Ciudad del Carmen

This former pirate island was a strategic port to attack vessels and neighboring towns. It was taken by the Spanish on July 16, 1718, on the day of the "Virgen del Carmen". Located around the island are beautiful natural areas: Isla Aguada, Sabancuy, the beautiful Rivers and the Laguna de Atasta, all havens where you can partake in ecotourism in the mangroves, estuaries or beaches.

Today, the island is anchored to the mainland by two large bridges that rise over the waters of Laguna de Términos; a candidate for the Natural Heritage of Humanity, which you simply must travel by boat to appreciate its splendor. Here birds, crocodiles and various species of crabs live among the mysterious mangrove jungle. It is also a sanctuary for dolphins, hawksbill turtles and manatees.

One of these two bridges, El Zacatal, is considered a masterpiece of Mexican engineering. At 3,222 meters long, it is the longest in the country, joining the southern part of the island with the municipality of Palizada through the Atasta Peninsula. Once on the island, white sandy beaches and the colorful city of Ciudad del Carmen await you. Traveling through the old town, you will see the Municipal Palace, the Zaragoza Park, the former Victoriano Nieves hospital that houses the city Museum and the Parish of Our Lady of Carmen, built in the 18th century. Travel off the beaten path and you will find the neighborhoods of Jesus and Del Guanal, the oldest on the island, where you can appreciate the original architecture of the first settlers. You should also visit to the city's pleasant pier.

If you love good fish and seafood, you've come to the right place. Highlights include the dogfish bread, breaded shrimp in garlic sauce and fried juicy fish. They are all waiting for you at "La Puntilla", right beside the Zacatal bridge.