Suggestions for visiting Cancun?

ZooElephantMan

ZooElephantMan

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Hello everyone,

My family was invited to a wedding in Cancun in February, and I am excited about the opportunity to go and hopefully see a lot of wildlife.

I am already planning on going to Xcaret Park while there (we will be staying 20-minutes away), but I would also like to see a lot of animals in the wild if possible—particularly primates, manatees, parrots, sea turtles, and whale sharks.

I wondered if anyone had any experience traveling to Cancun, or had suggestions for wildlife tours where you can see those animals in the wild. Every time I have tried to research this I only get results for experiences with captive manatees or captive monkeys, but I would really like to see these animals in the wild if possible.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
 
ZooElephantMan said:
Hello everyone,

My family was invited to a wedding in Cancun in February, and I am excited about the opportunity to go and hopefully see a lot of wildlife.

I am already planning on going to Xcaret Park while there (we will be staying 20-minutes away), but I would also like to see a lot of animals in the wild if possible—particularly primates, manatees, parrots, sea turtles, and whale sharks.

I wondered if anyone had any experience traveling to Cancun, or had suggestions for wildlife tours where you can see those animals in the wild. Every time I have tried to research this I only get results for experiences with captive manatees or captive monkeys, but I would really like to see these animals in the wild if possible.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Click to expand...
Some knowledge from my own experience circa 5 (?) years old so google for some up to date info.

Jardín Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín is fairly reliable for spider monkeys. And a dead certainty for mosquito bites.

Crococun zoo also have a group of habituated spider monkeys that are "wild" but fed regularly at the zoo.

Keep your eyes peeled on any resort and at xcaret for coati and more rarely agouti etc.

One i wish i had tried and will do next visit would be a trip to cozumel and look for cozumel racoon. They have sites at the far north and south of the island i believe but have a google for some recent reports. Could combine with Dolphin Discovery Cozumel (dolphins, manatees, sea lion experiences and crocs) additionally we saw wild dolphins on the ferry crossing.

Happy holidaying.
 
Wild primates in Mexico are spider monkeys and howler monkeys. You may find both at Calakmul National Park along with great Mayan ruins. There is now a train from Cancun to Calakmul, but I have not tried it. Sian Kan is also a good natural area closer to Cancun, which has native primates. Parrots may be seen at both Calakmul and Sian Kan. Green sea turtles can be seen at various coral reefs in protected areas by Cancun. Whale sharks can be found by Holbox island, but I am not certain if they are there in February. Wild manatees are not easy to see in that area. Most places have only rehabilitated captive manatees. Wild manatees are at Centla natural park and perhaps in Bacalar, both of which are not close to Cancun.
You will still see many animals in Xcaret and you can take good tours to see wildlife. February is a great month to go to there, the weather is quite good.
Have a nice trip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top