|
 |
Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park |
Once inside the beautiful scenery of the desert, moving on roads full of valleys, cacti and mountains, crossing rivers dry, with the strong afternoon sun plus the dust and wind, visitors feel a growing desire to finally arrive to the marvelous goal of this journey: Cabo Pulmo.
This incredible National Marine Park at Cabo Pulmo, is unique because it is a living coral reef as there is no equal on west coast of America. It is located in Baja California Sur, in the Sea of ??Cortez. It’s 8 kilometers of beach stretch that extends from Punta Cabo Pulmo to Punta Los Frailes.
It is worth mentioning that fortunately Cabo Pulmo is a protected natural area under the category of National Marine Park, since June 6, 1995, it is very important to preserve the Cabo Pulmo coral reef, which is the only surviving example of coral reefs in the Gulf of California.
Marine reefs are considered among the oldest ecosystems on Earth, they are very important from the ecological standpoint, as reefs are vital for the health of the oceans and are considered the marine equivalent of tropical forests.
Tropical waters are naturally low in suspended nutrients, this is caused by the warm waters that prevent essential life sustaining nutrients from emerging from the depths, and this is why tropical waters are sometimes called "marine deserts".
Coral reefs with the photosynthesis by the algae that are contained in the corals, are a vital nutrient input for the tropical and subtropical sea’s food chain, as well as assisting in the recycling of nutrients. The reefs provide protection and home to 25% of the fish in the ocean and up to 2 million marine species.
Cabo Pulmo is a spectacular reef, one of the oldest on America’s Pacific coast, with an age estimated in twenty thousand years. The large number of marine species that can be admired here is impressive, even some of them are in danger of extinction, such as various species of sea turtles.
Here at the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park close to Cabo San Lucas, you can swim, during some seasons, alongside whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which despite being a shark is not carnivorous, as well as humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). But the most amazing and unusual species, that attracts many visitors to this location, are the manta rays (Mobulta thurstoni) that can be seen flying within and even jumping out of waters.
For these and other reasons, this park is now one of the best places worldwide for those who enjoy diving, snorkeling or kayaking. In Cabo Pulmo water has greater depth and is richer in nutrients, which affects visibility a bit, but there is no doubt that you will see large school of fish which you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere in the world.
Do take into account that you really don’t need a lot of touristic infrastructure if you decide to visit this national park, it's more comforting to enjoy these natural beauties while fully respecting the environment that sustains them.
To reach Cabo Pulmo we recommended that you rent a car in Los Cabos International Airport, from where the trip to the park is about two and a half hours. You start off on the Transpeninsular Highway # 1 which goes north of Santiago, when you are reaching Puente La Cueva, just before the bridge there is a detour to the right towards the town of La Ribera, once you reach the entrance of the town, take a right on the first street and you need to go straight until it becomes a dirt road, and about 10 miles further you’ll arrive in Cabo Pulmo.
The roads are safe for driving, plus, if you get there by car you’ll also have a better chance to explore the area around Cabo Pulmo. Do make sure you take a four-wheel drive vehicle, especially when visiting this place during the rainy season, as the roads get slippery.
If you want to spend the night at the Cabo Pulmo National Park you can camp on a beach nearby, and for those who prefer a bit more comfortable facilities, there are also some cabins, some options are:
Cape Pulmo Casas
Baja Bungalows
Cremin's Homes
Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort
We emphasize the importance of respecting and preserving these beautiful places, so that future generations will also enjoy and appreciate the treasure these natural parks offer in beauty, wilderness and harmony.
Back to the Cabo San Lucas News & Article Section
|
