Quintana Roo is a state of Mexico, on the eastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. It borders the States of Yucatán and Campeche to the north and west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the nation of Belize to the south. The capital of Quintana Roo is the city of Chetumal. The state covers an area of 50,351 square kilometers (19,440.6 sq mi), and the 2005 census reported a population of 1,135,309.

Quintana Roo occupies a hot, humid, and heavily forested lowland dotted with cenotes (water-filled sinkholes) and limestone caves. The state also administers the coastal islands of Contoy, Mujeres, and Cozumel, among others, as well as various cays and reefs off the Caribbean coast, which are occasionally struck by tropical storms and hurricanes. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, comprises tropical forests and marine reefs and is located southwest of Cozumel Island.

Quintana Roo is sparsely settled; however, its population began increasing rapidly in the late 20th century, owing largely to the growth in tourism aided by the construction of major highways and airports in the region. The main attractions in Quintana Roo are the resort cities of Cozumel and Cancún that form part of the Mayan Riviera which also includes the city of Playa del Carmen.  Cancún has outstripped Chetumal as the state’s largest city and commercial centre. Virtually all of the state’s income derives from services, including hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and other tourist-related activities. The chief crops are grains and tropical fruits. Mahogany, ebony, and other hardwoods are harvested, and sponges and turtles are caught along the coast.