Are you living in a destination where winter arrives in just a few days? Are you halfway through the year but feel as tired as if it were December? How long has it been since you took a vacation? It’s time to stop letting obstacles put a damper on your life and head to Mexico, a friendly country where fun is the common currency, and its incredible sceneries will leave you feeling renewed. But where in Mexico? Without a doubt, the best way to escape stress is by booking one of the hotels in Isla Mujeres and then enjoying the surprises that the state of Quintana Roo has to offer. The proposal is simple: escape the routine, visit Contoy Island.
This beautiful island is located north of Isla Mujeres, both separated by 30 kilometers. If you’ve heard about this place, it’s undoubtedly due to its massive reef barriers: Ixlaché, which is considered the second-largest in the world.
Once you arrive at this destination, you won’t fall into routine. Here, an extensive menu of interesting places to visit and fun, innovative activities unfolds before you. Starting with the fact that Isla Contoy is known as a bird sanctuary, home to thousands of species gracing the skies with vibrant colors as they soar above the area. Your eyes won’t believe what they see: exotic, brilliant birds amidst untouched nature entirely free of buildings and concrete, giving way to the reign of palm trees and plants. Want to amaze yourself even more? There are 173 registered bird species, but starting in winter, even more gather here – totaling up to 10,000! That’s why it’s known as the “Island of Birds.” Frigatebirds, herons, pelicans, swallows, and many more are among the special guests at this grand celebration of nature.
Summer is a particularly significant time, not only because the weather is excellent but also due to the arrival of various sea turtle species. Once in a while, emotions run high as you witness this beautiful display of nature’s grandeur: hawksbill, loggerhead, and green turtles. They find the perfect place here to lay their eggs and give way to new life.
The journey to Isla Contoy is a privilege: due to its status as a protected natural area (since 1961) and National Park (since 1998), daily admission has been limited to no more than 200 people. So, it would be a shame to sleep in and not secure your spot on a tour. Boats depart from Puerto Juarez, Cancun, and Isla Mujeres.
What else is there on Isla Contoy? There’s an exhibition museum and an observation tower that complement the outdoor excursion with interesting facts about the ecosystems and their animals.
And lastly, a recommendation. To continue enjoying Isla Contoy, as well as allowing others to experience it, it’s essential to help preserve this majestic environment nature offers us: using sunscreen that pollutes the ocean is not allowed, nor is touching the vegetation or animals, and certainly not feeding them.
Do you have your bags ready? Paradise is waiting for you!
Portuguese Versión: Fuja da rotina, visite a Ilha Contoy
