Post by habiba123820 on Nov 9, 2024 0:04:31 GMT -8
We're not going to lie to you, the Yucatan Peninsula – like all of Mexico – is quite crowded. The big cities, the Mayan ruins, the beaches, the small towns… are magnets for tourists. Isla Contoy is also one of them, and few trips to the Riviera Maya end without visiting it. But, despite that, it's almost a haven of peace. Why? Because it's a national park and the number of tourists is limited. Be careful, that doesn't mean you're going to be alone, and don't think it's a closed park either.
Riviera Maya Excursions Contoy Island Salto
Jumping on the beach of Isla Contoy
To begin with, there are hardly any buildings on Isla Contoy . There is no asphalt or cement, and no streets in general. You will only find open paths in the vegetation and on the ground – beach sand in many cases. Obviously, you will not see any cars either. And you don’t go to Isla Contoy for “civilization”, you go for its birds , its vegetation , its Caribbean wordpress web design agency beaches – those that fit perfectly with the adjective paradisiacal – and its marine fauna , including turtles .
Do you think these are not enough reasons to visit Isla Contoy ? Well, believe us when we tell you that they are more than enough.
Saltaconmyadvice
Visiting Isla Contoy is one of our must-do excursions in the Riviera Maya . Be sure to take a look at our practical guide to traveling to the Riviera Maya when preparing your trip to this part of Mexico.
Contoy Island: where it is located within Mexico and Quintana Roo
It is not surprising that the number of tourists allowed to travel to Isla Contoy is limited , considering its location in Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo . And where is Isla Contoy? Well, about 35 kilometers north of Cancun, very close to the end of the Isla Blanca peninsula – with its beaches and luxury resorts . Considering its location so close to one of the country's tourism centers, imagine the amount of people there would be if it were not limited to 200 people per day .
By the way, Isla Contoy is part of the municipality of Isla Mujeres , which is not only the island itself, but also much of the territory north of Cancun.
How to get there from Cancun and Isla Mujeres on your own
Bad news if you were planning to travel to Isla Contoy on your own: you can't . We've already said that the number of visitors is limited, and this is done by limiting the number of places on the tours that go there. Keep in mind that, since there is no infrastructure of any kind – beyond a few roofs under which the tour staff prepare meals – it also makes no sense for there to be a regular ferry service to get there.
You will have to book a tour if you want to visit those beaches and snorkel in those seabeds.
Tours to Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres from Cancun or Playa del Carmen
Done. It is now clear that you need an organized excursion , but from where? You are in luck, you can get to Isla Contoy with a tour from Cancun –as we did– or from Playa del Carmen and other destinations in the Riviera Maya , such as Akumal, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras and even Tulum.
Book your excursion to Isla Contoy: from Cancun or from the Riviera Maya .
You will be taken by bus to the pier in Cancun where the boats leave from – where you can first enjoy a buffet breakfast –. After a journey of just under an hour , you will arrive at Isla Contoy. Once there, after a walk through the natural park and a visit to the museum , you will have free time to enjoy the beaches . In the meantime, the crew will prepare a meal based on grilled fresh fish . Depending on the weather conditions, snorkelling will be before or after the meal – in our case it was after.
Riviera Maya Excursions Contoy Island Salto
Jumping on the beach of Isla Contoy
To begin with, there are hardly any buildings on Isla Contoy . There is no asphalt or cement, and no streets in general. You will only find open paths in the vegetation and on the ground – beach sand in many cases. Obviously, you will not see any cars either. And you don’t go to Isla Contoy for “civilization”, you go for its birds , its vegetation , its Caribbean wordpress web design agency beaches – those that fit perfectly with the adjective paradisiacal – and its marine fauna , including turtles .
Do you think these are not enough reasons to visit Isla Contoy ? Well, believe us when we tell you that they are more than enough.
Saltaconmyadvice
Visiting Isla Contoy is one of our must-do excursions in the Riviera Maya . Be sure to take a look at our practical guide to traveling to the Riviera Maya when preparing your trip to this part of Mexico.
Contoy Island: where it is located within Mexico and Quintana Roo
It is not surprising that the number of tourists allowed to travel to Isla Contoy is limited , considering its location in Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo . And where is Isla Contoy? Well, about 35 kilometers north of Cancun, very close to the end of the Isla Blanca peninsula – with its beaches and luxury resorts . Considering its location so close to one of the country's tourism centers, imagine the amount of people there would be if it were not limited to 200 people per day .
By the way, Isla Contoy is part of the municipality of Isla Mujeres , which is not only the island itself, but also much of the territory north of Cancun.
How to get there from Cancun and Isla Mujeres on your own
Bad news if you were planning to travel to Isla Contoy on your own: you can't . We've already said that the number of visitors is limited, and this is done by limiting the number of places on the tours that go there. Keep in mind that, since there is no infrastructure of any kind – beyond a few roofs under which the tour staff prepare meals – it also makes no sense for there to be a regular ferry service to get there.
You will have to book a tour if you want to visit those beaches and snorkel in those seabeds.
Tours to Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres from Cancun or Playa del Carmen
Done. It is now clear that you need an organized excursion , but from where? You are in luck, you can get to Isla Contoy with a tour from Cancun –as we did– or from Playa del Carmen and other destinations in the Riviera Maya , such as Akumal, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras and even Tulum.
Book your excursion to Isla Contoy: from Cancun or from the Riviera Maya .
You will be taken by bus to the pier in Cancun where the boats leave from – where you can first enjoy a buffet breakfast –. After a journey of just under an hour , you will arrive at Isla Contoy. Once there, after a walk through the natural park and a visit to the museum , you will have free time to enjoy the beaches . In the meantime, the crew will prepare a meal based on grilled fresh fish . Depending on the weather conditions, snorkelling will be before or after the meal – in our case it was after.