Ok, PL&D Tours was taking notes and wanted to give you the 411 that was a little too much to go over while taking in the sand, sun and sea.
The Yucatan is made up of Three Mexican Provinces.
We were in the state of Quintana Roo and were in Solidaridad, just south of Cancun and north of Puerto Morelos. Puerto Morelos is the largest port city in Quintana Roo and also the municipality with the highest seaweed amounts due to global warming. Due to our timing of a December trip we missed out on turtle nesting season and the high season for the sargasm. We avoided the busy hotel zone in Cancun, but did take a bumpy car ride south to Tulum to visit the archaeological zone.
Why the geography? To keep the environmental and human impact in perspective. We visited Tulum and walked the walled city. We also went snorkeling in Puerto Morelos near the El Dorado Maroma resort. Everybody either wore a swim shirt or reef-friendlier sunscreen to minimize the human impact of our snorkel. The locals in Puerto Morelos are concerned about the environment. Our guide in Tulum touched on our connection to nature and our need to listen to the Earth.
The locals care about the environment.
While we were visiting Puerto Morelos, we asked a local why there was so much seaweed washing up on the shore. He said scientists don’t have a definitive answer, but have three reasons why it could be so thick. The growth of Tulum is being studied, the ocean currents from Africa are being watched and the deforestation of Brazil could also be a contributor. Even the locals in the towns we visited realize the importance of taking care of our planet:
- The pollution and waste in the ocean.
- Sea weed is a natural cleanser and by over-producing, it could be a reaction to unclean water.
- Global warming.
- Sea weed is a plant that blooms and produces more based on water temperature.
- The imbalance in species.
- Meaning there aren’t enough natural wildlife to eat the seaweed and tame it down, so it’s overly abundant right now.
The Mexican Government is working on transportation and safety.
The Yucatan is known for its reef, beaches, ancient Mayan cities, Playa del Carmen, Cancun and only one highway with bumpy roads to travel up and down the coast. There is currently a train project that is in full out construction mode. Ask Leslie how much she liked that! Once the Tren Maya is completed getting to Chitzen Itza will be much smoother.
- https://theconversation.com/mexico-wants-to-run-a-tourist-train-through-its-mayan-heartland-should-it-118090
- https://www.mexicanist.com/l/the-mayan-train-in-the-yucatan-peninsula/
- https://english.elpais.com/usa/2021-06-22/the-uncomfortable-obstacles-unearthed-along-the-route-of-mexicos-maya-train.html
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/21/tren-maya-suspension-fuels-indigenous-community-rift
- https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bombardier-consortium-wins-rail-systems-tender-mexicos-mayan-train-project-2021-05-27/
Thanks to everybody who sent me those links to the reports of gunfire on a Cancun beach it appears to be a statement challenging the establishment of the Tourist Security Battalion to improve safety in Quintana Roo. Mexico’s Secretary of National Defense (Sedena) has announced the creation of the Tourist Security Battalion, under the National Guard (GN), to reinforce security in Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya, given the increase in the rate of insecurity and two specific cases of shootings in the recreational zone effective December 01, 2021. Tourism is a key driver to the economy.
Mexico is also doing their part to take on the American firearms lobby. You cannot file suit in federal courts as a United State citizen, but Mexico is trying a different approach. Read more about it!
If you would like to learn more about the states of Mexico here is a little game site: https://online.seterra.com/en/vgp/3080
If you would like to learn more about what is going on in Cancun outside of the all-inclusives.