Delia McCrae | Article and Photos

Maya men remove crusted underwater salt to provide for community needs

Once temperatures dropped and the winter rains began , I started dreaming about snorkelling in the tropics . That first plunge into the crystal blue ocean at Puerto Morelos , Mexico , in late January 2023 was exquisite . December to April is a great time to visit Mexico ’ s sunny Riviera Maya where sunshine and beaches abound . An experienced local diver led our group of eight hailing from Canada , the Netherlands , France , and the United States on an underwater adventure in and around the coral reef . Schools of brilliantly coloured fish swam around the giant corals while grouper and angelfish hid from the barracuda lurking nearby .

The underwater marine environment was fascinating ; the water and outdoors refreshing . But the troubling brownish tinge on the coral told its own story . The National Reef Park is struggling to stay healthy . I learned more about the reef ’ s precarious health in a report handed out by a concerned ecological group that conducts extensive research on the Mesoamerican reef . Measures are being put in place to improve the situation while development along the coast , global sea warming , and sargassum from the Sargasso Sea continue to cause concern .

It ’ s easy to get to Cancun by air ; there , you can immerse yourself in nature and Mexican culture on the Riviera Maya . At the Sian Ka ’ an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve , I floated down ancient Maya canals in an inner tube accompanied by exotic local birds . In Rio Lagartos , a UNESCO Biosphere , a local guide took us to see a pink salt lake , crocodiles , cormorants , and flamingos .

The Maya have inhabited the southernmost part of Mexico since 500 BCE , possibly earlier . Numerous restored archaeological sites are a doorway to Maya culture . The grandeur of their ancient structures and the organization of communities built over two thousand years ago is awe-inspiring . The Maya had a deep understanding of many areas of knowledge including astronomy , the cycles of the seasons , and agriculture .

After a relaxing week in the sun at a resort , including a few day trips , my husband and I made our way by taxi and ADO ( Autobuses de Oriente ) bus to Valladolid , a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Mexico ’ s pueblos mágicos . At the nearby Ek ’ Balam ruins , an informative guide from Temozon , a Maya village , showed us around . In Valladolid , we lingered in the centre square to eat and appreciate the local vibe .

22 | arta . net DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE