We had a good trip in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan peninsula. We spent most of our time between Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Coba. We visited the Sian Ka’an biosphere with mixed feelings. Sian Ka’an is an area of great biodiversity and importance to many migratory species. It is managed by the Mexican government with the United Nations. The greatest problem for this area is development which is going on everywhere. There are movie stars and film types building house all up and down the coast in the preserve. Many Mexican developers have now swooped in and claimed ownership to allot of land at the entrance to the park. Even the best of intentioned Americans are filling in the mangroves when it gives them more land to build cabanas. But lets look at whats there right now.

This region of the Yucatan is very interesting for plant people. The whole area is a limestone coral reef lifted out of the sea with the bare minimum of soil. The water table is close to the surface. The climate is tropical. The weather is incredible varied. Hurricanes, winds,flash floods, damp heat with no wind and very pleasant balmy breezy sunny days. Always check the weather before you go or you might be disappointed. The vegetation is incredible. Next Page