Adventure Travel | Duende Tours' Blog

Some Whale Shark Pictures

2009-07-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

Don’t miss your chance this year!

Whale Shark Tour

Well, I really wanted to share some of the Whale Shark Pictures with you.

We went last Friday 10 to Holbox and had a great adventure.

We leaved Cozumel from the private airport station, at 7:30 am to land 35 min. later over Holbox peninsula

Aerial View leaving Cozumel ---------- Cruise Ship on the way to Cozumel

Before Landing at Holbox

Rustic and nice restaurant at Holbox

We had time for a nice coffee and some cookies before we boarded the 31 feet fast boat for a 1 hr. ride to spot our first sharks.

Only 50 min. after leaving Cozumel we where already on the boat.

Our great guide explaining about Whale Shark behavior and migratory recently discovered patterns.

Holbox guides have a more than 20 years experience and have lot interaction with biologists researching the Whale Sharks.

Our captain, always concerned about our safety and enjoyment.

Can you believe it?

1 1/2 hr. after leaving Cozumel we spotted our first Whale Shark.

Every one gets impressed on first contact with that big mouth in front of you in the water.

After we got satisfied with the animal and tired of been swimming in the water we still had some time to see some really nice places with lots of birds and wildlife.

This is a real paradise and visiting here is an experience we will never forget.

Don’t miss your chance this year!

Whale Shark Tour

Whale Sharks

2009-07-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

One of the many highlights found in Mexican travel is the incredible diversity, whether on land, or water. Acknowledging this, Duende Tours has begun an expansion of tours that will soon encompass many of Mexico’s hidden treasures. And now, for the first time, we’re redefining Overseas Adventure Travel.

For us, overseas adventure travel doesn’t mean flying over bodies of water from landmass to landmass: it means exploring the world. More specifically it means taking an adventure that puts you face to face with a great challenge, at this case, with the biggest fish on earth, the Whale Shark.

Why to see the Whale Sharks ?

Taking adventure travel literally overseas gives Duende Tours the opportunity to really share the travel adventure experience Mexico has to offer, coast-to-coast. We’ve always had an affliction for eco tourism and whale shark watching is one of the safest, eco-friendly and most astonishing experiences. Though we won’t be the first to practice this incredible experience, given our reputation, you can rest assured our practices will keep you safe and enjoying a life time experience.

In essence we want to give you, the curious, intrepid traveler of the world, the best of what Mexico has to offer, in caves, jungles, on land, rivers, and now over and under seas!

Aside from the eco-friendly attributes Whale Sharks Tours has, we also love the history behind the practice. It’s rumored that in the 1980’s some people from the fisherman community of Holbox used to fish big snappers that surrounded the Whale Sharks. One day, one of the fisherman started swimming with them and realized they where friendly creatures. After that he started to bring his friends and the story got spread. In matter of no time there were many people from all over the world at Holbox asking them to see the Whale Sharks. Hence, the birth of whale shark watching.

What’s the Whale Shark Watching Experience like?

The whale shark watching and snorkeling experience should be started early in the morning. The higher the temperature raises, the lower the Whale Shark food (plankton) goes However you can also be lucky to see some Whale Sharks all day long.

Is not much what we know about their migratory behavior, but we do know they can move along oceans and that they are not shy and will commonly allow small boats, divers and swimmers to approach. They have been known to make appearances as close as few yards off the beach coast. Moreover, they travel in small groups or alone, usually you can expect to see more than just one whale shark in a single sighting.

The Whale Sharks are in fact dark in color with gray spots that's why they are call Domino, because of the spots. They can reach a body length of about 18 mts !

Don’t miss your chance this year!

Whale Shark Tour

Tulum Vacations

2009-07-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

Think of a tropical beach… swaying palm trees; the clear ,blue-turquooise water of the Caribbean sea; the pearl-white soft sand of pristine beaches... and a hammock..... This is Tulum. A world-famous destination known for relaxation or adventure travel, Tulum, Mexico boasts some of the world’s most amazing beaches and snorkeling reefs, among other exciting and fun activities.

Stay at cabañas right on the beach where one could easily spend many days forgetting about the rest of the world.

And for those that rather explore and discover: Tulum has much more to offer.

The late Mayans built their only sea front port right here and Tulum ruins are a unique experience with temples overlooking the ocean next to beautiful beaches.

A few more kilometers to the south lays Sian Ka’an nature reserve: 5,260 square kilometers of protected area with mangroves, jungles, cenotes and coral reefs.

