Yucatan Peninsula >> Campeche >> Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul

Mexico's Reserva de la Biósfera de Calakmul, located in the state of Campeche in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. With more than 720,000 hectares under protection, it is Mexico's largest intact tropical forest.

Indigienous peoples who live in and around the reserve are involved in agriculture, raising cattle, forestry, and the harvest of chiclet gum. Principal crops include maize, beans, calabaza, and chile peppers. Farmers also raise bees for honey, and the honey from this region is especially prized.

Culture and History

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Species in danger of extinction include the saraguato monkey, the spider monkey, viejo de monte, ocelot, tigrillo, jaguar, tapir, pato real, zopilote rey, and two species of eagle. Threatened species include a half dozen mammals, such as el puercoesp�n, gris�n, jaguarundi, oso hormiguero; two dozen birds such as the Tucan, the green Parrot, the Yucatan Parrot, the loro ramonero (loro means parrot, but I'm not sure what this one is?), hocofais�n y varias especies de aves rapaces; algunos reptiles, como la salamanquesa, boa, y varias especies de snakes; y algunas plantas como el chech�n blanco, guayac�n negro y el granadillo.

Climate

The reserve has a moist climate with rains in summer. Temperatures average 24–28°C (75–83°F). Annual precipitation is 1000–1500 mm (40–60 inches).

Travel to Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul - Visa Requirements

Nearby towns include Zoh Laguna and Xpujil. The southern Yucatan is traversed by a well-maintained, paved highway, Mexico's Federal Route 186, but most roads in the reserve itself are seasonal tracks, passable only in the dry season and with a proper vehicle.

Fees/Permits

Tours and Getting around Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul

Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul tourist attractions and sightseeing

One of the most impressive Maya sites in Yucatan, the second highest pyramid after Tikal (Guatemala). Very nice ruins in the jungle. Monkeys, deers, and other animals can be seen. An under-rated site to be discovered. The only problem is the lack of accommodation. If you don't bring a tent, the closest accommodation is +/- 50km away. Bring tons of repellent, mosquitoes are very aggressive there.

Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul city tours

Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul souvenirs and shopping

Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Lodging

Camping

Backcountry

Stay safe

Get out

This page was last edited by Wikitravel user Lahoriali. Based on work by metzenberg@yahoo.com, Wikitravel user(s) Morph and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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