Biosphere Reserve La Encrucijada
Country: Mexico.

The Biosphere Reserve de la Encrucijada, located in the coastal plain of Chiapas is part of the municipalities of Pijijiapan, Mapastepec, Acapetahua, Huixtla, Villacomaltitlan and Mazatán. This Reserve embraces a territorial surface of 144,864 hectares. The scenic beauty with its astonishing sunsets, the song of the birds and the secret steps of the animals that live in this place, makes this reserve one of the most beautiful and worthy to be contemplated in Mexico and in the world. La Encrucijada, with about 300 birds residents and migratory, will capture your senses allowing you to have a unique experience observing the great variety of colors, sizes and forms, like the case of the Garza Spatula that seduces everybody with its beautiful plumage and pink color. The Biosphere Reserve La Encrucijada, is characterized by its swamps that end up measuring up to 35mtrs of height, being these the highest reported on the Pacific Ocean. It also contains big tulares extensions, zapotonales, popales and some regions of low and medium tropical forest in good conservation state.

The reserve is home to 45 species of reptiles and 53 species of mammals, the most important, because they are an endangered species: Jaguar (Panthera onca), Ocelote (Felis pardalis), White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Spider Monkey (ateles geoffroyi) among others. Among the species of reptiles we find: Cayman (Cayman crocodylus), Crocodile of River (Crocodylus acutus), three species of marine turtle: Laud (coriaceous Dermochelys), Carey (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the most abundant the Golfina (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Infrastructure: The Camp "La Concepción", is designed to receive a maximum number of 10 people per group, it has rooms equipped with beds; watering-cans, toilets, kitchen, dining and living room. Visiting season: Due to the conditions of the area, the Program of Ecotourism, operates during the months of November to May, every day of the week.

How to arrive? Flying from Mexico City to the city of Tapachula (the nearest city to the reserve) transported in vehicle by the coastal highway (paved) to the municipality of Acapetahua (1 hour) where you will find the regional offices, afterwards transported in vehicle to the pier "Las Garzas", entrance door to the Reserve (20 minutes) where a boat will take you through San Juan's channel and the tideland El Hueyate until arriving to the Camp La Concepción (45 minutes) located in the Center Area of the Reserve, which has 5 shared rooms and an area for camping.

For more information and reservations, call us to the telephones of the Biosphere Reserve La Encrucijada (961) 82105 and (960) 45404 in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. Contact: Biol. Martha Eugenia Barrios or LAT. Claudia Grajales Velasco

E-mail: laencrucijada@infosel.net.mx , kenyb2002@hotmail.com