More inland you will find many caves and cenotes. Cenotes are underground river systems that have accessible openings on the surface. Snorkeling or scuba diving in a cenote is an experience of a lifetime, as the water is crystal clear and the caves are naturally decorated with the most amazing rock formations.

Coba Mayan ruins make another excellent daytrip from Tulum. You can rent a bi- or tricycle and peddle on a jungle tour from ruin to ruin. Coba is home to Yucatan’s tallest Mayan temple; 42 meters, providing an astonishing view over the Yucatan peninsula.

Duende Tours can help you make reservations for beach cabañas in Tulum. Prices differ from 25 to 150 US dollar per night for a double room.

Tulum is within 2 hours of Cancun International Airport.

Adventure travel activities from and in Tulum are easy to arrange while you are there and Duende Tours can help you find the information you need. Don’t hesitate to Contact Us with any questions about this very special destination.

These are a couple of option for you to see:

Other options near Tulum:

Great Adventure Travel

Our “Neato” Adventure in Veracruz Mexico

2009-02-09T14:40:00.000-08:00

Many active travelers come to Mexico for the Mayan, Aztec, Olmec, ruins. But not me! Many come for the beaches of Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the snorkeling in Cozumel, the brilliant colors of Mexico City, the Jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, or perhaps even the rich cooking of Oaxaca and Puebla, but not this time!

A number of travelers even come windsurf, whale watch and hike. But not many come to take part in one of Mexico’s greatest gifts, whitewater rafting. This is where our new journey takes us and where we’ll be headed for the next few summers.Sure there are great rapids in the United States of America; what with the Colorodo Rockies in sight or even around the Sierra Nevadas in California, but there’s just something so pure and savage about Mexico that makes it different than anything in the world. Jenna visited Veracruz, Mexico for a wedding and found it to be much much more than we had ever anticipated. The place was gleaming with rivers, hills, plains, gorgeous vegetation, and exciting architecture. There is nothing quite like seeing an old colonial village along a cliff, overlooking two rivers and lush green, exotic vegetation. I guess this is why our friends were getting married here.

But that’s not why we were here, that’s not why I’m writing this blog.

In the state of Veracruz lies the country’s best whitewater rafting destination. Boasting more than 40 rivers that spread across the dynamic terrain in Veracruz, it doesn’t take much to understand why this state wouldhave ideal world-class white water rafting and kayaking. The typical river in Veracruz accents narrow, steep water flow that has a medium to low water volume making rafting and other water sports a challenging and technical experience. Boy that sure makes me sound “smat” (I’m from Boston) doesn’t it?

Anyway, the wedding was in Jalcomulco, Veracruz. So I would write more about the place’s history, but honestly, I don’t have the time to do the research, so I’m just going to plagiarize the following from the Duende Tour’s site (it’s OK, they said it was fine).

Jalcomulco lies between Mexico City and Coastal Veracruz and boasts much more than meets the eye. The quaint village projects a very facile, slow paced way of life where generations of indigenous families have harvested sugar cane and mango crops for generations. But, much like the majority of Mexico, there is a hidden realm of activity only known to those that seek it. Jalcomulco’s prize elements not only exist within the borders of its citizenry, they also extend out into the lush forests, wildlife, incredible biking trails, its very much sought after cliffs and gorges and yes, it’s rivers.

Jennah and I decided to take advantage of the “low season”, well, not really, we just happened to be there for the wedding at that time….ok ok, I’ll stop being pedantic…..we went on a rafting trip through the Antigua rivers (class II & III) and had a blast! There’s one part of the course that takes you through a sunken city with channels through it. I hate to admit it, but I was stupid enough not to bring my camera, so I don’t have any proof-uhh, I mean “nice pictures”. Though I do have one that a fellow tourist took and kindly emailed to me….that seriously never happens….it was very nice of him!

I guess what I’m trying to say in this blog is that I had some extra time on my hands and decided to play with my computer and show-off. Even though I have little to actually photographic content to show off with. Whatever. Thank you Duende Tours for allowing me to procrastinate and write the most “interesting” blog about a wedding I barely mentioned, and an experience everyone should go through…if you like whitewater rafting. Ok, but to my super exciting report on insurance policies in the workplace.

- Roger the cool insurance broker/analyst ( or at least I like to think so)

Please visit these guys, you wont regret: Adventure Travel

Adventure travel

2009-02-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Ok, Now that I’ve woken-up and had a day to think about what I wanna write about,…part deux of my Mayan World trotting.

After leaving the coolest sight I had thus far seen, our small group headed out on the road to Bacalar, Mexico: a small town on the Guatemala-Mexico border. Chantal was worried that I had been on the Bus too long, but I had never been more excited to see the landscape of such a different world….we were on the bus for a few hours, I could have ridden the thing for another five ! Seriously, it had AC very comfortable and clean seats, a decent bathroom, and a Disney movie!

