Travel Guide Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos

Created in 1988, it is the first protected marine park in the country and its surface area encompasses nearly 13,200 hectares, of which 1,600 are island lands. This vast territory is particularly renowned for the richness and biodiversity of its coral reefs, including the Cayos Zapatillas, which are also the most popular, and the Cayo Coral Afuera, one of the best representatives, with more than 200 species of tropical fish. Some corals would be more than 10,000 years old! The park also includes ecosystems as varied as islands, beaches, forests and mangrove areas that are home to many birds, monkeys and turtles. The latter, particularly threatened for some of them, go there during the nesting period, from April to October. Off the coast, manatees, also known as sea cows, float. A trip to the nearby waters offers the opportunity to observe many animals in their natural habitats, encouraging us to take up the challenge to continue preserving this precious environment.