Banco Chinchorro is a biosphere reserve located at the far south of Mexico. It harbors one of the largest populations of American crocodiles, with about 500 individuals. These majestic reptiles can be observed in a preserved mangrove, as long as certain approach rules are respected.
Journey to Xcalak
My adventure begins with a landing in Cancún, in the province of Yucatán. This large peninsula separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. My goal is to reach Xcalak, a small fishing village on the Belize border, which will be the starting point of my expedition to Banco Chinchorro. It is here that I hope to encounter the American crocodile, the largest marine reptile.
After more than 6 hours on the road, I arrive at the XTC center, a pioneer of diving in this region still spared by mass tourism. Each year, few divers have the chance to explore the Xcalak national park, whose ecosystem is one of the best-kept secrets of Mexican scuba diving. Its lagoons, mangroves, and rivers house an exceptional coral reef, renowned for its concentration of Central American tarpons.
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