I came across this great article in http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx and thought I would share.  I translated from Spanish to English.  Banco Chinchoorro is a great scuba and snorkeling destination, and trips are booked out of Mahahual and Xcalak daily.  This article does a great job of describing all the beauty of the underwater coral and reef world in Banco Chinchorro.

Thanks for reading, Stewart Rogers USA-South Carolina

Por: Salatiel Barragán

Banco Chinchorro, snails and coral world.

In the middle of the ocean waters of the Mexican Caribbean highlights a unique reef system, on which have been narrated stories and fabulous legends from colonial times to the present day: the Banco Chinchorro, place wrapped in mystery and located just over 30 km south of the state nearly uninhabited Quintana Roo, between the fishing villages of Mahuahual and Xcalak coast.
This isolated ecosystem is considered a coral atoll, and its name derives from the resemblance to a semicircular Caribbean network used for finfish fisheries in coastal waters. It has an area of ​​almost 800 km2, consisting of a sandy outcrop 46 km long and 15 wide. At its eastern perimeter presents an endless barrier reef with sections of white streaks where the waters break, and on the west they are discontinuous and fail to emerge to the surface. The waters off the reef lagoon, connected to the open sea, with an average depth of 5 m, but the most interesting place is the presence of land, which although low allows visitors to stay in any of the four islands in distributed center and the north and south ends.

Key Center is the largest of these islands and, as its name suggests, occupies the central portion; much of its 5 km2 are composed of muddy soils and floodplain areas, but on the southeastern tip is a narrow sandy beach is used by groups of fishermen who have built rustic wooden houses to use as temporary camp.

Near this beach stand just over a dozen wood and cardboard constructions, known as stilts by the sea located within the floodplain or substrate, one or two feet above the water level. The vegetation here is dominated by the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), although there is on the southeast coast coconut, and some creeping plants and shrubs of the continent.

The lagoon “The Rabios” (so named because from November to May, in the branches of mangrove nest percent frigate or frigates) is located inside the fall and is connected to the sea by canals and estrechoskriksnaturales created by the flow of or continuous flow water crocodile. When storms or hurricanes hit the region, anglers use this site to shelter and protect their vessels until it passes the atmospheric disturbance.This fall has functioned as the central point of arrival for tourists coming to film, photograph and dive among the coral remains of sunken ships and centuries. On the other hand, is home to frigate birds, herons, cormorants, gulls, terns, pelicans, ospreys, birds, blue crabs and hermit, gray iguanas, lizards and the ever-present and annoying mosquitoes. There are also animals that once were harvested as a single resource and are now scarce as Gators swamp and hawksbill sea turtles, white and loggerhead that long just come to spawn in the little substrate is left of this nice place warm humid climate and average temperature of 26.5 ° C.

At the northern end there are two small islets known as Cayo Norte; there are two lighthouses, one built earlier in the century and a more recent inactive and it is running to meet half century. To the south, near the end limit of the reef, stands Cayo Lobos, which is the smallest area housed in small palapas and temporary use of a few fishermen. The low land this fall remains exposed directly to the Caribbean currents that have caused changes in your fitness over the course of time, as evidenced by an old lighthouse now housed within the sea.

As watchmen on the horizon the dark silhouettes of huge cargo ships stranded on the barrier reef are outlined, and in the background have been located 18 galleons as silent witnesses of the danger that water locked. These old ships are Spanish and English in their majority powers throughout the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries monopolized the navigation on this route between America and Europe. The solitude of these wrecks is interrupted only by gulls and terns that have taken over the rusted hulls to rest and often nest among his remains.

As corals are very slow growing but will gradually cover all parts of the vessels to identify potential remain mostly covered by limestone or coral skeleton, especially corals. Elkhorn (Acropora palmata), Star (Porites asteroids), Lettuce (Agaricia agaricites), Mountain (Montastrea annularis), Brain (Diploria strigosa) and Fire Coral (Millepora comlenata), known in the Caribbean Community underwater species.

In this remote place the main activity is fishing, carried out by persons associated in cooperatives and free permittees that empelan whaling boats fiberglass bullet from 23 to 25 feet, with outboard motors from 40 to 60 HP and focus most of their efforts on capturing the two resources with higher commercial value: the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and the queen conch (strombus gigas), although species of scale advantage as chak-chi, the mere the abedejo, barracuda, snapper, snapper, shark and smaller scale extract precious black coral (Antipathes grandis). Regarding the snail, is harvested by free diving mask and fins, and stored in a mother ship. The quota set to protect this species is 2.5 tons per month. Similarly each fisherman takes three to 5 kg of lobster daily, supporting only a metal hook and sometimes using compressor or scuba tank.

