Building sandcastles on the beach is a quintessential vacation activity for children and families around the world; not only does this bring families together for hours of seaside fun and frivolity, but it’s a great way to teach your kids the value of teamwork. Best of all, however, it doesn’t take much more than creativity and a bucket and spade to take part in this activity.

It’s unsurprising that many people rank memories of sandcastle building high on their list of happy thoughts; it has much to do with the people helping them, we would say. Help your kids make great memories this year; build some sand castles.

Teamwork

You could build a sandcastle all by yourself, of course, but that’s not nearly as much fun as everyone working together to make a real beauty! If you have a big group with you this is the perfect time to showcase teamwork and leadership; make a plan together, agree on a design, and have everyone working on different things in tandem.

Location

Get a stretch of sand that’s a little more isolated if you can; other beach goers may get in the way, or you might bother them. Days that are forecast to be mild, sunny, and dry with little chance of high winds are perfect for sandcastle building.

Sand Texture and moistness

Fine sand is best for building, and it should be wet, too, but stay as far from the waves as you can if you want to avoid the premature destruction of your masterpiece! Dig a hole to form a reservoir and carry water over to it so that you can wet your building sand easily!

Solid Foundations

Build a good foundation from thin layers of wet sand; compact each layer before you add another, and make sure that each layer is wet enough to stay that way when the next is added. If you do this you’ll find that your sand castle is much more stable!

Details

Once you have a solid mound of good height you can get on to the really fun bit; the details! At this point you can start shaping the sand with tools like brushes, stones, shells, the edge of a knife, or anything else you have to hand. Avoid narrow shapes which might topple easily, and remember that the sand must stay wet in order to be malleable. Once you have the basic structure down you can start to decorate it with shells, pebbles, seaweed, and driftwood in order to give it a distinctive spin that is all you guys!

Why not take the time to have a memorable beach day with your family this vacation? Get together and build sandcastle to be proud of… just be sure to get photos before the tide washes it away!

One of the main reasons that people choose to escape the bustle of modern life to the Sian Ka’an Village is the idyllic setting which allows us to entirely switch off from the modern world. Nonetheless it’s not all about kicking back; staying active and keeping fit while you’re here can be a huge part of any vacation. Here are some of the ways in which you can really get your blood pumping at the Sian Ka’an Village!

Jogging on the Beach

The secluded nature of the beach at the Sian Ka’an Village means that you can run along the water’s edge at sunrise or sunset without interruption. The sand is a great addition to the exercise, too, as it works extra muscles… but if you’d rather not run on the sand you can use the dirt roads which wind around the mangroves.

Kayaking fun

When you stay at the Sian Ka’an Village you are free to borrow the properties Kayaks and life jackets whenever you wish to head out to sea. By doing so you can have an adventure in safety; the coral reefs protect the beach from the majority of swells and larger waves. You can even have a guided tour with team members.

SUP

If you want to keep in shape and work your core muscles and strength paddle-boarding is the activity for you. You can borrow the villages paddle-boards whenever you wish, and there are lifejackets, too, if you wish to use them.

Bicycle rides

The Sian Ka’an Village has mountain bikes which you can use, too, so why not explore the dirt roads which lead along the side of the beach, winding through the mangroves. This will help you to keep fit, but it is also one of the best ways to see the local flora and fauna.

Yoga and stretching on the beach

Guests who follow their own yoga routine will find that there are some truly sensational spots in which to conduct their daily routines, but yoga instructors will find that the Sian Ka’an Village is open to hosting retreats for groups, too!

