|
Mrs PR, The Press Release Archive Home | Search | Releases | Submit | Resources | Sitemap |
Email this Page
Print this page
Bookmark this page
ISLANDS? YEP, MEXICO HAS GOT THOSE, TOO…
Mexico City, June 15, 2005
For that fabulous island getaway, think Mexico. Along with Mexico's fabulous mainland beaches, the country also boasts more than 200 islands distributed along the Pacific, Caribbean, Sea of Cortez, Gulf of Mexico as well as several lakes. From snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Cozumel to whale-watching on the Sea of Cortez, Mexico's island offerings have something for everyone.
Diver's p aradise
Get your snorkeling gear and some sunblock! By far the most popular and well-known island in Mexico, Isla Cozumel (or simply Cozumel) is the largest inhabited island in Mexico. Measuring 30 miles from north to south and 10 miles from east to west, Cozumel is located east of the Yucatan Peninsula in the sunny Mexican Caribbean. With more than 20 miles of coral reefs (second largest in the world), water visibility to 200 feet and more than 200 species of tropic fish, it's easy to see why it was a favorite spot for French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.
Famous all over the world for its reefs, the island offers plenty of water sports such as diving, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and more. Cozumel's mostly undeveloped territory at the center of the island is covered by jungle and swampy lagoons, which are home to tiny mammals and endemic birds that have never left the island. A must is the Chankanaab National Park, a Cozumel icon, and the Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. This enormous protected area at the southern tip of the island includes Punta Celarain and its historical lighthouse, as well as the Colombia Lagoon, a shelter for many of the island's local species.
Nearby is the legendary Isla Mujeres , where during Mayan times, the island served as the sanctuary for the goddess Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of fertility, reason, medicine and the moons (the precursor to today's multi-tasking female?). When the Spanish expedition landed, they found many female shaped idols representing the goddess Ixchel, thus giving Isla Mujeres its name. Located less than four miles off the eastern shore of the Yucatan Penisula, the islands offers many and varied attractions, most notably the spectacular Garrafon National Park, offering a wide array of eco-activities, as well as numerous spectacular dive sites at the offshore reefs of El Farito, Punta Norte and the incomparable Manchones. Intrepid divers can also visit the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, although sharks may not always be found necessarily sleeping.
Meet nature in Baja
The Sea of Cortez, once referred to as the "Galapagos of Mexico" by famed author John Steinbeck, is home to numerous islands that have remained virtually unchanged over the years. Located between Baja California and the mainland, the area is home to some of Mexico's most impressive examples of biodiversity, what Jacques Cousteau referred to as "the world's aquarium."
Bare your belly at Midriff Islands , one of the most remarkable sets of islands on the Sea of Cortez. Located adjacent to Bahia de Los Angeles and southeastern Baja, the area is comprised of more than 20 islands with blue water coves and white sandy beaches. Nearly a dozen species of whales can be appreciated, including the blue whale (which at 100 feet long and 150 tons is the largest mammal that inhabits the planet), as well as the Elephant seal and California sea lions. Also, as a result of the abundant food supply, total isolation and lack of human encroachment, there is a large abundance of birds, ranging from marine to arctic to tropic in origin. Other feathered friends include the Brown Pelicans, Blue Footed Boobies, Frigate Birds, Royal Terns, Cormorants, Osprey, and Turkey Vultures. In fact, more than 95 percent of the world's Elegant Terns and Heerman's Gulls breed on nearby La Raza Island , a Mexican bird sanctuary.
By far one of the largest amongst the Midriff Islands, Isla Angel de la Guarda is located only 10 miles from Bahia de Los Angeles. After crossing the Canal de Ballenas (Whales Channel) and encountering plenty of whales and dolphins, one can spend the day hiking on the island among the elephant trees and cardon cactus, as well as kayaking along a remote island shoreline.
Further south off the Baja Peninsula coast is the Isla Espiritu Santo , a mere 20 miles from the Baja California Sur's capital city of La Paz. With its red rock formations, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Isla Espiritu Santo is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Sea of Cortez. The long, skinny island about the size of Manhattan is divided by a shallow canal, with a narrow beach fronted by turquoise waters and is surrounded by smaller islets where colonies of sea lions sun themselves on sea-washed rocks. In the evening, beach barbecues are common on the island.
Adventurous travelers can circle the area during weeklong kayaking voyages which include snorkeling, swimming with sea lion pups, hiking volcanic arroyos and setting up camp on a different beach each night. The island was designated a federally protected reserve in 1978 and is restricted to environmentally friendly uses.
Pacific delights
Isla Tiburon (Shark Island) is the largest island in the Sea of Cortez, located about 17 miles northeast from Bahia de Kino in Hermosillo, Sonora. The mountainous desert island is one of Mexico's biosphere reserves, designated for its diverse variety of flora and fauna. The island is home to a variety of cactus, ironwood, deer, bighorn sheep and reptiles and is ideal for bird-watching, fishing, diving and nature walks. The coarse-sand beaches, full of sand dollars and conches, are a cornucopia for shell lovers. Originally settled by the Seri indigenous group, who has since moved onto mainland Sonora, the island is being developed into one of North America's premiere wildlife and game refuges. A permit is required in order visit the island and can be obtained at the Bahia de Kino.
The Dead and monkeys?
Lake-side islands are also common in Mexico. Eight inhabited isles rest on top of the majestic Patzcuaro Lake. By far the most popular is Isla de Janitzio , home to one of Mexico's most impressive Day of the Dead celebrations. Throughout the first week of November, Mexico comes "alive" as locals commemorate the deceased through vivid and colorful celebrations. Only 20 minutes from the mainland, visitors can find an array of activities and handicrafts representing death and its many forms. The second largest, Isla Pacanda , is located in the center of the enormous lake and only 35 minutes from the port of Patzcuaro, with its main attractions including fishing and nature appreciation. And Isla Tecuena , the smallest, yet sweetest, as its name means miel buena or "good honey," is an ideal place for peaceful and quiet relaxation offering incredible views of the regional landscape.
Tucked away high in the jungle-covered Tuxtla Mountains along the Gulf of Mexico in Veracruz is Lake Catemaco, Mexico's unofficial witch capital. During the month of March, visitors have the opportunity to be initiated into the sacred rites of local magic in an annual Night of the Witch festival, which combines the mystery of Catholicism, Olmec magic and ancient rites. Resting on the witch-bound lake is Isla de Monos , an island populated by
monkeys, many of them introduced to the area from other parts of the world as part of a scientific experiment. Monkey Island is home to more than 70 Mantled howler monkeys and is a site of several ongoing studies.
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America.
FOR PRESS ONLY : For additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTB's North American Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico
###
Contact:
Rose Mary Cortes
1-800-929-4555
Rose_Mary_Cortes@mia.bm.com
Vera Mandilovitch
Mexico Tourism Board Public Relations/Media Liaison
Burson-Marstellar
225 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1850
Chicago, IL 60601
Ph. 312-228-0517 Ext.14
Fax. 312-228-0515
vera_mandilovitch@mia.bm.com
www.visitmexicopress.com
mrspr.com > Home Releases Travel
Home | Search | Releases | Submit | Resources | Sitemap Terms of use | Privacy Policy | About Us | © 2005, MrsPR.com All rights reserved. |