Investment in Puerto Peñasco in 2006 was among the highest for any tourist destination in Mexico, second only to Acapulco. State and national projects, like the Escalera Nautica, a system of marinas throughout the gulf, and the Santa Clara – Kino Coastal Highway have inspired large-scale tourism development in the region. Social and environmental impacts from this type of development tend to be large, and Peñasco is no exception.

CEDO promotes an alternative model of tourism development: one which directly benefits the community and minimizes impacts to the environment. We envision a tourism in which visitors fully experience and learn about the region’s culture and ecosystems. We work with local, state and national governments, and with the local community to plan development. With sound planning and governance we can reduce the negative impacts of tourism while taking full advantage of its benefits.

Check out our NaturArte Ecotourism Corridor page for more information on our ecotourism projects and activities.

Monitoring Tourism Development in Puerto Peñasco

In 2006, ALCOSTA, an alliance of organizations in support of sustainable development in northeast Mexico, monitored development in areas where marinas have been proposed as part of the Escalera Nautica project. This federal project aims to increase tourism by creating a series of tourist marinas throughout the Gulf of California, leaving behind important environmental and social issues. CEDO, as a member of ALCOSTA, tracked tourist development in Puerto Peñasco. The information we have obtained has had a regional impact, and again highlights the rapid level of growth in Peñasco. Find out what we have learned so far, here.

Results:

- Identify tourism projects with high levels of impact on essential ecosystems.
- Understand tourism trends in the municipality of Puerto Peñasco.
- ALCOSTA has outlined environmental organizations’ vision for sustainable tourism in the Gulf of California. Read the vision statement here.

Choose Wisely: Healthy and Harmful Development Projects
In Puerto Peñasco there are many projects and associated activities which involve the use/exploitation of essential ecosystems. Here we highlight projects notable for their significant positive or negative impacts. .

Responsible Projects and Activities

Estero Oysterfarms
There are several oyster producing cooperatives in Estero Morúa, Estero La Cinita, Bahia Adair and Bahia San Jorge. Oysterfarming has very little impact on the wetlands, as oysters are natural filters. The simple infrastructure required for growing oysters does not modify the current or sediment patterns.

“El Barco” Restaurant
The oyster producing cooperative, ‘Unica de Mujeres’ (literally, “the only women’s coop”, and it’s true) runs this restaurant on the shores of Estero Morúa. The cooperative worked with CEDO to create a restaurant and an educational mural on its walls. The mural, designed and painted by students at the University of Arizona, fits with the natural beauty of the wetland and educates visitors about its diverse species and habitats.

Kayaks “Noemí”
Aquamar, an oyster producing cooperative, about a mile from El Barco, began this kayak tour business, also in collaboration with CEDO. There are no environmental impacts from kayaking if done responsibly. This ecotourism business has adopted the social and environmental priniciples of NaturArte. 

Irresponsible Projects

Marina Sandy Beach *  
Involves the destruction of the rocky reef at Sandy Beach and of Estero La Cholla.

The Pointe * 
Involves the destruction of a breeding colony of a protected species of bird, the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) in Estero Morúa.

Mayan Palace
Modifies the currents and ecological functions of Estero La Pinta.

Tessoro
Impacts a colony of a protected species of bird, the Least Tern, (Sternula antillarum) in Estero Morúa.

Villa Cortés
Modifies Estero Morúa.

* A legal case is underway with regard to these developments (see Legal Protection of Habitats).