Playa Ventanilla More Aerial Photos
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Playa Ventanilla is a small remote seaside village. It is located 2 miles west of Mazunte on Hwy 175. There is a sign along the highway indicating where to turn. A dirt road leads from the highway to the town. Camionettas will take you to the road, but you have to walk in. It's about a ten-minute walk (1km). Taxis will drive you in and arrange to pick you up later if necessary.
Fifteen years ago Playa Ventanilla was nothing more than a coconut plantation with three families living there. After the Hurricane Pauline in 1997, more families moved into the area to build a small close-knit community. In December 1999 the town finally got electricity. For the traveler seeking a tranquil interlude, this peaceful village is as close to paradise as one can get. The never-ending mystical beach leads you to Puerto Escondido. At the beginning of the beach, is a high rocky peak which is the subject of folklore. Playa Ventanilla is a great spot for an adventure or just a day at the beach.
The local cooperative, Servicios Ecoturisticos de La Ventanilla, operates the tours as well as participates in projects to protect the ecosystem and has done for over 15 years. The income from the tours supports these projects. They are based in the circular building to the left as you approach the beach. An alternative cooperative offers 30 minute tours that do not include the mangrove island (museum, rescued animals, tree nursery) or the conservation projects. (2/07)
There are tours of the Laguna Ventanilla 7 days a week for about US$4 per person. The tour lasts approximately an hour and a half and takes you to an island in the lagoon where cold drinks and food are served. You may see crocodillas, birds and other wildlife. Further down the beach is a much bigger lagoon. Locals are willing to guide you there for a small fee. There is also a horseback riding tour of the lagoons.
The locals are helping preserve the turtles by collecting eggs and placing them in a protected area until they hatch. Then the hatchlings are released. The turtles were once plentiful before the turtles and their eggs were overharvested.
Other wildlife in the area, many of which are protected species, include crocodiles (crocodylus acutus), many green iguanas, a few black iguanas, white tailed deer, pigmy skunk, coatimundi, tropical anteater (Tamandua), raccoon, fresh-water turtles, armadillo, the jaguarundi and the possum.
Playa Ventanilla is 2 miles west of Mazunte.
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Hotels
• Hoteles
Additional accommodations are located in Mazunte to the east.
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| Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates. |
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Hotels |
Restaurants |
Transportation |
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Miscellaneous |
Transportation • Transportación
La Ventanilla is accessed from a paved highway west of Puerto Angel. The access road from the highway to La Ventanilla is dirt and can be quite rough at times although I understand improvement may be underway. On my visit in October 2005, I turned back due to a very large puddle that looked like it might swallow my Volkswagen.
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Hotels |
Restaurants |
Transportation |
Tours |
Miscellaneous |
Tour Operators, Outfitters
• Operadores Turísticos, Proveedores
| Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates. |
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e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.
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| Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates. |
Ayúdenme a mantener ésta información al día. Envía tus actualizaciones por
e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.
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Tom Penick:
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