But I digress……

The jewel of Bacalar is a huge cenote that looks more like a pristine lake called “Cenote Azul”. The paradisiacal scene was beyond belief! See for yourself:

Once we got to Tikal,…well…even before getting to Tikal I as taken back by the lush green jungles and the dearth of proper roads and public services…I was definitely in a third world country,….but looking at the scenes of people around me, I definitely felt a sense of natural, charming chaos…..

Anyway, we woke-up around 4:30 in the morning to see Tikal at sunrise, and although tired and hot…it was soooo worth it.

I took, for your viewing pleasure, various pictures of Mayan pyramids and Mayan ruins during this travel adventure:

This is Tikal:

This is Nakum:

And believe it or not, this it a ruin in Topoxte. Archaeologist haven't gotten around to excavating this otherwise hill of mayan soil.

See more pictures at this Mayan Ruins Picture Gallery

New Adventure Travel website

2009-02-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

So, this is my first "blog". It's in quotations because, well,.....you'll see.......

I'm creating this trendy and surprisingly useful development of the information age to better get acquainted with the technology age. I myself am not the most computer-savy individual being born in during the flower power days opted for pencil and hemp paper rather than international wireless keyboards and billions of pixels....but hey, I really can't complain. Though I don't understand the computer lingo, I do want to practice and butcher its language.

So, that's me, a fifty-something year-old wanting to jump in the tech pool and keep up with what the kids are doing these days...sounds creepy I know, but don't worry, I don't have a MySpace.

I guess I'm also writing this blog because I was told by my two former Duende Tours guides that it would be a way of helping with out with their cause. That being promoting responsible and legitimate eco tourism that would keep governments and private parties in the Mayan jungles from destroying the environment for otherwise lucrative means. The more people experience the jungles, the more it will be preserved: by exploring this unique and gorgeous realm of exotic rainforest, foreigners will realize how important it is to preserve it, and the only way to do that is to show private parties and governments that it is in their best interest to keep the forest as is and invest in eco tourism. Hopefully guiding philanthropic CEOs, who may decide to invest in the cultural and or environmental preservation of the Mayan world is yet another result that may come from promoting these efforts via the world wide web.

I know, I know,...I run my mouth, but if it helps preserve this:

Then people can deal with my bombastic writing. At least you don't have to listen to me. THAT could actually hurt this cause.

No, the guy above didn't die from listening to me, though it could have been one of my ancestors. This is from a cave tour in Belize...the tail-end of our incredible tour.

At this point I should probably be showcasing pictures of coatis, scarlet macaws, howler monkies, crocodiles, basically all things exotic,....but I have none. I took an antiquated camera and had my grandson scan the above photos...just enjoy what I have.

The point after all was to "promote" ecotourism, not myself. So don't get fresh.

wait wait....what's this.........

That's right: Gandhi in the Mayan Jungles......

Until next time my young eco touristy whippersnappers!

oh and let's not forget this one:

Our fearless leader showing us what "not" to do whilst on a bike tour in the jungle.

Leo "not so lionish" Banter

Mayan Ruins Picture Gallery

An Existential Experience in the Mayan World

2008-04-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Experiences That Words So Poorly Expresss in Mystic Jungles of Guatemala, Belize, Mexico.

It had been about 18 years since I had visited my birthplace, Mexico . For political reasons beyond my control, I was forced to live in the U.S. for almost my entire life. So When I got the opportunity to leave, I flew, and flew and flew. After several years of traveling I eventually found myself living in Cozumel , Mexico . Although not native to this part of the country, I’ve felt most at home here; perhaps because of the environment of amiability so prevalent on every street and within every person I meet; or perhaps because the pristine waters reflect my desires and ideas of a utopia.

And I got the opportunity to explore the vast and
lush jungles of the Mayan World. It was an experience that put my life in retrospect, challenging me to reconsider everything I had ever felt to be important. I didn’t strip down to bare skin and relinquish all material possessions or anything like that; it was more of an existential wake-up call.

According to Latin American historians and academics, the Mayan Civilization extended far beyond the boundaries of the Yucatan peninsula. This highly sophisticated and ever-mysterious civilization established settlements and built incredible pyramids in from the Mexican peninsula through Guatemala and Belize and all the way through to El Salvador . This was news to me, believing all along what most people who dabble in Latin American history do; Mayans are indigenous to Mexico . Boy was I wrong.

