The Story of a Miracle | J3630 [Photo Essay]

Did you know that the survival rate of a sea turtle is 1%?

In 1991 a very special turtle came to leave her eggs at Xcacel

The turtle caregivers took her data and registered her information.

To ensure the survival of the tortoises, the eggs were transferred to special hatcheries.

After almost 2 months the tortoises were ready to leave the nest.

The tortoises were taken to Xcaret until they were ready to be released.

When the turtles turned one year old they were released.

One of this turtles was marked as J3630

On 2004, 14 years later, this turtle came back to the beach where she was born to leave her eggs.

Throughout her 20 years she has put 19 nests and given birth to 1.427 tortoises, which we hope return one day just like their mother.

You can help more turtles like J3630 return. The Sea Turtle Conservation program extends its efforts online through the Tortugatón and your participation in social networks.

Mark the Difference. Speak about Tortugatón.

Helping the Planet, One Sun Block at a Time

Did you know that sunscreen takes up to 30 years to dissolve?

Every day we work and we do our bit to care of our planet. Using chemical-free sunscreen is a small part of all that we can do.

Conventional sun blocks take up to 30 years to dissolve once it’s in the water. Sun block labeled biodegradable also affects the ecosystem, although to a lesser degree. In Xel-Ha, the key is to use chemical-free sunscreens which contain only titanium oxide and zinc oxide, explains biologist Saitra Perez, Chief of Environmental Education and Lorena Dominguez, Head of Visitor’s Service during the sun block campaign #EcoXelHa.

As special guests, our fellow social networks of the Riviera Maya: @RivieraCancun, @VivoenPlaya @GpoTukan @TwittPlaya @AstridCa and @LaRutaVerde accompany us on a nature tour to see the wonders that inhabit Xel-Ha Park and meet the species that we are protecting with each environmental action we take.

Xel-Ha is a natural heritage in which there are 8 co-ecosystems, a unique opportunity to observe these different environments in one place: upper and middle forest, beach / ocean, coastal dunes, mangroves, reefs, cenotes, caves and inlet.

“Nature does nothing in vane. Integrate into the new movement with a change in attitude, giving is approaching.” – @RivieraCancun

On our jungle tour, our Twitter guests get to see some of the species that have made Xel-Ha their home such as coatis, iguanas and a rare variety of birds. When snorkeling in the inlet, our guide and marine species expert, Angel, shows us the variety of fish, anemones, and lets us take a closer look at the Queen Conch, an endangered species protected by the Park.

To complete our visit, the brand of clothing and items Fullsand explains their commitments to the environment and how their garments contain materials that protect you from UV rays.

“Using these t-shirts helps you complement the use of sun block. Its durability is for up to 2 years and contains SPF 50+ (sun protection factor), which means you can be exposed to the sun longer without being affected by the harmful UV rays,” explains Joaquin Matienzo, General Director of Fullsand.

The @XelhaPark Social Media team accompanied by the Twitter community, give out a sample of chemical-free sunscreen to share the message and importance of protecting our ecosystem.

Such actions are done every day at Xel-Ha. At the entrance, we have an interchange station, were visitors can leave their regular sunscreen and in exchange receive a sample for their day in Xel-Ha.

Did you know?

1. During 2011, Xel-Ha exchanged 152.506 chemical-free sun blocks with its visitors and invested 354.238 pesos in this program.
2. The campaign emerged in 1997 as a strategy to reduce the negative environmental impact that could generate the existence of toxic substances in the inlet at the Park.

With these small actions, Xel-Ha is taking care of the environment, one sun block at a time.

In which ways do you protect the environment?

What other actions do you propose to prevent the pollution of our planet?

Xel-Ha, Vive Mexico and UNESCO | Together for the Community

The summer workshop XelHa-Chemuyil began three years ago as a proposal in coordination with the organization “Vive Mexico” and Xel-Ha. The project is sponsored by UNESCO.

Usually when you think of summer, the first thing that comes to mind is beach, sun, pool and lazy summer days. But volunteer vacations have become more and more popular; the Riviera Maya is no exception.

Now in its third year, the Summer Workshop Xel-Ha Chemuyil promotes a culture of volunteerism in communities throughout the region. The summer camp began as a proposal in coordination with the organization “Vive Mexico” and Xel-Ha Park. The project is sponsored by UNESCO. This summer, 9 young people from around the world gathered in a small town in Quintana Roo to help and teach a group of children in the community.

