutely loved it. Our guide took us around the lagoons in a small motor boat, with sightings of fish and a crocodile along the way. Towards dusk, we stopped near a small island, and watched as hundreds of pelicans, egrets, ibises, and more arrived. A great experience for anyone with any love of or appreciation of nature. Not just for serious birdwatchers.

Do not miss taking a trip into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Our experience with Community Tours was remarkably varied. We chose this tour operator because they use only local guides, and direct profits to the local economy. Our guide was a local Mayan with a very open and kind manner. He shared much background about the area, natural history, sustainability ethics of the tour operator, and the guide school which he attended.

In the local culture, bilingual means Mayan and Spanish. Apparently the school has a very rigorous immersion program. Our guide, and all of the guides who assisted in our tour are well versed in the flora and fauna of the park.

Our tour started out in Muyil with an archeological site. There are many unexcavated mounds, and beautiful structures in the jungle setting, the most impressive being El Castillo. We climbed one small pyramid that probably had been used for ceremonial purposes. Our guide was familiar with the excavation process that had occurred, and related local legends from his grandfather.

From there we walked through a forest, and then a mangrove swamp to an observation tower. Acrophobics beware! I did not climb, but my partner did and took the photo.

The tour also included a boat ride across the vast Lake Chunyaxche, and through a natural canal used by the Mayans. This was a highlight of the trip for us, because we encountered a ruined "custom house" used by the Mayans, and then put on life jackets for a leisurely float in the pure water.

These adventures were followed by a delicious lunch of tamales in banana leaves, during which had an opportunity to visit with and ask questions of all the guides. They tried to teach us words in the Yucatec Mayan language, and it was very fun for us when we learned some common phrases such as co'osh for "let's go."

After leaving the park, we were treated to a dip in a cenote and heard about sacred traditions of the present day Mayans. We had a wonderful day, and were left with a great appreciation of the biosphere and the local people.

I had originally just intended to take the full-day Sian Ka'an Biosphere tour, but when I arrived and saw the beautiful beachfront location and the cabanas situated among the palm trees, I decided to stay one night, which turned into two. Aside from the tour being a wonderful way to see the mangroves and the local wildlife, the staff was friendly and helpful and the location of the lodge itself was perfect. There were no beachfront vendors and only an uninterrupted ocean soundtrack by which to sit on the beach and read a good book. Go for the tour, but stay for the peace and quiet.