Celestun Nature Reserve
Celestun Nature Reserve: Tours & Experiences
Have you ever been to Celestun Nature Reserve?
Mexico – Decreed a wildlife refuge in 1979 and a biosphere reserve in the 1980s, the Celestún Biosphere Reserve is the cradle of ecotourism (cuna del ecoturismo). A bit of tourism history – in 1983 this place inspired Hector Ceballos-Lascurain to coin the e-word.
The economy thrives on the fishing and tourism, particularly those interested in birding. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the estuary (ria) is bordered by a mangrove forest, which provides food and shelter for shrimp and blue crab larvae, which in turn support the complex ecosystem.
The reserve is a wintering zone for migratory birds and is the first stop on two of the four migratory flyways. For example, warblers and sandpipers who spend time on Dauphin Island off the coast of Alabama in the United States visit this area.
More than 400 species have been identified in the biosphere reserve, of which many are permanent residents. For the true bird-watcher, the best time to visit is in the winter when migrants abound and the number of flamingos is at its peak. Think pink!