Los Petenes biosphere reserve

The reserve spans 282,858 hectares across four municipalities, featuring coastal wetlands, mangrove forests, and marine zones in the Gulf of Mexico.

Los Petenes received its designation as a biosphere reserve in 1999, protecting vital ecosystems and archaeological sites including the coastal Maya settlement of Isla Jaina.

The local Maya communities maintain traditional practices of fishing and agriculture within the reserve's influence zone, contributing to the regional heritage of northern Campeche.

The reserve offers guided tours between October and May, when temperatures range from 26.4°C in the south to 27.8°C in the northern sections.

The reserve contains special formations called petenes, which are vegetation islands connected to freshwater springs, found only in the Yucatan Peninsula, Cuba, and Florida.

GPS coordinates: 20.85830,-90.33330

Latest update: March 2, 2025 20:14