Protected Areas of the Yucatan

RiO LAGARTOS BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Created on May 21, 1999, the Rio Lagartos biosphere reserve covers 47,820 square hectares. It is located on the northern coast of the state of Yucatan, and is part of San Felipe, Rio Largartos and Tizimin districts. One of the largest natural salt pans in the country is located at Las Coloradas, producing 500,000 tons of salt per year. The beaches of the Rio Lagartos biosphere have been a sea turtle refuge since October 29, 1986 and the reserve is the only wetland area in Mexico registered in the Ramsar Convention since 1986. It also protects one of Mexico's largest pink flamingo nesting areas.