Isla Contoy, Nature reserve in Isla Mujeres Municipality, Mexico.
Isla Contoy is a nature reserve in Isla Mujeres Municipality, Mexico, covering a narrow strip of land almost nine kilometers long. The island sits on a limestone base and reaches heights of around twelve meters above sea level in places.
Archaeological finds point to human settlement more than 2000 years ago, long before European sailors reached the coast. In 1961 the area was declared the first protected zone of the Yucatán Peninsula to preserve the fragile habitats.
The name Contoy refers to the shallow waters surrounding the island and shows its connection to seafaring. Today the reserve serves mainly to protect seabirds and marine animals, which shapes the quiet rhythm of visitor activity.
The national park allows only 200 visitors each day, and boats depart from Cancún, Isla Mujeres, or Puerto Juárez through authorized operators. The limited number of guests helps keep the wildlife and plant life largely undisturbed.
Five saltwater lagoons are scattered across the interior of the island and together cover just over nine hectares. The shallowest one, Laguna Pajarera Central, lies in the southern section and attracts numerous waterbirds.
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