Our new friends in Galeana told us that we just could not miss out on a place called La Media Luna so we set course to Rio Verde, the village closest to this amazing creation of nature.
Fire Department Rio Verde
Our contacts arranged a save parking place for us on the court yard of the local fire department. We were received very well and were able to park our vehicle behind a closed gate in the middle of the village.
We had a lot of fun with the men and women of the fire department here in Rio Verde and in a city we passed through before called Mathuala.
We dressed up like fireman, trained with them with full packing, ate with them and were driven around in their vehicles.
Most of them are volunteers here, and even when they are on the payroll, they earn so little compared to the heroes of the fire departments in other countries.
And even though they are aware of the fact that their fire engines, clothes and material is all outdated and given to them by fire brigades around the world when they get new material, they are all very dedicated and willing to risk their lives to save others!
Water Canal
A huge network of water canals cross the outskirts of Rio Verde. Fresh, clear water is running through them to help the farmers water their lands. My kids wanted to swim somewhere and when we asked the firemen on duty where we could go to swim, they immediately offered us to bring us to the main canal.
I must tell you that its quit a cool experience, being dropped off and picked up by the fire brigade emergency vehicle. My kids were directly accepted by the local kids already swimming in the canal. Being friends with the local fire brigade means being friends with the locals. They are highly respected.
City Centre
At the end of the afternoon, the fire truck dropped us off in the city center. Although Rio Verde is a pretty big village with over 50.000 inhabitants, it still has a nice and cozy city center. With a church and a town square in the middle and lively streets with lots of small shops around it.
We walked through the little streets, had some food here and there and walked back to the fire station at night without ever feeling insecure.
Media Luna
The reason for visiting Rio Verde wasn´t the town or the nice people of the fire department. It was because of the popular tourist site called La Media Luna. A lake or lagoon filled by various underwater springs in the shape of a half moon.
The amount of the water that comes out of the springs is so much that it is enough to fill the complete canal system I mentioned before.
But more important, because of the amount of fresh water entering the lagoon, the water is always super clear. You literally can see at least 20 meters down.
But maybe most surprising was the water temperature. It has a constant temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, or 84.5 Fahrenheit.
Another interesting fact about the Media Luna is that it is a protected natural area and the home of protected species of flora and fauna like fish and a water lily only to be found in the Media Luna.
About 300 employees will make sure your stay will be nice and clean.
Swimming And Snorkeling
The clear view, the nice temperature and the protected species make it very interesting to swim and snorkel in the Media Luna. But don’t feel restricted to only the main lagoon.
Many small lakes and canals are to be found on the premises. And swimming and snorkeling is allowed in all of them as long as you respect the rules.
Putting on some goggles opens up a whole new world. You can see many meters deep and fish and turtles swim below you.
Because of the temperature, you can do this for hours without getting cold, feeling one with the environment.
DarkFin™
We were in for a nice surprise today aswell.
The people from DarkFin™ Mexico, decided to join us in the Media Luna Today.
Sometimes you just don’t know that you missed something in your life. Until you try it! Then you realize you can’t go without anymore.
DarkFin™ is a product like that.
I never knew I missed it….until I tried it!
And now I can’t do without it anymore.
Something so simple, that it makes you wonder why nobody ever thought about it earlier. But when you love swimming as much as we do, you will have to try it.
DarkFin™ are latex gloves with vins between the fingers. And even though the vins are small and look insignificant, the power of thrust they give when swimming, is amazing!
Swimming with DarkFin™ gloves makes you swim faster and with less effort.
The best part is that, unlike the big vins for your feet, they are small and fit in your pocket. While, and I tried this myself, the thrust is almost the same.
Swimming with DarkFin™ makes swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and all other water activities more comfortable and fun.
Overnighting
The media Luna allows you to camp with tents inside the area. But no cars are allowed in.
The solution for those who don’t want to carry their camping gear for a few hundred meters is easy. A whole army of guys with wheel barrows are always somewhere close to bring your stuff up and down for a few pesos.
