North of Campeche lies the Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve, one of Mexico’s most distinctive coastal ecosystems. The protected landscape is formed by extensive mangrove forests that rise from shallow water, creating small vegetated islands known as petenes where diverse plant and animal species thrive.
Exploring the reserve involves navigating natural channels bordered by mangroves that serve as habitat for birds, reptiles, and fish. Boat excursions often reveal herons, ibises, pelicans, and other species that use these wetlands as feeding or resting areas during migration.
One of the most unexpected moments occurs when reaching the “ojos de agua,” freshwater springs that emerge within the mangrove landscape and form small, clear lagoons. In these locations visitors can swim or observe how tropical vegetation and fresh water combine to create a relatively undisturbed environment.
The reserve also plays a crucial role in the environmental balance of the Gulf of Mexico. Mangroves function as natural barriers against storms, help protect the coastline from erosion, and serve as breeding grounds for many marine species.