Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 2003, in Mexico. Located over the mouth of Yucatán’s largest groundwater basin, between the towns of Celestún and Maxcanú, the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve forms part of a vast wetland corridor in the west of the peninsula. Fresh water from underground aquifers surfaces here, making the reserve a unique example of a natural wetland in the area. Its mangroves, dunes and lowland rainforests hold substantial natural heritage, particularly for birds, and the area is a resting place for many migrating species. Although especially known for its pink flamingos, its pristine beaches, with waters ranging from turquoise to light blue, attract thousands of visitors every year.