Wildlife Experiences
The Mexican Caribbean is the perfect destination to establish a true connection with nature. And with 7,938 species of fauna that have the honor of calling the region home, it’s no surprise! Quintana Roo is home to crocodiles, dolphins, manatees, jaguars, coatis, toucans, pumas, armadillos, and spider monkeys, in addition to several species of birds.
Making New Friends
Some species live here permanently while others only visit us during certain seasons, such as whale sharks. They can be seen from May to September in the Tiburón Ballena Biosphere Reserve, a site that is located between the waters of Holbox and Isla Mujeres.
This species is almost always seen accompanied by giant manta rays, which makes swimming with whale sharks a unique and doubly magical experience.
![Photo by user islamujeres.mx, caption reads
[🇲🇽] 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶́𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗼́𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮:
1️⃣El tiburón ballena tiene más de 3.000 dientes. Sus dientes son extremadamente pequeños, como pequeños ganchos de velcro.
2️⃣La garganta del tiburón ballena es del diámetro de una moneda de cuarto de dólar. Cualquier cosa más grande que eso se filtra o escupe.
3️⃣Al día de hoy, nadie sabe con certeza dónde se aparean.
4️⃣El tiburón ballena se alimenta de organismos microscópicos como huevos de pescado, krill y plancton
5️⃣Son en realidad peces, no tiburones.
#ElParaísoPuedeEsperar
[🇺🇸] 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀:
1️⃣Each has more than 3,000 teeth - but very small, like velcro hooks.
2️⃣ They feed on tiny and even microscopic organisms such as fish eggs, krill, and plankton.
3️⃣ In fact, the throat of a whale shark is the diameter of a quarter-dollar coin - anything that enters larger than that is filtered or spit out.
4️⃣ To this day, no one knows with certainty where they mate.
5️⃣ Finally, whale sharks aren't even really sharks, but rather fish.
#paradisecanwait
📸: @travelnowz
#CaribeMexicano #MexicanCaribbean
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If you consider yourself brave and adventurous enough, then we recommend two unforgettable experiences that you will treasure in your heart forever. Dive with bull sharks, which are found around the shores of Playa del Carmen from November to March. Or schedule a night diving tour with crocodiles in an open cenote in Tulum. It is important to note that you will need a diving certification to embark on these experiences.
![Photo by user mytulum, caption reads [ 🇺🇸] If you've ever gone scuba diving, you're already familiar with the feeling of being in another world beneath the waves. And 𝗳𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻 captures it perfectly in this shot from 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮, 98 feet deep. The surreal feel here comes from the layer of hydrogen sulfide that separates the fresh water from the salt water 💙.
[ 🇲🇽] Si has buceado alguna vez seguro entenderás la sensación de sentirte en otro planeta cuando estás bajo el agua. Así parece en esta increíble foto de 𝗳𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻 en el 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮. Lo increíble y mágico de este cenote es que, a 30 metros de profundidad, una capa de sulfuro de hidrógeno separa el agua dulce del agua salada, creando una superficie surreal 💙.
#Tulum #CaribeMexicano #MexicanCaribbean](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/full/318e7b6ef1445e54f9e03ef4206e99989d3e39255662d49ce22cc449a2ff4103.jpg)
Other underwater species you can interact with are eagle rays, present from December to March in Cancun and Cozumel; sailfish, found in Cancun and Isla Mujeres from January to March; sea turtles in Akumal (located in the Riviera Maya); manatees in Chetumal Bay and Mahahual, dolphins in Holbox and Maya Ka'an, manta rays in Isla Contoy, tarpon fish in Xcalak and crocodiles in the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve.
On land, you can find other friendly creatures such as flamingos, a species that can be seen on Isla Pajaros—close to Holbox—from April to October. Isla Pajaros is one of the sites included in the famous "Tour of the Three Islands," which is offered by many providers on Holbox Island. The striking pink color of flamingos delights all visitors.
As if all this were not enough, 483 types of birds have been registered in the Mexican Caribbean, nine of them endemic, which is why groups of bird watchers from different parts of the world organize excursions here. Holbox, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, Maya Ka'an, the Grand Costa Maya, and Isla Contoy (the most important bird sanctuary in the Mexican Caribbean) are some of the best places for birdwatching.
The golden rules
It is worth mentioning that to carry out any type of interaction with our wildlife, you will need to schedule a tour, be accompanied at all times by an experienced guide, and have the necessary equipment. The guides know where there is a greater possibility of finding the species, and above all, how to carry out this type of activity without putting yourself or the animals in danger.
Do not forget that these are wild animals and that you are entering their habitat, so you must respect them at all times. Don't bother them or get too close to them, don't take flash photos, don't feed them; remember that some animals may act aggressively if they perceive a threat.
Enjoy this perfect combination of adventure and nature that only the Mexican Caribbean can offer, the ideal addition to an unforgettable vacation.
