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| Celestun | ||
| State | Yucatan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 8.389 (2020) | |
| height | 0 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Celestun is a national park in Yucatan in Mexico.
background
Celestún is a fishing village with about 6000 inhabitants. Much better known, however, is the lagoon of the same name, which is a very popular travel destination, especially with bird lovers.
history
Even before the Spanish arrived, the Maya were mining salt here in the lagoon. Based on the good fishing opportunities in fresh and salt water, a small community of 6,000 people was able to establish itself here. The squid caught in this region is a specialty. In the main spring season, the city swells to a size of up to 10,000 inhabitants. In 1979 the lagoon with its abundance of birds was declared a Celestun Wildlife Refuge. After Hurricane Gilbert hit the Yucatán in 1988, large numbers of flamingos settled here every year. In 2004, the mangrove forests in the lagoon with a size of 591 km² were declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve. In recent years, fishing has become increasingly popular in the city. Celestún is regionally regarded as a pioneer for gentle, sustainable ecotourism. Guides and rangers of other reserves such as Calakmul were trained here. In recent years there have been increasing reports of individual boaters who, at the insistence of tourists, drive very close to the birds or steer the boats into the shallow, sensitive waters of the biotope away from the shipping routes. Therefore, as a tourist, you are required to counteract this here.
landscape
About 15 km long and up to 2 km deep, the lagoon stretches into the mainland. In the south it opens up to the sea and is fed by highly salty sea water. In the west there are springs that feed the lagoon with fresh water. There are extensive mangrove forests around the lagoon, which take up 59% of the area. There are also smaller islands in the lagoon, which also contain mangrove forests. The rest of the vegetation is subtropical.
Flora and fauna
Subtropical landscapes with mangrove forests and lower jungle, which partly loses its leaves in winter, and an enormous variety of food form an ideal habitat for birds of all kinds. In addition to the flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, various heron species and between December and March wild ducks can be found here can be observed from Canada. A total of over 300 different bird species have been counted. In addition to birds, there are 234 different mammal species in the biosphere, such as jaguars, spider monkeys and the ocelot. The green turtle can be found as well as the Loogerhead turtle. And of course there are crocodiles too.
 Flamingos |  Wild ducks |  Cormorants |  Pelicans |
climate
The subtropical climate typical of the Yucatán peninsula prevails here. The driest months are between November and April. Depending on how dry they are, this can have an impact on the number of flamingos. Because if the water level drops too much, many flamingos choose other places such as Rio Lagartos. With relatively high water levels, there were up to 30,000 flamingos in record years.
getting there
Although the lower tip of the reservation is already in the state Campeche the only sensible way to get there is via Mérida (Mexico). The nearest international airport is also located here.
The easiest way to get here is from Mérida (Mexico) through one of the many travel agencies. Almost every hotel works together here. Usually a package with a round trip, a short tour and a lunch on the beach (fish of course) is offered.
If you want a little more flexibility, you can take the bus directly from Mérida (Mexico) arrive. The buses depart from Terminal Noreste and arrive at the plaza. Travel time is approximately 2 hours and the price is around MEX $ 50. Those who want to take the short tour (only the northern part of the lagoon) on the lagoon should go back to the bridge, and those who want to do the long tour (the entire lagoon and along the beach) should go into town to the port. The buses run approximately every hour between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The best route for self-drivers is via Umán and Kinchil on the MEX 281. The journey time is around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Fees / permits
The boat tours themselves are chargeable. The short tour over the northern part costs the equivalent of around € 10.00. In return you get the flamingos, the bird island and the freshwater springs in 1.5 hours. The long tour takes about twice as long and includes the short tour plus the petrified forest and an exhilarating beach ride to the entrance to the lagoon. The price is usually set per boat here. Each boat trip costs € 70.00 to € 80.00 and offers space for eight passengers.
mobility
There are numerous boats at the bridge over the lagoon in front of the city. There is also a car park and ticket office here. The boaters usually speak Spanish, with some speaking English. If you want to make sure that you get an English-speaking boat guide, you have to pay an extra charge. Usually the classic short tour is taken. Every now and then the boatmen offer to visit the petrified forest for a surcharge. But if you want to see the whole lagoon, you have to go to the beach and rent a boat there. In return you get a ride along the beach.