I remember some years ago when I first visited the Chinchorro, was impressed when in less than two hours a fisherman pulled nearly 200 snail shell pink and orange near the western boundary of Cayo Centro. In this area have been extracted snails each season more than any other region of the country, and whether to complete a kilo of product need six to eight, depending on their size, can realize why the species is in danger .. The method used to catch snails swimming is gripped by a string of four to 6 m long, attached to the back of the boat that moves at low speed, while the fisherman looking in the background. Upon detecting an appropriate place this low for a long minute, then climb at least three copies. I must confess that I tried to do the same, but when he began to walk the boat felt the rope almost tore my arms and I could never find a partially hidden staircase between the sandy bottom and underwater vegetation in this gentle sway moved by currents

The reef lagoon extends for tens of kilometers west of the Bank and is extremely productive. Under the water first identify what are sponges, sea fans and whips, and isolated colonies of hard corals and a huge variety of colorful reef fish like angel, chak-chi, the surgeon, butterfly, squirrel, sergeant minnows or tiny that hundreds are hidden under the rock from where voids and create a lively silver stain impossible to play because the stretching hand away quickly.

Seamen who fish here come mostly from Mahuahual and Xcalak, villages along the southern coast of the state. Xcalak is a fishing village that has little more than 300 inhabitants and is located at the far end of our own country, just 12 km from the border with Belize. Mahahual is a recent settlement with fewer people, and both are separated by 55 km of white road surrounded by slender palm trees and beautiful coastal scenery. Part of the attraction of these villages is that they are the closest sea bridge with Chinchorro, and they can get a speedboat and make the crossing in about 2 hours, depending on the engine power and prevailing environmental conditions at sea .

Chinchorro is a distant paradise still has abundant fishery resources and diverse marine life to marvel, and the possibility of hidden secrets kept by the sea and time to discover. However, we must keep in mind and remember that the overexploitation of resources can deplete the productivity of this place, which so far is one of the last places where the coral reefs and the memories of the past remain intact.
If you intend to Banco Chinchorro

To reach Mahuahual and Xcalak, take federal highway 307 Chetumal-Cancun to the population of Coffee, and from there follow a dirt road toward the east and toward the coast.

The city of Chetumal has all amenities and is located 150 km from Mahuahual, Cancun and about 300 km.

Mahahual ligbhthouse and crusie ship pier in background.

The small fishing village of Mahahual will be the perfect place to enjoy your dream vacation, with no worries and away from the busy life in the big cities. This small fishing village has the only cruise pier to the south of the state of Quintana Roo, because it is a strategic point from which you will be able to take a strategic tour along the coast, where adventures abound. Start the day surfing the lagoon which is born from the breakwater formed by the reef. Plunge into its turquoise waters, dive and discover unimaginable beauty.

Those who love the ocean and adventure will find themselves 20 minutes away from the coast by sea in an underwater paradise, Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the country. In its inner lagoon emerge mangrove covered keys that provide refuge to a large variety of flora and fauna. You will be able to swim around them and admire from fish and turtles, to dolphins and sharks, among the remains of shipwrecks from all time periods.

Punta Herrero is a place of extraordinary natural wealth. Within an hour of Mahahual, touring jungle and sand paths, you will arrive at the place that is part of the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an, a world heritage site. On your way back, stop at Ubero, beach club, where you will eat delicious food. But if you like to dive, visit Xcalak, the last spot in the country. This d place was settled in the late nineteenth century by federal troops looking for an access from the Caribbean Ocean at the end of the War of Castes. Discover a small railway and remains of steam engines, faithful witnesses of that colonization. With specialized guides, go diving in the National Reef Park and visit La Poza or the caverns, you will be amazed! From Xcalak, by boat or kayak, you will reach La Aguada, an area full of mangroves where beautiful migratory birds nest.

Xcalak is one of the few and last pristine beaches on the Mexican Caribbean, located just 37 miles from Mahahual. The great diversity of flora and fauna found in this area, along with the marine environment, make Xcalak a tourist destination with truly unforgettable landscapes; also considered as a paradise for nature lovers, and those who enjoy diving, fishing and snorkeling.

Stop at the observation tower in Pajaros Island, where over 401 species of birds come together! But if what you want is a jungle experience, you must go to Uchben Kah, an ecotourism park, former storage facility used by the Mayans to take out tint stick wood which the English pirates exchanged for weapons, and which was later used to deliver fine wood and gum to be taken to Chetumal by way of the lagoon of Bacalar, the estuary of Chac and the Hondo River until it reached Chetumal, which now has been turned into an eco tourism park where you will be able to participate in countless activities.

The Costa Maya area was one of the most powerful regions in the Mayan world. The remains from that period confirm that their cities were large and had sophisticated ceremonial centers and big residential areas for the ruling classes;   featuring extensive infrastructure work and artificial systems for the collection of water.  To follow their steps through this area, you must visit Kohunlich, Dzibanche and Kinichna, three archaeological sites very close to each other, which will offer you a representative sample of the greatness of the Classic Maya in this region of Mexico.

Kohunlich is located 39 miles to the west of the city of Chetumal and is characterized not only for its aesthetic value, but also for the natural beauty framing it.  Tour the Temple of the Masks, the most famous structure in the area and perhaps the most emblematic structure in the state of Quintana Roo, due to its structure decorated with eight figures sculpted in stucco or plaster, considered one of the missing samples of Mayan iconography.

