Isla Contoy offers rich and varied landscapes. While silky white beaches, dotted with tall palm trees and other exotic plants border its western coast, the eastern side, facing the open sea, is formed by calcareous rocks. Exposed to strong winds , a small range of sand dunes blanketed by low vegetation rise up. Here grow, among other plants, sea lavender that emits a sweet aroma, the sea grape and the orange cordia. Inland, the lagoons, mangroves and low jungles are the refuge of 152 registered bird species that total more than 10,000 birds, an impressive amount for a such small area.

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So far, 98 species of plants have been identified, the most important are the four species of mangrove that cover more than 50% of the of the island’s surface. These trees grow around the lagoons in the interior of the island because they are able to deal with the high degree of salinity and excess water present in this environment. 

 

Amigos de Isla Contoy AC
Biol. Catalina Galindo de Prince
Executive Director
Cancun Information Center
Plaza Bonita Mall, Sm. 28, Loc. E-1
Cancun, Q. Roo, Mexico 77500
0052 (998) 884-74-83
islacontoy@islacontoy.org 

Parque Nacional Isla Contoy
Dr. Jaime González Cano
Director
Blvd. Kukulcán Km 4.8 Z.H.
C.P. 77500, Cancún, Q.Roo
0052(998) 8 91 46 23
contoy@conanp.gob.mx

 

In colaboration with the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources SEMARNAT