The Cascades at Lacanjá are an hours walk
with a guide into
the rain forest,
near the unexcavated Lacanjá ruins.
photo by R. Johnston
The Cascades at Lacanjá are an hours walk
with a guide into
the rain forest,
near the unexcavated Lacanjá ruins.
photo by R. Johnston
Recently, planning workshops for alternative tourism have begun the task of preparing the communities in the Comunidad Zona Lacandona to maximize their control of the increasing tourism in the region of Bonampak and Yaxchilan. The government is completing new roads that will bring full scale tour bus operations to within 3 km. of Lacanjá Chansayab. It is essential that the communities come to some consensus on how to deal with the impact this will have.The project proposes to develop tourist activities of a non conventional nature that will generate economic benefits and more self sufficiency while responsibly using the natural resources and reinforcing contemporary Mayan culture. The project is the coordinated effort of three non governmental parties: the Comunidad Zona Lacandona, PRONATURA and Na Bolom.
Proyecto ecoturístico BONAMPAK
This ecotourism project directly effects the Lacandon Communities of Lacanjá Chansayab and the smaller communities of Bethel and San Javier near the site of the Banampask ruins. It proposes to develop the area as an ecotourism park that will include the Bonampak ruins, the Lacandon communities and parts of the Monte Azules biosphere reserve. One of the goals is to have the Lacandones participate directly in the project, conserving their natural resourses, cultural values and history while developing alternative economic resources. The Comunidad Lacandona, Sub Comunidad Lacanjá Chansayab, Instituto Nacional de Ecologia, and Conservation International are among the organizations involved.As of April, 1997, the road construction and other services planned for this project are nearing completion. This is a very ambitious project designed to bring many more tourists to the area. It is certain to have a dramatic effect on the Lacandon communities.
Visiting a Lacandon Community
The community at Lacanjá Chansayab has already begun providing services for tourists on a small scale. Accommodations are rustic, but the experience can be rewarding if you are interested in hiking in the rain forest, visiting secluded waterfalls, lakes and ruins and getting a sense of life in a rural village in Mexico. It is not difficult to reach Lacanjá by car or public transport via the new highway. Small group tour packages from Palenque include a night in Lacanjá. If you visit, it is important to respect the Lacandones by asking permission to take photos, respecting their privacy, not littering, not abusing drugs or alcohol and using your swim suit. They are happy to have respectful visitors. Offering a smile and pleasant greetings to people you meet should ensure you feel welcome. The best information about visiting Lacanjá can be obtained from Na Bolom in San Cristobal de Las Casas.
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Links to other sites on the Web
El Planeta Platica (The Earth Speaks) - Excellent journal with many articles on eco tourism, conservation, etc. such as Nigh and Ochoa's article on Lake Miramar.
Tourism & region development in Mexico & Chiapas after NAFTA
& The Case of the Lacandones
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