12 Nature Parks in Quintana Roo, Mexico: Map & Photos

12 parks and reserves

Quintana Roo has 12 parks and reserves with their own page on Puebloteca, near the Pueblos Mágicos of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Tulum. The closest to a pueblo is Chankanaab, 9 km from Cozumel; the farthest out is Isla Contoy, 30 km from Isla Mujeres.

Parks and reserves are best on weekdays and early in the day. Bring water, and check the opening hours, since some close one day a week.

Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.

The Nature Parks 12

Chankanaab · Nature reserve · 9 km from Cozumel
A park on the west coast with a reef for easy snorkeling from shore, a lagoon linked to the sea, and botanical gardens.
Sian Ka'an · Nature reserve · 9 km from Tulum
A vast UNESCO-listed reserve of lagoons, mangroves and reef south of Tulum, with boat trips to see dolphins, birds and manatees.
Palancar Reef · Nature reserve · 17 km from Cozumel
Cozumel's most famous reef, off the island's southwest coast: coral towers, tunnels and drop-offs for divers and snorkelers.
Punta Sur · Nature reserve · 25 km from Cozumel
An eco park at the island's southern tip: the Celarain lighthouse, a lagoon with crocodiles and birds, and quiet beaches with reef.
Isla Contoy · Nature reserve · 30 km from Isla Mujeres
A protected bird island north of Isla Mujeres, with nesting pelicans and frigatebirds; only 200 visitors a day on authorized boats.
Croco Cun · Nature reserve · Puerto Morelos
Interactive zoo north of Puerto Morelos that began as a crocodile farm; guided tours meet crocodiles, deer, monkeys and rescued local wildlife.
Jardín Botánico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín · Nature reserve · Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos' 65-hectare jungle botanical garden, with labelled trails, a chiclero camp, a small Maya ruin, a lookout tower and spider monkeys.
Punta Nizuc · Nature reserve · Benito Juárez
Rocky southern tip of Cancún's hotel zone with the reef closest to the city, MUSA sculptures and mangrove speedboat tours.
Ruta de los Cenotes · Nature reserve · Puerto Morelos
Jungle road from Puerto Morelos toward Leona Vicario lined with some 20 cenotes, from wild sinkholes to adventure parks with zip lines.
Xcaret · Nature reserve · Solidaridad
Big eco-park on a Caribbean inlet south of Playa del Carmen, built around underground rivers and the ruins of the Maya port of Polé.
Xenses · Nature reserve · Solidaridad
Grupo Xcaret's sensory park near Playa del Carmen: optical illusions, a topsy-turvy village, mud baths, a salt river and a zip line.
Xplor · Nature reserve · Solidaridad
All-inclusive adventure park next to Xcaret: two zip-line circuits, amphibious vehicles and rafting and swimming through stalactite caves.