Travelers Guide to Yucatán

BEACHES

The advertised attraction of sun and sea in Yucatan is a true offer. To the natural beauty of  its unique beaches is added an efficient infrastructure of facilities such as hotels, seafood restaurants, shops and markets. Some of these spots offer yacht clubs, waters sports. Others operate as peaceful hideaways for retired foreigners during the winter season.

Only 30 minutes drive from the capital city of the State, is Progreso the most important  port of Yucatan, key shipping  spot  for export products. Its growth has favored the integration of neighbor ports such as Chuburna, Chelem and Chicxulub which, all together, receive thousands of visitors seeking to get away from the extreme heat during the summer. 

Fishing and tourism are Progreso inhabitans´ most important activities, although it has started to receive a great number of groups of retired Canadians. On the  other  hand, the effort of the authorities opens up the possibility of receiving  cruise-liners before 1997 is over.

Alacranes reef appears on the map right in front of Progreso and to visit in takes a crossing of 120 kms, a worthwhile venture, as this  Eden-like reef formed by a group of small islands house the most exotic birds and a breath-taking panorama where skindiving and fishing are a temptation and the great variety of sea life settled here make it unique.

Celestun, the small fishermen's village, is an inborn hostess for tourists. It marks the star of the Yucatecan coastline from the West and is special reserve for the biosphere. 

Down in the estuary thousands of flamingos  unknowingly  offer a magic moving symphony of all pink variations and hues as migratory birds and estuary and swamp plants find shelter to stay. Lodging, restaurant and excellent cuisine from the sea are available.

Telchac is a  port along the coastline road that has begun to be noticed on account of the beauty of its beaches and hotel  investments made during recent years.

The sheltered harbor has fostered commercial fishing, and the pink lagoon has tourist potential because the color  of its waters. San Felipe and Rio Lagartos in the East of  the State are part of a natural reservation protected since 1979. 

In this strip of land which receives floods of sweet water from springs and salty from the sea, inhabit more that 200 species of birds such as pilgrim falcon, the  jabiru stork and the pink flamingo and, other species of fauna such as the turtle, the manatee, the howler monkey and the wild boar. The ideal spot to enjoy ecotourism.

Enjoy Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico