How Oaxaca’s La Ventanilla turned tourism into conservation

La Ventanilla Beach in Oaxaca is a stunning natural wonder, featuring a 15-kilometer stretch of pristine shoreline shaped like a window-like rock formation. This breathtaking area, located in Santa María Tonameca municipality, has been protected for three decades by the Zapotec community, who transformed it into a sanctuary for local wildlife, particularly turtles and crocodiles.

In the late 1990s, the crocodile and turtle populations in La Ventanilla were teetering on the brink of extinction due to poaching and culinary demand. However, the community took decisive action to change their economic focus. In the late 1990s, Mexican laws were enacted to protect these species, with stricter penalties for poaching and enhanced reserve protection. This shift led to the formation of the Ecotourism Cooperative La Ventanilla, a global model for balancing ecotourism with wildlife conservation.

The cooperative successfully merges tourism with the protection of local flora and fauna, attracting over 25,000 turtles annually. Their night-time monitoring and hatchling releases contribute to the preservation of the species, while tourists can participate in these vital efforts. The cooperative also hosts visitors to see crocodiles and other wildlife, funding the project through ecotourism activities such as guided boat tours and island visits.

This self-sustaining model has become essential for the conservation of La Ventanilla's unique ecosystem, including mangroves and lagoons that provide natural barriers against hurricanes and aid in carbon sequestration.