It is very much in vogue, right now, for companies to offer incentive trips to staff who meet certain benchmarks, goals, and productivity standards; this is a way to show them that their hard work is valued, but there are some surprising benefits for the company as a whole in such activities. From an employee stand-point these activities and rewards can be key to sustaining motivation and drive; the feeling of being appreciated, and the knowledge that those who go above and beyond will be rewarded goes a long way;

Incentive Trip Travel Industry and Sian Ka’an

The global economy has been boosted by this corporate trend to the tune of around $30 million per year (this figure is growing, too); incentive trips are becoming a big part of the business world. The swerve towards tropical and exotic locations like the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, may be a matter of proximity, or a direct attempt to make the trips more appealing to more people. After all, who doesn’t dream of fruity cocktails on a Caribbean beach somewhere?

If a company wanted to set itself apart from the crowd, however, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere would be the place in which to do it.

Incentivizing Travel Rewards in Sian Ka’an

It probably comes as no surprise that companies who invest in such incentives have higher staff retention, productivity, and workplace morale. This is most likely because their staff is highly motivated, due in part to the incentives in place as well as the feeling of importance and value that such investments give.

What may surprise you, however, is the fact that these trips can have a positive impact on the work force at large after they are over.

Meetings in Sian Ka’an

There are not as many large convention centres around Sian Ka’an as there would be in, for example, in Cancun, but this is compensated for by the stunning beauty of the landscape here… why not have your team building exercises outside? The Sian Ka’an Village does have some spaces which you could hire for seminars and lectures, however.

Why choose Sian Ka’an for your incentive trips and meeting?

Many companies opt for places like Cancun, Riviera Maya, or Puerto Vallarta, but the Sian Ka’an is a unique place which will really set you apart! Your staff are sure to talk about this for years to come. Plus, when your bonding and team building exercises are over you’ll be able to kick back and relax in one of the most stunning and idyllic places on earth! The waters and forests here are teeming with life, and the climate is perfect for sunbathing and exploration. Water sports, ATV tours, and hiking activities are just a taste of what’s on offer… and you can always unwind in the Spa!

So, if you’re planning the next (or your first) incentive trip why not make it really pop by choosing Sian Ka’an?

2017 was declared by the United Nations to be the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development!  Astounding numbers of more than one billion international tourists travel to every corner of the globe each year, meaning that tourism plays a crucial part in both local and global economies.  This tourism, in turn, provides millions of people with jobs, which is particularly important in developing parts of the world.  

Unfortunately, tourism is deeply affected by climate change (as well as being a contributing factor), and this year the United Nations is taking the time to take a closer look at various ways in which the industry can move towards positive change.  The UN is hoping to help the tourism industry find ways to curb emissions and make adjustments in regards to the unavoidable effects that the rising global average temperatures are having.   

The Effects of Global Warming

Tourism depends on a stable climate more so than many other industries.  It has already been affected by the rise in weather-related problems such as heatwaves, storms, fresh water loss, desertification, decreasing snowfall levels in alpine skiing regions and rising sea levels that are a constant threat to resorts along coastal areas.  It is estimated by the UN’s World Tourism Organization that tourism is the source of around 5% of CO2 emissions globally.  A whopping 20% of those emissions created by tourism are caused by accommodation such as air-conditioning and heating, as well as maintaining pools, restaurants and bars.  Not surprisingly, though, transportation including car, rail and air travel produces an astounding 75% of all emissions related to tourism.  

What Can Be Done

Travelers can do their part in reducing emissions caused by transport by selecting the most sustainable form of transportation available to reach their destination.  Thanks to the UN’s Climate Neutral Now Initiative, tourists and business travelers alike are now able to offset the carbon footprint created by their travels by car or plane by purchasing UN-certified offsets.  The Climate Neutral Now Initiative is also playing an active role in assisting sub-sectors of the tourism transport industry like airports measure, reduce and offset the emissions they produce.  

Thanks to the commitment the United Nations has put forth to protect the planet, this year will continue to focus on sustainable tourism.  From encouraging tourism expansion in areas that up until now have remained untapped, to looking at ways to boost climate resilience in regions that already have been established in the tourism industry, the UN is doing its part to bring more awareness to the issues our planet is currently facing.