Laguna de Términos, Protected lagoon system in Campeche, Mexico.
Laguna de Términos is a network of connected lagoons and tidal channels along Mexico's Gulf coast, formed where freshwater rivers meet saltwater bays. The system includes shallow waters, mangrove zones, and interconnected basins that create a complex waterway landscape.
Spanish explorer Juan de Grijalva arrived at the lagoon in 1518 and encountered existing Maya communities around the coastal areas. The region became a colonial trading hub and remained economically important through various periods as people exploited its marine resources.
Fishing communities living around the lagoon practice techniques passed down through generations, shaping how people use the waters daily. Their way of life remains central to the region's identity and economy.
The town of Ciudad del Carmen serves as the main gateway, where you can arrange boat trips with local operators familiar with the waterways. Plan visits during drier months when water levels are more stable and travel through the channels becomes easier to navigate.
The lagoon system exchanges roughly half of its water volume every nine days through tidal currents, creating an unusually dynamic environment. This constant circulation allows one of Mexico's most abundant concentrations of marine life to thrive within these waters.
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