Situated between one of the richest seas in the world, the Gulf of California, and one of the most arid deserts, the Gran Desierto de Altar, are the estuaries of the Northern Gulf of California, places unique in their natural beauty and offering an impressive range of biodiversity.

This incredible setting is home to the NaturArte Ecotourism Corridor, an initiative conceived  to promote the sustainable use of the Sonora’s stunning wetlands.

Developing in a sustainable way is an ongoing challenge. We know that models of sustainable systems are critical to expanding the responsible use of natural resources. With this in mind, we propose a series of small businesses dedicated to eco-tourism throughout the esteros of the northern Gulf of California. NaturArte will be linked by shared social and environmental principles and practices. We support community groups in developing and marketing eco-tourism services, and in building their organizational capacity for tourism.

For more information check out NaturArte's webpage at www.cedonaturarte.org.

* To schedule a NaturArte Eco-tour, or if you have any questions, contact us This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , at (520) 320-5473 in the U.S. or at (638) 382-0113, or 0115, in Mexico.

How do we do it?
- Identify existing groups who are interested in eco-tourism.
- Together we design ecotourism projects.
- We look for human and economic resources to promote the projects.
- We establish social and environmental principles to guide the projects.
- The businesses commit to support conservation.
- CEDO offers training and support for marketing and commercialization of the projects.

NaturArte Day Tours

CEDO and the NaturArte businesses offer a wide variety of tours which combine fun, adventure and learning with conservation. The tours put you in direct contact with nature and local culture, to listen to their stories first hand. All excursions are conducted in a safe environment with respect for wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem.

These tours involve a full day of activities, with 4 highlights:

1. Natural History Talk
Find out about the region’s most important ecological and cultural features in one of CEDO’s traditional natural history talks at their visitor center. You will see a huge whale skeleton, sea turtle shells, a desert pupfish pond and a gift shop housed in a building of recycled tires and cans. 

2. One of the following activities:
-  NaturArte Kayak Tour
Ride the tides into the estuary whit an easy to use sit –on-top kayak. You will explore the estuary during a three hour outing that will take you to places inaccessible by any other means. Observe nature up close and personal.
- NaturArte Estero Tour
Explore the Hidden Universe of the mudflats and salt marshes in the estuary. You will hike into the estuary and discover the incredible biodiversity hidden in unexplored places.
- NaturArte Oyster experience Tour
Become an oyster farmer for the day and learn how to sow oyster seeds, cultivate, harvest and cook these succulent shellfish with Doña Antonia’s recipes.
- NaturArte Birdwatching Tour
Observe our Feathered Friends. Some of the 142 species of resident and migratory birds which use Estero Morúa may be seen feeding, resting and nesting in this estuary.

3. Visit to a local oyster farm
You will get to know about the oyster farming life style and oyster production techniques, which have allowed the cooperative to survive and flourish through sustainable use of the estuary.

4. Typical sea food lunch
You can wrap up any of the above tours with a special seafood lunch in the estuary. Enjoy, among other things, the very freshest oysters you can find; cultured and harvested at only a short distance from the restaurant where they are prepared and served at one of the cooperatives.

NaturArte Founding Members

Cooperativa Única de Mujeres
Sonora’s first oyster farming cooperative, also operates the “El Barco” Restaurant, decorated with a beautiful mural depicting some of the estuary’s natural inhabitants. Enjoy the stunning view of the gulf of California over a cord beer, some fish ceviche or a dozen raw oysters.

Aquamar Cooperative
A small family-cooperative that has harvested oysters for over 20 years has started renting kayaks and offering kayak tours. During your visit enjoy the sky and bird silhouette mural depicting harmony between man and the estuary. Make sure not to leave without talking with Don Conrado or Don Carlos, heart and soul of the cooperative.

Cooperativa Punta Roja
This cooperative offers tourist the unique chance to experience oyster farming first hand, Punta Roja members have participated with CEDO on several training courses such as nature interpretation, enghlish classes and ecotourism planning.

NaturArte is part of the Geotourism Project of National Geographic Society – Center for Sustainable Destinations, and a member of Asociación Mexicana de Turismo de Aventura y Ecoturismo.

The proceed from the NaturArte tours go directly to benefit the NaturArte community business and estuary conservation projects that will help protect these essential habitats for birds, fish, plants and invertebrates – and as an important economic and cultural resource for the communities of the upper Gulf.

For more information contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it