National park · Mexico
Arrecifes de Alacranes National ParkParque Nacional Arrecifes de Alacranes
Visit Arrecifes de Alacranes for a day dive or bird‑watching trip: take a boat from Progreso, pay the entry fee (check), and plan for hot dry weather; avoid the rainy season (June‑Oct).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- Approximate area of the reef system (17 mi × 13 mi).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Progreso
Arrecifes de Alacranes National Park is a remote atoll off the Yucatán coast, known for its historic shipwreck dives, important bird colonies and limited camping on Isla Pérez. Access is only by boat from Progreso, and the park’s entry fee is included in the charter price.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2004Biosphere Reserve.
- Ramsar wetlandWetland of international importance.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate area of the reef system (17 mi × 13 mi).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Progreso.
Why go
- Scuba diving on historic wrecks and healthy coral.
- Bird‑watching on an Important Bird Area with large frigatebird colonies.
- Remote atoll experience with few visitors.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCooler, dry.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarWarm, dry.
- AprWarm, dry.
- MayHot, dry.
- JunStart of rainy season.
- JulRainy, possible storms.
- AugRainy, storms.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctDrying, still warm.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigatebirds, sharo‑shinned hawk, peregrine falconAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles (nesting)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Coral species (34) and reef fishAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Progreso (Yucatán)
Charter boat from Progreso harbor; most operators depart early morning.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Mérida
Bus or taxi to Progreso (≈30 min), then boat.
≈3 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Pérez (main island) | Lighthouse, navy garrison, camping area, dive launch point. | Boat landing; camping permitted. |
| Isla Desertora, Isla Pajaros, Isla Chica, Isla Exterrado | Bird nesting sites, mangrove wetlands. | Restricted; bird‑watching only from boat. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the atoll; exact island positions vary with tides.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (boat ticket includes fee) | MXN 200–400 (≈ US$11–25) | person | Check exact price with charter operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Permitted only on Isla Pérez in designated area.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from park authorities.
- Fishing
- Allowed with Mexican fishing license; respect protected zones.
- Sunblock
- Avoid reef‑damaging chemicals; use reef‑safe sunscreen.
Where to stay
Near the park
Progreso
Hotels, hostels, and restaurants; base for boat trips.
Safety
Reef navigation high
Heat exposure medium
Storms medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat landing on Isla Pérez reachable by small vessels; no wheelchair access.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support local operators that follow the protected‑area guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Arrecifes de Alacranes National Park?
Entry is included in the boat charter fee; operators usually charge MXN 200–400 per person (check exact price).
What are the best hikes in Arrecifes de Alacranes National Park?
There are no formal hiking trails; activities are diving, bird‑watching and camping on the islands.
When is the best time to visit Arrecifes de Alacranes National Park?
The dry season (Nov–May) offers the most reliable conditions; avoid the rainy season (June–Oct).
Can I stay overnight on the islands?
Yes, camping is permitted on Isla Pérez; bring your own gear and supplies.
Do I need a special permit to dive?
A Mexican diving licence or certification is required; the boat operator handles park entry.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Arrecifes de Alacranes National Park
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