On one of our recent showings in the Costa Maya, our very inquisitive client asked a question that left us perplexed. “What exactly is the mangrove and why is it so important to protect it?”  Since we had no real answer for this question, we promised the inquirer to find out all we could about this tropical wonder.  Boy, did we have our hands full with this task!

As it turned out, the mangroves are not just water-loving trees.  They are the heart of a whole ecosystem that harbors a wide variety of marine life and sustains many other types of animals, including birds and reptiles.

Mangrove forests literally live in two worlds at once. Growing in the inter-tidal areas and estuaries between land and sea, mangroves are comprised of salt-tolerant trees and other plant species from a range of plant families. These trees have specially-adapted aerial and salt-filtering roots and salt-excreting leaves which enable them to occupy the saline wetlands where other plant life cannot survive.

Among the extensive information that this research project gave us about the importance of mangroves, we discovered that Mexico is home to some of the largest tracks of mangroves on earth.  However, we felt that just reading about this marvel that is in our backyard wasn’t enough to satisfy the curiosity of our clients. We decided to experience the mangroves firsthand.

Among the extensive information that this research project gave us about the importance of mangroves, we discovered that Mexico is home to some of the largest tracks of mangroves on earth.  However, we felt that just reading about this marvel that is in our backyard wasn’t enough to satisfy the curiosity of our clients. We decided to experience the mangroves firsthand.

As it turned out, the mangroves lining the beach road on Costa Maya enclose hidden worlds. A local guide took us on a fishing trip into these unique waterworlds.  He showed us a trail that led us as if it were through a portal into a peacefully-green sanctuary of wildlife!

The scene that opened before our eyes felt and looked almost magical.  The great variety of wading birds didn’t welcome our intrusion into their realm and flew off in a cloud of colors. We later identified some of these as different species of “Heron” and several giant (5-ft. tall) “Jabiru Storks”.

Our guide didn’t seem at all surprised by the scenery.  He told us of the different types of “Wood Rails” that hop on top of floating Lilies and about the “Manatees” and baby turtles in these waters. Apparently, 75% of all tropical fish species nurse in the mangroves, where they encounter shelter and food.

According to him, these mangrove-lined lakes (15 acres up to 200 acres in size) are fed by both underground rivers and water coming in from the sea by way of natural submarine tunnels. As our rubber boat glided quietly over the clear water, in parts stained by the Red Mangrove trees, we observed in silent awe the schools of fish swimming around lazily. We got out our fishing rods and bait.

I have to say, that was the most effortless fishing I have ever done. In just a short while we caught 18 good-size fish.  Among them, there was a large “Snook” that we kept for eating. (See pic.) Back in town, the locals congratulated us on our catch and told us about the large “Tarpon” that also swim into these lakes through their secret passageways.

It was a wonderful experience that few places other than the Costa Maya can offer. By the time we returned to Cancun, we were beat, but the excitement of the trip still lingered.  I can’t help but feel a little jealous of people who have made the Costa Maya their home.  The hidden lakes of Costa Maya are truly a marvelous place, full of one-of-a-kind experiences.

Lately, the local government of Cozumel has been busy, reviewing the zoning laws on the island. As a result of this, most of the island is now placed in conservancy. Cozumel Island Estates, as it now stands, is not just the only gated private community in its class on the island, but it is also the last and final approved inland subdivision for residential land use.

In light of these developments, the TCT sales team took a trip to the island last week to get a refresher course on just how special this area really is. This time around, we were enchanted even more than ever before.

From the moment we drove into the gates of Cozumel Island Estates, its tropical serenity took over. while inspecting the spacious quiet jungle lots only about a mile from the beach, we observed the living diversity of the heritage of the island.
Dinosaurs live

While we were all admiring nature’s sophistication in its rich variety of native species of animals and plants, someone pointed out perhaps the oldest of the original inhabitants of Cozumel. Everyone stopped to stare at a huge orangee-colored 6-foot long dinasour looking iguana up on a branch over our heads.

As we found out, Cozumel is the home to some of the world’s largest and most unique iguanas.

These are not the usual green creatures that most of Southern Mexico is used to seeing—these docile Cozumel iguanas are orange in color. Although they are members of the same Iguana Iguana species, they are much larger and differ by their oversized dewlap—a flap of skin that hangs beneath their lower jaw.

Another interesting feature that makes this Cozumel dweller resemble its long-gone predecessors are the protruding horns on their snouts between their eyes and their nostrils.

The dinosaur survivor we saw was almost 6 feet from the tip of its snout to the end of its tail. It was as big as a football around its belly, and it must have weighed a good 25 pounds. We were all amazed to see that this exotic prehistoric-looking animal was completely calm and didn’t seem to mind our presence at all.

As we were told later, great numbers of these unusual creatures roam the island’s jungle. Actually, iguanas don’t really roam—they are gentle tree-dwelling vegetarians who like to bask in the warm Caribbean sun and enjoy an occasional refreshing dip in one of the many cenotes—fresh water sink holes—hidden on Cozumel Island Estates lots.

These extraordinary orange giants are often found in groups, and young males cover up the females with their bodies to protect them from danger of aerial attacks by large birds. Peculiarly, these are the only animals of this species that have this trait.

These benign Cozumel monsters are an important part of this jungle’s lifecycle; they maintain the canopy of the forest at a certain height, eating the fresh leaves off the top of the trees, and act as pollinators.

After our lot inspection, back in town, we were pleased to learn that they can be domesticated and make for a nice pet. By way of a lucky coincidence, we found a local with one of these impressive pets on the street, so we took some pictures with it.

Trees of Jurassic Park

Still on the lot, captivated by the native orange wonder, we overlooked the curious-looking tree, whose branch the iguana chose to sunbathe on. As it turned out, this was another one of the island’s native dwellers—the Kit an Che tree.

This ancient tropical one-if-a-kind tree actually grows from a clump of several small trees, which wind themselves together into a solid mass as the trunk grows. Because of this, the trunk of the tree takes on the appearance of having been woven together like a rope, with many spaces, holes and crevices on its surface.

This tree gets to be extremely old (over 400 years). Since it grows so slowly, its wood becomes very dense and does not float. The leaves of the Kitan Che are very small, about the size of a fingernail. For thousands of years, the Mayan people have used these leaves as an antiperspirant by crushing and rubbing them onto the skin or under the arms.

Today, as in “Jurassic Park”, the orange iguanas lazily slumber in the high crowns of the Kitan Ches on Cozumel Island Estates, listening to the Caribbean waves caress the nearby shore. The tranquility of these wonders reigns in this place. After refreshing ocean dips, this is the perfect place to enjoy worry-free summer afternoons in the shade of the giants.

As the gentle breeze off the Caribbean brings the soothing ocean sounds from the beach only a mile away, your home on these 10-acre lots will give you and your family the comfort and privacy that few other places could offer.

Cozumel Island Estates is definitely a magic jungle where the past and the present co-exist. The harmony of the past is preserved in its ancient species, while modern civilization is a short drive away. Come and experience island living at its best on these spacious private lots with historic unique natural wonders as neighbors.If you would like a chance to have and protect your own 10-acre natural time capsule—with echoes of the past—we still have 5 lots left.