Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park, national park in Mexico
Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park is a marine protected area in Quintana Roo along Mexico's coast, with large coral formations and land areas included in its boundaries. The park spans thousands of hectares along the Mesoamerican Reef System and protects shallow water zones and coastal habitats.
The park was created in 1998 after the local community fought for many years to protect the reef. This founding moment marked a turning point where tourism would be managed and the reef would be protected from overuse.
Local people work together in managing this place and carry out conservation programs that help visitors understand why this marine area matters for their region. Community involvement shapes how the park operates and makes reef protection a shared responsibility.
The park is open daily to visitors and offers ways to explore the reefs and coastal areas, best done on foot from the shore or by boat along the water. The best time to visit is during the drier months when the water is clearer and conditions are more pleasant.
The park protects one of the few freshwater lagoons along the coast that fills only during the rainy season and changes the ecosystem in unusual ways. This seasonal occurrence is rare in the region and shows how different the habitats in this place can be.
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