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Press Release: Riviera Maya Tourist Office
November 29, 2004
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Visitors to the Riviera Maya’s stunningly beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests
and ancient Mayan ruins can get extra satisfaction by not only enjoying the attractions but, by doing so, also
helping to protect them. The region’s Endangered Turtle Program, Coral Reef Protection Program and Ecological
Walks organized by the Bahia Principe Tulum Ecological Foundation have been created to help make the Riviera Maya
a top destination for eco-tourism.
Instituted in 2001, the Marine Turtle Protection Program was developed to care for the nesting grounds of endangered
Green Seat Turtles and Loggerhead Sea Turtles along the Bahia Principe Tulum and Akumal coastline. To date, the
program has resulted in the protection of 1,062 turtle’s nests and the liberation of 93,776 newly born turtles.
Between May and September, the Bahia Ecological Foundation patrols the beaches to protect the female turtles and
immediately relocate newly laid eggs to a protected zone where they are placed safely underground for incubation.
When the baby turtles are ready to leave they are placed in a large box and carried to a safe location on the
beach with no reefs so that they can reach deeper water quicker, away from reef patrolling predators. The sight
of the tiny hatchlings making their way out to sea never fails to charm the tourists who gather to watch the event.
The Marine Turtle Protection Program continues to be the main attraction of eco-tourism vacationers to the Riviera
Maya and has been so successful that it inspired the development of additional programs to conserve the environment,
sustain the local people and attract environmentally conscious tourists. One such program is the Riviera Maya
Coral Reef Protection Program. This program was developed to preserve the reef along the coast of Bahia Principe
Tulum by prohibiting development that would in time destroy the coral reefs. It offers tourists guided snorkel
tours along this reef with members of the Bahia Ecological Foundation who point out and explain the many types
of coral and sea life including octopus, puffer fish, squids and more. The guided snorkel tour costs a donation
of $10 to the foundation and includes snorkel gear, a life vest and a free t-shirt.
Another recently developed program features guided ecological walks by the Bahia Ecological Foundation from the
Tulum/Akumal tower, which offers a panoramic view of the region below. At the base of the tower is the entrance
to a nature walk that winds through the jungle revealing numerous indigenous plants, animals and insects to observant
tourists. Along the walk there is a well, direction markers, a sweat lodge and a traditional Mayan house. Guides
offer information about various trees and plants including what the Mayan people use them for. The walks are offered
in the morning and afternoon, taking between 60 and 90 minutes and are presented in both English and Spanish.
The guided ecological walks are free, but a donation to the foundation is appreciated.
In addition to programs geared to visitors, the region has also instituted programs such as the Riviera Maya Recycled
Paper Workshop to reduce deforestation to promote conservation and the Riviera Maya Solid Waste Separation Program
to assist hotels and tourists with the disposal of recyclable products.
For more information about the Riviera Maya Marine Turtle Program, Coral Reef Protection Program, Ecological Walk
and other protection and conservation programs, please visit www.rivieramaya.com, or www.travelyucatan.com, call
1-866-6GO-MAYA, or email maceves@tulum.bahia-principe.com.
Easily accessible from many cities throughout the U.S., the eighty-one mile stretch, known as the Riviera Maya
is situated in the Mexican Caribbean on the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Beginning eleven miles south of the Cancun International Airport in Puerto Morelos, the Riviera Maya extends to
Felipe Carrillo Puerto, a small town near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The region features the tranquility
of uncrowded beaches, a vast network of underground rivers, over 100 cenotes, the action of eco-adventure sports
including kayaking, mountain biking, scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking, bird watching and deep sea fishing, proximity
to many of Mexico's most significant Mayan archeological sites, the varied activities of the eco-archeological
parks, plus golf courses, shopping, gourmet dining and a range of accommodations to suit every lifestyle and budget.
For more information on the Riviera Maya call 1-866-6GO-MAYA, email at info@rivieramaya.com or visit www.rivieramaya.com.
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Contact: Marie Rosa/Cathy Preece Adams Unlimited (212) 956-5900 Marie@adams-pr.com