PUNTA
ALLEN
Punta Allen is the largest
village in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve at the end
of the Boca Paila peninsula, in the Mexican state of
Quintana Roo. It is a small Mayan fishing village with a
population of 500, and the only land access is by a
rough 50 kilometre track.
The village has only about 4-5 blocks of sandy streets
going inland from the sea and is only about 6-7 streets
wide. Punta Allen has 2 generators that run electricity
to the village during two periods daily; 11am - 2pm and
from 5pm - midnight. It is wise to bring a flashlight
along so you can find your way to the bathroom at night,
without stepping on a scorpion, crab or any other
creature of the night.
For nutrition, the village has 4 mini markets, a frozen
seafood store/house, a fresh seafood store/house, a
produce store/house, a lobster co-op that makes ice, and
a number of restaurants along the beachfront and
scattered around town. On some days you can pre-order
tamales to be delivered around 6pm, a local goes around
in the morning to take orders.
The beach is not groomed, and is littered with garbage
brought in by the waves. Most of this garbage is said to
come from cruise ships and other Caribbean countries
with open land fills. Every time a hurricane passes it
picks up the garbage and deposits it in the sea, to be
left till it makes its way to one of the beaches.
There is a dock on the lagoon with a palapa roof. This
is a good spot for watching the sunset and perhaps a
feeding dolphin or crocodile. Punta Allen is a perfect
base for bird-watchers; Pelicans, Pink spoonbills,
Frigates, mockingbirds, vultures and White Ibis nest
nearby. |
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