posted by Travel Cat on Feb 24
The following information concerns the environments themselves. Here you will be get the chance to see vast numbers of wildlife and plants in one place - of course, if you pick the wrong guide or go alone and get lost you may not see anything worth writing home about!
Also, I have only picked those areas that are most popular, so if you visit regularly you may find more secluded areas to visit, off the beaten track so to speak, but never walk into a jungle without a clearly marked track or a local guide!
6) Tropical Rainforest
Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an (south of Cancun) - This good size reserve (5000 sq km) is by no mean lacking in wildlife, and you will need a professional guide to escort you through it so you don’t get lost! It borders a relatively ‘boring’ beach so you can get this whole area to yourself, with a huge number of migratory and local birds found here.
Pelenque- This ancient Mayan city is surrounded in heavy jungle, containing ocelots, toucans howler monkeys to name a few. As with Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul (another great Mayan city ruins) it is probably best to book yourself on one of the temple tours, this was you get a useful guide and also the chance to climb the ancient temples and get an amazing view of the jungle.
Reserva de la Biosfera Montes Azules, including Laguna Miramar- The largest lake in this preserved area of Mexico along the Guatemalan border, helps support a huge number of large mammals - apparently 27% of all Mexico’s mammals including the tapir and jaguar, as well as 33% of the nations birds including the Harpy eagle and red macaw reside here. It also contains rare mahogany trees and river crocodiles. It is so protected though that you need to go through a sort of local ceremony to get guided thru here, so book well in advance!
7) Mangroves
Reserva de la Biosfera La Encrucijada - This coastal biosphere contains some of the tallest mangroves in Mexico and cover a vast area of lagoons, sandbars and wetland areas at the very south of the country, close to Guatemala. Not only is it a valuable landing spot for hundreds of migratory birds each year, but the reserve continues inland and apparently houses the largest population of Mexican jaguars! You’ll find creatures ranging from boa constrictors to fishing bats and fishing eagles, from anteaters and deer to river crocodiles and turtles, and many, many more. Take a boat ride deep inside to find out more…..
8 ) Coral Reefs
Isla Cozumel and Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro(south of Cancun) - This small island (53 x 14km) is home to 100 world class dive sites, and it’s not difficult to tell why when you get there! It has many locations suitable for snorkeling too with it’s crystal clear waters giving year round visibility of 50m - and it’s Mexico’s only Caribbean island! The variety of coral and fish here found Cozumel chosen as the most popular dive site in the world by Scuba Diving magazine!
Isla del Carmen and Parque Marino Nacional Bahia de Lereto- Another small island but this time on the Pacific coast of Mexico, but facing the Sea of Cortez. This means that you are protected from the forceful coastal waves, and have relative protection from the elements, reason enough to preserve this reef for your pleasure. Although not as extensive and popular as Isla Cozumel, you may find it cheaper and less crowded here.
9) Cloud Forests
Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo- South of Monterrey in Northwest Mexico, nestled up the Sierra Madre mountains you will find this 1440 sq km reserve. It reaches through semi-desert to temperate to tropical ecosystems it was granted certain status by the UN in the 80’s. You can find around 40 orchid species at higher climes, half of all the nations bird species can be found within it, along with 40 kinds of bats as well as the more common tropical mammals.
Reserva de la Biosfera El Triunfo- This is a bird lovers paradise high in a remote part of the Sierra Madres southern tip, with around 30 bird species not found elsewhere in Mexico, as well as your best chance of seeing the infamous quetzal. It is also a weird world of epiphytes, bromeliads, mosses, lichens and vines covering almost every tree in this cool damp cloud forest, however try to avoid May to October as this is the wet season! You also need a permit for here up to a month in advance, so plan in advance for several days of guided tours only. It’s not cheap but it does include accommodation.
10) Desert Oasis
Area de Proteccion de Flora y Fauna Cuatrocienegas- This isolated area in the Chihuahuan Desert has endless white sand dunes and very high temperatures - even the water can reach up to 32/90 degrees! It is bordered on every side by mountain ranges, and the underground springs supply rivers and pools house turtles and fish - many of which are endemic to the region due to it’s restrictive landscape. It also holds species such as coyotes, rabbits, roadrunners and scorpions, as would any desert in the region.
Well, what are you waiting for?
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