Introducing Parque Nacional Isla Contoy
Spectacular Isla Contoy is a bird-lover’s delight: a national park and sanctuary that is an easy day trip from Isla Mujeres. About 800m at its widest point and more than 7km long, it has dense foliage that provides ideal shelter for more than 100 species of birds, including brown pelicans, olive cormorants, turkey birds, brown boobies and frigates, as well as being a good place to see red flamingos, snowy egrets and white herons.
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Most of the trips stop for snorkeling both en route to and just off Contoy, which sees about 1500 visitors a month. Bring binoculars, mosquito repellent and sunscreen.
For M$100 per person, a park biologist will take you on a tour of Laguna Puerto Viejo, a prime nesting site; funds go toward park upkeep and research projects. Contact the park headquarters (998-877-01-18) on Isla Mujeres. Amigos de Isla Contoy (www.islacontoy.org) has an office in downtown Cancún, and their website has good information on the island’s ecology.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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