Campamento Ecoturístico Río Lacanjá

Overview

Description

The Lacandon forest is today one of the most important natural areas on Earth. This forest is habitat for a large number of plants and animals, many of them endemic species; there is also a convergence of great cultural diversity. Another characteristic of the forest’s majesty is that it still contains numerous Mayan archeological remnants. The Maya Route in Chiapas consists of a chain of interesting destinations in the forest itself, which attract thousands of tourists, for example: the archeological areas of Palenque, Bonampak, Lacanjá Chansayab, Yaxchilán, Las Guacamayas, and the Lagunas de Montebello.

This richness is the reason why combined efforts to conserve and care for the forest have been intensified. However, it is the Lacondons themselves who have best been able to maintain it and help it survive, using their ancestral farming techniques with their respect for and stewardship of the forest.

Rooms

12

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 6

Percentage of local employees: 100%

The Lacondon community has a culture that, despite the years, has maintained traditions that are strongly rooted in and immersed in the forest. Despite the trans-culturalization that is occurring internationally, the people’s way of thinking passed on to them by their Maya culture has not been transformed.

The Río Lacanjá campground has become a sustainable tourism example in this region. This group is using several techniques to reduce the impact of tourism, it is working on rescuing local traditions (such as the Lacandon ceremonies), and it is also the base of many conservation events.

Due to their culture and tradition, the Maya today are a culture rich in knowledge, much of which is being applied in rescuing the forest.

Rates

$26 – $50

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.ecochiapas.com/ (available in Spanish).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Villahermosa (VSA), Tabasco

Nearest local/national airport: Palenque (PQM), Chiapas (small aircraft)

Travel time to nearest airport: 4 hours

Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: 150 miles.

The road is paved from any of the airports to the Lacanjá Chansayab community. Río Lacanjá ecotourism center is only a half mile away from the community over a gravel road that is can be traversed by any kind of vehicle.

Additional Information

Date This Information Was Provided

January 2010.

Photos courtesy of Campamento Ecoturístico Río Lacanjá, Mexico, for SustainableTrip.org.