Geography.
The terrain is flat, covered by low tropical jungle, and its coasts alongside
the Caribbean provide many kilometers of powdery white sand beaches, inlets,
bays, and mangrove swamps. Due to the limestone soil in this entire zone, there
are no important rivers with the exception of the Hondo, a navigable river on
the border with Guatemala. The most important lagoons are Coba, North of Tulum,
Bacalar to the Northeast of Chetumal, the State's capital, and Chichancanab,
between Santa Rosa and Polyuc. Sweetwater "cenotes" are abundant in
the region, giving rise to the ancient population centers of the Maya culture.
Climate.
The average annual temperature ranges from 77°F (25C) to 86°F (30C).Cenote
water temperature for snorkeling or diving is around 76°F (24°C) year-round.Offshore
water temperatures range from 78°F (26°C) in January to 84°F (29°C)
in August. May through November is the rainy season.