Chemuyil is located 10 minutes from the Ecological Park, Xel-Ha. As part of the Park’s sustainable development, Xel-Ha promotes the urban renewal of the community. This year, volunteers come from Korea, USA, Spain and for the first time, Mexico. The workshop is important as it allows the integration of the children in the community with other cultures and nationalities different from their own. With activities like yoga, recycling and crafts, the 80 participating children learn about respect for their community.

One activity, for example, is to build crafts with recyclable materials. The children gather the tools they will use within their own community.

This year, the focus was dedicated to the environment, although in previous years, the children have had language classes where they learn English and Italian. However, the day-to-day helps children learn phrases and cultural references as well as volunteers learn things from Mexico and some even dust-off their Spanish.

“The main benefit is the cultural enrichment that is generated and the fact that it’s mutual because just as the children learn from the volunteers, the volunteers learn from the children and the whole context of the community.” – Josephine Galvan, Head of Social Development Xel-Ha.

For Xel-Ha, these activities in the community are important because they motivate children and young people to expand their knowledge in the spiritual and personal realm, which will then lead to professional growth.

Project organizers hope to expand the summer camp to a long term project, where international volunteers live in the community full-time and share their knowledge year-round.

Have you been a volunteer at a summer camp? Tell us your experience.

Preparing for the Triathlon: Triathlete Magazine Visits Xel-Ha

Xel-Ha Park in the Riviera Maya had the honor of hosting the California-based magazine Triathlete in the company of four triathlon athletes who posed for the magazine and used the Park and its various locations such as the beach area, the creek and the Stone of Courage as their background.

The visit was very important, as it serves to highlight the beauty of the destination while creating sporting relationships. The young athletes with their staff enjoyed the attractive of Xel-Ha Park and witness an amazing sunrise that was featured in many of the photographs.

The editor of the publication, Bethany Mavis, said she was very happy and speaking a little Spanish, thanked the Park for this visit. On the hands of Photographer Demian Noble, the athletes posed for the camera and in a fun way stressed their joy of being in the Mexican Caribbean.

Triathlons are a sport that has gained a boom in the recent years in Latin American, especially in countries like Mexico. The Riviera Maya hosts the Xel-Ha Triathlon, which takes place in November and welcomes internationally renowned competitors.

We invite everyone to do partake in a sport, always respecting the nature that enriches our environment.

Tell us, which is your favorite sport to practice and why?

Ecological Tours in Xel Há: The Magic of Nature in a Corner of the Riviera Maya

Something that few people know about Xel-Ha Park is that besides having aquatic and recreational activities, the Eco Park also offers guided Ecological  tours with bilingual professionals that help our guests understand more about nature and get a sense of connection with Mother Nature and ancient Mayan traditions. These tours are included in the entrance fee.

The different tours include:

• Secrets of the Jungle
• Traditions and Legends of Mayab
• Meeting the Manatees

In the Secrets of the Jungle tour you will be able to see more of the flora and fauna that inhabits the jungle of the region, as well as see different cavern formations and fossils that date back thousands of years, as well as the Dorado grotto, cenotes and rivers. You will also have a chance to learn about the different species of trees such as the chacah and the tree where gum comes from. The tour takes approximately an hour and it is offered in Spanish and English.

At the Traditions and Legends of the Mayab tour, you will learn the interesting way the Mayan ancestors practiced sustainable development. You will also learn about the cosmic vision of the Mayan through the sacred tree of “La Ceiba”, learn about the peculiar form of abstracting honey at the “Meliponary”, take a tour to the altar of the Talking Cross and visit a Mayan palapa. The tour lasts 40 minutes and it’s offered in Spanish and English.

Last but not least is Meeting the Manatees tour. The tour begins at the inlet, where the manatees live. You will also learn more about the “Melipona” bee, and discover the importance of the mangroves. Undoubtedly it is an unforgettable encounter that no one should miss. It lasts 40 minutes and it´s offered in Spanish and English.

These activities will allow visitors to connect with nature and Mayan traditions and teach them how to value and care our environment in an interesting way.

Would you like to learn more about the species that live in the Riviera Maya?
Would you like to have an encounter with manatees?
Do you know how the Mayans obtained their honey?