In the Mayan language, Sian Ka'an means “where the sky is born”, and indeed, time spent in this reserve feels like a gift from above. With its vast expanse of wetlands, a vegetated coastal sand dune, and a location between the Caribbean Sea and a network of lagoons, bays, mangroves and part of the Mesoamerican Reef, this protected area — one of the richest in Mexico — is a feast for the senses. A reserve of great biodiversity, Sian Ka'an is a protected World Heritage site where local fishermen will take you by boat through a remarkable aquatic landscape, in the hope of spotting some of the local wildlife's rich diversity. With a bit of luck, you may observe dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles, a rich variety of birds, and even elusive manatees.