When sleeping in a tent isn´t your thing, you can rent cabins. They are medium luxurious and look like they are build 200 years ago. Not because of the state they are in, but how they look. They are build in the traditional way and look amazing from the outside with clay stones and straw roofing.
But we brought our RV….
The Rv is not allowed in, but management has no problem if you “boondock” on the huge parking lot.
We parked close to the entrance as there is 24 hour security there. We had a quiet, safe and free night. And because the park opens at 7 am, we could get a fresh cup of coffee and breakfast in the park when we woke up.
Food and Shops
When you camp inside or outside the park, you don’t have to worry about much. In the park and just before the entrance, many little shops and restaurants will cater all your needs. From food, drinks, daily groceries and swim wear.
They are all selected by the park, so you can be sure they don’t hassle you or rip you off. They are allowed to be there as long as they respect the strict rules.
As most of the times in Mexico, the food is amazing and cheap. And always freshly made in front of you.
Nice little shaded terraces are inside for those who want to hide for the sun or just relax in the shade.
Museum
The park has its own little museum. And there is a reason for that. Apart from the protected species of flora and fauna in the media luna, it is an important archeological site. Many examples of fossils are found in the area, are displayed in the museum. Dinosaur bones, ancient human skeletons, Indian artifacts. All to be seen in the museum along with a large display on the wall of written information.
Small, but well worth a visit!
Scuba Diving
The second day, scuba diving was on the program. The park has its own diving school, but if you are a certified diver you can buy a divers entrance so you can dive on your own.
The diving school offers 3 different services:
Gear Rental
If you are a certified diver, but don’t want to carry around your own bottles, you can rent them at the diving school.
Diving Experience
No matter if you are experienced or not, with the Dive Experience a certified instructor will join you on your dive. All diving gear is included. This is a good option for everyone. Even when you are experienced.
The instructor knows the best places to dive to. And when this is your first dive or you are not so experienced, they will instruct you and adapt the dept to your level.
And here is the nicest
part of all…..
The worst thing of outside dives always is carrying your gear to the dive spot.
Well don’t worry, the guys from the dive school will do that for you!
Open Water Dive Course
The Dive School wouldn´t be a dive school if they didn´t offer a complete course. In 3 days you are able to get your Open Water License. With daily dives and theory training on location, this is a nice and easy place to prepare yourself for the underwater world.
We choose the Diving Experience
It has been a while that we had been diving so we were a bit “rusty”. But it’s always good to have an instructor with you when you dive in unknown waters to show you the best spots.
Because the water is so warm, suits are not necessary. So just a t-shirt to protect your shoulders from the straps of the stab jacket (the vest with the bottle) is enough.
There is a special divers platform to gear up.
The water was warm and super clear this early morning. The nice thing about this dive location is that where you enter the water, the dept is only about 3 meters. So even for a beginner this is a safe spot.
The instructor asked for our licenses before the dive, but it was good to see that he observed well if we were indeed experienced and comfortable in the shallows.
Even here there are nice things to see. The bottom is covered with lilies and tree stumps of maybe thousands of years old. Fish swim between the lilies for cover.
When all was good, he took us over the first edge.
It’s pretty amazing to see how nature created this lagoon. Even though it’s not a 100% sure, it looks like the lagoon was created by a meteorite.
From the shallow 3 meter part, there is a vertical drop to the next level of about 6 meters. The vertical wall was full with lily leaves again, but the bottom starts to be sandy. Bigger fish are dwelling over the floor looking for food.
Then another drop to about 12 meters. Again an almost vertical wall down brings you to the bottom of one of the springs. Floating a meter above it, you feel the water been pushed out of the sand upwards.
I must admit, I never felt anything like this before, it’s like a vertical current in the water.
The next drops will bring you to depths of 20 to over 30 meters. Each with its own spring pushing the water up and caves to explore.
The lagoon might not be a tropical sea with all its coral, fish and colors, but diving in what looks like a meteorite crater with at least 20 meter views and its upwards currents is a something special to experience.
Our friends from Galeana were right!
You cannot miss out on the Media Luna!