I have just returned from an extraordinary trip to Sian Ka'an. I stayed at CESIAK for several weeks with anticipation that I might get antsy at some point and want to go explore other areas. Yet I never left because each day brought new wonders.

So to be upfront, CESIAK is not for everyone. It's a great place for people who want to disconnect -- the rooms are actually tents; no electricity -- but ipad's have conquered this problem if you need to keep busy in the dark hours rather than talking with the stars. It's a great place to meet other people who have an affinity for the natural world, who have a curiosity for the world, who are trying to make a contribution to the world (many guests did "las basuras" walks, picking up the plastic that floats up along the beaches). It's a great place to learn about the the glorious birds, creatures and landscape there. However, if you get upset if your tent shakes at night under the mischievous wind, if you don't want to grab your flashlight to find your way under the palms to the bathroom in the middle of the night, or if somewhat salty water undermines the entire concept of showering CESIAK probably shouldn't be where you want to stay.....

No matter what...make a visit part of your trip!

What makes CESIAK so special. First of all, the staff! If you are there during busy season you probably won't benefit from getting to know the staff as they are so busy. However, a tour with any of the guides, Ben, Fernando, Jorge or Hugo, will give you the opportunity to tap into their incredible knowledge, their passion for the natural world, and get to know individuals who have the courage to shape their lives with purpose and meaning If you can sit down during one of the slower times at the restaurant or on the incredible upper patio with views of the lagoon and the ocean ask Geronimo, Gregorio or Cesar to teach you a few Mayan words.... The front desk team -- Laura, Hugo and Pepe -- are wonderful and will help you figure out how to best see Sian Ka'an (by the way -- if you are a birder ask Pepe about other bird tours on the other side of the lagoon).

Second, the opportunity to learn about the natural world is extraordinary. Depending on who is in your group you can take a kayak trip or a boat trip. Over three weeks I saw baby roseate spoonbills, reddish egrets doing the breeding dance, ospreys sharing fish at their incredible nest (do you know they can tie knots?), golden juvenile crocodiles, tiger herons and eagle rays (be sure to do the stingray shuffle when entering the water anywhere in Tulum). Ask lots of questions -- the guides have extraordinary knowledge. They respect your pleasure in observing so won't flood you with information...yet their knowledge and experiences add so much depth to the experience.

Other things to know: Food is consistently really good! The menu is limited so if you are staying longer than a few days, make sure you ask for specials. Housecleaning staff is excellent with wonderful towel art left ever day on your bed (fish, swans, elephants and flowers). The road once you enter Sian Ka'an is bumpy, bumpy, bumpy -- just enjoy the ride that slows you down and reminds you how much the tears of mother nature shape the earth. High season (end of Dec - mid April) is busy....think about November, turtle season (you can volunteer as well) from June - September, or late April-May for a visit. However high season is glorious and the chance to see all the migratory birds is such a treat.

Even if you are staying in the hotel zone....take the time for a tour of Sian Ka'an or come for an afternoon on the beach and a meal.

My wife and I rented casa redonda which is adjacent to cesiak. From the people we talked to who stayed in the tent cabins, they said it was very basic but definitely worth the price for people who want to get away from the resorts. The food was super cheap and amazing!!!! We had coffee and breakfast almost every morning. The orange juice was out of this world. Dinner was just as good as breakfast and the beer is cold and cheap. 20 pesos for Victoria or Sol. Everyone who worked there went out of their way to make sure you felt right at home. The beach is raked every morning and there are palapas and beach chairs to relax. The drive is a little far down a dirt road, about 20-30 minutes inside the sian kaan entrance. Overall, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a secluded rustic place to stay with awesome food.

What an amazing place. I wish we stayed more than one night! The platform tents (inside palapas) are comfortable with plenty of room and I loved the "front porch", with the hammock and chairs, looking out over the ocean. It was so special having the sound of the waves lull you to sleep at night. We took the kayak tour - lots of birds, followed by a beautiful sunset and a great dinner - delicious fish! The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. And the stars and moon at night were breathtaking . . .

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful locations ever . This is a very special place. I am at a loss for words to describe it. The tents are clean and comfortable and the sheer beauty of the place by far makes up for few creature comforts. The staff of Cesiak are truly an asset to the place making it a joy to be around them.