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"Isla Contoy" ~ Cancun
From Isla Mujeres
it's possible to take an excursion by boat to tiny, uninhabited Isla Contoy, a national park and
bird sanctuary 30km (19mi) north. The island's dense foliage is home to more than 100 bird species, including brown
pelicans, olive cormorants, turkey birds, brown boobies and red-pouched frigates. In addition, red flamingoes, snowy
egrets and white herons make frequent visits. Bring mosquito repellent, and beware of the boa constrictors and small
crocodiles that live in the island's brackish ponds.
"Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm" ~
Six species of sea turtle lay eggs
in the sand along the island's calm western shore. Although they are endangered, sea turtles are still killed throughout
Latin America for their eggs and meat, which are considered a delicacy. In the 1980s, efforts by a local fisherman led
to the founding of the Centro de Investigaciones and the Isla Mujeres Turtle
Farm, which protects the turtles' breeding grounds and places wire cages around their eggs to protect against predators.
Hatchlings live in three large pools for up to a year, at which time they are tagged for monitoring and released. Because
most turtles in the wild die within their first few months, the practice of guarding them until they are a year old greatly
increases their chances of survival. The Turtle Farm is a scientific facility, not an amusement centre. But if
you'd like to see several hundred sea turtles, ranging in weight from 150g (5oz) to more than 300kg (661lb), this is the place
for you!
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