El Corchito, an ecological reserve in Yucatán

Haven’t visited El Corchito yet? One of the perks of living in Yucatán is how close it is to many tourist areas. Among these are the ecological reserves, where visitors can get an up-close look at the natural diversity of the state of Yucatán.

Whether to escape the heat for a while or simply learn a little more about Yucatán’s flora and fauna, visiting an ecological reserve is always a good idea.

Choose the Yucatán Peninsula: a destination full of natural spaces

Sometimes you need a break from daily tasks — and what better way than in an ecological reserve just a few kilometres from the capital?

El Corchito is one of the most visited nature reserves in the state. Its closeness to the city, along with its great natural wealth, make it one of the busiest tourist areas.

This place is visited by people of all ages. Many schools have taken it up as a learning and recreation destination for their students.

A bond with nature is a trait that motivates some people to move to Mérida, and if that’s your case, El Corchito is the perfect place for you!

Interested in nature and its wildness? We recommend reading H. Quiroga.

It has a privileged location, and that’s precisely where its natural wealth comes from.

El Corchito is a tourist stop just 40 kilometres from the city of Mérida, at Km 2 of Boulevard Víctor Manuel Cervera Pacheco, within the municipality of Progreso, Yucatán.

Read: How to get to Progreso, Yucatán, from Mérida?

Information you need to visit El Corchito

To get there, take highway 261 Mérida–Progreso, and in about 30 minutes you’ll have reached your destination.

Admission costs 25 pesos (adults) and 10 pesos (children under ten), and it’s open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The ticket booths stop operating at 4:00 p.m., although activities officially end an hour later.

According to the reserve’s official site, when you enter the tourist stop you need to take a boat, which will take you on a tour inside the reserve and let you see the mangroves and natural beauty within this area up close.

As well as the mangroves, at El Corchito you’ll find three cenotes and two springs. Thanks to their features, they’re ideal for people of all ages to enjoy.

Among the amenities you can enjoy on arrival:

• Picnic area: ideal for bringing your food and spending a pleasant time with the whole family.
• Viewpoint: a space where you’ll see the site’s natural areas from a different perspective.
• Toilets: both in the lobby and in the cenote area.
• Fast-food area: if you want to travel light, you also have the option of buying your food when you arrive at the reserve.
• Emergency services: the paramedics on site will look after your safety, and are equipped to assist in any emergency.
• Parking: the car park is large, though we recommend arriving early so you don’t risk running out of a space.
• Rest area: this is where people take a break from their walk, and it’s also a zone where those who don’t want to do a tour can wait for their relatives.

If you visit this ecological reserve with your family, don’t forget to pack everything you need for a comfortable, fun-filled day.

Tip: Get sunscreen and repellent before visiting this nature reserve.

You can be sure fun is guaranteed in a completely natural space reserved for adventurous spirits.