Boca Paila Peninsula facts for kids
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Native name:
Sian Ka'an
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Bridge from mainland to Boca Paila Peninsula, over Boca Paila Lagoon's outlet
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| Geography | |
| Location | Caribbean coast of Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum municipality, Quintana Roo state, southeastern Mexico |
| Coordinates | 20°00′23″N 87°29′18″W / 20.0064°N 87.4882°W |
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Mexico
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| Demographics | |
| Population | Tulum village |
The Boca Paila Peninsula is a beautiful strip of land in southeastern Mexico. It's located on the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. This special place is also known as Sian Ka'an, which means 'Origin of the Sky' in the Mayan language.
Contents
Discovering Boca Paila Peninsula
This narrow piece of land is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) long. It acts like a natural barrier, separating the calm Boca Paila Lagoon from the wide-open Caribbean Sea.
A Unique Connection
The peninsula is the only way to travel by land between the fishing village of Punta Allen and the town of Tulum. A dirt road connects these two places.
Underwater Wonders
From the peninsula, you can look out over the amazing Great Mayan Reef in the Caribbean. This reef is a huge underwater world, full of colorful fish and other sea creatures.
Fishing Fun
There's a bridge that crosses the spot where the lagoon meets the Caribbean Sea. This bridge is a very popular place for people who love to fish, especially for sport fishing and fly-fishing.
Boca Paila Preserve: A Protected Paradise
A part of the Boca Paila Peninsula is a special protected area called the Boca Paila Preserve. This preserve is private, but it's also inside a much larger area called the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. This reserve is so important that UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage Site.
Amazing Wildlife
The Sian Ka'an Reserve is home to many different animals. Scientists have found 103 types of mammals living there. This includes animals like jaguars, pumas, and monkeys. There are also 336 known kinds of birds, making it a great spot for birdwatching.
Private Homes in Nature
Only a tiny part (about 1%) of the Boca Paila Preserve is privately owned. In this small section, there are eight luxury homes. These homes are built to blend in with the natural beauty of the area.
See also
- Tulum municipality topics
In Spanish: Laguna Boca Paila para niños
