HISTORY OF PUNTA LAGUNA
The Canul brothers, Ignacio, Marcos and Domingo founded Punta Laguna back in the 1950s. Their occupation was "Chicleros", which means they worked the latex of thre Zapote trees to prepare chewing gum.
Their families started the struggle to protect their territory in 1967, when, after the hurricane Behula, a huge fire took place on the neighbor communities.
In 1986 the first investigators arrived and together with the villagers asked the Federal Government to recognize the place as a Natural Reserve.
On June, 5th 2002 Punta Laguna was declared a National Protected Area with the official name of Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh (the home of the spider monkey and the puma) with a surface of
5 367.423 hectares.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNmH1vQ04wk&noredirect=1
In the Community they live today 120 Mayan Villagers, composing 30 families. Punta Laguna is a great example of how the local people can handle both with tourism -organizing different activities such as hiking, birdwatching, monkey watching, zip-lining, rappelling- and the complete respect and will to protect their Natural and Cultural Heritage.
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LOCATION
Punta Laguna is located in the Northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, 18 km North from Coba Archeological Site. It is the perfect place to pass a nice afternoon after climbing the Mayan Temple Nohoch Muul.
FAUNA
The Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is the most representative and charismatic mammal of the Area. It is estimated that there are approximately between 400 and 800 individuals in the Reserve.
There is a smaller quantity of Howler Monkeys (Aloutta Pigra), and both species can be observed during the walk around the Lagoon.
Other typical species species in the Reserve are the Puma (Puma concolor), the White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus), the Coati (Nasua Narica), the Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris Ocellata), among others..
ARCHEOLOGY
Nearby the Lagoon there is a small Archeological Site composed by 36 structures still hidden by the dense vegetation which were built during the Late Preclassic (300 b.C. - 250 A.D.)
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SERVICES
PURIFICATION CEREMONY: Before entering the Jungle, visitors must participate in a Ceremony performed by the Founders of this Community
JUNGLE HIKING: The Community has a group of 14 Naturalist guides with experience in local Flora and Fauna that can provide guided jungle exploration tours where you may find different types of Orchids, a great variety of birds and the Monkeys.
CANOES IN THE LAGOON: The Lagoon is one of the most important hydrological systems in Yucatan, it measures approximately 90 hectares and has depths that go from 10 to 30 meters.
ZIP-LINING: If you like the extreme and the beauty of Nature, you should come and ride the 240 meters long Zip-line, flying above the lagoon
WATER HOLE RAPPELING: Rappel to an underground water whole and enjoy its refreshing waters, and both is beauty and mysticism
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OVER NIGHT STAY: If you like the sounds of the night, Punta Laguna offers a properly prepared campground near the lagoon where you will enjoy your stay.
It is very easy to get to Punta Laguna, only 40 minutes away from Tulum, and 20 minutes from Coba.
The Reserve is recommended to Nature Lovers who want to enjoy the Local Ecosystems and the Maya Culture in complete Respect and Harmony.
You can reach us from the Maya Riviera on a rental car or we can pick you up at ANY HOTEL, for a group of minimum 6 PEOPLE!
For further information CONTACT us on
puntalagunamexico@gmail.com
