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Hiking Expedition To Villa Maya and Mayan Ruins
Joined 2023
The expedition wil take you to the archaelogical site of San Gervasio and the Natura Reserve of Villa Maya, the excursion will take you to the center of the island. Afret the visit to the archaelogical site, we will go to the nature reserve of Villa Maya, site orientation and walking trails through tropical forest, you will learn about wildlife and endemic species of Cozumel, as you will be guided by a specialized guide.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Meeting place
Once you meet the guide at the meeting point, and start the adventure, transportation will take you to the center of Cozumel.
Ground transportation is by car or a van, depending on the number of participants.
San Gervasio Mayan Archaelogical site
It is the most important and best studied pre-Hispanic center of the documented settlements of the Mayans on the Island of Cozumel.
San Gervasio is considered the center of pilgrimages of the Mayans who worshiped the goddess "Ixchel". In addition, it was a strategic site for trade and political development in the area. The area is made up of six architectural complexes and other isolated temples, which are of great interest and give you an idea of how the Mayans developed their administrative, religious activities and daily life that are linked by a network of “Sacbes” or white roads.
Starting in the year 1000, with the emergence of Chichén Itzá as the great political and economic center of the peninsula, the site was integrated into an increasingly intense economic network, which would lead it to become the great city that it was after 1200 AD During the late Postclassic period (1200 – 1450 AD), most of the buildings that can be seen today were built, establishing a network of smaller communities, dependent on San Gervasio and located throughout the island.
Spanish chroniclers refer to the various Mayan settlements that existed in Cozumel upon their arrival, linking them to the cult of the goddess Ixchel, patron saint of medicine, childbirth and weaving. However, these references correspond to a currently destroyed site, which was located on the site of the current city of San Miguel de Cozumel, where the oracle dedicated to this goddess was located. In San Gervasio no archaeological evidence has been found that relates it to the cult of Ixchel.
Villa Maya - Natural Reserve
Villa Maya is a private natural reserve that it has the objective to conserve the natural resources. It is located 17 km outside of San Miguel down town, on the center of Cozumel Island.
Villa Maya has a cultural heritage that the ansesters left behind, expirence cultural and archaeolgical expeditions, which are usually unseen by the casual island visitors. It is also the safest way to visit the tropical dry forest. The reserve was initiated as a conservation project that evolved into a research and eco-tourism project, focusing on the ethical protection of the island’s natural beauty.
Villa Maya / Lunch is serve
Regional food is served to participants in the reserve's dining room, natural fruit water, seasonal fruit, salad and regional food that can be cochinita pibil (pork cooked in a regional style).
Villa Maya, after lunch we departure the natural reser and take you back to the hotel.
We will departure the Natural Reser and take you back to the hotel.
Back to the Hotel
End of the tour.
Ending Point
At your hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Transportation from the hotel and back
- Access to the archaeological site
- Access to the natural reserve of Villa Maya
- Regional food and natural fruit drinks
- Guidance on the natural history of Isla.
- Photographs, cameras or binoculars.
Tour Important Information
WHAT TO BRING
Backpack, long pants, long sleeves and closed tennis shoes, hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera, money for photos, gratuities or other beverages.
The Mayans designed a location system using stony walls, they are arranged in parallel from north to south and from east to west approximately, they characterize the archaeological remains that are located in Villa Maya, corresponding to the acropolis that developed 2 km to the west of the site, and were used to plan the succession of the crops, as well as, to guide and get from one place to another.
Important message from the supplier
Villa Maya Cozumel
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Sergio S.
Graduate in Biology - Hydrobiology, Graduated from the Metropolitan Autonomous University – UAM-I, CdMx
PADI Master Diving Instructor.
Environmental advisor, specialized in eco-tourism, coastal and port developments.
Director of a Glamping Natural Reserve in Cozumel Island.
With objectives in: Conservation of natural resources; Development of Environmental Education Programs and; Eco tourism activities.
Dedicated to the development and provision of tourism services specialized in Nature Oriented Tourism, with emphasis on environmental interpretation; adventure and cultural, in aquatic, terrestrial and coastal environments.
$165/ per person
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