The expansive wetlands at Manialtepec and Chacahua are major attractions
for nature lovers, but for an even closer and more intimate encounter
with the local fauna, try the Palmazola eco-tourism project at nearby
Barra de Navidad.
The residents of neighboring Barra de Navidad have formed a nonprofit organization to protect the nearby twin lagoons called Los Naranjos and Palmazola and offer eco-tours. It's one those win-win situations: good for the environment and for the economy of this poor village.
The town is hoping to showcase its eco-attractions this Easter Week for the influx of visitors with its 2nd annual Ecology And Folklore Fiesta. But it's always well worth a visit here, especially when you have the place to yourself.
Barra de Navidad is the "second" Barra, across the Colotepec River bridge on the coast highway towards Pochutla. Take the road into the center of town and keep going about 50 meters once it turns into a dirt road until you see the hand painted signs for the hatchery.
Here Galo Sánchez, who oversees this operation, will show you the
iguanas, crocodiles and turtles they are raising to later be released.
There were even a couple of guacamundis in residence when I went to
visit, just before this issue went to press. This is fun trip in itself,
worth the small donation requested.
But I also wanted to check out the birds. At a small clearing in the mangroves, we carefully boarded the narrow dugout and Galo pole punted us through the still waters of Palmazola.
The air was filled with a cacophonous chorus of bird song from the shrieks of the gulls to the basso profundo of the cormorants. Literally hundreds of birds were wheeling through the skies and flitting from tree to tree. Within minutes we spotted a half dozen different species: white and black ibis, white and tricolored herons, anhinga, cormorants and then a pair of the rare roseate spoonbill herons (ajoia ajaja), a magnificent pink against a blue sky.
Just above our heads, the intertwining branches were loaded with nests with eggs about to hatch and with chicks in various stages of development. Truly magical! There are evening tours to view marine turtles as they laboriously haul themselves over the beach and methodically carve out a hollow in the sand to deposit their eggs. And they are offering packets that include overnight camping, three meals, a tour of the lagoon and a night tour to see the crocodiles or the turtles.
The close proximity of Barra (It's only about fifteen minutes from the
center of Puerto) and the intimate view of a rich ecosystem make this a
highly recommended tour for visitors.