Vidanta Offers “A Walk to the Beach” Excursion

by Don Herman · Published July 1, 2018 · Updated February 13, 2019

A Walk to the Beach is a flora and fauna excursion offered at Vidanta’s exclusive resort on the Mayan Riviera in Quintana Roo. Through a guided tour you get the chance to see numerous specimens of plants, birds and animals unique to the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

(To see more about the exclusive Grand Luxxe resorts located throughout Mexico, click here.)

Over the years, Vidanta has adopted a clear conservation philosophy at their resorts. Instead of fighting the jungle, replacing it with lawns and artificial landscaping, the company chooses to work within the natural surroundings. At the Riviera Maya, you’ll find the resort nestled within the jungle – which means you have a great opportunity to experience natural jungle wildlife!

What a unique situation, to take a leisurely stroll through a botanical treasure chest, seeing a variety of jungle plant life, as well as the animals that call this lovely place “home.”

Hear a chachalaca bird, loudly calling among the trees. Watch it fly and perch on a nearby mangrove branch, continuing it’s raucous soliloquy.

Plain Chachalaca

Take a few more steps and you run into a mature Yucatan woodpecker, busily working on his day’s activities.

Yucatán woodpecker

A few steps further and you might hear some rustling in the underbrush. Watch closely and you’ll soon see a band of coati scurrying about, searching for lunch of eggs, bugs, lizards or fruit.

The coati are very interesting and fun to watch. The area has many “bands” of coati, comprised of primarily females and young males. Adult males are more solitary. It’s terribly tempting to offer these little beggers food or treats, but there’s plenty of food for them to find on their own! (And they have been known to bite.)

If you are lounging around the pool or the Beach Club, you’ll undoubtedly spot a few Green Iguanas. They may be strolling on the deck, high up in a palm tree, or chasing one another down a path (and yes, they can run pretty fast!) They even like to go for a swim occasionally. Keep an eye on the fruit in your drink – it’s a favorite food.

At night, you may be lucky enough to hear a lone Tropical Mockingbird singing his clear musical song. Very closely related to the Northern Mockingbird, the Tropical Mockingbird does imitate other birds (even if the bird guides deny this!) It’s known as the Bird of the 400 Chants, and you’ll know why when you listen to its call.

Loggerhead turtles are native to the Mayan Riviera

One of the most fascinating activities at four of the Vidanta resorts is the sea turtle conservation program. At Riviera Maya, two species of sea turtles regularly nest – the loggerhead and the white turtle (also called green turtle). As more tourists visit the beaches of the Riviera, Vidanta staff wanted to ensure the survival and even growth of the turtle population. Each participating resort hires a team of biologists who erect and maintain a turtle egg hatchery. Once the eggs are mature and the turtles begin to hatch, the biologists release the turtles near the top of the beach for their nativity March to the Sea.

Over the past 20 years, Vidanta has successfully released over 3 million turtles into the ocean!

Depending on the season (usually May to October), guests can observe sea turtle releases firsthand. Ask the concierge about the sea turtle release. You’ll get a short orientation on the program, and as the turtles are released for the big crawl to the sea, you can help keep away predators while urging your favorite on! It’s a hoot, and it helps tremendously.

A trip to Vidanta Riviera Maya is more than just luxurious surroundings, great entertainment and good food. It’s a real jungle experience that you will remember forever.