Quintana Roo’s 31 Protected Natural Wonders

Cancún, Mexico — The state of Quintana Roo is home to 31 protected natural areas that are utilized for tourism, comprising 20 under federal administration and 11 under state administration.

The areas managed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) include National Parks, a Biosphere Reserve, an Area for the Protection of Flora and Fauna, and a Sanctuary. Collectively, they cover a total of 7 million 863 thousand 503.55 hectares. Of this vast area, 1 million 479 thousand 801.97 hectares are calculated terrestrial surface, while 6 million 383 thousand 701.59 hectares are calculated marine surface.

The first declaration of a Protected Natural Area in Quintana Roo was the "Tulum National Park" on April 23, 1981. The other 19 federally administered areas are: Arrecife de Puerto Morelos, Arrecifes de Cozumel, Arrecifes de Sian Ka'an, Arrecifes de Xcalak, Bala'an Ka'ax (located in Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán), Banco Chinchorro, Calakmul (in Campeche and Quintana Roo), Caribe Mexicano, Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc, Isla Contoy; the Northern Portion and Eastern Coastal Strip, terrestrial and marine, of Isla de Cozumel; as well as Manglares de Nichupté, Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh, Playa de la Isla Contoy, Ría Lagartos (in Quintana Roo and Yucatán), Sian Ka'an, Tiburón Ballena, Uaymil, and Yum Balam.

Depending on the particular characteristics of each Protected Area, multiple activities can be undertaken, in addition to enjoying their scenic beauty.

Beyond rest and relaxation on the beach and sand, there are various Protected Natural Areas where one can enjoy marine flora and fauna, such as those located on the Yucatán Peninsula. The Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve offers the opportunity to see the pink flamingo up close. The Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, in Caribbean waters, is home to abundant marine fauna like sponges, sea fans, and sea whips, as well as a great diversity of multicolored reef fish such as the Angelfish, Squirrelfish, and Sergeant Major.

It is important to highlight that of the 36 Protected Natural Areas with a tourism vocation, Quintana Roo counts eight: Tulum National Park; Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve; Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve; Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park; Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc National Park; Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park; and the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area.

Areas with Tourism Vocation

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: A UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the marine zone of the world's second-largest reef.

Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park: Protects the coral reef located off the coast of Puerto Morelos.

Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area: The largest natural protected area on the Yucatán Peninsula, featuring marine ecosystems, wetlands, and jungles.

Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park: Protects the reef ecosystem of Cozumel.

Jaguar Flora and Fauna Protection Area: A recent area established to protect systems of cenotes and caves.

Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc National Park: Protects this important reef zone.

Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve: A reserve that protects one of the most important coral atolls in the world.

Uaymil Flora and Fauna Protection Area: Forms a complex with the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.

Arrecifes de Xcalak: A protection zone for the reef system in the southern part of the state.

State-Level Areas

Quintana Roo also has its own State Protected Natural Areas, under the State System of Natural Protected Areas (Seanpqroo). There are 11 registered State Natural Protected Areas, with a total decreed surface area of 312 thousand 864.672 hectares. Of this, 90.91 percent are under state jurisdiction and 9.09 percent under municipal jurisdiction.

The state-level Protected Natural Areas are:

• Laguna de Chankanaab: Administered by the Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation.
• Kabah Park: An urban park in Cancún administered by the Kabah Park Trust.
• Bahía de Chetumal, Santuario del Manatí: Bahía de Chetumal and the continental zone of Laguna Guerrero.
• Xcacel-Xcacelito: An area subject to ecological conservation, designated as a sea turtle sanctuary.
• Laguna Manatí: A state refuge for flora and fauna, located on the Bonampak extension, next to the Lombardo Toledano neighborhood in Cancún.
• Laguna Colombia: A state ecological park at the southern tip of Isla Cozumel.
• Sistema lagunar Chichankanab: Located 5 km north of José María Morelos.
• Parque lagunar de Bacalar: A state ecological park.
• Sistema Lagunar Chacmochuch: A state refuge for flora and fauna, on the old road to the Cancún landfill.
• Selvas y Humedales de Cozumel: The central and northern portion of Isla Cozumel.
• Ombligo Verde: A municipal ecological reserve on Av. Kabah in the city of Cancún.