Punta Venado turned out to be quite the adventure. After horseback riding in the morning, we went on another excursion through the jungle using All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) in the afternoon. Above you see my daughter and I ready to take off for the fun.
Although we did participate, my concern about ATV riding is it is not a very green activity. Typically, it can damage the native terrain and the vehicles also put off noise and exhaust. Having said that, the Punta Venado team and Henry Rosales, our guide, had some very specific rules to follow. These rules allowed us to go deep into an inaccessible jungle where cars were not typically allowed, and also helped protect the flora and fauna. First and most important rule – we were only to drive on the created ATV paths and were not to go anywhere else through the jungle with the ATV’s. This way we were able to go in the jungle to see some of the available natural sites without causing more extreme damage to the jungle.
If we ventured off the path, it must be with our guide assisting us and he constantly emphasized the need to protect the eco-system by following careful procedures. We stopped several times along the ride to see natural cenote formations – here’s a photo of one such stop. You can see how clear the water is – there were small fish and brightly colored dragon flies here too. Luis and I were able to see a small crocodile on one of those stops, but the little guy would not pose for a photo.
All through the jungle we were able to see natural limestone formations on our journey. Most of the Yucutan peninsula was under the sea at one time, so the area is rife with limestone which shows sea creatures embedded deep within. This limestone outcropping is an entrance to a cave. It is also the home of a Toh Bird which is named after it’s sound. It calls, “Toh! Toh! Toh!” and is shown in the photo to the left which I took as we entered the cave. Note the males gorgeous blue tail – he is very attractive for the lady birds who are rather drab in color.
Henry, our guide, gave us a tour of a cave at this location. It is not an “active” cave with lots of dripping moisture and cenotes trapped within. It is known as a “dead” cave and was very dry and filled with a few bats. Interesting to see and experience. After we finished touring the cave, it was time for a rough ride through the jungle to the next location we could explore – a remote cenote.
From an ATV riding perspective the next stretch of traveling was quite rough and bumpy. While I was doing my best to wrestle my ATV beast, my daughter was hanging on for dear life shouting “Go faster! Go faster!” This is what happens when you go through a very bumpy jungle trail and try to let go of one handle to videotape – please do not attempt this at home -
Once we got to the cenote, it could best be described as paradise. ATV riding in the jungle is definitely a hot experience and it was near 90 F degrees in the late afternoon. We all jumped into the water after our very hot and bumpy ride for an amazing swim. Cenote’s are fed from fresh water, so you could feel the currents pulling you if you floated.
Although most cenote’s are completely fresh water, this cenote had more salinity in it and even a few sea fish because it was connected through an underground river system to the ocean. In the photo to the left Luis floats while my daughter is playing with a striped yellow ocean fish which is about six inches long and is swimming around her toes.
After the cenote swim it was time to head towards the ocean by driving through more jungle on the ATV’s. Eventually the path became sandy and parted to show the beach.
We ate a traditional lunch of rice, beans, and chicken fajita meat under a large palapa. Dessert was fresh sliced oranges – we were all hungry after wrestling in the heat with the ATV’s and ate as if we were starving. To the right you see the absolutely magnificent view we had at lunch while chowing down on the delicious food.
After our late lunch, and a very long adventure day it was time to go back to our hotel and collapse in a heap. As adventures go, this was a really fantastic one. It was very difficult to eliminate all the photos down from hundreds to just a few to show you in this write up.
My daughter had so much fun she told us on the ride home, “that was AWESOME times 2 – WOO WOO!” Indeed it was. I leave you after this adventure with one last short video of the ATV ride while we were going back to the ATV corral. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in the morning for another adventure!
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Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com, The Green Blog - www.gardeningnude.com, or The Garden Blog - http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com
You photo of paradise is just incredible. It's a must do on my list.
Posted by: Ajlouny | July 16, 2009 at 09:19 PM
I asked our daughter Jenna if she went to a cenote on her honeymoon last year and she said she did, but not the one you talked about first. Very cool, they are!
Posted by: Kylee from Our Little Acre | March 31, 2009 at 07:34 PM