A little tour near Celestun

There are two ways to get to Celestun: the shorter route with about 70 km is via Chunchucmil, which is very badly built with huge potholes; the route via the highway and Uman is about twice as far, but takes the same time or even faster. Join us taking a little tour near Celestun.

Welcome to Celestun

Especially the last 15 km before Celestun are very scenic, you drive through large reed areas and encounter many bird species.

Just after entering the village on the left is the small harbor with the excursion boats. These hold about 15 people.

Flamingos in Celestun

After a 10 minute drive you can see hundreds, even thousands of bright pink flamingos. The water is very shallow and you drive through predefined channels. However, one comes partly very close to these beautiful animals and can observe them in all peace.

Then the trip continues through a mangrove forest, where you can see crocodiles and rare bird species. At the end you reach an underground water hole, from which fresh water flows into the salt water river bed. There are many fish here.

On the way back you can enjoy again the impressive view of the flamingos. This tour is a must!

Cave of Calcehtok

Calcehtok, which is located about 20 km east of Santa Rosa, is the largest cave system in Yucatan. It is only partially accessible, but completely unexplored. In front of the cave entrance are a few locals who offer themselves as guides. There is no lighting there, so you should take a flashlight and water.

First you descend adventurously into a crater and from here into the cave system. There is an enormous humidity, everything fogs up and at some point you recognize these huge caves, some of them 30 meters high, with stalactites and crystal rocks.

But the special experience comes at nightfall. You stand at the edge of the crater and as soon as the sun goes down thousands of bats fly out of the caves. A real spectacle, which lasts only about 2 minutes.

A little tour near Celestun: Santa Rosa

This hacienda is again a very recommendable accommodation. However, contrary to the other haciendas, it is located in a small village. So you first drive through a small bumpy village street with simple dwellings through a large gate onto the right of way of the hacienda. The complex itself is very nice, a main house with large terraces, a striking pool and a former church. The rooms are either attached to the main house or in a separate building right next door.

You should try to get a room in the annex building, there you have your own pool, huge terraces of your own, again a very large garden of your own and spacious suites with anteroom, living and sleeping area and a large bathroom.