Sustainable Akumal: Turtles, Tourists, Cenotes, & Coral Reefs

Spend Winter Break on the sunny coast of the Riviera Maya learning about sustainable tourism and coastal ecology. Akumal, a small town one hour south of Cancun, means “the place of the turtle” in Mayan, and its bays with crystal clear waters are a favorite spot for sea turtles to nest. The Caribbean coast of Mexico, particularly the Riviera Maya,has experienced a 70-fold increase in tourism over the past 30 years. This rapid increase in tourism has disrupted the nesting turtles as well as plants and other animals native to this area.

This program explores the impact of tourism and development on coral reefs, marine life, water quality, and other habitats. Learn about responsible tourism and sustainable development through field-based projects. Experience coastal and marine ecology in the context of tourism and development. Observe sea turtles in their nesting and feeding habitat while working on beach habitat restoration. Test the water quality in lagoons and cenotes to understand complex issues surrounding groundwater and fresh water in the Yucatan Penninsulat of Mexico. Snorkel the crystal blue waters to see the coral reef ecology and identify species of fish. Visit mangroves, seagrass communities, and hike into lush tropical forests. Experience Mexican history and culture by visiting Maya ruins and spending time in local communities.

Listen to Ray Newman, program leader, talk more about this program.

You will stay at the Tortuga Escondida Residency Center, located in the jungle several kilometers outside of Akumal. A pool, internet, study areas, and air conditioning are provided. Housing is dormitory style. All meals are included within the program dates.

September 25, 2024

Depart from Minneapolis-Saint Paul: January 1, 2025
Arrive in Mexico: January 1, 2025
Depart from Mexico: January 19, 2025

You are required to take 2 courses as part of this program.

CFAN 3422: Introduction to Sustainable Akumal (1 credit; Fall B term 2024, Fridays from 3:00 - 5:00 pm)

This is a required prerequisite course. It will introduce you to the literature, concepts, and skills (including snorkeling) needed to thrive in CFAN 3522.

CFAN 3522: Sustainable Akumal (3 credits; Winter Break 2024-25, approved for the Global Perspectives theme and the Environment theme, syllabus (PDF))

The aim of this course is to introduce you to coastal systems and coastal ecology, the effects of tourism and development on these systems, and potential strategies to promote sustainable development and tourism and mitigate impacts. Specifically, we will cover the karst geology, underground rivers, and cenotes of the region, as well as their connection to and ecology of lagoons and mangroves. We will assess coastal beaches and sea turtle nesting habitats and the nearshore seagrass communities that support juvenile loggerheads and green turtles. We will study nearshore and deeper reef systems and how these are affected by increasing development and tourism, directly and via nutrient input and strategies used to reduce and mitigate development and waste impacts. Finally, we will introduce you to ancient Mayan history, ruins, and culture, and how these relate to contemporary development in the region that attempts to capitalize on that history; resultant conflicts between established entrepreneurs, ecologically minded ex-pats, local Mestizo worker communities, a long-established ecological center, and recent tourism developments will be explored. You will also learn how to conduct projects that address issues of concern to local researchers, managers, and the community. Working in small teams, you will tackle a specific topic related to your interests and expertise and present the results to colleagues, local scientists, managers, and community members.

If you are interested in sustainable development, responsible tourism, marine biology, conservation, environmental management, water quality, coastal ecology, and/or similar topics, you will enjoy this course. If you are interested in developing your disciplinary expertise–specifically water quality, marine biology, GIS/landscape mapping, social science, or fisheries–in an interdisciplinary context are especially desired.

Raymond Newman PhD, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Marine Biology Undergrad Minor Coordinator, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology

Florencia Pech Cardenas PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute on the Environment

Past excursions included visits to Xel-Ha National Park, Tulum and Coba archeological sites, Yal Ku Lagoon, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, several bays and beaches, wetlands, and cenotes.

This program is a great fit if you are interested in field based learning. This program requires a moderate level of physical activity. You must feel very comfortable swimming in open water as snorkeling in the ocean and cenotes is a regular part of program activities. Prior snorkelling experience is a plus. 

Contact Shelly Fisher from the CFANS Office of International Programs at [email protected] with your questions.

Winter Break 2025 Cost of Participation

Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The program fee generally includes tuition, group flight airfare, airport transfers, in-country program-related transportation, housing, some meals, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, program administration, and international health insurance. You must also budget for passport and passport photos, some meals, textbooks, independent travel, and miscellaneous living expenses.

The application fee, deposit, and program fee are charged to your UofM account.

The College of Food, Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences offers grants for study abroad programs. Additionally, the Learning Abroad Center also offers financial aid and scholarships.

All applicants are charged a $50 non-refundable application fee by the Learning Abroad Center. Once you confirm your participation in the program, you will have a $775 non-refundable deposit charged to your student account. The application fee and confirmation deposit are non-refundable. Upon receipt of the Confirmation and Payment Agreement, your spot on the program is reserved.. At this point, non-recoverable costs are incurred. If you cancel at any time after the Confirmation and Payment Agreement has been received, you will be responsible for part or all of the program fee, as per the LAC Cancellation Policy.

In the event that the CFANS Office of International Programs (OIP) is forced to cancel this program, you will receive a full refund of your application fee and deposit if you are accepted or confirmed for the program.

You have the option to appeal the CFANS OIP cancellation policy when canceling from a program for extenuating circumstances. Refer to the Learning Abroad Center's refund appeal process for details and the form to submit. The review and decision will be made by CFANS OIP, not the LAC refund appeal committee.

If you do not have a passport, or your passport expires less than 6 months after your return date from your time abroad, contact Shelly Fisher at [email protected] immediately. You will need to expedite your passport application.