Destination: La Ventanilla, Oaxaca, Mexico
Date of Event: 27/09/2026
Project Overview: Since the late 1990s, local families partnered with NGOs and Mexico’s Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat) to convert a fragile coastal lagoon into a thriving ecotourism hub.
Tourism Experience: Visitors glide in motor‑free boats along crystal‑clear waters, guided by community members who point out more than 300 rescued crocodiles, nesting turtles, and pristine mangrove forests.
Key Figures: The cooperative protects approximately 300 crocodiles and releases between 25,000 and 30,000 hatchlings to the sea each year, directly financing conservation activities.
Travel Tip for Adventurers
Best Season: June – October, when rains swell the lagoon and wildlife activity peaks.
Booking: Reserve tours directly through the community cooperative to support local families.
Community Impact
By blending cultural heritage with modern conservation, La Ventanilla’s model has reinvigorated 27,000 ha of mangroves that Mexico has lost in recent years, creating jobs, educational programs, and a replicable template for other coastal villages.
Future Outlook
Plans are underway to open new aerial routes to Oaxaca, which could boost international arrivals. Organizers envision expanded “conservation packages” and modest price adjustments to fund larger mangrove restoration projects. Likely initiatives include school‑based environmental curricula and seasonal wildlife festivals.
Related Landmarks
- Puerto Ángel: Nearby coastal town with historic port facilities.
- Laguna de Puerto Ángel: The protected lagoon where boat tours begin.
- Local Cooperatives: Community groups driving sustainable tourism.