State of Quintana Roo
Population: 880,000
Size: 15,136 square miles
Location: Eastern Mexico, Yucatan
Peninsula
Borders: Caribbean Sea and the states
of Yucatan, Campeche and the country of
Belize to the south
Important cities/sites within the state:
Bacalar, Cancun, Chetumal (capital), islands
of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, Playa del
Carmen, XCaret, Xel-Ha, Sian Kaan Reserve
and the archaeological zone of Tulum
Major airport(s): Cancun
International Airport (CUN), Chetumal
International Airport (CTM), Cozumel Airport
(CZM), Isla Mujeres Airport (ISJ)
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Web site: www.quintanaroo.gob.mx
Quintana Roo is located on the Yucatan
Peninsula, bordered by the Bay of Chetumal
and Rio Hondo to the south, and the
Caribbean Sea to the east. It is the
youngest state in the country, as well as
the farthest east, meaning it is the first
state to see the sunrise everyday. It is
also one of the only states featuring
magnificent underground rivers with
limestone sinkholes, perfect for diving.
Quintana Roo is home to some of the most
spectacular Mayan ruins in the country,
including Tulum, Coba and Kohunlich.
Additional area attractions are Sian Kaan,
the largest reserve in the state, and Holbox,
a splendid place for bird-watching. The
state is also renowned for its stunning
beaches and exclusive tourist facilities at
destinations like Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto
Aventura, Isla Mujeres, Akumal and Playa del
Carmen.
Chetumal, capital of Quintana Roo and border
town par excellence, lies on the shores of
the bay of the same name. Chetumal Bay is
also the mouth of the Hondo River, the only
river in Quintana Roo and the natural border
between Mexico and Belize.
Cancún is one of the most popular and
important tourist destinations in all of
Mexico and the world. Its superb location
coupled with its year-round mild climate
makes it the perfect place for everything
from ecotourism, snorkeling, horseback
riding and fishing, to golf, scuba diving,
surfing and sailing. Extreme sports are also
a major part of the excitement found in
Cancún.
Cozumel is the largest inhabited island in
Mexico, known as the “plunging paradise” for
divers from all over the world. It is
located east of the Yucatán Peninsula on top
of the age-old structures of the Mayan coral
reef – the second longest in the world. The
island’s lagoon is connected to the sea by
narrow canals with underwater caves,
bursting with multicolored tropical fish and
unique inland reefs. The beaches in Cozumel
are surrounded by dense tropical vegetation
and unusual endemic species, and while these
are also characteristic of the island, its
greatest wealth is undoubtedly underwater.
The former Mayan village of Playa del Carmen
today stands as a wonderful cosmopolitan
city with the highest urban growth in the
country. As the capital of the Riviera Maya,
the city is one of the most popular Mexican
Caribbean destinations for both Mexicans and
international tourists, with beautiful
natural landscapes of sea and jungle. Playa
del Carmen lies halfway between Cancún and
Tulúm, on a coastal strip that combines
jungle, mangrove swamps and white sandy
beaches.
The state of Quintana Roo is an ideal
destination for all types of travelers. From
private beaches and large coral reefs to
important archaeological zones and ultimate
spa-treatments, Quintana Roo is synonymous
with variety and class. |
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