Beaches and Ports

Yucatán is one of the three states of the Peninsula of Yucatán, as such, it counts with many beaches and piers of great beauty.

Information courtesy of: Citlali Cuauhtémoc Canto, Karol Noh Ceballos, Rosalva Ojeda Chan and Mariza Pech Alonzo.

Progreso Port

It is located 32 km to the north of Mérida City. It was founded in 1871 and it has historically been an important means of communication with the rest of the world. Its main attraction is the old building that was occupied by the maritime customs office, which was built in the last century; the municipal palace, the lighthouse, and the Muelle Aduanal (customs Dock) which is considered the longest one in the country. Because of the calmness of its wonderful beaches, racing boats and windsurf and fishing tournaments are carried out very often.

Celestún

It is located 96 km to the West of Mérida. Celestún is a protected natural reserve which is the most important in Mexico. Pink flamingos are the main visual attraction of Celestún, they are in the mangrove swamps over autumn and winter. The sea is pleasant and its water is clear. Ojo Baldiosera (Waterhole Baldiosera) is the largest concentration of fresh water within the mangrove swamp. 

Río Lagartos

It is located 230 km from Mérida City. It has been deemed as a biosphere reserve, as it is home of the largest population of American flamingos. Main fauna: Lizard of ría (Lizard of sea loch), flamingoes and other birds, turtles, armadillos, spider monkeys, ocelot, white-tailed deer, panther and jaguar. The ‘Reserva de la Biosfera Río Lagartos' (Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve), is one of the most important and largest mangrove swamp areas and petenes (Mayan for Great Island) in the Peninsula of Yucatán.  There are few human settlements in the region, so it favours the concentration of animal species.