Centro Ecoturístico Las Guacamayas

Overview

Description

Due to its history, geographic location, climate, and social setting, the Lacandon forest is a region of great importance for Mexico. Most of its territory consists of tropical forests with abundant natural resources that provide water, air, and raw materials. Chiapas is known for its many water resources and in fact, many tributaries originate in this forest. These waterways form a network of springs, creeks, and rivers that flow into the largest river in southeastern Mexico, the Usumacinta.

These conditions make the Lacandon forest an ideal refuge for a large number of plant and wildlife species, many of them endangered. The forest is also a mystery to archeologists, because many archeological remnants are hidden under the vast blanket of the high forest, waiting to be discovered.

Lacandon has beautiful attractions that make it one of Mexico's most highly visited tourist destinations. These include the archeological areas of Palenque, Bonampak, and Yaxchilán, the lakes of Montebello, and many activities that can be done by all kinds of visitors including excursions to the interior of the forest on foot or by boat, visits to scarlet macaw nests, bird-watching, and of course, experiencing the exquisite Lacandon culture.

Rooms

27

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 25

Percentage of local employees: 60%

The Reforma Agraria community was founded in 1976 by a group of Chinanteco immigrants from the state of Oaxaca, who since then have become organized to manage their land sustainably. In the 1990s, the community began activities to protect and conserve the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), an endangered species.

Las Guacamayas Ecotourist Center is a model and an example of sustainability that is using several techniques and actions to distinguish it from other businesses. For example, it has scarlet macaw breeding program, an orchid garden that features several kinds of the region’s orchids, and a conservation unit to manage and make sustainable use of wildlife, especially white-tailed deer.

The community has now designated 3,615 acres (1,463 hectares) of its communal lands as a protected area to conserve the tall evergreen forest as part of the community’s conservation vision.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Villahermosa (VSA)

Nearest local/national airport: Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ)

Travel time to nearest airport: 6 hours

Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: 225 miles (362 km).

Both airports are international and they are about 6 miles (9.7 km) apart.

The road is paved from any of the airports to the community of Reforma Agraria, from where Las Guacamayas ecotourist center is only a half mile away. The gravel road is accessible to any kind of vehicle.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

The “M” award, given by Mexico’s Tourism Secretary for having implemented the Modernized Quality Program, which endorses the adoption of best practices and recognizes model tourism businesses.

Date This Information Was Provided

September 2011.

Photos courtesy of Centro Ecoturístico Las Guacamayas, Mexico, for SustainableTrip.org.