It can be said that Kohunlich is the most famous and best studied archaeological site in the south of the state; furthermore, its spaciousness has allowed for the preservation of a very complete ecosystem, thereby becoming a haven for a large variety of birds, reptiles and mammals.

Three miles separate Kohunlich from Dzibanche, an archaeological settlement with large architectural complexes. During your visit you will discover that this is one of the largest and most important sites in the south of the state of Quintana Roo. Like most settlements, it is believed that by the eleventh century, this city was abandoned and the buildings you now are able to visit correspond to the center of this ancient Mayan city.

Tour Temple II or the Temple of the Cormorants, one of the most important constructions in the area. Look at the large quadrangular base on which an exceptionally high and narrow temple stands; the Temple of the Captives, and a pyramid in the Teotihuacan architectural style will be an experience that will captivate your senses.

Finally, visit Kinichna, an archaeological site located 1.5 miles to the north of Dizibanche. This area was named in honor of the Irishman Thomas Gann, an amateur archaeologist and explorer of the ruins of the Mayan culture, based on a plaster representation of the sun “Kin”, literally meaning “House of the Sun”.  Marvel at its monumental three-level, completely symmetrical Acropolis, consisting of a series of low buildings surrounding a square, which, it is believed, were used as platforms for smaller temples.

Without any doubt, this tour will lead to a unique experience where you will gradually uncover and discover the footprints of the Mayan past in this region.

Founded by sailors, Chetumal is a city divided between the ocean and the jungle, where the colors contrast and combine with the Caribbean exuberance. The city is much more than a pretty landscape: it is a tourist resort where you will be able to participate in almost every activity you can imagine, from nature walks, water sports, swimming, snorkeling, sports fishing and diving; to enjoying its delicious cuisine and admiring a city full of history and folklore.

Chetumal is located right at the end of the coast of the Mexican Caribbean, in the beautiful state of Quintana Roo. This corner of the Yucatan Peninsula is called the “cradle of the mingling of races” because it was here where the Mayan princess Zazil Ha married the Spanish shipwrecked sailor with whom she bred the first generation of mixed blood Mexicans.

Statue of Spainish sailor who was shipwrecked and ended up living amongst the Mayans, Father of the first Meztizos.

From afar you will be able to see its boulevard, the longest in all of the Yucatan Peninsula, tour it on foot or on a bike and enjoy its cool breeze, scenery and beautiful sunsets. Enjoy the warmth of its climate and cool off with a “machacado”, an original Caribbean drink made with shaved ice and mango, guava, pineapple, tamarind, banana, papaya, mamey, guanaba, watermelon or cantaloupe pulp.

With Guatemala and Belize at its borders, Chetumal is also a symbolic entrance to Central America and an important bulwark of protected areas. The Bay of Chetumal, which is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, is one of the 21 protected areas in the state, vitally important because it is a habitat for many species of birds, and marine fauna and mammals, especially the manatee, for which reason, in 1996, the bay was named the Manatee Sanctuary.

Take a walk along the bay and admire its blue and green hues of the Mexican Caribbean, while touring the 19 sculptures making up the Chactemal Sculpture Corridor with works by important Mexican artists. You can also visit its wide range of museums such as the Cultural Center of Fine Arts, the Rafael E. Melgar Cultural Polyforum, the Museum of Mayan Culture, the Museum of the City and the Government Palace.

Chetumal is a cultural center with various Mayan archaeological sites which make up a route which includes Kohunlich, Dzibancha and Kinichna, a representative sample of the cultural heritage of that civilization. Kohunlich has great architectural natural beauty, where you will be able to admire the Temple of the Masks, its most famous structure and the most emblematic of Quintana Roo, as it is considered as one of the best finished structures in the Mayan iconography. The area also preserves an ecosystem, which makes it easy to see a significant number of birds, reptiles and mammals.

If you visit Chetumal, don’t miss the opportunity of visiting the Payo Obispo village, a place of rustic charm, sandy streets and wooden houses, where you will find a museum housing a scale model of the old village. Finished up to the last detail, the work shows houses, carts, planters and even banana trees, other types of trees, and even people. Be sure not to miss it!

Chetumal’s cuisine has all the benefits of the generous Mexican Caribbean. Try its delicious dishes such as the so called “Sea and Jungle”, prepared with venison, octopus, tepezcuintle (paca agouti), armadillo and breaded shrimp, or treat yourself to shrimp stuffed with cheese, or a lobster cooked in white wine, garlic and butter.

Whether for its food, its customs, its history or its beauty, come to visit Chetumal and you will enjoy an unforgettable experience that will surely get you to come back.

As planned from time immemorial, the edge of the beautiful lagoon of seven colors, in Costa Maya, Quintana Roo, the Magic Town of Bacalar is located. Nature lovers, fans of adventure, history and culture will find the perfect balance here,  as a result of its great offering of activities and experiences.  Sail over the waters of its lagoon in a kayak, sailboat or aquatic motorcycle while you admire the beautiful scenery the area has to offer, surrounded by lush trees in various shades of green. Listen to the song of the birds which have made their home in this place, and allow yourself to be surrounded by the magic you will feel when you watch how the horizon and the sky blend with the water in different shades of blue.