In the Mayan language, Sian Ka’an means “place where the sky is born” and it is true that spending time in this reserve feels like a gift from heaven. With a huge expanse of wetlands, a sand dune covered with coastal vegetation between the Caribbean Sea and lagoons, bays, mangroves and part of the Mesoamerican reef, this protected area (one of the largest in Mexico) is a feast for the senses. Home to great biodiversity, Sian Ka’an is a world heritage site where local fishermen will take us on a journey through the aquatic landscape in hopes of meeting some representatives of the fauna in the reserve. With a little luck we will be able to see dolphins, sea turtles, a crocodile, various species of birds and even the mysterious manatee. The local economy, based on fishing and now tourism, has thrived thanks to the regulation of the reserve that promotes sustainable practices and protects the coast by limiting its over exploitation.