Tourist Attractions
- lagoon - Most tourists come here for the lagoon, and rightly so. There are numerous sights that can be visited in a boat tour:
- Pink natural flamenco park
- Thousands of flamingos nest here from March to August and are the main attraction of the lagoon. Attracted by special algae, which find an ideal breeding ground in brackish water, the sky can sometimes turn pink. A terrific sight!
- Pink natural flamenco park
- Thousands of flamingos nest here from March to August and are the main attraction of the lagoon. Attracted by special algae, which find an ideal breeding ground in brackish water, the sky can sometimes turn pink. A terrific sight!- Isla de los pájaros
- The bird island is home to very large nesting colonies of frigate birds and pelicans.
- Isla de los pájaros
- The bird island is home to very large nesting colonies of frigate birds and pelicans.- Fresh water springs
- Two fresh water springs offer, among other things, the opportunity to swim. A wood-paved path leads from the pier to the two springs. The first larger one shows up in clear blue water and is suitable for bathing. The second is smaller and you can occasionally spot crocodiles here. We have been assured several times that they will never go to the great source. In any case, you should be prepared against mosquitoes that are waiting for delicious tourist blood.
- Fresh water springs
- Two fresh water springs offer, among other things, the opportunity to swim. A wood-paved path leads from the pier to the two springs. The first larger one shows up in clear blue water and is suitable for bathing. The second is smaller and you can occasionally spot crocodiles here. We have been assured several times that they will never go to the great source. In any case, you should be prepared against mosquitoes that are waiting for delicious tourist blood.- Petrified forest
- A long time ago the local trees were killed by the salt water, are now rock-hard in the water and will be driven through on the big tour.
- Petrified forest
- A long time ago the local trees were killed by the salt water, are now rock-hard in the water and will be driven through on the big tour.- Beach
- The beaches are for spoiled visitors from e.g. Playa del Carmen disappointing. But anyone who comes directly from Europe will be delighted. The water is cloudy, but the beaches are less familiar with the hustle and bustle of tourists.
- The beaches are for spoiled visitors from e.g. - Hacienda
- In the south of the city there is the abandoned hacienda, which is also a popular point for observing animals.
- In the south of the city there is the abandoned hacienda, which is also a popular point for observing animals.
1 lighthouse. 
.Actually there are two lighthouses. One is from the 19th century. The more modern one is 12 meters high and still in operation.
.jpg/320px-Celestún,_Yucatán_-_lighthouse_(2).jpg)
activities
- Bird watching - the main reason to travel to Celestun
- Swimming - The cloudy water is not suitable for snorkeling, but the beach is calm and not exactly overcrowded.
- eat - Celestun is known for its fish specialties. This should not be missed!
shop
kitchen
The cuisine of Celestún has one thing above all to offer and that is fish. A specialty during the fishing season is the local squid. But the rest of the fish cuisine is also impressive, even if you keep hearing that the quality is declining in the course of increasing tourism. If you don't want to search long, here are a few addresses:
- La Playita, right on the beach. Seafood and ceviche are served.Open: daily 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Restaurante Los Pamponos, Calle 12. Also right on the beach there is fish fillet, seafood and squid ceviche.Open: daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- El Lobo, Calle 10. If you can't see fish anymore, you can get hamburgers and pizza here.Open: daily 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
accommodation
The majority of visitors only come for one day. But if you would like to spend a few days here, there are a few small hotels available:
- Casa Peon, Street 12 # 120-B between Street 15 and 17 Just a few meters from the beach and the two lighthouses of Celestun. Celestun, Merida Yucatan. Tel.: (0)1 988 916 26 28, Email: [email protected]. Open: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Hotel Los Manglares. Tel.: (0)19889162156, Email: [email protected]. Offers double rooms and cabañas and is located directly on the beach. All rooms have a sea view.Price: Double approx. 900 MEX $.
- Hostel Rìa Celestún, Corner of Calle 12 / Calle 13. Tel.: (0)1 916 2597. There is a dormitory for women and men. A kitchen and washing facilities are available.Price: Around 100 Mex $ per bed.