I began the tour with a small group with a peculiar name, “duende tours” (elf tours in English) near the border of Belize and Mexico at this place called Bacalar. There’s not much in Bacalar other than jungle and sprinkles of small villages; at least n ot until I we got to the Cenote Azul. Talk about a natural wonder! Cenotes, according to the guides, are deep holes in the ground that lead to an underground system of freshwater that irrigates that entire Yucatan peninsula. Ismael our guide then informed me cenotes make up for that the dearth of rivers and lakes in this part of Mexico . And I’ll tell you, I’ve never had a more exciting swim in my life! Adrenaline rushed through my body every time I swam near the center of what I would have thought was a huge beautiful pond, thinking of how awesome (and somewhat frightful) it was that I was swimming over the surface of what the Mayans considered to be the passage ways to the underworld! We had the option of snorkeling through this underwater cavern, but I dared not test mythology.

We soon found ourselves in Tikal , Guatemala . The sunset at Tikal reminded me of fall in New England . The Sunrise was equally as picturesque, expressive artwork by the hands of a higher power’s skill with color and emotion. Although a little touristy, Tikal was nothing like Chichen Itza , the temples and hieroglyphics on statues had a much more intense quality. Perhaps the surrounding jungle, with all of its exotic sounds, enhanced the experience. Or perhaps it was the overwhelming view from the top of temple V; the great jungle of the Mayan world, as it was centuries of years ago, lush and abundant, full of life and unparalleled to anything living on this planet. This was the first place I had ever seen a toucan and a coati. I can’t even pronounce the latter, but was the encounter with ever a spectacle.

After our tour through Tikal with our very knowledgeable guide, Ismael- who actually felt more like fellow traveler than anything, I liked that- we headed towards El Remate, a tiny village near the shores of a turquoise lake called Peten Itza. Transparent by nature, this lake was yet another swimming adventure that made me feel like I had somehow traveled back through time, to a place untouched by humans. The locals in the surrounding area reflected almost that same feeling, carving wood out of fallen trees. Ismael had a great relationship with many of these locals and explained that the people here were very much a part of the eco-tourism movement, which made me feel much better, since I, in fact, was traveling through such an organization. I only say that because I’ve had bad, and heard of, bad experiences that tourists have had with locals in remote areas of Latin America and Africa . I felt safe.

A night in an ecolodge is not the most comfortable expe ri ence, but that’s not why I came to the jungle; I was expecting less. And after a great night of sleep ( I was absolutely exhausted from the prior day). And I wanted my energy for the following day: a day of canoeing through Laguna Del Tigre on the San Pedro River to El Peru . Flocks of Scarle t Macaws decorated the riverbank trees as we paddled through this incredible scene. Ismael informed me that there were some 130 pairs left in the wild, so seeing these birds was more of an honor than a pleasure. The ruins themselves, similar to Tikal, were still being excavated by archaeologists, like gold in a newfound mine. What we had been excavated was unequivocally remarkable. The details of the carvings and hieroglyphics, even in today’s day and age, would be incredibly difficult to replicate.

The second to last day of the tour was an experienc e beyond my imagination. Once we canoed back to our starting point, we were picked up and taken to the Cayo District in Belize . Boarding the town of San Ignacio , we stayed in stayed in a qua int little hotel, in a subtle limbo between civilization and the new world. The highlight of the trip, though, was the underworld of Belize . We traveled to a cave, whose name I can’t for the lif e of me remember, that again reminded me of how little we know about the world. Jesus, this place was right out of an Indiana Jones movie. The stalactites and stalagmites- I still confuse the two- glistened over and under these crystal blue pools of water I was later told were parts of an underground aqua system. We saw a group of bats, that until then I had only associated with vampires and horror flicks, not knowing that these kept the balance between larger birds of prey, and bugs that they a te (and fed, coincidentally).

Upon arrival to a small town in Belize- I was beyond town names by this point- I realized how fortunate we are as humans to be able to travel distances to bare witness to these incredible sights sounds, and experiences; and how disappointing it was that only a fraction of us ever care to wonder about these magical places. I was stuck in the U.S. , and had no choice but to stay. I wonder, and very much worry, about those that do. What is about modern society that makes us forget about everything that actually matters in the world. I see these incredible sights and hear these intriguing sounds, and think. "how can we possible be indifferent about this". I, for one, was expecting to see a bunch of trees some cool ruins and maybe a decrease on the weight scale. If only I could open myself up to a global frequency.

Mayan Ruins Picture Gallery

First post

2008-04-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

This is the first post on the Duende Tours blog. On this page we will tell you about our lovely trips into the untouched mayan jungle in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. Enjoy your stay here.