Quintana Roo, Mexico

The State of Quintana Roo forms part of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and is bordered by the states of Yucatan and Campeche as well as the neighboring countries of Belize and Guatemala to the south and west. Its capital is the city of Chetumal, near the Belize border. On its shores lap the blue and crystalline waters of the Caribbean and the terrain, consisting of a thin layer of fertile soil over a limestone base, holds tropical jungles and wetlands filled with wild animals, birds and lush vegetation. It is a fabulous spot for outdoor activities suchg diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs and cenotes, visiting a number of ecological reserves and scouting the Mayan ruins of the area.

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Places of Interest

Cancún

Cancún is a high-end touristic destination developed by the Mexican Government during the 1970´s, which has grown into a complex of over 100 high-rise hotels, numerous restaurants and dining facilities, shopping malls and recreational activity promotors and providers. It is handy to many of the Mayan archaeological sites as well as the islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres and the long, white-sanded beaches of the Caribbean coast.

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Isla Mujeres

Only a short ferry ride from the peninsular mainland is Isla Mujeres, a tiny and tranquil tropical island with excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling in the clear waters and reefs. On this small piece of land, measuring only 8 x 1.5 kms., is a small community offering lodging and dining facilities, as well as the El Garrafón

National Park at the southern part of the island - an insurpassable location for snorkeling and diving amid the coral reefs and unusual underwater rock formations. Boat tours can be taken to other nearby reefs and nature sanctuaries established for the protection of underwater and bird life.

Isla Mujeres offers a number of excellent beaches: Playa Norte, right in town with few waves, clear, shallow water, and Playas Paraiso and Lancheros at the southern end of the island. All these beaches offer beachfront seafood restaurants and refreshment facilities, as well as fabulous swimming and snorkeling.

A favorite outing from Isla Mujeres is a trip to the bird sanctuary on Isla Contoy. Located 24 kms from Isla Mujeres, Contoy is a small jungle-covered island that is home to a great variety of water birds. Small boats may be hired from the Boat Cooperative near the pier.

Day Boat tours are also available to Isla Mujeres out of Cancun.

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Puerto Morelos

17 kms. south of Cancún, Puerto Morelos is a small community with, until recently, very few tourist facilities. Great diving and snorkeling, good food at many of its popular restaurants and some nice crafts shopping available. The Vehicle ferry departs from here on the two-hour trip to Isla Cozumel. Slightly south of Puerto Morelos is a Botanical Garden and nursery with a range of habitats and trails on which the varied vegetation is identified. Open daily from 9am till 5 pm.

Isla Cozumel

The island of Cozumel lies in the Caribbean off Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. It was considered one of the best diving areas of the world by Jacques Cousteau, and its coral reefs, white beaches and transparent waters harbor a great variety of marine life and some fine opportunities to explore nature in its underwater parks. Today the island is largely a nature preserve, with few inhabitants and a limited scattering of inns, BnB's, shopping and visitor facilities. A number of archaeological zones are to be found on the island, including Aguada Grande, El Cedral, El Caracol and San Gervasio.

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Getting there: Passenger ferries run to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos (Pto. Morelos ferries also carry cars). Flights are available from Cancun airport as well.

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Punta Bete and Tres Rios

Canoeing and kayaking are available at the Tres Rios natural park on the way to Punta Bete; on its beach is a dive shop and restaurant. Entrance fee is charged. Punta Bete itself is a fabulous stretch of coral beach of about 4 kilometers long, lined with palms and providing excellent snorkeling.

Playa del Carmen

60 kms south of Cancún is the relatively new resort of Playa del Carmen, a community offering bed and breakfasts and other small, beachside lodging, restaurants and cafes, and peaceful oceanfront walkways with a variety of arts & crafts shops. Playa del Carmen was, until recently, a sleepy fishing village that attracted only the more adventurous. Now the community includes residents and business people from all over the world who enjoy its verdant natural surroundings, clear Caribbean waters and fine, white sands, and is the state's fastest growing community. At Playa del Carmen's southern end lies Playacar, a private development of large, all-inclusive hotels, golf course, shopping malls and discos. About one hour to to the south lies Xcaret, an eco-archaeological theme park with activities that include tour the ruins, swimming with dolphins, exploring an underground river, walking the trails amidst the tropical vegetation and snorkeling.

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Akumal and Xel-Ha

A long-favored diving and snorkeling area, Akumal, about 60 kms south of Cancun and only a few kilometers north of Tulum, has been growing rapidly in the past few years into an important resort and recreational center. Originally a coconut plantation, Akumal is in the midst of lush jungle vegetation filled with birds and blossoming orchids and bromiliads. Its protected bay and barrier reef make for some of the best swimming, snorkeling and diving along this coast.

Just south of Akumal is the Xel-Ha National Park and Archaeological site, a fabulous lagoon protected by the Honduras Reef and providing a perfect atmosphere to watch the multi-colored underwater life. The lagoon offers submarine caves, winding waterways and coral formations to explore. Beach chairs and observation platforms are available along the beach, as well as hammocks and sunshades.

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Tulum

An important fortified Mayan archaeological site with a large pyramid - El Castillo - and several sub-structures perched on a cliff overlooking the crystal Caribbean. Visiting hours are 8 am - 5 pm daily. The village of Tulum is a short distance away with a number of good restaurants and many shops selling crafts and souvenirs.

A few kilometers to the south of Tulum is the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve with some incredible mangrove swamps and tropical vegetation as well as tremendously abundant bird and wildlife including flamingos, crocodiles, monkeys and boa constrictors. Entrance to the park is free. In the area is also the site of the Muyil Ruins

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Bacalar

Bacalar is located about 40 kilometers from Chetumal and 3 1/2 hours drive from Cancún, on the shores of a lake of the same name, Lake Bacalar. Fed by a series of cenotes and underground currents, this long (50 km), fresh water lake is tremendously transparent and blue and is surrounded by mangroves and reeds. Popular for boating, swimming, kayaking, fishing and birdwatching. Nearby are the ruins of Kohnunlich, the restored San Felipe Fortress and the 61 1/2 meter deep Cenote Azul, great for swimming or canoeing.

Hotels & Rental Accommodations in Bacalar

Hotel Laguna - Bugambilias 316, Bacalar, overlooking the lake. Rooms with bath, fans; restaurant, bar, pool. Bungalows w/Kitchenette available. Tel. (983)834-2206

Rancho Encantado - On the shores of Lake Bacalar. Tel. (983) 838-0427, Fax (983) 838-0427.

Xcalac

The southernmost community of the Mexican Caribbean coast, Xcalac is one of the oldest Mayan settlements in the state. It is a very small fishing village to which services such as drinking water and electricity have only just recently come, located in an area offering long stretches of solitary beaches and ecological havens, fabulous diving in the offshore reefs, fishing and birdwatching experiences.

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