Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve

A Coastal Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO Biosphere, 2006) Of Petenes, Islands Of Tropical Forest That Grow Around Freshwater Springs In The Mangrove, With Flamingos, Manatees And Crocodiles And The Fishing Village Of Isla Arena. Visited By Boat From Campeche Or Celestun, With Few Facilities, A Lot Of Heat And Mosquitoes · Campeche, Campeche

Los Petenes is a coastal biosphere reserve on the Gulf of Mexico north of Campeche city, named for the petenes, small islands of tropical forest that grow around freshwater springs inside the mangrove. The reserve was created in 1999 and is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve listing, and it forms a long, flat, wet landscape of mangrove, marsh, seagrass and low forest. Wildlife includes flamingos, crocodiles, manatees, waterbirds and many migrating species. Visits are mostly by boat from fishing villages on the Campeche coast, and a coastal road reaches Isla Arena, the main settlement. Access is limited, services are few, and heat and mosquitoes are strong. It suits birders, photographers and patient travellers who want a wild coast and accept rough arrangements. It is worth the detour for a quiet morning on the water and the chance of flamingos; it is not worth it if you want polished facilities, a fixed timetable or a short stop, because tours need planning and local contacts.

Los Petenes, a mangrove and freshwater-spring reserve on the Gulf coast north of Campeche city; coordinates approximate, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico

The reserve is a protected area with no fixed opening hours, and there is no ticket gate for most of it. Boat trips depend on local operators and the weather, and they usually run in the morning, when the air is cooler and the water calm. Some tours are CLOSED or cancelled in strong wind, storms and in the nesting season for protected species, and access to core zones is CLOSED to ordinary visitors. Watching birds from the coastal road and village shore is FREE. The reserve office in Campeche has its own business hours and may be CLOSED at weekends, so check with the Campeche office before you travel.

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